England in SAffer.

[KipperJohn]

Even if Bell doesn't come back in, say, the next 18 months I think it would be silly for him to announce his retirement when, by that time, the cricketing public probably wouldn't care anyway.

His average has dropped from 46/47 to under 43 so a break, at the very least, was in order, though perhaps rather the UAE tour than SA.

Anyway, pleased I got to see him make a big hundred at Southampton last year and wish him well whatever happens - a great team player.

[m@tt]

A surprising squad. I wouldn't have dropped Bell, given the lack of experience in the batting line up, orrecalled Ballance, whilst I'd definitely have Plunkett over Jordan. The logic behind Rashid's absence makes sense.

Compton appears to be earmarked for the Trott role. He recently met up with Bayliss, so must have left his mark. Likewise, I highly doubt Bell has been dropped without Bayliss' approval, and it may well gave been his idea, so perhaps Bell just hasn't impressed him enough from close quartets?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Surely Woakes and Foottit have come in for Plunkett and Wood. Jordan was in the squad having replaced Finn. But it feels like Woakes and Foottit will overtake Jordan. I think there are two warm ups, so given A&B are already selected, these three will be playing off for the third spot (two spots if Stokes doesn't make it), though I expect the performances will have to overcome a loose, predetermined pecking order.

[m@tt]

Woakes wasn't considered fit enough for the UAE Tests I think. Might be wrong.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Footitt. I thought I'd cracked that one.

Yes, fair enough about the injury. I'd forgotten about that, though I have a feeling Woakes had recovered by then.

[braveneutral]

Squodd.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, sorry. Squodd.

[Slipstream]

First warm up game - Cook Hales Compton Root Taylor Stokes Buttler Ali Woakes Broad Anderson
second one - Cook Hales Compton Ballance Taylor Stokes Bairstow Patel Woakes, Jordan Footitt

[greyblazer]

I think, Woakes needs a bit of help from the track. Nice repeatable action, decent pace and control. He appears to be the safe bet. Footitt is the aggressive option.

[Arthur Crabtree]

First warm up game - Cook Hales Compton Root Taylor Stokes Buttler Ali Woakes Broad Anderson
second one - Cook Hales Compton Ballance Taylor Stokes Bairstow Patel Woakes, Jordan Footitt

Cook is the only batter in the top nine to have toured SA with the Test side. Maybe the others should get two warm ups.

[Slipstream]

First warm up game - Cook Hales Compton Root Taylor Stokes Buttler Ali Woakes Broad Anderson
second one - Cook Hales Compton Ballance Taylor Stokes Bairstow Patel Woakes, Jordan Footitt

Cook is the only batter in the top nine to have toured SA with the Test side. Maybe the others should get two warm ups.

Anderson and Broad should play in both but they need to give everyone a go. They will end up bowling 15/16 overs before the 1st Test.
Before WI - 47 overs with Lancs - 17 at 18.00
Before NZ - 3 weeks no bowling at all - 6 at 43.00
Before Ashes - 5 weeks no bowling - Lords 0 wickets
Before UAE - 74 overs with Lancs - 13 at 15.61

[Arthur Crabtree]

Often they prioritise giving practice to those who will start the series. In some cases, it isn't obvious who will start the series, but we know Buttler and Patel won't, and maybe they know Ballance and Jordan won't. It's possible they'll give the practice to the other players.

[hopeforthebest]

Often they prioritise giving practice to those who will start the series. In some cases, it isn't obvious who will start the series, but we know Buttler and Patel won't, and maybe they know Ballance and Jordan won't. It's possible they'll give the practice to the other players.

h
England have achieved two excellent away victories in recent times, 2010-11 ashes in Oz and 2012 victory in India. In Oz they knew who their best batting line was and they played every warm up and every test. In India something similar was followed. Certainty in selection is good for the players and the team. We saw in 2013-14 a complete reversal of this approach in the ashes and uncertainty in who would play and in what position they would play was majour contribution to the collapse of the teams performances.

[Slipstream]

Finn quite likely to join the squad to SA. He's recovered quicker than expected.

[andy]

I know it's completely different conditions, but seeing the saffer batsman struggle so badly in India, realy gives me hope for this tour... they have struggled against the seamers just as much, and have made Ishant look like a world beater at times, there are serious flaws in the saffer batting line up, and our bowling attack should be licking their lips