Carberry not the Root of the problem

In sport, timing is everything. Michael Carberry could scarecely have chosen a better time to stake his claim to partner Alistair Cook at the top of England's order. In the end, England need solidity and reliability ahead of flair and precociousness.

Root is undeniably a great talent and is a more than able opener on the county circuit. Test cricket is a different matter and Ashes cricket is certainly not the place for a dasher at the top of the order. The Ashes of this summer showed us the value of a dependable opening pair. Time after time, the top six looked extremely fragile and this was not helped by a lack of consistency in the opening partnerships. Arguably the greatest opening pair from these shores to tour the Antipodes was that of Hobbs and Sutcliffe in the 1920s. Neither was a dasher as both preferred to go about the business of steady accumulation. Risks were considered a luxury then. Moreover, their performances against the new ball enabled the likes of Hammond to make hay when the opening partnership had done its job.

It's no good having the likes of Pieterson, Bell and Root in your team if they're constantly having to deal with the new ball. I have said all summer that Root was a fish out of water opening for England because his style is too loose. Just once did he make a big score as he flattered to deceive for the majority of the summer. Playing big shots comes with confidence. Confidence comes with experience. Gooch didn't start out as a dasher. He first learned his trade before he gained the experience and confidence to take an attack apart.

It is now all but certain that Carberry will open with Cook. That can only be a good thing since Carberry is an opener in the proper sense who prizes his wicket. Of the next four in the order, it is only the presence of Trott which gives cause for concern. He badly needs to rediscover the steady form of twelve months ago to augment the solid starts which the new partnership can bring. Only then will we start to maximise our returns from Pieterson, Bell and the number 6.

The number six spot is now well and truly up for grabs. It can only be a good thing to have three decent batsmen fighting over one spot. I would go for the one most able to farm the tail and I'm not quite sure if Root is the answer. My inclination would be to go for his Yorkshire team mate Bairstow who adds more to the field and the dressing room. This has been a well thought out selection by England and will have wrong footed the loud mouths like Warne.

Warne's problem is that he can no longer let his cricket do the talking. As frustrating as this must be for him, he would do well to preserve what dignity he has left and adhere to the great adage of Mark Twain: "It's sometimes better to just stand there and look stupid rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt"....