It's The Ashes (again)

[Pragmatist]

Crawley has to be dropped. He's not up to standard. He won't, but it's frustrating that the whole country can see it apart from the selectors.

Easiest way to get Foakes back into the side.  Sorry Jonny - you have to open

Whilst I concur that Foakes should keep wicket, it's not as clear cut who has contributed more to England's cause in this match  ....  Crawley or Bairstow.

Equal amount of runs in the first innings but at least 4 missed opportunities by Bairstow when the Aussies batted. That puts Bairstow second in my book. Plus Crawley got a beauty from Boland second time round.

Any criticism of Bairstow to date can only be as a keeper.  My suggestion is that he opens the batting big does not keep.

[SuperBob2002]

I think Bairstow has to play. He's probably our 3rd of 4th best batsman.

Root
Brooks
Then arguably Bairstow?

[Shabby Russian]

I think Bairstow has to play. He's probably our 3rd of 4th best batsman.

Root
Brooks
Then arguably Bairstow?

From what I have seen, this is true.

Not sure about opening mind. Might put pressure on Pope? Or going totally gung ho, open with Moeen Ali.

Be more worried about bowling attack.
If this test is typical our bowlers could be bowling considerably more overs than the aussies, with shorter intervals between our innings.

Lot of work, especially when you consider age if Anderson and Broad, Stokes injury issues and Moeens lack of red ball bowling.

[Pragmatist]

I think Bairstow has to play. He's probably our 3rd of 4th best batsman.

Root
Brooks
Then arguably Bairstow?

From what I have seen, this is true.

Not sure about opening mind. Might put pressure on Pope? Or going totally gung ho, open with Moeen Ali.

Be more worried about bowling attack.
If this test is typical our bowlers could be bowling considerably more overs than the aussies, with shorter intervals between our innings.

Lot of work, especially when you consider age if Anderson and Broad, Stokes injury issues and Moeens lack of red ball bowling.

For me, Bairstow opens in place of Crawley and Foakes comes in. 

The bowling unit is certainly going to come under pressure and needs to be kept fresh.  Woakes, Wood and Tongue will probably feature. The spinner is the biggest issue - Moeen is not the answer, but who is?

[ElbowGrease1973 II]

I think the bowling attack has been too similar for us this test. We need someone with a bit of pace to offer something different. Probably controversial given their wickets playing together, but I'd be tempted to pick either Broad or Anderson.

I think the difference in the quality of spin bowlers could be decisive however. Love the Hollies Stands song to Lyon, but think we'd win the Ashes with Gary in our side.

As good as Bairstow is, he should be in as a batsman, with Foulkes as the wicket keeper. The missed stumping probably cost us a significant first innings lead.

I know the gung-ho approach will draw criticism if we lose this test, but I love the positivity after watching us try and not pose matches for most my life.

[Pragmatist]

I think the bowling attack has been too similar for us this test. We need someone with a bit of pace to offer something different. Probably controversial given their wickets playing together, but I'd be tempted to pick either Broad or Anderson.

I think the difference in the quality of spin bowlers could be decisive however. Love the Hollies Stands song to Lyon, but think we'd win the Ashes with Gary in our side.

As good as Bairstow is, he should be in as a batsman, with Foulkes as the wicket keeper. The missed stumping probably cost us a significant first innings lead.

I know the gung-ho approach will draw criticism if we lose this test, but I love the positivity after watching us try and not pose matches for most my life.

Who’s “Gary”?

[wil13]

I think the bowling attack has been too similar for us this test. We need someone with a bit of pace to offer something different. Probably controversial given their wickets playing together, but I'd be tempted to pick either Broad or Anderson.

I think the difference in the quality of spin bowlers could be decisive however. Love the Hollies Stands song to Lyon, but think we'd win the Ashes with Gary in our side.

As good as Bairstow is, he should be in as a batsman, with Foulkes as the wicket keeper. The missed stumping probably cost us a significant first innings lead.

I know the gung-ho approach will draw criticism if we lose this test, but I love the positivity after watching us try and not pose matches for most my life.

Who’s “Gary”?

Nathan Lyons, can't quite remember why but his nickname is Gary

[SuperBob2002]

I think the bowling attack has been too similar for us this test. We need someone with a bit of pace to offer something different. Probably controversial given their wickets playing together, but I'd be tempted to pick either Broad or Anderson.

I think the difference in the quality of spin bowlers could be decisive however. Love the Hollies Stands song to Lyon, but think we'd win the Ashes with Gary in our side.

As good as Bairstow is, he should be in as a batsman, with Foulkes as the wicket keeper. The missed stumping probably cost us a significant first innings lead.

I know the gung-ho approach will draw criticism if we lose this test, but I love the positivity after watching us try and not pose matches for most my life.

Who’s “Gary”?

Nathan Lyons, can't quite remember why but his nickname is Gary

He looks like a famous Aussie (comedian, I believe?).

[rsbaggy2]

I think the bowling attack has been too similar for us this test. We need someone with a bit of pace to offer something different. Probably controversial given their wickets playing together, but I'd be tempted to pick either Broad or Anderson.

I think the difference in the quality of spin bowlers could be decisive however. Love the Hollies Stands song to Lyon, but think we'd win the Ashes with Gary in our side.

As good as Bairstow is, he should be in as a batsman, with Foulkes as the wicket keeper. The missed stumping probably cost us a significant first innings lead.

I know the gung-ho approach will draw criticism if we lose this test, but I love the positivity after watching us try and not pose matches for most my life.

Who’s “Gary”?

Nathan Lyons, can't quite remember why but his nickname is Gary

He looks like a famous Aussie (comedian, I believe?).

Aussie rules footballer .. not a comedian.

[Throstle4Life79]

Hopefully the weather sticks. We get a good days cricket.