Another century for Bairstow

Exactly, there's no point in making changes for the sake of it, they have got to improve the team. That's why I'd only put Bairstow in, probably for Ballance and put Root to 3. Bairstow is the only person in FC cricket who is performing at an extraordinary level, the rest are averaging about 40 which isn't going to be good enough when the Mitch's come calling.

 

Play Buttler AND Bairstow then?


Maybe put Taylor in for Ballance.



Next text at Bells home ground so perhaps one last chance along with Lyth.

 

Yes! Bairstow is perfectly capable of batting at 5 or 6 leaving Buttler at 7 and keeping wicket

Lyth will be there all summer, Bell probably too unless the selectors take a gamble on someone, unfortunately apart from Bairstow there is hardly a county batsman making tons of runs. Rashid will strengthen the tail if selected ,a more than capable batsman however lets wait and see if England have had enough of him after this week episodes.

The call for Hales or Morgan makes me giggle, neither are test class but both, especially Morgan are great hitters in one day cricket.

Likely team at Edgebaston

Cook
Lyth
Bell
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Ali
Broad
Wood
Anderson

Ali could be pushed to 3 as he bats there for Worcestershire moving everyone else down one , im not sure that achieves much however the way he plays the short ball.

Finn / Rashid pushing for a slot

 

Like I said previously England has a lot of good county cricketers but many are not good enough to step up to international level also Bell and Anderson are in the twilight of their careers.


Not had a decent opening partner for Cook since Stauss retired.

Ballance has lost his footwork technique.



Cook still England's best opener.
Root is our quality batsman but he cannot save England every time
Stokes is an exciting all rounder.
Broad probably England's besy bowler but now a rabbit in the headlights with the bat.
Anderson not the threat he used to be.
Wood has potential.
Ali not a frontline spinner who holds an end up in my opinion.
Buttler is not as good as Bairstow.


But what do I know.

 

Lyth is struggling and gets out the same way every time. His experienced captain should start the innings.

McCullum does in ODIs but I see your point. Hales we won't know about until we give him a try.

I moved Ali up the order so someone had to move down. I guess you could keep Stokes in the same place he is now and have Bairstow where I put Stokes.

Too much pressure on Ali as our only spin option. He's done well in the series so far so spin bowling has a place in the team. Plus Rashid can bat too.

 

Lyth just probably feels more comfortable getting out there and facing up, I know when I open the batting I prefer to take first ball. I'd say it would be bad captaincy to force him into taking strike second.

Hales started well but his average has dropped to around 40 now, not enough to shove Lyth out in my opinion. Maybe in a years time.

I'd just leave Ali it's not like he's getting stranded every time he still gets out.

Spinner is a problem, I wouldn't play both but would be tempted to get Rashid in ahead of Ali, although he's done okish this series.