[Cricket] england squad for the first Test against India at Trent Bridge on 9 July

[brightonmark1234]

England squad 1st Investec Test against india
Cook Ali Anderson Ballance Bell Broad Jordan Plunkett Prior Robson Root Stokes Woakes

 

[spring hall convert]

Not massively impressed. I figured Stokes return would allow us to drop a batsman, play a specialist spinner and still have 4 seam options.

Cook clearly didn't have confidence in Ali's bowling against Sri Lanka so what is likely to have changed?

 

[knocky1]

Woakes probably won't make the eleven. Who else Jordan? Going for Days 3 and 4 but looking forward more to Nottingham than watching Cook's eleven.

 

[Albion 4ever]

It will be interesting to see who drops out from the last test match to make way for Stokes (If indeed he comes straight back in).

I fear it will be Robson out, Root to open and Stokes in at 5.

 

[Brian Fantana]

It will be interesting to see who drops out from the last test match to make way for Stokes (If indeed he comes straight back in).

I fear it will be Robson out, Root to open and Stokes in at 5.

I'd like to see Root and Robson opening, with Cook carrying the drinks...

 

[brightonmark1234]

i would like to see bell at 3

 

[spring hall convert]

It will be interesting to see who drops out from the last test match to make way for Stokes (If indeed he comes straight back in).

I fear it will be Robson out, Root to open and Stokes in at 5.

We would only have dropped a batsman to play a specialst spinner, there is no specialistspinner in the squad, ergo it'll be a like for like with one of the seamers (Jordan I'd imagine) with the bonus that Stokes bats more than capably.

If we dropped a batsman we'd be playing 5 seamers. I wouldn't rule anything out but even with these clowns in charge I suspect we won't be doing that.

 

[Zebedee]

Not Cook again? I thought he would at least have the decency to drop himself.

 

[sten_super]

Broad and Jordan were rubbish in the last Test, whereas Stokes has looked in good form with the ball and Woakes has been mighty impressive, apparently having added a bit of pace and further improved his accuracy. I'm also disappointed that they've stuck with Prior after his 'mare in the last Test. Could have easily bought in Foster to bat at 8 or even 9. Given we've got Prior though, I'd go;

Cook, Robson, Balance, Bell, Root, Ali, Stokes, Prior, Woakes, Plunkett, Anderson

 

[Lenny Rider]

Would KP make a difference?

 

[big nuts]

Broad and Jordan were rubbish in the last Test, whereas Stokes has looked in good form with the ball and Woakes has been mighty impressive, apparently having added a bit of pace and further improved his accuracy. I'm also disappointed that they've stuck with Prior after his 'mare in the last Test. Could have easily bought in Foster to bat at 8 or even 9. Given we've got Prior though, I'd go;

Cook, Robson, Balance, Bell, Root, Ali, Stokes, Prior, Woakes, Plunkett, Anderson

Dropping our most consistent and threatening bowler of the last 18 months for a one test rookie seems a dangerous and harsh move.

If Broad is fully for he has to play, if not then Woakes or Jordan are able deputies.

 

[Blues Rock DJ]

It will be interesting to see who drops out from the last test match to make way for Stokes (If indeed he comes straight back in).

I fear it will be Robson out, Root to open and Stokes in at 5.

now let's see, Robson made a ton and some , Root recently made a double century......who, in the top three hasn't made any runs for ages ??

 

[sten_super]

Dropping our most consistent and threatening bowler of the last 18 months for a one test rookie seems a dangerous and harsh move.

I'd agree with dangerous but dispute harsh. The bowling was so insipid on that fourth day that someone has got to pay the price, and I think it's harsh to pin it all on one man who was only playing his 2nd Test. A number of commentators also said that Broad and Anderson both looked fairly off the pace and in need of a rest - you could easily say it was just rotation, with an eye on the fact there's five Tests in seven weeks.

While I understand the need to retain some more senior players, I'm concerned that there might be a bit of an attitude that these players (Cook, Bell, Prior, Broad, Anderson) consider themselves undroppable. I'd drop/rest at least one of them (as mentioned, I would have dropped Prior as well) for a Test or two to make the point that they aren't.

 

[Albion 4ever]

now let's see, Robson made a ton and some , Root recently made a double century......who, in the top three hasn't made any runs for ages ??

I didn't say it is what I would do!

Also although Prior is not as good as he once was, I am not sure he should be at #8.

As I said - It will be an interesting decision, as I am sure they will want Stokes in the team, but it is who they drop is the difficulty.

 

[Taybha]

England Nil

 

[keaton]

Not massively impressed. I figured Stokes return would allow us to drop a batsman, play a specialist spinner and still have 4 seam options.

Cook clearly didn't have confidence in Ali's bowling against Sri Lanka so what is likely to have changed?

It is a bit silly. We've no outstanding or even solid spinner, I can understand why they've picked one of Ali/Patel/Borthwick and made-do. But Cook needs to accept he's the spin option and give him and Root the ball or pick someone else to bowl spin.

Jordan will drop out for Stokes if Broad and Anderson are both properly fit, which i'm not sure they were in the last test

 

[Billy the Fish]

Going for Days 3 and 4 but looking forward more to Nottingham than watching Cook's eleven.

Same as, should be a good weekend away.

 

[jakarta]

I want Stokes and Woakes in the same team, just to hear Blowers getting it wrong.......

 

[Uncle Buck]

It is a bit silly. We've no outstanding or even solid spinner, I can understand why they've picked one of Ali/Patel/Borthwick and made-do. But Cook needs to accept he's the spin option and give him and Root the ball or pick someone else to bowl spin.

Jordan will drop out for Stokes if Broad and Anderson are both properly fit, which i'm not sure they were in the last test

Ali is making do. He can bat and might get a wicket or 2. I hate this picking of bits and pieces cricketers, can do a job but will not win a match.

Borthwick needs to leave Durham to be considered for the test side, he does not bowl enough for them.

Reality regarding the spinner is there is no specialist spinner ready to play in the test side. Now Adam Riley might long term be the answer, but picking him now could cause the same damage to his career that it did for say Chris Schofield.

In reality, after these 5 tests, England do not play another test until next April in the West Indies. So I suspect it will be a case of seeing how Riley does this season with Kent, then a winter with the Lions and performance programme. He will play in the West Indies and then the 2 tests at home against New Zealand and if he goes OK, it will be an Ashes series for him.

 

[knocky1]

briggs-riley-medium-expandable-spinner-carry on case.
Are we going for the black or red?