If Trott isn't fit

[chunkyshanhawk53]

And lets for the craic assume they dont play 5 bowlers. Who plays if you are a selector?

Bopara
Taylor
Hildreth
Stokes

seem the most likely (with Stokes as an outlier). Taylor for me, impresses me each time I have seen him

 

[Andy.SAFC]

It'll be Bopara, but I'd pick Tremlett because even with 2 tail enders I think there's enough runs in the team and a 5th bowler will reduce the strain on Jimmy and Broad.

 

[Mainze]

Bopara....

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[pattisoni]

Relying on the tail to get runs would be embarrassing if it goes wrong. Far better to use the opportunity to give a top order batsman the development and experience he needs against quality opposition.

 

[Dexter]

If it was up to me I'd pick Taylor as I simply don't rate Bopara or Hildreth and Stokes is just coming back from a lengthy layoff.

The fact that Bopara can bowl dibbly-dobblies shouldn't even come into it. We're replacing a number three here, not an all rounder

 

[Andy.SAFC]

Relying on the tail to get runs would be embarrassing if it goes wrong. Far better to use the opportunity to give a top order batsman the development and experience he needs against quality opposition.

Perhaps if it was the last test and we were 2/3 nil up then I think they might risk an untried batsman because there'd be less pressure on them, but needing a win to go world number 1 I'd like to think they'd go for the extra bowler or a batsman with test experience (basically Bopara)

 

[eddyfinn]

Bopara will come in more than likely I'm sure they will spin some crap about him being able to bowl a few overs too.

 

[pattisoni]

Perhaps if it was the last test and we were 2/3 nil up then I think they might risk an untried batsman because there'd be less pressure on them, but needing a win to go world number 1 I'd like to think they'd go for the extra bowler or a batsman with test experience (basically Bopara)

Other than trott I'd be surprised if it was anyone but bopara for the next 2 tests. Has Strauss ever took any risks in his England captaincy ? Always covers himself first.

 

[Aleem Dar]

I'd pick Taylor. He's going to be in the England team sooner or later. Best get him used to the set-up now.

The selectors will pick Bopara.

Stokes won't even be in their thoughts.

 

[Slol]

I would play 5 bowlers, Bresnan is definitely good enough to be a test number 7, and Prior averaging40+ is as good as any number 6 about. Broad at 8 Swann at 9 both more than capable, Tremlett after them. It was only a few years ago Tremlett was batting 8 iirc so he is no mug... Nightwatchman Jimmy 11

I would probably drop Morgan if Trotts fit, not gonna happen though

 

[3.142]

Agree they'll probably go for Bopara, though the progressive choice would be Taylor.

Would be amusing if Bopara was left out having been favourite before the Lions match to Taylor who made runs in that game .... exactly the same as Morgan at the start of the summer.

Good chance to bring someone else in for a game, though it would break the longest run of all time by England without a debutant. 14 games since Shazhad played against Bangladesh last June.

Hope they keep Bell at 5 and don't shift him up to 3.

 

[pkhap]

Agree they'll probably go for Bopara, though the progressive choice would be Taylor.

Would be amusing if Bopara was left out having been favourite before the Lions match to Taylor who made runs in that game .... exactly the same as Morgan at the start of the summer.

Good chance to bring someone else in for a game, though it would break the longest run of all time by England without a debutant. 14 games since Shazhad played against Bangladesh last June.

Hope they keep Bell at 5 and don't shift him up to 3.

This won't happen. Bell will defo be at 3 if Trott is missing.

Should we not be looking to the South African 1st class game to find our next batsman?

 

[Andy.SAFC]

Agree they'll probably go for Bopara, though the progressive choice would be Taylor.

Would be amusing if Bopara was left out having been favourite before the Lions match to Taylor who made runs in that game .... exactly the same as Morgan at the start of the summer.

Good chance to bring someone else in for a game, though it would break the longest run of all time by England without a debutant. 14 games since Shazhad played against Bangladesh last June.

Hope they keep Bell at 5 and don't shift him up to 3.

It might be me being sad, but I love that stat. That in over 130 years of test cricket we've never went 14 games without bringing in a new player. Shows how unsettled English cricket has always been I suppose.