England’s opening problems after Strauss – Opinion - Part 2
If the management persists with him at no.3, then it hampers thought of playing five bowlers. They then will be inclined to play just two seamers, along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Samit-Patel-c2426, or include three pacers, with Swann. A further thought could be given
to the idea of retaining http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Eoin-Joseph-Gerard-Morgan-c56032.
If that argument materializes, then http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 will be all set to unleash Root or Compton. Both players have been consistent run-getters in the domestic circuit and offer reasonable Test-like credentials.
Compton had been at the peak of his powers in the early season where he almost reached the coveted landmark of scoring 1000 Championship runs before the end of May. A back injury during mid season put him on the sidelines but he returned back with considerable
success. One thing going against him is the fact that he doesn’t open for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Somerset-c843, so the idea of facing the new ball from the word go could affect his game.
Still, he has the talent and temperament to adjust to the demands of Test cricket and one expects him to fill that role if a need arises.
For Root, it has been a gradual rise to the national team following fruitful times with the English academy and the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hampshire-c789 in July.
At 21, his ability to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adrian-Roger-Kirshaw-Pierson-c42135 it out at the crease has earned him considerable praise and he is surely the man for the future, if not the too distant one.
Others, who could’ve been viable options but failed to make the cut, include Hampshire’s http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. However, at 32, selectors might
resist in taking a gamble. As for the latter, he has been in impressive form for the reigning domestic Champions http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warwickshire-c862 and good showings in the coming months will firmly place him among the contenders.
Carberry’s one match selection came at a time when England decided to rest Strauss. The left-hander contributed 30 and 34 runs in an eventual 181-run win but was then omitted for the second Test of the tour as the team wanted to play five bowlers.
That situation is likely to arise in the coming weeks, and given the team’s debacles against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Graham-Alan-Gooch-c60530, will be keen to put emphasis on specialist batsman. If the top order succeeds in
making runs, the situation will look much better for the Poms but dealing with spin has been their Achilles heels, and the Indian contingent will be eager to exploit that and take revenge, especially after their own debacles of last year.
Whatever the final XI looks like, the warm-up matches have given the England think tank added luxury to test all their options. However, all their worries start and end with the opening position. Against the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umesh-Yadav-c94625 or even Pragyan
Ojha for that matter, adjusting to the tracks and new ball will be key to their success, at least in the sub-continent.
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