Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Have to choose two from Hales, Roy and Bairstow. Tough choice, but the Aussies used to leave out Law and Lehmann.

Why those three?

Pick the two best openers and bat Root at three (who has a phenomenal record) and so risk not pushing their best ever ODI batter further down the order, Jos Buttler.

I suppose injuries will make these choices frequently unnecessary.

Stokes has to be in the squad, but I think there's a big question about whether he walks back into the team. Injury and form may make the choice obvious, but if everyone is fully fit and firing, I'm not convinced Stokes is an automatic pick under the current circumstances.

I agree completely with AC that he's not a fifth bowler - he can have an impact, but you wouldn't want to be depending on him to bowl his full quota. So he has to get in for his all round impact. He can be almost as destructive as Hales or Roy on his day, and is probably a little more consistent overall, but not much. I think it's likely to be a decision based on the pitch, conditions and the other team.

I can't agree with dropping Root. It's amazing that we can posit that a player with a 50+ average and an SR in the high 80s is holding the team back, but not every game is a 400+ run-fest. Root is the most reliable runscorer we have (Bairstow's recent amazing run of form notwithstanding) - when it doesn't come off and England lose a couple early, Root has guided England to a strong total so many times. He still scores at nearly a run a ball when he makes 50+, which he does very frequently, and provides the platform for the lower order - Buttler and co, to tee off. Without him, England really are all plan A. When plan A comes off, as it did the other day, he can drop down the order. But in 90% of games, when we lose a wicket or two in the first 20 overs and either need to rebuild or push along from a good start, there's pretty much no-one in the world game I'd rather see coming in than Root. Kohli perhaps.

S.Curran and C.Overton have been called up to the England squad.

Maybe a reason for disenchantment by the ticket buyers if a B attack takes the field for the fourth ODI.

Tom Curran is already in the squad.

Maybe Wood will miss out on his home ground?

Aussies might make a few changes with the series decided. They have batter/keeper Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon to come in. And Neser only had one go.

Billy Stanlake looks an interesting bowler. He's got the vibe of an awkward classroom fall guy, but a fella with that physique who bowls consistently at 90mph is a promising combination. Like Chris Tremlett but without the cruel aristocratic sneer. Stoinis, Tye and Kane Richardson have the look of the stocky medium pacers who manned the Aussie team during the Packer years, like Gary Cosier, Ken McLeay and Trevor Laughlin. The beards just emphasise the likeness.

England have the Currans, Overton, Ball, Lord Sam Billings waiting for a chance. Seems Morgan hinted there could be a new pace attack in Durham, but the batting would be left intact.

Hope the staff at Chester-le-Street produce better facilities for the game today. No issue with the flat pitch at TB, but the playing area was too small. That score of England might have an asterisk next to it.

There has only ever been one score of more than 300 in an ODI at Riverside, 307-5 from England in 2008 against NZ. KP got a hundred.

Sunny day in the north east. If not that hot.

First daynighter at CLS since 2005 when Australia beat England.

Oz lead the series 4-0 on the toss!

Aussies starting cautiously. Just 28 runs in 6 powerplay overs.

Two spinners for Aussies. Lyon added to playing 11. In Team meeting they would have decided to post 300+ atleast batting first to challenge this strong England batting lineup.

Craig's ODI debut ball smacked for 4 by Head. Dream debut ball spoilt.

61/0 in 10 overs. Aussies have fought back well.10 wickets intact and run rate of 6 at end of 10th over is a huge advantage. Can the middle order now make use of this wonderful start.

Seeing if my jinx works just to ensure i am ready before India's tour of England. England. Head on 47, 3 away from 50. Formality.

Jinx not working. Well played 50 for Head. Should look to score a 100.

82/0 in 15 overs. Aussies are playing well. The only chance for wicket was Alex failing to hold onto a tough catch by Finch at square leg and probably what seemed like a run out chance of Head on a single. Apart from those two chances it's gone well for Aussies.