Have we actually had a proper, old skool English collapse so far this tournament?

[Luis Anaconda]

Specialist captain. These super-batters always seem to lose some of their powers when they become captain.

Speaking of superbatsmen - are you going to get the chance to see AB at all?

[Ash]

Speaking of superbatsmen - are you going to get the chance to see AB at all?

8th August v Surrey.

[Burney]

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

Trescothick gets too little credit for our 2005 Ashes win imo. He took the attack to the Australian seamers, got our run-rate up and generally gave us momentum and the initiative (until Warne came on, obviously). There is something to be said for that sort of player - after all, Sehwag's game didn't change much between tests and one-dayers and he ended up averaging 49

[Burney]

Speaking of superbatsmen - are you going to get the chance to see AB at all?

Allan Border? Bit late for that imo.

[Luis Anaconda]

8th August v Surrey.

Nice - we'll probably have been knocked out by then but he'll be good to watch

[Luis Anaconda]

Trescothick gets too little credit for our 2005 Ashes win imo. He took the attack to the Australian seamers, got our run-rate up and generally gave us momentum and the initiative (until Warne came on, obviously). There is something to be said for that sort of player - after all, Sehwag's game didn't change much between tests and one-dayers and he ended up averaging 49

Spot on - as I said earlier, just needs these players to come off once or twice a series and they win games (not unlike Broad with the ball which is why I would be reluctant to drop him)

[Luis Anaconda]

Allan Border? Bit late for that imo.

Never did see him bat - probably didn't miss much. I was thinking the other day of the best XI I had actually seen live. Think I came up with something like this. Bit batting top heavy but didn't want to leave out Crowe. Not sure you need a fifth bowler anyway

Greenidge
Cook
Richards
Tendulkar (though never saw him bat only field)
Ponting
Crowe M
Gilchrist
Marshall
Warne
Hadlee
McGrath

[Burney]

Never did see him bat - probably didn't miss much. I was thinking the other day of the best XI I had actually seen live. Think I came up with something like this. Bit batting top heavy but didn't want to leave out Crowe. Not sure you need a fifth bowler anyway

Greenidge
Cook
Richards
Tendulkar (though never saw him bat only field)
Ponting
Crowe M
Gilchrist
Marshall
Warne
Hadlee
McGrath

I’ve got all those, but I’d be able to put Gavaskar in ahead of Cook.
Actually, don’t know if this counts, but I saw Sobers play (albeit in an old fúcker’s game at The Oval when he was about 50) and he’d have to get a spot ahead of Ponting -which also sorts your bowling issue out.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

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.)

[Rich]

He was a pretty decent opener ffs. Also his decline is relative - still third most runs of any player in the world last year.

Almost an argument for Morgan to be brought into the team as captain. Any runs would be a bonus

Morgan can't play the short ball, though. Which, when playing a team containing 3 85mph+ bowlers, is a bit of a problem.