That was never obviously going to happen, but it would have been a good idea[DOUBLEPOST=1464517622][/DOUBLEPOST]
Again this would be such a deep batting line up #10 with a Test 169[DOUBLEPOST=1464517682][/DOUBLEPOST]The extra batsman is one from Hildreth/Borthwick/Ballance/Buttler for me. It depends on how Buttler goes for Lancs now he is back from the IPL
All depends on whether the selectors are prepared to pick somebody outside the 30 man performance squad. Bell, Ballance and Roy are the only realistic replacements in that squad. Don't think they'll want to go back to Bell in a summer against average oppo. Ballance is in dreadful form and Roy hasn't done enough in FC cricket to suggest he's a test player, but I reckon he could be an option in a year or two.
So options outside the squad are Borthwick, Hildreth, Malan, Buttler and Westley.
Westley will probably miss out as he plays Div 2 cricket, but he's in tremendous form. Malan is in good form and had a brilliant winter for the lions. I'd love to see him get a chance. Although Hildreth is backing up his 2015 season, he's the wrong side of 30, so if you're going to pick him, you could argue that you might as well go back to Bell. Buttler hasn't played any FC cricket for a while so I wouldn't even be thinking about him. Bairstow is keeping well also. I'd personally go for Borthwick, who is batting well and also picked up a 5fer yesterday. We clearly haven't got a proper spinner around at the moment, so having two good batsmen who bowl spin might be the right way to go.