First Test. England v Sri Lanka at Headingley. 19/5/16.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cook has fewer runs than Hales since Hales came in the side. Which echoes Cook and Carberry and Cook and Robson and Cook and Root. Cook has survived a couple of really serious slumps. He's there as long as he wants to be. Because of his big double ton in UAE (which was a very impressive knock) he averages about 46 since last summer. Besides, he'll probably score a lot of runs in India.

[Dr Cricket]

Cook has fewer runs than Hales since Hales came in the side. Which echoes Cook and Carberry and Cook and Robson and Cook and Root. Cook has survived a couple of really serious slumps. He's there as long as he wants to be. Because of his big double ton in UAE (which was a very impressive knock) he averages about 46 since last summer. Besides, he'll probably score a lot of runs in India.

India is a question mark depends on the pitches if it is like 2012-13 pitches then yes he would but if turns on day 1 he won't score many. Averaging 30 will be series winning average.

[ianp1970]

More importantly for India, is which spinners will be going?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not Mo, Ansari and Rashid?

[Dr Cricket]

Reckon panesar got a good chance of going.

[m@tt]

I think Panesar would be relying on a few injuries or losses of form. He's only just started playing first-class cricket again, it would be a big step for him to play internationals again so quickly.

You'd think it would be Ali, Ansari and Rashid. If Ansari isn't fit though, Patel probably gets another chance whilst Liam Dawson appears to be well thought of. Of the specialists though, Panser aside, you're scraping the barrel. It would be a brave move to recall Kerrigan (though it sounds like he's started the season well) or call up Crane at such a young age.

[Dr Cricket]

If England want the best chance of winning the series they have to take the best spinner. Panesar is the best spinner by a mile if he close to good form this season he is going unless Ecb and cook really does care about outside factors.

Really panesar would be a punt to see if he can win the series again. England are not gonna even win a test with Ali, rashes and Dawson or ansari bowling.
They will bowl too many bad balls and allow india to score 250 in rank turners. It will essentially be the opposite of what England did to Sri Lanka here.
Dismiss India for like 300 runs and still lose easily or by a innings.

[m@tt]

Wonder what selvey and the other Ecb mouthpiece are saying on the squad they should know which way the selectors are thinking.

Only noticed Robson getting positioned by Selvey. We had some suggestions that Compton, Hales and (now, sadly, no longer meaningful) Taylor were vulnerable, and Ballance isn't in favour.

Jonathan liew thinks it is between woakes and ball.
Said selectors are thinking between a batsman and bowler but then didn't name a batsman unless woakes is the batsman in question.

Couldn't find any article by Newman or selvey on stokes injuries yet.

Newman suggested Borthwick on Twitter. Though that wouldn't help the bowling balance. Selvey is probably still awaiting instruction from the ECB press office.

[Dr Cricket]

Borthwick would be interesting considering Ecb never saw him as a frontline batsman unless they are putting pressure on Ali.

[ianp1970]

Not Mo, Ansari and Rashid?

Possibly all 3, but would expect Jimmy, Broad and Stokes to get more wickets than any permutation of the aforementioned trio.

[Dr Cricket]

Same expect the pace men to take more wicket and be less expensive. The only spinner India would be worried about would be panesar.

[Gingerfinch]

Monty was bowling for Beds not long ago. Will the selectors take that much of a risk. Another reason why he won't get picked, is his batting. Being able to do a bit of everything gets you lost of bonus points. I have backed Monty in the past but feel his time has gone.

[Dr Cricket]

if it works England win the series worth a risk, England don't lose anything, if he no good don't play him.
No different to how England sometimes take a bowler to a tour to carry drinks and get experience in the dressing room.

Tbh it really depends on panesar how desperate he is to work hard again and get into contention. The guy gave up too easily when Swann was doing well.
If he one of the top spinners in county cricket this year I would take the risk on him England don't lose much if it works England could do well in India if not chances are panesar won't play again for England.

[Dr Cricket]

If anything panesar will be a weapon on India not to produce vicious turners since they batsman will not survive panesar if the ball turns big.
If panesar plays India might have nightmares about the last tour to India.
The thing is India can play panesar when it doesn't turn or limited turn if it is a rank turner hard to see India scoring much runs against him. So it might cause India to prepare pitches they don't really wanna play on, kohli and bowlers want instant wickets pitches, having panesar might change things.
Ali, rashid and ansari won't be able to put pressure on India like panesar would in a vicious turner.
As a Indian supporter, India would not want panesar in the squad or in the team.

[Gingerfinch]

if and that' a big one, Monty takes wickets this summer, I'd take him. Trouble is I can't see him taking shed loads, and England do like their spinning all-rounders.