Pakistan v England 3rd Test, Sharjah, Nov 1-5

[backfootpunch]

If Bell get a ton would it be:

A) be the the perfect opportunity to call a day on his dwindling returns with a moment of triumph. Or

B) be the perfect opportunity to launch a late career renaissance starting with the Tests in SA.

its pretty clear that they want bell in the team due to the inexperience of the rest of the batting line up

he has done enough on this tour to keep his place in the team

I don't really rate experience over runs (and Root replaced Bell in the vc role, so England didn't promote Bell's experience there).

well none of the players who have been given a go have scored any runs, none of them have forced there way above bell in the pecking order

had the newer batsmen in the team not been so poor they would put runs ahead of experience, but they dont have any runs behind them

[sussexpob]

Lets wait to see how many runs he piles on this afternoon before coming to any conclusion. If he gets out soon after lunch then this conversation might be slightly redundant.

You feel a 50 here saves him though

[Arthur Crabtree]

moeen better hope that rashid doesnt score runs in this test or take 3 or 4 wickets in the second innings as his place in the side will start to come into question

he isnt scoring runs and is bowling worse now than when he first came in

If Stokes isn't fit, and a specialist spinner emerges to replace Moeen, then the team will be compromised. But while Mo is available, to bat at seven, Stokes' absence can be accommodated, though he'll be missed. And it will enable England to go with their four strongest pace bowlers in SA.

What might be a factor in SA, is that England won't feel comfortable going into a Test without a batter at eight. Of course, Broad and Wood can bat at eight and nine. You can't begin to see having a front line batter at eight as essential.

[Arthur Crabtree]

well none of the players who have been given a go have scored any runs, none of them have forced there way above bell in the pecking order

had the newer batsmen in the team not been so poor they would put runs ahead of experience, but they dont have any runs behind them

But they have scored as many or more than Bell. Which at least suggests his runs can be at least replaced (I'm hopeful Taylor can do more than that). How much are you going to miss a number three who averages 30 (over two years)? Though, I accept he'll go if he wants to, and I'm just wondering whether he wants to. If he doesn't go, I'm not sure the present side would find it difficult to replace him.

[backfootpunch]

pretty sure he didnt hit that

certainly no evidence whatsoever that the umpire was wrong

[sussexpob]

Evidence that the ball is definately starting to misbehave more this afternoon

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pakistan confident Bell hit that.

Then dropped!

[Arthur Crabtree]

pretty sure he didnt hit that

certainly no evidence whatsoever that the umpire was wrong

Couldn't overturn that, no.

[backfootpunch]

I don't really rate experience over runs (and Root replaced Bell in the vc role, so England didn't promote Bell's experience there).

well none of the players who have been given a go have scored any runs, none of them have forced there way above bell in the pecking order

had the newer batsmen in the team not been so poor they would put runs ahead of experience, but they dont have any runs behind them

But they have scored as many or more than Bell. Which at least suggests his runs can be at least replaced (I'm hopeful Taylor can do more than that). How much are you going to miss a number three who averages 30 (over two years)? Though, I accept he'll go if he wants to, and I'm just wondering whether he wants to. If he doesn't go, I'm not sure the present side would find it difficult to replace him.[/quote]

i have no doubt that taylor is good enough

the rest i am not so sure are good enough for test cricket and personally i would rather have someone in the team who has proved he is good enough in the past, i feel he is more likely to return to form than they are to get dramatically better whilst in the team

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nightmare post tea session for Bell. Well done to him for batting time though. Worked hard for those.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Any news on Stokes?

[sussexpob]

Lets wait to see how many runs he piles on this afternoon before coming to any conclusion. If he gets out soon after lunch then this conversation might be slightly redundant

No runs after lunch..bit of a lame way to go

[hopeforthebest]

Well done we managed to put the hex on Bell rather well. To the delight of some on here.

[sussexpob]

Any news on Stokes?

Just left the ground for a scan

[Arthur Crabtree]

With Bell being beaten a few times outside off to the ball turning away, a bit risky coming so far out of his crease.