Quote Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda View Post
It's a gamble and the figures don't stack up but sometimes momentum can be a key thing. Look at Trescothick who hardly had a stellar career pre-Test debut and was unorthodox. Got in on the back of great one-day form and was one of the finest openers we've had imo
Good point. I hope you're right. I think it no coincidence that as we've seen the rise of T20 leagues, we've been unable to replace Strauss, Cook and Trott.

All our bowlers and WKs can slog scoops and switch-hits for six, but we don't have anyone that can see off the new ball.

But Hales didn't work as an opener despite being in great form in the slogging.

Tbh, if you look at the way Stokes has played this tournament, I don't think he could do a worse job as opener than someone like Burns.

That would give us the option of playing Foakes, a proper 'keeper who's already scored a test ton. And with the likes of YJB, Buttler and Ali (if he returned to form) it's not as though Stokes at 6 is our only counter-attacking option.

Stokes actually has the technique to defend. And as I say, we could then play a proper keeper, or have Woakes and Archer in a side with 5 quicks.

Ali, Woakes/Foakes and Archer at 7,8,9 isn't too shabby. (Or Ali, Foakes, Woakes. - A no.9 with a test century to his name. Pity Broad forgot how to bat.)