Ian Bell/GO Jones.

[larus]

Well, after all the slagging off these 2 got on here prior to the start of the current series, it's time for some humble pie from some people.

Top run scorers/averages.

Tres 299 runs in six inns ave: 49.83
Bell 281 so far, ave :56.20
GO jones 144 (5 inns, 1 n.o.) ave : 36.00

Also, Jones has done well with the gloves. Again, the selectors appear to have been proved right with their selection policy and sticking with the players that they felt were right for the long term.

Bell brings somehing to the middle order that we need, someone who can build a good, steady innings. OK Warne did for him last summer, but hell, he can bowl a little bit that guy.

Yes, I am a bit peeved about this series, but it's probably 'after the lord mayors show' really. Bit of a wake up call which can't be a bad thing.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Form is temporary!

They have done well, but with Jones I think he is not the long term solution. Read or Prior

 

[larus]

Form is temporary!

They have done well, but with Jones I think he is not the long term solution. Read or Prior

Accept that Reid is a better keeper. Prior, not convinced he's as good or better than Jones.

 

[Grendel]

Bell's average is actually 44.2 if you discount his innings in progress, which artifically boosts it as he's not out. Still, he's batted well against bowlers that, for whatever reason, the rest of the side seem to be struggling against. Despite him taking 8 overs to score a run this morning, his strike rate for his current innings is still 60. He's had favourable batting conditions, but credit where it's due - he's made the most of them.

I still don't think Jones is good enough. He's had starts in all his innings this series and has only gone on to make one 50, and getting dismissed shortly after he'd made it. He needs to convert those starts into big innings.

 

[Pavilionaire]

The selection of Bell was quite rightly criticised before and after the Ashes. He simply didn't score enough runs and averaged under 20, leaving it to other batsmen to score the runs. This failure was down to lack of test experience - Pietersen bucks the trend but then he is a truly exceptional talent.

However, it was always likely Bell would score more runs against Pakistan than Australia because the dusty tracks are more suited to his gritty game.

Sure, he has done well in this series but it doesn't alter the fact Thorpe would have scored more runs versus the Aussies.

As for Jones, a fairly good tour overall but an average of 36 on these pitches is nothing to write home about. When he starts getting big centuries like his opposite number did today I'll start taking his batting seriously.