Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

Register Log in

Bell End

























Braggfan

Braggfan

In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
May 12, 2014
1,831
Taylor is great and should have been given more of a chance in the test side before now.

But I find it bizarre that after the way they treated Compton and dropped him like a stone for so long, and continued to overlook him even when he was playing well during the whole time we were scratching around desperate for another opener, that suddenly almost out of nowhere he’s back in the side. I like Compton, and thought he should have had another chance a while back, but to be honest I didn’t expect him to ever play again.

I can’t make my mind up with Bell. He’s been out of form for a while, but he’s had dips before and then when he’s come good again he’s been world class. I think he’s a better batsman than Ballance and Bairstow and I genuinely think he’s got a good few years left in him, BUT I can’t argue that he’s out of form and I like the idea of letting someone like Balance or Bairstow have time out in the middle to potentially cement a place as it would be better longer term for the strength of our batting order.

However the caveat to that plan is we must stick by whoever plays regardless of the series result. The last time we played South Africa, the top team in the world, we threw Taylor in before bombing him out into the wilderness. If we are trying to give players more experience and build our future batting order then I think whatever the outcome of this series, we can’t just pop them in the side and expect them to immediately be the answer to all our problems, especially against South Africa.

If we don’t stick by these players it would in my opinion it would be pointless dropping Bell, as you may as well have played him and hoped he refound his form.
 


Uncle Buck

Uncle Buck

Ghost Writer
Jul 7, 2003
28,071
The issue with Compton last time was he did not play the moving ball to well. Too often he was stuck in his crease, not moving his feet and a prime LBW candidate.

Not sure a technical fault like that can be sorted.

Ballance being back in makes some sense, he does play deep in his crease, but on the quick pitches down there, that should not be an issue.

Whilst the batting order is not sorted, the one thing they must not do is move Root from 4. He is doing well there, so do not move him to accommodate lesser players.

Boxing Day Line Up in Durban?

Cook
Hales
Taylor
Root
Ballance
Stokes
Butler
Ali
Broad
Footit
Anderson
 


vegster

vegster

Sanity Clause
May 5, 2008
27,892
Bell has had his chime i'm afraid.
 




G

Gwylan

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
31,336
Uffern
matthew said:
Finally. The most overrated player ever.
Click to expand...

Very unfair. Even after his recent slump, he still averages 42 - that's not the sign of a poor player. When he was at his best he looked streets ahead of any other batsman (KP excepted). This year his confidence has gone and he should have been dropped earlier but he's been a good servant for England.


Uncle Buck said:
Boxing Day Line Up in Durban?

Cook
Hales
Taylor
Root
Ballance
Stokes
Butler
Ali
Broad
Footit
Anderson
Click to expand...

Think Bairstow will start ahead of Buttler but otherwise I think that's right. For the life of me, I can't work out why Patel is in the squad, the team is not short of batting and he's not in the top 10 spinners in the country
 


Uncle Buck

Uncle Buck

Ghost Writer
Jul 7, 2003
28,071
Gwylan said:
Think Bairstow will start ahead of Buttler but otherwise I think that's right. For the life of me, I can't work out why Patel is in the squad, the team is not short of batting and he's not in the top 10 spinners in the country
Click to expand...

I think that Bairstow will get the nod, but he really needs to deliver. He has had plenty of chances and only a couple of notable scores. Also his keeping is not that great.

I suspect Patel is a good tourist as much as anything and he can cover a few roles.
 






Paul Reids Sock

Paul Reids Sock

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2004
4,458
Paul Reids boot
I am glad to see that they have had the guts to move on from Bell. I was beginning to think that he was never going to be dropped

He has been an absolute pleasure to watch but also so frustrating. He seemed to go on a run of 1,1,1,120,1,1,1,150

Which was great when he scored the high runs but infuriating when we just needed a solid fifty partnership and he fell early
 


Braggfan

Braggfan

In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
May 12, 2014
1,831
Gwylan said:
Very unfair. Even after his recent slump, he still averages 42 - that's not the sign of a poor player. When he was at his best he looked streets ahead of any other batsman (KP excepted). This year his confidence has gone and he should have been dropped earlier but he's been a good servant for England.

I agree he's been a good servant, 42 average over 118 tests is very good. And he was particularly exceptional when we beat the Aussies down under.
Click to expand...
 


spring hall convert

spring hall convert

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2009
9,608
Brighton
Think that's a pretty good selection. I too would go with Taylor at 3, I back him to dispel these doubts about him against top class pace bowling.

Broad and Anderson are going to have to bowl out of their skins to have us anywhere near. It doesn't look like they'll have too much support.
 


spring hall convert

spring hall convert

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2009
9,608
Brighton
Braggfan said:
Gwylan said:
Very unfair. Even after his recent slump, he still averages 42 - that's not the sign of a poor player. When he was at his best he looked streets ahead of any other batsman (KP excepted). This year his confidence has gone and he should have been dropped earlier but he's been a good servant for England.

I agree he's been a good servant, 42 average over 118 tests is very good. And he was particularly exceptional when we beat the Aussies down under.
Click to expand...

These days - 42 is pretty average, especially for a player of Bell's talent. I'd rate Atherton's 37 higher when you bear in mind he opened up against great pace attacks from Australia, West Indies, South Africa and Pakistan. Even the good pace attacks round the world now, Australia, South Africa and possibly New Zealand with the odd exception don't tend to have bowlers with frightening pace and the pitches round the world are the best they've ever been.
Click to expand...
 




K

knocky1

Well-known member
Jan 20, 2010
12,963
Uncle Buck said:
I suspect Patel is a good tourist as much as anything and he can cover a few roles.
Click to expand...

He was deselected from the West Indies Tour for too many rolls back in 2009. "Fat, unfit and lazy" was how he was described.
I think he merits a place in the squad.
 




You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Albion and Premier League latest from Sky Sports


Top
Link Here