***Official*** England in India

[Evilpengwinz]

I think the XI should be as follows:

Cook (C)
Root
Trott
Bell
Bairstow/Compton (Both play if 6 batsmen/4 bowlers)
Prior (+)
Bresnan
Swann
Anderson
Any two (Assuming 5 bowlers) of Broad/Patel/Finn/Onions/Panesar depending on conditions

Root and Cook are the only two proper openers in the squad, so I'd expect both of them to play. Trott isn't in great form, but keep him at 3. Move everyone up one spot in place of KP, which means Prior at 6 and Bresnan at 7. No reason why Bresnan can't bat at 7 in tests IMO.

Could pick either Bairstow or Compton at 5, think England will stick with Bairstow though after his 95 @ Lord's. If Ian Bell misses any tests then I guess both will play that match anyway.

I'd give Bresnan all 4 tests v India, his batting will be needed, conditions should suit him more than the other seamers, and he averages 33 in the subcontinent with the ball (He's only played 3 tests in Asia though, 2 against Bangladesh). We'll also need Anderson with the new ball, so if we have to drop any bowlers to bring in Patel, it should be Broad IMO, especially if he's bowling the 80mph crap that he was bowling in the final test against SA. Unfortunately, the selectors are incapable of dropping Broad So I fully expect to see the enforcer bowling military medium and picking up 0/120 in every test this winter.

Swann plays all 4 tests if his elbow is okay, Monty is the 2nd spinner if needed, which he probably will be. Patel comes in if there's a pitch which is really turning square. Root can bowl offspin as well. I would've had Tredwell in the squad as well but meh, I guess he'll get called up if any of the spinners are injured.

[benchmark00]

My boi Compton.

Originally Posted by uvelocity

jeezarse, drop taylor just like that? not even take him over there. your selectors are all over the shop

Taylor has looked wayyy out of his depth so far. No harm in sending him away, he's only young.

Morgan though, wtf.

[uvelocity]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

My boi Compton.



Taylor has looked wayyy out of his depth so far. No harm in sending him away, he's only young.

Morgan though, wtf.

seasons finished, I'd bring him along for some tikka masala at least

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by uvelocity

seasons finished, I'd bring him along for some tikka masala at least

No shortage of Indian food in London tbf.

[Daemon]

London Indian food is hardly Authentic. There's no perspiration in the food.

[uvelocity]

maybe they told him to get rid of the helmet and he refused

[Salamuddin]

England will be monumentally daft to play two specialst spinners

Both Swann and Monty have poor records against India.
If England want to win this series , they have to hit India's batting hard with pace - Finn must play.

[GingerFurball]

Finn isn't good enough at Test level.

[Viscount Tom]

Yeah but the last non Asian team to win in India was the Aussies in '04 who played with only 1 spinner we might as well play to our strengths and trust them to have the skills to perform over there.

Disagree on Finn been not good enough at Test level he has good days and bad days the former of which we are more likely to see more often.

[Trichromatic]

Originally Posted by Viscount Tom

Yeah but the last non Asian team to win in India was the Aussies in '04 who played with only 1 spinner we might as well play to our strengths and trust them to have the skills to perform over there.

Disagree on Finn been not good enough at Test level he has good days and bad days the former of which we are more likely to see more often.

I don't think England needs spinner for the sake of playing spinners. Swann might be come handy in case of a turner, though I won't be surprised if he struggles here. Pacers have generally bowled better than spinners in India. England needs to go by strengths and play their best bowlers.

Finn, Anderson, Broad and Swann should be first choice bowlers. Monty should be given chance only if the pitch is rank turner like Mumbai or Kanpur one.

[biased indian]

the way dhoni responded after the bangalore match..i feel all 4 pitches will turn from day 1

[intcricket]

I think England should better tour a country they are capable enough to beat. It lies towards the North of India and is called "Afghanistan". Maybe, Anderson will for once pick up wickets and Swann can have his war journal garbage, while averaging well in the subcontinent for a change.

[MW1304]

Those grapes still tasting sour?

[fredfertang]

Originally Posted by MW1304

Those grapes still tasting sour?

Probably the jelly beans actually

[Daemon]

Originally Posted by intcricket

I think England should better tour a country they are capable enough to beat. It lies towards the North of India and is called "Afghanistan". Maybe, Anderson will for once pick up wickets and Swann can have his war journal garbage, while averaging well in the subcontinent for a change.

Wtf, get out you stupid troll.





















sif england can beat the afghans