By Dan Rankin
June 24 2013

England youngster Joe Root will get his chance to open with captain Alsatair Cook, when Essex will provide the opposition for the four day warm up game ahead of the first Ashes test in July....

Nick Compton has been ommited as he pays the price for a poor series at home to New Zealand last month, and it means an opening at number six for potentially Jonny Bairstow.

There will still be one last chance for Compton to force his way back into the selectors thinking, when Somerset host Australia in a warm up game, but for now Root looks nailed on for the openers slot at Trent Bridge on July 10th.

There was also a surprise call up for seamer Boyd Rankin, whose stock apears to keep rising, following his inclusion in the later stages of England's ODI series with New Zealand.

Kevin Pietersen will again get the chance to play some cricket, as he continues his return from injury. He hit 177 not out for Surrey on his first innings since returning and looked in fine form.

England squad to play Essex (30 June - 3 July): A Cook (Captain), J Anderson, J Trott, J Bairstow, I Bell, T Bresnan, S Broad, S Finn, G Onions, K Pietersen, M Prior (wkt), B Rankin, J Root, G Swann

Joe Root to open in Ashes Series

Discussion started by England Cricket (IP Logged), 24/06/2013 20:12

England Cricket
24/06/2013 20:12

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Grockle
27/06/2013 19:32

"There will still be one last chance for Compton to force his way back into the selectors thinking, when Somerset host Australia in a warm up game, but for now Root looks nailed on for the openers slot at Trent Bridge on July 10th."

Guess what?

Compo to play for Worcestershire against the Aussies after hitting 81 during our first innings.

Are England conning the Aussies? Second thoughts about Roots movement?

Not sure he's completely 'nailed on' but this foolishness is all about Bairstow really - the new England 'must have' keeper in waiting. Well his dad played and he does play for Yorkshire so he's probably more 'nailed on'

All a bit of a joke to be honest.

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SiteAdmin
30/06/2013 18:33

Agreed it is all on Bairstow to be honest, if he doesn't perform does that mean Compton will come in and bat at number six?

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