Cricket selectors finally get it right

[Barrera]

Dropping Sibley after so many failures ... and bringing in Hameed as an opener and Malan as a No.3 - batting line up looks instantly more solid and a threat. Just hope the bowlers finish the job today.

Root looks In sublime form - pleasure to watch.

[mickd1961]

It was better but they bowled badly.

Hameed got into Sibley mode yesterday morning scoring just 6 runs in over an hour and a half......just not good enough.

I texted a mate and said he was going to get out any time soon, there’s bound to be a ball with your name on it and two minutes later he was gone.

I’m not convinced he’s the answer.

If a player like Malian is worth another chance at 33 then so is Vince at 30, a really classy batsman.

Harry Brook at Yorkshire deserves a chance.

Getting Stokes back makes a big difference.

Moeen’s batting and Curran’s batting is starting to wind me up as well.

Mahmood deserves a chance as well.

Pope is also a class batsman who just needs to concentrate harder.

[TipperaryBaggie]

Both Pope and Crawley are better batsmen than Hameed in my opinion. Both need to knuckle down and prove to the selectors that they are worth another chance.

You're right about Moeen as well because if he didn't have the ability to bowl, he would be nowhere near this team. His dismissal yesterday was embarrassing.

[Barrera]

I thought Hameed looked good on Wednesday ... but then went into his shell on Thursday and duly got out. But at least looked a scoring threat on Wednesday ..... unlike the Vicar of Sibley who always had peaceful intentions. Think Pope should be in there somewhere as well. Not entirely sure what Curran is bringing at the moment ..... limited ball threat and no runs.

Would have liked to see Mahmoud given a chance over Overton ....

[kettering_baggie]

I am a believer in playing your best players; this is very debatable as far as the batsmen are concerned but Ben Foakes should really be in as he is the best wicketkeeper in the country and wouldn’t be any worse than Buttler with the bat.

Anderson, though, class act, 3 wickets for just 6 runs in the first innings!

[mickd1961]

Buttler drives me nuts, a complete lightweight in red ball cricket with absolutely no clue how to build an innings.

I think he’s mentally flakey, I’ve long thought that he’s hiding a secret, I think he’s gay......listen to him speak and watch his mannerisms.

I can spot a turd burglar a mile off......it’s a gift!

Foakes is a far better keeper and I’d back him to average 40 in tests given a decent run.

As for this test.

I was annoyed yesterday because I felt we gave it up too easy, I wanted a 500 lead and put them into bat mid Friday afternoon.

Do not be surprised to see them score 500+ and then us be clinging on for a draw on the last afternoon.

Root and co never learn, they always give a sucker a second chance.

The Aussies of 20 years ago would’ve batted until we were crawling in on all fours to bowl.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

As I said to the wife 'One swallow don't make a summer' and we are going to need a few more decent batting, bowling and fielding performances before we know the 'selectors have got it right' but it's a start.

Robinson has been a find. I don't see how Curran plays. You have to be one of our 6 best batsman or 5 best bowlers to get in and for me he is neither.

Looks like we might win it before lunch.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Only 3 of this lot played in the 1st Test of the summer v NZ

[Barrera]

Agree Robinson has been the find if the summer. Not express pace but good accuracy and an ability to move the ball either way. Reminds me a bit of Glen McGrath with his repeatable easy action. Can bat too.

Glad his discretions as a ****ager are behind him -will be a permanent fixture in the England team for the next three years.

[kettering_baggie]

The fourth test starts on Thursday at the Oval and I see that Jos Buttler is out of the team (his wife is giving birth) and Bairstow is taking over the wicketkeeping duties. Why on Earth do they not bring in the country’s best ‘keeper, Ben Foakes? It must be soul destroying for the bloke.