Capitulation...

Blimey - what a complete mess. Having felt confident whilst Root and Ali were batting, losing Ali the ball before lunch was the start of the end. Prior just looks out of sorts and was again out to the short ball. Stokes couldn't look more out of his depth with the bat and needs to play more 4-day cricket. Broad has never liked the short ball and I feel for Root; his positive mind-set will stand him in good stead for the future. So where now? 
Cook looks like he needs to find form from somewhere but with no 4-day cricket where from? Who should take over the captaincy? Bell is currently VC but I'm not sure he's up to it, especially with his poor run of form, same goes for Prior. Root is too inexperienced and so are Ali & Ballance. I don't know if I'm a big fan of bowling captains but I'm keen for Broad to take reigns; I like his aggression and he is an experienced international cricketer. That leaves Jimmy and I don't think he's the right man. So Broad gets the nod. So forgetting my previous post, this would be my starting XI for the 3rd Test:
1. Hales  2. Robson
3. Ballance 4. Bell    5. Root 
6. Woakes   7. Butler
8. Broad  9. Plunkett  10. Anderson   11. Kerrigan or Riley...
... Let's see if I'm anything like close!

Balance is key in Test cricket...

I am still yet to consistently post in my blog; maybe this time could be the start of regular writes. This summer we have already seen Sri Lanka and now we are up against the Indians.
Where to start? DRS? Spinner? Pushing? Shirtless drinking?
Let's start with the importance of having a balanced Test side. Having two openers; Cook & Robson, although Cook's position is questionable at the moment. A strong number 3, 4 and 5 with a batting all-rounder at 6. 7 is your wicket keeper and 8,9,10,11 your bowlers. 
At the moment, England are lacking balance, Ali is our 6 and isn't trusted to bowl. For me, Ali looks like the perfect number 3 who can leave well and play fluently when required.
Alastair Cook is obviously struggling for form at the moment and I feel he should be dropped. Prior is also struggling for form and is surely not 100% fit which is challenging for him. For me he should be dropped and Kieswetter should be his replacement but he's now not fit and I wouldn't pick Buttler yet.
My starting XI for the 3rd Test would be:
1. Root
2. Robson
3. Ali
4. Bell
5. Balance
6. Stokes
7. Prior
8. Broad
9. Plunkett
10. Anderson
11. Kerrigan
The 11 looks inexperienced but the senior players have not been firing so it doesn't matter.