Cook Must Go. NOW! (As test captain)

[Arthur Crabtree]

Did you put in a word for Ian Bell as the new skipper?

[braveneutral]

I most definitely would have done but I was on Thakor time.

[meninblue]

Most happiest moment for England cricket fans in 2014

[from_the_stands]

Can I start a "Twatto must go now" thread?

[m@tt]

Captaincy announcement at 9, squad announcement at 11.

Hales vs Bell may come down to how Hales does in the Big Bash League. If he finds some form then he'll get first go, otherwise they'll fall back on Bell's experience.

[Aidan11]

Has he gone yet?

Oh wait...

[bigfluffylemon]

What about Ballance? He seems to have dropped off the ODI radar, but he had some pretty good performances.

To be honest, if England were really serious about winning the WC they'd go down on their knees and beg KP to come back. But they won't do that, because the selectors' dignity and conviction is more important than England's chances of actually winning.

Given that, the squad needs to be a 'development XI'. There is no hope of winning, so they may as well pick a side with the intention of developing it to win at home in 2019. This doesn't mean no senior players, but where there is a toss up between a senior and a junior, take the junior. This means I'd leave Bell at home, for example, since the odds of him still being around for 2019 are slim, and he's not that great a pick to start with. Anderson's different, as he's still our best bowler.

I'd probably go for

Hales, Moeen, Ballance, Root, Taylor, Bopara, Buttler, Woakes, Broad (c), Tredwell, Anderson as my first XI, with Finn, Jordan and maybe Stokes as backup (not sure on Stokes, though, but with an eye to the future probably worth having along). 15th man probably needs to be a reserve keeper, so Morgan probably gets it on that basis, but not for his batting alone (and hence not captain).

[hopeforthebest]

What about Ballance? He seems to have dropped off the ODI radar, but he had some pretty good performances.

To be honest, if England were really serious about winning the WC they'd go down on their knees and beg KP to come back. But they won't do that, because the selectors' dignity and conviction is more important than England's chances of actually winning.

Given that, the squad needs to be a 'development XI'. There is no hope of winning, so they may as well pick a side with the intention of developing it to win at home in 2019. This doesn't mean no senior players, but where there is a toss up between a senior and a junior, take the junior. This means I'd leave Bell at home, for example, since the odds of him still being around for 2019 are slim, and he's not that great a pick to start with. Anderson's different, as he's still our best bowler.

I'd probably go for

Hales, Moeen, Ballance, Root, Taylor, Bopara, Buttler, Woakes, Broad (c), Tredwell, Anderson as my first XI, with Finn, Jordan and maybe Stokes as backup (not sure on Stokes, though, but with an eye to the future probably worth having along). 15th man probably needs to be a reserve keeper, so Morgan probably gets it on that basis, but not for his batting alone (and hence not captain).

So you're expecting Bopara, Broad, Anderson and Tredwell to be around in 2019, they'll be delighted to hear that.

[bigfluffylemon]

What about Ballance? He seems to have dropped off the ODI radar, but he had some pretty good performances.

To be honest, if England were really serious about winning the WC they'd go down on their knees and beg KP to come back. But they won't do that, because the selectors' dignity and conviction is more important than England's chances of actually winning.

Given that, the squad needs to be a 'development XI'. There is no hope of winning, so they may as well pick a side with the intention of developing it to win at home in 2019. This doesn't mean no senior players, but where there is a toss up between a senior and a junior, take the junior. This means I'd leave Bell at home, for example, since the odds of him still being around for 2019 are slim, and he's not that great a pick to start with. Anderson's different, as he's still our best bowler.

I'd probably go for

Hales, Moeen, Ballance, Root, Taylor, Bopara, Buttler, Woakes, Broad (c), Tredwell, Anderson as my first XI, with Finn, Jordan and maybe Stokes as backup (not sure on Stokes, though, but with an eye to the future probably worth having along). 15th man probably needs to be a reserve keeper, so Morgan probably gets it on that basis, but not for his batting alone (and hence not captain).

So you're expecting Bopara, Broad, Anderson and Tredwell to be around in 2019, they'll be delighted to hear that.

I didn't say that. I said take senior players but only where they are clearly the best pick for the position, and err towards younger players if there are positions in doubt.

It seems that the selectors disagree, as they've taken Bell, but otherwise same squad as I had - recalled Ballance

[Making_Splinters]

Slightly suprising given Moores' and Downton's comments over the last week, but credit to the selectors for making those tough decisions.

Dobell reporting that Downton went and sat in on the selection meeting.

[Aidan11]

Wonder how long Moores will last now.

[Aidan11]

Slightly suprising given Moores' and Downton's comments over the last week, but credit to the selectors for making those tough decisions.

Dobell reporting that Downton went and sat in on the selection meeting.

He did although no one is sure why. Many thought it was so the selection panel didn't sack Cook but is seems they had a spine after all.

[Albondiga]

The cupboard is bare.

Id hazard a guess that most county watchers could pick an alternative XI that would beat the current team. I don't think the cupboard is bare, we are wasting time with guys who aren't really standing out.

If my side is


Balance
Ali
Taylor
Root
Bopara
Morgan
Butler
Woakes
Broad
Anderson
Finn


then can you tell me yours to beat it ????

[Aidan11]

James Whittaker didn't seem to handle his interview too well today.

[Durhamfootman]

The cupboard is bare.

Id hazard a guess that most county watchers could pick an alternative XI that would beat the current team. I don't think the cupboard is bare, we are wasting time with guys who aren't really standing out.

If my side is


Balance
Ali
Taylor
Root
Bopara
Morgan
Butler
Woakes
Broad
Anderson
Finn


then can you tell me yours to beat it ????

Whichever side Afghanistan and Scotland put out, probably