First Test: England v South Africa, Lord's, July 6-10.

[dan08]

How did Liam Dawson make the squad??? Ballance is back too.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Is the squad out then. Supposed to be in the morning.

[dan08]

Is the squad out then. Supposed to be in the morning.

Journalists have already revealed it.

[Arthur Crabtree]

They're not always right when they call it early. But Ballance sounds likely. Dawson not so much.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Sounds like- Cook/Jennings/Stoneman/Root/Malan/Stokes/Bairstow/Moeen/Broad/Wood or Jones/Anderson.

Which doesn't look right.

What in particular do you think looks "wrong " , AC ? (As opposed to "wish this or that could be better")

Just doesn't feel like an England side. Mainly Stoneman and Malan look suddenly elevated. Seemed like Lawrence was the one who was being eased into the team and Haseeb a new potential long term pick (quite reasonable to leave him out though). As for 'me personally' I'd have a specialist spinner.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Anyway, looks like the Zimbabwe born Gary Ballance is back.

[dan08]

Dawson will probably be 12th man. Will play 5 seamers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

NO!!!

Unless Stokes can't bowl.

[m@tt]

England's squad: Joe Root (capt), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Jimmy Anderson.

I don't get Dawson's selection. I'd go with TRJ at this stage of the season. I know that means Moeen being the main spinner still but Dawson isn't a specialist spinner either - though admittedly more so than Mo.

Ballance has scored a heck of a lot of runs. Is he a #3 though? Sounds like Root has pushed for his inclusion. Which on one hand is fair enough as it's his team, on the other he can't let sentiment for a friend and teammate get in the way. Who knows, maybe Ballance will continue his superb form. It is a shame that he was recalled last year without form because had that not happened, few would complain about his recall this time around.

[rich1uk]

i really cant see why we would play both Moeen and Dawson in a test in England, we are going to bat deep regardless so if we want to play another spinner as well as Moeen then go with a proper spinner

i said the same about Ballance above that getting what was really an undeserved recall last year is why people will question him playing now despite his form deserving it now

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe Honest Joe will stay at three? I'll be surprised if ZBGB fits in there.

Didn't think Stoneman would make it.

Certainly looks like RJones v Dawson. Don't really fancy either. Dawson is another batter+ and RJones is a fifth seamer.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Who knows, maybe Ballance will continue his superb form. It is a shame that he was recalled last year without form because had that not happened, few would complain about his recall this time around.

Bang on.

[dan08]

i really cant see why we would play both Moeen and Dawson in a test in England, we are going to bat deep regardless so if we want to play another spinner as well as Moeen then go with a proper spinner

Not batting very deep this time...

[Arthur Crabtree]

If Dawson plays, he bats at nine!

[rich1uk]

i really cant see why we would play both Moeen and Dawson in a test in England, we are going to bat deep regardless so if we want to play another spinner as well as Moeen then go with a proper spinner

Not batting very deep this time...

we're going to have moeen or bairstow as low as #7, thats pretty deep