Failed again this morning but I do think that he needs this whole series. There are a lot touting Root as a potential opener but I think that he needs to find his feet where he is first. I don't really fancy Bell in that spot so that only really leave Trott but he has turned in to a very good No3. There doesn't seem to be anybody else genuinely pushing for that spot for me. Thoughts?
Compton doesn't appear to be good enough. With Pietersen coming back it would be worth trying Root as an opener but then he's doing a fantastic job where he is. Maybe drop Bairstow. Bell even. Really tough decisions.
Compton has had only a very short period of success, the beginning of last season. Before then he was never even close to being picked for England. My Ashes XI: Cook Root Trott Pietersen Bell Taylor Prior Broad Swan Anderson Finn Onions
Compton's pony. Gotta agree with others Root seems only option as opener, I'm sure he'll slot in fine.
I think the best options are Root or Compton. We'll have to see how Compton gets on for Somerset before the Ashes. He made 166 and 18 for Somerset in his last first class game. But has been woefully out of form other than that one innings. In two games after the test matches he made 4 and 6. Bairstow needs some cricket. He's not played a game since the last test. Trott would be a good option as opener but needs to bat at 3 IMO. Bell has disappointed in the past at 3. Cook 1, Root/Compton 2, Trott 3, Pietersen 4, Bell 5, Root/Bairstow 6.
Bairstow hasn't played a game since 24th May. He needs some games or I'd open with Compton, with Pietersen in at 4 and Bell and Root down one. Compton has a slightly higher average in Tests than Bairstow in fairness to him and has made to back 50s now for Somerset.
I agree with this - Bairstow has not yet done it for me in the longer form of the game and Compton, whilst a slow scorer can take the shine off the new ball. We are all expecting too much too early from Root in my opinion.
I'd play Compton personally as an opener and drop Bairstow unless he makes a decent contribution in the second innings of this match and Root plays well too. Let's see what happens.
Funny enough I have just written a blog on this...follow me on twitter to read the whole article @The_Full_22yrds
Hopw long do we give Compton? He's a young man and his family seem to have a fair amount of longevity (Grandad lived to 80) so I'll give him another 55 or 60 years yet.