[jjamez]

could bairstow be converted into a test match opening batter? have an aggressive player with the more reserved burns, much like the strauss and cook partnership.

i prefer root at number 4. I think he gets a little hamstrung when he goes 3. Its less of a case of getting root to bat 3 and more a case of a county player standing up and making a claim for that and taking it when given the chance. Vince made a claim but he never really performed to keep it, could Buttler do it, based on his recent test performances, I'd suggest he could. Could Bairstow, again yes I do, but is there a young lad coming through that could do it for 10+ years. the hopes were on Hameed but something has gone wrong there, ever since he tried to adapt his game for white ball cricket, he'd be better suited focusing solely on red ball cricket, he'll never get into the white ball side. Other options, Jason Roy, although he'd be an opener which keeps the number 3 slot vacated, so doesnt help, unless it means Bairstow can go there. A possible unpopular move would be to put Jennings at 3 with Burns and Bairstow up top. Would sort of reflect the top order of yester year when we got to number 1 in the world