@PalsofMine

At this point any one can be better than Josh.Surely. Hamilton is too old at 35, so I guess so much for Roach who just took 300.

@voiceofreason

Whappen to the "Never change a winning team" adage?

I don't understand the mystery.

It is clear as mud.

If hope is fit, Hodge sits.

Furthermore, VOR, Hamilton is not as good a glove-man as Imlach.

However, Scammy made is clear last year, np place for Mohammed and Hamilton.

Not that I agre with Scammy, but that is his prerogative.

IF HOPE IS FIT, HODGE SITS.

@voiceofreason

With all due respect, I would have to disagree with you. Imlach proved his prowess behind the stumps, even in Pakistan on shocking pitches. For me, Hamilton is unlucky as he should have been given more of an opportunity at international level but alas, such is life...if it is true that Sammy does not want players aged 35 coming into the test side, then that is that.

Imlach remains the top man with the gloves...but his batting is below par. Even averaging 20 at test level would be enough - given that the majority of the top order only average around 25 and NOBODY (bar the inflated stats of Jangoo) even averages 30 - a shocking statistic but sadly true.

The need for a keeper-batsman who averages 30 is something that you can forget about...even the batsmen have failed to do that in the modern era.

And why play Da Silva as a batsman? Simply on the weight of his runs in the regional competition and without the burden of being behind the stumps. His batting talent merits a spot in the middle order, whereas his glovework arguably does not merit his place in the side. I'd let him retain the gloves for the 2nd test but after that, they need to rethink things.

@voiceofreason

I beg to disagree with you here.

You of all peeps on this board have always been touting about the need to give players a chance, moreso if it is someone that you are partial to.

What is the point of picking DaSilva for one test and promptly dropping him for the next in a two test series? Does that make any sense to you?

The selectors would have been better off to call up Imlach in the squad to replace Hope, since he was the last incumbent wicket keeper.

This chop and change has not worked for us before and it is not going to start now.

I say leave the team unchanged and let the chips fall where they may.

@embsallie

Points bro.

@TanteMerle

This time VOR changes the winning side

just this time