Pakistan v England 3rd Test, Sharjah, Nov 1-5

[hopeforthebest]

Rumours of Bell being moved UP the order.

Considering what Bayliss said about Ali the other day that seems unlikely, mind you he has opened in a test before, I think in India or Pakistan when Vaughan was injured.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mumbai. Probably in the last match Cook missed.

[Dr Cricket]

England won that test when India read the pitch wrong and picked the wrong team.
I pathan was the 5th bowler.
India elected to bowl first since Rahul assumed it would have bounce and swing first up.

Ca

[m@tt]

In an interview with James Taylor, he said Wood sent him a package containing children's cricket gear. Dunno... I'm sure he just thought it was funny. But, my heart sunk.

There's a video of it. Taylor seemed to find it pretty funny. The team have signed the "kit" and either put it up for auction or are giving it away somehow.



(about 4mins in)

[Gingerfinch]

I didn't see one thing wrong with the Taylor prank? He quite clearly saw the funny side, and to me didn't look uneasy about it. If this sort of thing wound KP up, then he's probably better off out of team sports.

[hopeforthebest]

I didn't see one thing wrong with the Taylor prank? He quite clearly saw the funny side, and to me didn't look uneasy about it. If this sort of thing wound KP up, then he's probably better off out of team sports.

What was wrong is that it had an underlying meaness to it. The fact that Taylor took it in good part doesn't excuse the perpetrators of the coming up with the idea in the first place.

[Gingerfinch]

I didn't see one thing wrong with the Taylor prank? He quite clearly saw the funny side, and to me didn't look uneasy about it. If this sort of thing wound KP up, then he's probably better off out of team sports.

What was wrong is that it had an underlying meaness to it. The fact that Taylor took it in good part doesn't excuse the perpetrators of the coming up with the idea in the first place.

It all looked good natured to me. Players do take the michael out of each other, and I'm sure there are worse that things happen in dressing rooms.

[Aidan11]

I would have thought the best recipient for that would have been Root seeing as he looks 12 years old.


In the 70's with Botham and Lamb around, pranking in the dressing room seemed to rise to a new level. Setting fire to newspapers while reading them, custard in shoes, handing Dickie Bird what he thought was a live snake when out in the middle. And they were some of the milder pranks.

[Making_Splinters]

I didn't see one thing wrong with the Taylor prank? He quite clearly saw the funny side, and to me didn't look uneasy about it. If this sort of thing wound KP up, then he's probably better off out of team sports.

What was wrong is that it had an underlying meaness to it. The fact that Taylor took it in good part doesn't excuse the perpetrators of the coming up with the idea in the first place.

It all looked good natured to me. Players do take the michael out of each other, and I'm sure there are worse that things happen in dressing rooms.

I don't think Taylor had any choice but to take it in good spirits given the entire team was there and a camera. Regardless of whether or not you consider the gesture to be mean spirited, consider that they were doing this to a player who has been repeatedly overlooked for 3 years and was in no way certain to do anything other than carry drinks in the UAE.

You can see that to some players this would come across as bullying.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England are saying Samit or Plunkett will come in for Wood. I think it's fair to say it will be Plunkett unless they play on the dustiest of dustbowls. Taylor returns after three years. Imran Khan is out, with Rahat most likely to come in, and Azhar will play, and I suppose will open.

The 6am start is a bit offputting, especially after nights, but given I'm going out tonight, I think I may as well just join the game after lunch.

[Making_Splinters]

I'd be shocked if Samit started. There is an argument that we need to bulk up our middle order, but we need to win the Test to draw the series. We have to pick wicket takers, which means Pudsy over Patel in the battle of the Ps.

Looking forward it is interesting to think what England will do for South Africa. There seems little point in dropping Buttler for 1 Test, Ali as an opener is unlikely to work long term, and we won't need two spinners.

Do England give Hales what must be the hardest debut possible for an opener? Do they leave Ali at the top simply to see if he can actually have any impact? Either way we have a single spot likely to open up, could always bring Hales into the side batting 6.

Ali
Cook
Bell
Root
Taylor
Hales
Bairstow
Stokes
Broad
Wood / Plunkett
Anderson

[shankycricket]

Finn might be fit. He would be a must have in SA IMO. Has troubled Amla more than any seamer in my memory.

[hopeforthebest]

Mustn't forget that Plunket can bat a bit, sometimes more than a bit and Patel hasn't done great with the bat in his few England games.

[Making_Splinters]

Plunkett is one of those players who can bat, but not one that you'd count on for runs.

To be honest though he'll be down at 8 or 9 so I'm more interested if he can take wickets.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Against SA.

Cook
Hales
Compton
Root
Taylor
Bairstow
Stokes
Moeen
Broad
Finn
Anderson

Then Wood, Plunkett and Rashid.

Beyond that it's time for speculation. Bring in Fell or Hain, or go back to Ballance? I wouldn't go back to Ballance. In reality, Bell will be there and Ballance will be in ahead of these other two. For a reserve keeper, do they take Buttler, someone like Foakes or Davies, or an experienced keeper like James Foster?

Bayliss met Compo before the UAE tour. Presumably he's being considered, though I expect Bell will be at three.