There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[sussexpob]

Hammed and Jennings did well enough to merit their places for further series

hameed is averaging under 20 in FC cricket this season , i dont see how he can possibly be included

Averaging over 40 in a tough series away to India?

[rich1uk]

Hammed and Jennings did well enough to merit their places for further series

hameed is averaging under 20 in FC cricket this season , i dont see how he can possibly be included

Averaging over 40 in a tough series away to India?

that was just 3 tests 7 months ago

current form must outweigh such a small sample size

[sussexpob]

7 months ago he was the best thing since slice bread. Not sure what dropping him does to his career, a guy who does well in test cricket on a failed tour to a country of historical failure for England, it just seems bad policy. They backed him to step up to test cricket with a certain level of faith, surely they have to continue that process? That for me is important anyhow. If he fails in the first two tests badly, you pat him on the back and say "bad form son, go back to county cricket". That approach seems more inexcusable without him being picked.

[rich1uk]

and what good will it do picking him when he looks to be woefully out of form

he hasn't even made a 50 in FC cricket this summer for Lancs

[Arthur Crabtree]

Has would be just the latest partner of Cook to be dropped after averaging more than him. As would be Jennings if he didn't make it.

[rich1uk]

Has would be just the latest partner of Cook to be dropped after averaging more than him. As would be Jennings if he didn't make it.

i think thats a little bit of an unfair spin on things AC

he wouldn't be getting dropped for not doing well enough for England despite scoring more than cook

[Arthur Crabtree]

I can see good reasons for playing him and leaving him out. Just making a wry comment about the rotating door at the top of the order and Cook's incontestable permanence.

[rich1uk]

i just dont think test cricket is the place to be carrying someone who is so early in his career and out of form

i was impressed with him in India but i think i said after that tour when we were talking about possible selections going forward, that with the long gap between tests it was what the various contenders did over the start of the county season that should decide who got the nod

[Arthur Crabtree]

In his favour is a lack of established top order bats to turn to (though of course that doesn't make him any more likely to succeed). Form v continuity is a constant wrangle, that is usually decided in the favour or the latter. More-so for batters.

Introducing yet another new batter in a period of constant change doesn't feel reasonable. Yet neither does selecting a player who seems predetermined to fail. I'd be inclined to stick with him and afford him the opportunity so often extended to others. Though I accept that may not be in his best interest. And my guess is that he'll be 'rested'.

[rich1uk]

technically he wouldn't be dropped as Jennings was the man in possession anyway

[Arthur Crabtree]

As Anderson is playing and taking wickets, I take it he is back in contention for the first Test.

Though apparently Broad is now injured.

[rich1uk]

if Broad is out are we going to be going in with Anderson, Wood and Ball as the three seamers ?

We already know Woakes will miss out

[Arthur Crabtree]

Anderson and Ball. Wood doesn't feel a definite for a Test. Three wickets at seventy in two CC2 games for Durham this season. Injury risk. Reputation for losing pace in each return spell.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Heel injury for Broad. Which doesn't sound good seeing as it's a chronic problem.

[rich1uk]

Anderson and Ball. Wood doesn't feel a definite for a Test. Three wickets at seventy in two CC2 games for Durham this season. Injury risk. Reputation for losing pace in each return spell.

the selectors seem to like him tho