South Africa vs England 2015/16

England Test squad:
Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Nick Compton, Mark Footitt, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Samit Patel, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Chris Woakes

There's no place for Ian Bell - could it be the end of his England career? Nick Compton is recalled - which is a good thing in my view, as I felt he was discarded too hastily before, plus England have really struggled to find an opening partner for Cook.

The first test starts on Boxing Day.

Darts and cricket, that's Christmas sorted then

(19-11-2015 12:44 )William H Bonney Wrote:  Nick Compton is recalled - which is a good thing in my view, as I felt he was discarded too hastily before, plus England have really struggled to find an opening partner for Cook.

The first test starts on Boxing Day.

Yes as far as I am aware statistically the Cook-Compton opening partnership has been one of the better ones featuring Cook.
If memory serves me right they seemed to bat quite well together.

They could always open the batting with Joe Root

But who's Mark Footit?
And where's big Kev.

Steven Finn has been added to the England squad today.

Jimmy Anderson is injured and has been ruled out of the first test.

Alastair Cook said today that Chris Woakes has been chosen to replace the injured James Anderson and Alex Hales will make his England debut in the Boxing Day Test in Durban.

Whichever team bats the best will win.
Both bowling line ups look strong.

South Africa won the toss and will bowl first

But Chris Woakes isn't in the same league as Jimmy Anderson as an attack baller

The Cook run of lost tosses just goes on and on and on and on .

And just to compound his misery he was out for a duck as well.

England 12-1. Rain stopped play.

Starting to fear England might get skittled here . Hope not.