Not sure this move up the order has helped Root's batting
That was always a danger, but then to speculate Compton would have done much better is just that, speculation. And are we to suggest Compton's 54 runs in his last six innings should be ignored and Root be damned for his 41 in three innings opening......................
In 06/07 England went with Giles and changed after two Tests, that was an obvious error in selection corrected. This I'm not so sure about
Flat deck so great start by Aus. Would take 250 right now.
Lot depends on the current pair, and what Bairstow and Prior can do. England should strive for 300+
For the criticism of Bairstow, his 37 in the 1st innings was not only 2nd top score of the innings, but massively important at 124/4. He does need to start making more runs, an average just over 30 is not nearly good enough for Test cricket, but then people want to reinstate Compton with a similar average on the grounds he is an opener and made a couple of hundreds before his poor recent form.
Bairstow has scored 52 runs in this series from two innings, nearly as many as Compton in six against the kiwis, and 90 for once out in the previous Test. Tot up Bairstow's last four innings (142) and compare them to Root's last five (173) - not a lot in it, if Bairstow makes 32 today then he'll edge ahead.
My selection decision for the next Test would depend on the result of this, if we lose then I'd consider a batting change but probably depend on how Root (and Bairstow) does in the next innings.
I've long wondered if Trott mightn't open, he is ready to bat early on as a Test #3 anyway, although I had more considered it for ODIs. He has opened in Tests before, 83 runs @ 41.50 . It too might affect his form, but I think it might be better than trying to perm two new players from three and rotating/chopping and changing them
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No real shock they've gone back to Bresnan, disappointed that the man who gave England a real boost by knocking two early aussie wickets over after we'd only made 215 should be rewarded thus, but if/when a captain has given you the thumbs down you may as well give up
