It is Friday and it is Barbados - First Day Third and Final Test
The word seems to be that Trott will get picked - despite being obviously out of sorts and with a flaw in his approach - moving forward and to the off he is going to get full balls on leg - bowled behind his legs - and short balls on off - with catches to wide slips and gully - I always been a supporter of having Trott up there at the front as a steadying influence - he was wicked in SA and Australia and India for that matter - but that was yesterday - he needs to go back to county cricket - sort himself out and play himself back into the team - Cooke has done enough with the bat in the last test to suggest he should not be written off at present - On the field he has been reasonably attacking as captain - but I nothing to say about the selection policy
Barbados may be a more "sporting" pitch - with Stokes doubtful it would be an ideal time for Plunkett to step in and make a proper reputation for himself - likely apart from that there will be no other changes - Moen really needs to become more consistent with his bowling so that he can hold an end down and give himself more chances of getting wickets - Jordan needs to make a more significant contribution with the ball - brilliant fielder and catcher but he is there to back up Anderson and Broad - hopefully Broad will continue his improvement with the ball and maybe get a bit more confidence back with the bat
Batting wise - apart from the top two
- everything is relatively hunky dory - Ballance Root and Bell to make some runs - hopefully backed up with a bit more of a contribution from Buttler and Moen
Anderson - did I mention Anderson - Just be thankful that he is a fit sort of bloke and will probably be there for at least another couple of years
Taylor returns for the WI and likely that Holder is fit - but no real depth to the bowling - all things being equal England should win with ease - wait and see
- (I still think it will not be a happy summer)