The tail was pretty exposed with who we had in the first test.. I don't trust KP at 3, moving Bell to 3 from 5 may indeed expose the tail but at least with Bell he can stick around, make some runs and take the shine off the ball. Balance is a no-no. Woakes may not be a bad shout, an extra bowler and he's proven in the ODI (different mindset I agree) that he can handle the willow. So would be between him and Bairstow to replace Trott, unless Bresnan is gonna be fit by then, if so, he comes in!
Agree, Carberry batted very well in the 1st innings and was bloody unlucky in the 2nd, he stays and Root stays where he is, maybe comes up one spot if Bell does move to 3.
Love all this, brilliant different opinions and thoughts. Pietersen averages over 100 batting at three and he's now played over 100 tests. That, to me, says senior player steps up to No. three. Root four, Bell stays at five. Then it's between Woakes or Bairstow for me, dependng on the pitch. It's actually good to see we have options but that's just on paper of course. Whole thing is a house of cards at the moment.
Don't know which teams he played against when batting at 3, was that average obtained against the likes of Bangladesh, West Indies and the ever corrupt Pakistan team, then that average may not mean much. Average 100 at 3 against the likes of Aus, SA, India and Pakistan (When bowlers are not taking a bung then), well thats a different story altogether!
His average there would suggest otherwise. Anyway, surely he bats where told. Fo the team. From what I'm gathering Root in being touted as No 3 and I just think he needs to be kept out of this mess. If not KP then Bell for me I suppose.
All the team talk needed; http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/25120708 Stupid Australian ****s, time to smash them into the ground.
Much preferred the aussies when they were sh*t and quiet. One test win and they're getting all brave and arrogant again. England, sort them out!
So. Not long to go until part 2. Who's going to bat at three. Root of Bell, and who's coming in. See Bresnan's in the squad.