As soon as the season ends (not long now) I'll be creating the official WAT England 'A' team thread, but in the interim it seems sensible to try and get clearer on the candidates: to that end I'm creating threads on potential openers, potential middle order batsmen, potential wicket-keepers, potential seamers and potential spinners.


In all these discussions I'm going to presume Yardy, Joyce, Clarke, Dalrymple, Broad and Tremlett (and possibly Davies) will be automatic selections: that's not definitive as every place is up for debate.... but given that the above are early favourites I'd like to see arguments as to why any of these should NOT be included as well as arguments as to why others should play alongside / instead of them.

Anyway... this thread is for opening batsmen... either for fresh nominations or for arguments that some of the frontrunners (perhaps Yardy or Joyce) should take one of those places.

Note: if you haven't already registered an interest in being a co-selector then please vote in this poll."

The place for discussion of Clarke's batting (or Dalrymple's) is here. The place to discuss his bowling is here. Dalrymple's bowling might be discussed here.

That's unless anyone thinks they should open the batting....

I would at this early stage like to put "Edward Thomas Smith" into the hat for a #3 - I think he has been overlooked for long enough for an England re-call - but he fits the bill with all his experience.

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Ern

Varun Chopra of Essex has made some good scores this season and impressed with the under-19s, and is one name I can think of straight away. None others come off the top of my tired head, but I'll have a look later.

I would go with Chopra also, maybe someone like Michael Carberry I hear he's been batting quite well this season for Hampshire.

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What we have been is what we are

Nick Compton seems set on nailing one of these openers' berths: in carrying his bat as all around him floundered in the current CC1 match with Notts he earnt some serious plaudits but also boosted his average from a healthy 42.39 to a striking 46.96.

He surely has to be a leading contender: anyone got any thoughts on his technique, temperament, performances and potential?

I agree with Compton being mentioned but i have never seen him play so i can't give a proper case for him but he has done well in a poor side which is always a good sign.

I noticed that last night after noting his name off the avaiable players list, but I havent seen him play either and decided bed was a better option so Ive not tried to find out anything else about him (barring the obvious).

Anyone wanting further options adding to the poll should PM me ASAP!

Edit: Anyone requesting that names be added should also make the player's case in this thread.

Ern: Can we have a case made for Ed Smith please? I've included him at your request but some reasons why anyone else should vote for him would be good!

Yes Ed Smith is averaging nearly 40 opening the batting for his county, for an opening bat facing fresh seam bowling that's quite good.

There may well be others with a better average at the moment, but Smith has been averaging well all season.That's just averages, not many years ago the England selectors spotted something in Ed Smith and was selected, ok he did

not hack it, but it can't be denied that he is one of the better openers in English cricket.The main reason to include Smith is his experience, he has tasted Test cricket and that is invaluable, as he knows just what Test cricket is about, and he has matured.

I can't see any better on offer, so for me one of the openers should be Ed Smith.

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Ern