He's not a test opener, he'll never be a test opener. It's ridiculous that they can't see that.

wow that wc really did get the eng selectors misty eyed for roy, early days but looks shocking at test level

Roy could be okay at number 4 or 5 but not opening for sure. Strange, also need a big test from Denly, do not get his inclusion at all. i would be having Roy in place of Denly at 4, strong powerful middle order, with someone who doesnt give away their wicket partnering Burns.

I feel a bit for Roy, he's being asked to open because it's a problem area so much so that our back up opener for the series in West Indies, Denley, has been moved down to 4.

Hopefully Root and Burns can dig in like they did at Egbaston.

Time for Root to step up. He doesn't deserve to be in that group with Smith, Kohli and Williamson at the moment

comment by TCM (U8959)
posted 5 minutes ago
I feel a bit for Roy, he's being asked to open because it's a problem area so much so that our back up opener for the series in West Indies, Denley, has been moved down to 4.

Hopefully Root and Burns can dig in like they did at Egbaston.
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It was a ridiculous selection and I said it from the start. The guy bats at 5/6 in red ball cricket for Surrey.

comment by Neo-Super European Champions (U9135)
posted 24 seconds ago
comment by TCM (U8959)
posted 5 minutes ago
I feel a bit for Roy, he's being asked to open because it's a problem area so much so that our back up opener for the series in West Indies, Denley, has been moved down to 4.

Hopefully Root and Burns can dig in like they did at Egbaston.
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It was a ridiculous selection and I said it from the start. The guy bats at 5/6 in red ball cricket for Surrey.
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That was before he started opening at international level (albeit in ODIs). It's been so long since he played regular red ball cricket that I don't think you could confidently say where he bats nowadays.

I'm a big fan of his but he needs to learn much faster than he's showing at the minute. The nature of his dismissals is concerning. Even so, my personal best XI at the moment has him down at 4, not opening.

Beautiful from Root

Ohhh nooo

Fack

This is why I hate Root at 3 because he's basically opening at the moment and it's ruining his game.

Root's woes at 3 continue. Top class bowling though from Hazlewood

England have been very formidable at home of late, last time they lost series at home was to SouthAfrica back some yrs ago

comment by Everywhere you go always take Lamela with you. Mopo's #1 fan. (U7905)
posted 10 minutes ago
Time for Root to step up. He doesn't deserve to be in that group with Smith, Kohli and Williamson at the moment
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Look, Root isn't in the class of Smith, Kohli and Williamson. For a time when he was focusing on his batting, the guy a machine at getting decent runs consistently but rarely got game changing scores. The other 3 have more often shown an ability to change the course of a match with their runs.

That's not to say Root isn't a good player, he's our best batsman (bad timing as he's just got himself out). However he's a player who's been burdened by captaincy leading a weak batting line up. I can't see him ever stepping up to that level however I'm glad he's moved himself to 3 to take on responsibility of trying to get important runs for the team.

Root is just such a total bottler

Thing is how often do you see Kohli or Smith batting within the first 10 overs? It rarely happens which is why they're able to pile on the runs. Root is basically opening at the moment so will find it harder.

Need Sibley in at the top, and one from Roy, Northeast and Hildreth in at 4.

Heart keeps saying "Wait till both sides have batted before drawing any conclusions."

Head keeps saying "You know they'll out-bat us anyway."

Sigh. Such is the lot of the England cricket fan.

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 19 seconds ago
Thing is how often do you see Kohli or Smith batting within the first 10 overs? It rarely happens which is why they're able to pile on the runs. Root is basically opening at the moment so will find it harder.
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Smith and Kohli also bat at 4.

The fact that it’s still an hour till lunch and Buttler is in next fills me with no confidence whatsoever

Until a couple of years ago Root was averaging low to mid 50s in tests. He was top class, but has lost his way.

I appreciate batting 3 in England is tough, but Kohli was in early pretty much every innings last year and bossed it. Smith has already shown how good he is.

Root isn't in the class of Smith/Kohli imo. Struggles in test cricket compared to those two.

England are crap at cricket, let's be honest.

comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
England are crap at cricket, let's be honest.
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They're crap at test match batting. The bowling is pretty good.

I agree he's not as good but his current lack of form is because there's way too much pressure on him. He's easily good enough to average 50+.

Hopefully once Bayliss f@cks off we can put more focus back on tests which should help Root.

Time for Denly to step up and be a hero