Should England change their team for the second Test against Bangladesh?
Bob Willis, Jonathan Trott and Mark Butcher talk England selection
Monday 24 October 2016 19:02, UK
England secured a thrilling 22-run win over Bangladesh on the final day of the first Test in Chittagong, but attention swiftly turns to the second in Dhaka on Friday.
It is the final match of the series, and also England's last outing before they begin their five-Test series against India in Rajkot on November 9.
As such, there is talk of rotation or resting players for the second Test, allowing England the opportunity to look at other members of their squad.
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Here's what The Verdict panel made of it all...
Bob Willis
"If England had won by an innings and 22 runs, I could understand rotating players, but they only won this Test match very narrowly.
"The guys that are going to have the biggest workload in these seven Tests in the sub-continent are the senior players, and you're not going to leave out [Alastair] Cook, [Joe] Root, [Ben] Stokes, or [Jonny] Bairstow. So it will be the marginal players who will be rotated, though I'm not quite sure what that's going to do for their confidence.
"I would like to see a right-handed opening batsmen, in Haseeb Hameed, and move Ben Duckett down to the middle order instead of Gary Ballance.
"Trevor Bayliss gave Ballance a ringing endorsement, saying he was one of the best players against spin this summer against Pakistan. I can't really go along with that, I don't think he averaged 30.
"Plus, we keep getting romantically involved with English legspinners, but they have struggled. Look at their record - Chris Schofield, Ian Salisbury. They just flatter to deceive. So Zafar Ansari comes in for Adil Rashid for me."
Jonathan Trott
"I agree with Bob in this case about resting players. I can't see the point in resting Stuart Broad, as he didn't play in the one-dayers. But the one to have a break is perhaps Chris Woakes, who did play in the ODIs, and all summer in all three forms of the game.
"I'd imagine Stuart would actually like to get in a bit more rhythm, playing in the sub-continent. Yes, it's hot, and the guys are going to be tired, but it's important you get overs under your belt, so that when you get to India, you don't feel undercooked.
"Perhaps if you're going to leave out Woakes, I like the idea of Jos Buttler coming in, I think he is very good in these conditions. He could also maybe slot in at four if Ballance misses out.
"But I would stick with the team at the moment; no rotation. I'd keep Rashid in there. He has to bowl a little better obviously, but he has the ability to take the ball away from the right-hander and is very good at mopping up the tail.
"Ansari is a good point. But if he were to come in, I'd rather it be for an offspinner, as Moeen Ali and Gareth Batty are very samey."
Mark Butcher
"I think resting Broad would make some sense, though I feel Bob would explode at the thought that somebody who has bowled just 23 overs in a Test match, needing a rest. But that would make some sense, and England might get something out of playing Jake Ball or Steven Finn in his place
"However, for me, England need to find out if Zafar Ansari is able to do a job as a left-arm spinner, to see if they have another bowler capable of taking the ball away from India's myriad of right-handed batsmen.
"Batty didn't disgrace himself in any shape or form. But the selectors and the England captain pretty much know what they're going to get from him if they play him in India, but they don't with Ansari.
"I also still think England need another right-handed batsman in their top six. At the moment, just having the one in Joe Root, leaves them very exposed to Ravichandran Ashwin should they play on more turning pitches in India.
"I would keep the balance of the team as it is, but I'd be extremely tempted to bring in Ansari instead of Batty, and try Hameed out as opener, and like Bob, move Duckett down to four instead of Ballance."
Watch the second Test between Bangladesh and England, live on Sky Sports 2 from 4.30am on Friday.
