The Cricket Society III

Considering the Windies just got thrashed by the England B team, that's not an unreasonable expectation.

In other news - Bairstow included for the first test at the expense of injured Bopara.

Considering the Windies just got thrashed by the England B team, that's not an unreasonable expectation.

In other news - Bairstow included for the first test at the expense of injured Bopara.

What does Taylor have to do to get into the squad? He's by far the best young batsman in England at the moment (except cook who is already in the team), averages near 50, and might even be a candidate for future captaincy (though Cook since he's only a bit older might reign for a long time).

I suspect the excuse might be Taylor hasn't done well this year in county, but he's been overall throughout his county career great, plus he hit a bloody hundred in the Lions game against West Indies setting up the victory. Surely if he's done it just now, he can do it again (because he'll be facing pretty much the same attack).

I still think they will put up a fight, even though their bowling failed in this match, they have a decent bowling attack. It is their batting which is a worry.
Bairstow probably wont play anyway but it's a good experience for him.

If England go with 4 bowlers (and there's little reason to suggest they won't), he will play as Bopara and Patel haven't been picked.

Taylor's had a poor start to the season and an average season last year. He's also a bit one dimensional, looking to play everything onto the leg side - he might have succeeded against the Windies, but he needs to develop before being up to the task of facing Aus, Pak or SA.

Meanwhile Bairstow has been averaging over 50 for last season and this. He's a powerful player, which is what we need for a number 6. Taylor will get his opportunity when one of the top order drop out. He's only 22 ffs.

Oh yeah, so he will bat at number 6. England might choose to go with 4 seamers and Swann but that will leave Prior batting at 6 which leaves the batting a bit weak. Do you think England will whitewash WI?

Bairstow is the same age as Taylor. And taylor probably has a little bit more experience. Taylor's the better batsman from what I've seen. I could perhaps understand if they'd chosen someone a bit older, but as I said I don't really see how Bairstow is a better talent than Taylor.

And with Morgan not really looking test class, and not sure about bopara, you'd have thought Taylor would be next in line. Despite his age.

You don't really need a powerful player at six in tests. Just need good batsmen. Taylor could have got some valuable experience here against the West Indies even if he only played this test series and then replaced with bopara. He's had really impressive outings with the lions and international is really the next step up.

Oh yeah, so he will bat at number 6. England might choose to go with 4 seamers and Swann but that will leave Prior batting at 6 which leaves the batting a bit weak. Do you think England will whitewash WI?

Getting a bit ahead of ourselves aren't we?

How? I am just suggesting a way that England might go with and I never said that I think England will whitewash WI.

The fact that you asked the question would indicate that you think that there's a chance that this will happen doesn't it?

Bear in mind, I have no problem if you DO think so, and I'll give it to you that England are obviously the superior team. I'm just showing support for MY team :P

I'm just asking that because I saw articles which have suggested this and I wanted to see from an English fan (captain crash) what he thought. Obviously there is a chance that it will happen, but I still believe that WI wil put up a fight.
I'm sorry if it seemed wrong, but I was in no way trying to suggest that WI are going to get whitewashed.

Dwayne Bravo's not a great test player is he? Gayle will play in the ODIs probably but not gonna happen in the tests, you could use him though cause he has been in sublime form in the IPL. Shiv and Darren Bravo have a lot of work to do if it stays the way it is.

I believe Bairstow is a more naturally talented player, albeit a bit 'raw', than Taylor. He also has more experience saving a match from number 6 after a Yorkshire batting collapse (heh...) which is what England need. I also think Taylor has some technical failings that would exposed in international cricket, if not by the WIs, particularly a tendency to play across the line onto the leg side leaving himself open to LBW.

Since the end of Flintoff and the discovery of Swann as an attacking spinner, England haven't considered a 5 bowler lineup, certainly not in England conditions.

I don't think England will whitewash the WI as I believe weather will affect enough of at least one game to force a draw.

Paul Collingwood played across the line all the time, and he turned out alright.

Basically Collingwood jumped out at the right time, signing off with an ashes victory, but we still haven't solved the problem of his replacement have we.

Taylor's had a poor start to the season and an average season last year. He's also a bit one dimensional, looking to play everything onto the leg side - he might have succeeded against the Windies, but he needs to develop before being up to the task of facing Aus, Pak or SA.

Meanwhile Bairstow has been averaging over 50 for last season and this. He's a powerful player, which is what we need for a number 6. Taylor will get his opportunity when one of the top order drop out. He's only 22 ffs.