Old Trafford test match

[Burney]

Smith and their South African will give them a much stronger batting line up. Who will open for us, Burns and AN Other?

Denly, isn't it? Because apparently fluking your way to a streaky 50 is sufficient qualification to open the batting for England now.

[Ash]

Denly, isn't it? Because apparently fluking your way to a streaky 50 is sufficient qualification to open the batting for England now.

No other fecker can do the job so why not?

[Burney]

No other fecker can do the job so why not?

No-one else in the squad can, certainly. I suppose the question is whether someone currently outside the squad would be any better?

[Ash]

No-one else in the squad can, certainly. I suppose the question is whether someone currently outside the squad would be any better?

I watched that lad Tom Banton for Somerset the other night. Does he have any first class runs?

[PSRB]

I watched that lad Tom Banton for Somerset the other night. Does he have any first class runs?

I think Sibley is next in line.

[Rich]

No-one else in the squad can, certainly. I suppose the question is whether someone currently outside the squad would be any better?

Ollie Pope is a magnificent batsman. I know it didn't work out last time around but he is only 22 and should be persisted with. He will be a fantastic player for England one day; I have no doubt.

[Burney]

Ollie Pope is a magnificent batsman. I know it didn't work out last time around but he is only 22 and should be persisted with. He will be a fantastic player for England one day; I have no doubt.

I would certainly support trying to mould a young batsman into test cricket over trying to shoehorn a 30 year-old journeyman county pro who can't play short bowling into the slot or trying to turn a white-ball batsman into a red-ball one.

[Rich]

I would certainly support trying to mould a young batsman into test cricket over trying to shoehorn a 30 year-old journeyman county pro who can't play short bowling into the slot or trying to turn a white-ball batsman into a red-ball one.

Pope is actually only 21. Averages 59 in 28 First Class matches. He was educated at Cranleigh, too. A couple of good friends went there and I can vouch for them being top blokes.

[Luis Anaconda]

I would certainly support trying to mould a young batsman into test cricket over trying to shoehorn a 30 year-old journeyman county pro who can't play short bowling into the slot or trying to turn a white-ball batsman into a red-ball one.

Amen, b, amen

[Ash]

Amen, b, amen

So would, say, as 20 year-old with a FCC average of 32 be a possible candidate for consideration?