England team to play New Zealand

He’s called Alastair Cook

 

It was a really good ball to get Crawley. Could have left on height, but early doors in his innings, you can’t blame him playing at it.

 

he can bat, but just not consistently, bit like most other English batsmen, we can't win the game from here, just got to try save it

 

Should see a few changes for the decider at Headingley. When they announced the original squad they said it was for the first two tests. I suspect as we had a new coach so wanted to give him time to settle in. But someone who was as exciting as McCullum to watch will not put up with plodders in the team play slow and negatively. I would be amazed if Brook doesn't make his debut on his home ground and at least one more debutant.

 

As much as I'd like to see Brooke play. Where would you slot him in. (My only solution would be to make Bairstow keeper and slot him in at 5) This test isn't going to go our way. Best we can hope on from here, is a draw. So Headingly could be a decider. On drawing or winning the series.

 

i think harry is unique player as now, he seems to adapt to anything in front of him, opening for england could be an option, i was dead against him being lumped in with series at stake, but at headingley? the stage is set for him, have the selectors the balls for it? i doubt it
but foakes must keep the gloves regardless of batting options if they do make a change
i think they set their stall out from the start that these 3 tests 11 will remain almost unchanged unless injuries, hence letting him play in our t20 games, that wouldn't usually happen mid series

 

You always find room for the most in form player in the country. There are three or four who must be close to being dropped. McCullum will be putting his own stamp on his team. He won't keep playing failures of the previous regime.

 

If Brook comes in, it’s a straight swap for bairstow

 

Why not drop Pope?

 

Cos he’s gunna get a double tonne today!

 

He probably will and then go back to getting out early doors!

 

He will be out in the first half an hour this morning

 

Crawley is still surviving because of his 260 two years ago.
His test average even including this innings, is 28 ! yes 28.
It was a brilliant innings and scored at a decent rate but come on selecters he needs a rest and some serious coaching.
I know it won’t happen but I would make Root open.
Brook would then fit in at 4 or 5 without dropping Bairstow or Foakes

 

Pope lucky to survive so far this morning.

 

True but he’s lovely to watch in full flow

 

who do you think replaces him?
You want someone that will score at 50%> SR. When they've gone old in the past its always been sh*t and I'm not sure who else they could pick.

 

Realistically, there doesn’t seem to be anyone but we’ve got to keep looking !
I just think that Root should step in temporarily.
After all he batted at 3 in Ashes tour and more often than not still faced a shiny ball so he may as well have opened.

 

Sorry meant batted at 4

 

Lees and Baby Bell are going along nicely………and as I write that there goes Lees

 

Because it’s been decided, rightly or wrongly, that Root is going to bat at 4. So if Pope’s poor run had continued it would’ve more likely been a specialist top order batter (Bracey, Compton, Sibley etc) that came in. That’s why I think the only spot Brook is likely to take is Bairstow’s.