SA v Eng Warm Up Games

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cook goes now, not surprising as it must be a worry watching Hales FArting about at the other end.

Ironic, given the number of opening partners came and went over two years as Cook struggled.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It sounds like the England coaches have been teaching him how to adapt his game to Tests, particularly in leaving the ball. I just wonder if players should fail before their method is revised? Maybe the game that got them there should be tried out first?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Encouraging to see Stokes bowled eight overs today, taking a couple of wickets.

[westoelad]

Hales out bowled once again. How can this man open on boxing day????? Send for someone else post hast, anyone who opens.
Moving Compton to open is unfair to a man who is a regular number three and it's time England stopped P$$ing about with square pegs and round holes.

Hales is also a No3 in the CC. He started last season on fire in the CC with over 500 runs in April hence the clamour for his inclusion. Conveniently ignored that he scored less than 400 in the remaining 5 months of the season. Looks technically inadequete against the seaming ball to me but in the absence of alternatives he deserves the chance.

[shankycricket]

The universal online love for a T20 slogger being desperately converted into a Test batsman is something I'll never understand.

[Alviro Patterson]

The universal online love for a T20 slogger being desperately converted into a Test batsman is something I'll never understand.

Won't be long before Adam Lyth is back in the England side

[shankycricket]

Jason Roy and James Vince look far better prospects to me.

[andy]

Jason Roy technically is worse than Hales!

[hopeforthebest]

Jason Roy technically is worse than Hales!

They share the same problem, their footwork is krap. No lateral movement and rely on hand-eye coordination and bowlers bowling wicket to wicket.

It's not long ago that the media and many lovers of one day cricket were screaming for him to get in the England ODI team, he's rewarded his supporters with a 25 ODI average from 24 games.

[backfootpunch]

After Lyth and moeen I'd be happy with someone who can grind out 20 or 30 every innings to at least get the shine off the new ball

[andy]

Dont' see why they can't go Compton opening, and Hales 3... to be honest..

[Arthur Crabtree]

It's not long ago that the media and many lovers of one day cricket were screaming for him to get in the England ODI team, he's rewarded his supporters with a 25 ODI average from 24 games.

He was only just behind Buttler as top scorers in UAE, scoring a ton, which was progress. He has weaknesses and strengths, and after a low scoring game, it's tempting to focus on his flaws. I'd like to think that if he came as a first choice pick, a couple of tour matches shouldn't really shake that confidence in him. If he was left out, it would be for Ballance, who arguably has a worse batting method.

[hopeforthebest]

It's not long ago that the media and many lovers of one day cricket were screaming for him to get in the England ODI team, he's rewarded his supporters with a 25 ODI average from 24 games.

He was only just behind Buttler as top scorers in UAE, scoring a ton, which was progress. He has weaknesses and strengths, and after a low scoring game, it's tempting to focus on his flaws. I'd like to think that if he came as a first choice pick, a couple of tour matches shouldn't really shake that confidence in him. If he was left out, it would be for Ballance, who arguably has a worse batting method.

I've never believed he was a test batsman, he can get away with his poor footwork in one day cricket, it may even be a prerequisite in those games, but in test cricket quality bowling will sus him out very quickly.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe. He's got some positive attributes as well, and may adapt.

[Making_Splinters]

Jason Roy technically is worse than Hales!

They share the same problem, their footwork is krap. No lateral movement and rely on hand-eye coordination and bowlers bowling wicket to wicket.

It's not long ago that the media and many lovers of one day cricket were screaming for him to get in the England ODI team, he's rewarded his supporters with a 25 ODI average from 24 games.

Same could be said of Sehwag and Trescothick and they did OK.