The only other place where the wickets are flat is the West Indies. Anywhere else you need 3 seamers.

2 regular spinners...not a hope in hell..

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The only other place where the wickets are flat is the West Indies. Anywhere else you need 3 seamers.
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ive got 3 seamers.

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prior

England work with Prior at 7. He knows his role. Why brwak something fixed.

It would be great to play both spinners away from the sub continent but I would only do that with an all round paceman in the top 6. Ben Stokes, if he stays free of injury could be a third pace option.

England work with Prior at 7. He knows his role. Why brwak something fixed.
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i did think of that, but do you really not think he's capable of batting the same way at 6 as he does at 7.

he debuted at 6 didnt he when he scored a ton ?

Also, Swann is barely an 8 never mind 7. In my opinion your batting line up is weak.

Cook - Fair enough
Trott - Doesn't want to open and best 3 in years
Bell - Out of form
KP - Fair enough
Bairstow - One position too high for me.

Only my opinion, I may be wrong.

But your thread raises a decent point. It would be great to play 2 spinners.

I think the side ive listed is the most positive england could possibly field.

A comprmise though might be :


Cook
Compton
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Prior
Bresnan
Tremlett/Broad
Swann
Anderson
Penesar

I actually think swann is a very good nr 8. i rate him highly as an allround cricketer.

Possibky could work, but the role he does at seven is vital for England. Moving him to 6, means playing in a different role, more likely to face the second new ball... Could this affect his mindset? We have seen him not manage his ability in 50 and 20 overs, he seems at home at 7.

The other issue is who then fills his role at 7?

With Compton and Bairstow... Also Taylor very new and inexperienced to the team, I think we'd be too lightweight in the batting.

although patel's done better than i thought he would, i still cant believe bairstow has been dropped after his performance against south africa.

i thought he looked an absoloute natural test cricketer.

I rate Swann as an 8. He used to open for Northants. I rate him more than Broad. Swann bats better when he is relied upon.

My team would be:
Cook, Compton, Trott, Pieterson, Bell, Bairstow, Prior wk, Swann, Broad, Finn, Anderson.

I woukd be tempted with the following, should Bell dissapoint.

Cook, Compton, Trott, Pieterson, Bairstow, Stokes, Prior wk, Swann, Broad (Panasar if spinning wicket), Finn, Anderson

Agreed, I don't really rate Patel. I am not a fan of a batsman getting in the team because he can bowl a bit.

Very harsh on Bairstow.

I think he is a poor bowler. Root would be more dangerous.

we played 5 batsmen in 2005, and flintoff jones giles was argauably no stronger than prior bresnan swann.

We did. But, then look hiw poor we were. Flintiff was never really a 6. He averaged 32 I think. On that basis we could play a bowling all rounder at 6.

We won the Ashes thanks to an unbelievable bowling attack.

But, then we were rubbish afterwards - Remember the 5-0 thrashing is Oz 07?

We got sorted when Strauss took permanent captraincy and played 6 batsmen, a keeper, 3 pacemen and a spinner. A spinner who is world class and ties up an end regardless of conditions.

Remember Headingley 09? The only Ashes Test we played 5 bowlers and we got beat by an Innibgs.

Look how poor we were after the Ashes 05*

But, then we were rubbish afterwards - Remember the 5-0 thrashing is Oz 07?
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that wasnt due to having 5 batters though.

tresco leaving was a disaster. filntoff's captaincy was pretty hopeless. ok, he had one good knock, but collingwood wasnt really all that was he ?

if youve got a good enough top 5 and a player like prior, i think you can do it personally.

how many extra runs would that attack be worth. we'd always be in every game.

Thats my point pal, we haven't...

Cook, Trott, KP - Yes.

Bell, Bairstow, Compton, Bopara... Not yet.

In my opinion, playing Prior at six would be a HUGE risk.

I would rather play Broad or Swann at 6. The job he does batting 7 is outstanding.

belll and bairstow have both scored tons in pressure situations.

bell's out of form atm, but his 2 years prior to that were world class.

i think we're going to have to disagree on this one.

i dont think im as convinced of my view as you are as yours, but i think we could do it personally.

anyway, let's hope we wrap this one up tomorrow

Yeah, not trying to convince. A good discussion with a poster who loves his cricket team... All good.

But, I am right!

:*)

Yeah, would be happy with a 250 lead.

bell is not out of form, he just struggles in the subcontinent. he was alright against sa, and tried to score a couple of 50s. here he is struggling to face pacers of ishant sharma calibre. more of a mental problem rather than the fact that he cannot play. I think ajmal and co. scared the hell out of him.

Viru, he was pap against Pakistan and now in this series. Was decent against Saffers granted, but needs to prove his class on the sub, definately.

Playing 2 spinners is a good debate, however it must be backed up by 3 seamers. If Flintoff was around as neon said, it would have been a real possibility, however I feel England can still do it, especially in England, as they are always strong in batting at home. Bresnan has showed that he can play decent innings in England, and has the temperament also.

Cook
Compton
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Anderson
Finn
Panesar

If England do go down this path, I hope they use someone like Woakes or Ben Stokes of Durham. I know that Bresnan has the experience of playing test matches, but i feel that he was found out by the SA batting line up, although the same could be said for the rest of our bowling.

Woakes averaged 70ish with the bat and took 25ish wickets at 25. I know that is in DIv 1, but I feel his game has come a long way and I thought he played well against SA in ODI that he played in. I really hope he gets a chance when we tour NZ, although I think he might be out there playing in their county season now.

Stokes looks like he is improving with every season although injuries have come at the wrong time for him, I know there is talk of him coming back into the ODI team sometime soon. His bowling has come on very well and took important wickets for Durham this season. Perhaps secure a place in the ODI team before thinking about the test team?

I have nothing against Bresnan and I think he builds pressure well but I feel recently when being played he hasn't given us that threat to take wickets.

We could rotate Monty and Bresnan, if we play five bowlers for whatever is needed.

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