Pakistan v England 2nd Test, Dubai, Oct 22-26

[Arthur Crabtree]

Did Bell rise in the order through a lack of alternatives? He probably did because of good performances lower in the order, and latterly, because he wanted to bat at three. Though he may be there now because of a lack of options.

[sussexpob]

Bell is probably batting at 3 simply to accommodate the lower middle order of Bairstow and Stokes, neither of these are going to get promoted to one drop for pretty obvious reasons. I guess this kind of thinking does show a criminal level of dismal selection policy, with the components that are at their disposal they dont seem to see some really easy decisions that would improve the efficiency of this line up.

In its current form, the team has no synergy. Expecting a guy to bowl 30 overs an innings and open is beyond stupidity. You have a guy below him at 3 who is shaky and who's place is under pressure, you need someone to at least stick around a few overs, because having Bell stride in early is making his job harder.

A few early wickets, and you get to the lower order, and what have we there? Bairstow (Mr no 100 in 20 tests encouting) and Stokes (FC average of 33, which is not top 6 test level). This is no good, Bairstow is not proving anything, and Stokes is simply too much of a luxury player to bat in such a fragile team. When you have no established opening partnership, a guy fighting for his career through extend poor form at 3, and a guy at 5 with an abysmal record, you DONT pick an all rounder at 6.

Bairstow should go, Bell to 5, Taylor in at 3. Id drop Wood, move Stokes to 8, Ali to 6, Hales comes in to open.

[hopeforthebest]

Did Bell rise in the order through a lack of alternatives? He probably did because of good performances lower in the order, and latterly, because he wanted to bat at three. Though he may be there now because of a lack of options.

As I said in my post players are thrilled to move higher in the order but that doesn't mean they should and certainly not remain there if their performance is below expectations.
Bell in his early years often had periods at three but they never matched his 5/6 performances and his career only stabilised when Flower moved him to bat at 6 in 2010 and then 5 on Collingwood's retirement. He only moved up to 4 after the 2013-14 whitewash to replace KP.

[hopeforthebest]

I know players see it as more prestigious to bat high in the order but at the end of the day they should bat where they are likely to offer greater value. Bell has risen up the order through lack of alternatives and stayed there for a similar reason.
Currently Moeen is going through a similar process and the experiment of Trott opening in the WI was another example.

There is merit to that argument, but two main issues I have with it are:-

1. There is no reason why he fails at 3 more. His record in England in conditions where one drop is hardest, is to average 61. And he has done that against a mix of Australia, South Africa and India, all at the time the respective best teams in the world. IF he can make runs at 3 in these conditions, then there is no technical reason why he cant play 3.

2. Bad performance is bad performance playing in any role.

Where does this 61 average come from? A handful of innings mostly in 2011 against India when Trott got injured and many England batsmen filled their boots.

[hopeforthebest]

There is an addendum to all of this, maybe he really is past it and it's time to go. We at Warwickshire would welcome him back with open arms, We might then even beat Yorkshire.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Boycott could quite easily be replaced by a foghorn, or a honking duck. Save a bit of the license fee.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nothing there for the bowlers. No spin yet though. New ball in six overs so we might not see much spin in the first session.

[backfootpunch]

Nothing there for the bowlers. No spin yet though. New ball in six overs so we might not see much spin in the first session.

The few deliveries I saw rashid was getting a lot of turn

Yasir will be a huge threat in the second innings

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, and Broad's cutters stuck in the pitch too.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Boycott's just repeating his morning commentary in the afternoon session.

[Aidan11]

This hasn't gone well but it's gone pretty much as expected.

[Aidan11]

Even the players don't get excited when they take a wicket.

[Aidan11]

There's the declaration.

[Aidan11]

Only 491 to win.

[hopeforthebest]

All to play for.