So let's talk about Nick Compton then....

Englands number six for the Windies series? Tough on Ravi Bops perhaps, but Compton's form would be hard to ignore.

And He's actually managed to compile all these runs despite me rating him.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh good grief.

Another career down the toilet then.

No no! I talked him up a good three years ago. He's survived.

We have moved on, thankfully, since the days of players being picked on the basis of one purple patch of form.

I wouldn't say it's a purple patch. Compton has had a couple of pretty solid seasons for the 'set. I've always thought he looked a good player as well.

FTB.

Seeing as his Grandfather is an English batting great, is Nick exempt from being labelled a Saffie who moved to England to further his career ala Pietersen and Trott? He was schooled in South Africa and speaks with a slight Saffie accent.

Slight Saffie accent? Yarptastic, I'd say.

I'm with Trev though, he can't be labelled a saffie with Den's blood in his veins.

He's this year's Varun Chopra.

Henry wrote:No no! I talked him up a good three years ago. He's survived.

Life support I would say, but this thread will be the nail in the coffin.

vilkrang wrote:I'm with Trev though, he can't be labelled a saffie with Den's blood in his veins.

Den was a Saffie FFS.

taipan wrote:

vilkrang wrote:I'm with Trev though, he can't be labelled a saffie with Den's blood in his veins.

Den was a Saffie FFS.

Que?

Anyone who used that much Brylcrem is a Saffie by definition

Basil wrote:We have moved on, thankfully, since the days of players being picked on the basis of one purple patch of form.

Yes, names like Ed Smith come to mind...

There's no obvious next cab off the rank though. We've got "chosen ones" like Little Jimmy who are struggling for form, players who perhaps stand out more as limited overs prospects, and the tried and failed like Chavi and Irish Owen. It may be the time for a wild card selection - the next Trescothick, or the batting equivalent of Pattinson or Amjad Khan!

Ben St Oaks is the long term number six option. Now his finger's all bolted on the right way, why not get him in early doors. It's not like anyone else is demanding a go - and it's only the Windies.

You can bet your life they'll pick Bopara. And you can also bet your life he'll score at least one century against the Windies coming in at 400-4, which will mean he limps through the series against South Africa as a liability at number six.

It's the way of the World.

I wouldn't begrudge Bops a go, given that he was totally stiffed this winter in losing out to Eoin Morgan and Sam Patel, who are faintly ridiculous selections from a batting point of view; a one-day chancer and some random fat bloke.

But he does give the impression of being no more than a nearly man.

Stokesy's numbers are the business. He's the one for me. And in the sack too.

Aye, Stokes would be ideal. Being a left hander, he gives the middle order some variety as well. Not to mention his 80mph+ bowling. Is he good enough to play for England for his batting alone? Probably.

But they wont pick him.

Henry wrote:Aye, Stokes would be ideal. Being a left hander, he gives the middle order some variety as well. Not to mention his 80mph+ bowling. Is he good enough to play for England for his batting alone? Probably.

But they wont pick him.

Would you want his mum in the change room?

How bad is Stokes against the spin though?

tricycle wrote:How bad is Stokes against the spin though?

His mum is pretty good with the spin.

His mum must be the best at everything, good driver, sweeper and hooker.