James Taylor forced to retire aged 26.

[KarmaDope]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/36024253

Gutting this, retiring because of the same issue Fabrice Muamba had. He could have been a mainstay of the Test team. Just about worked his way into the setup and was playing well.

Thankfully they caught the condition before something serious happened.

[JohnCharver]

gutted when I saw the headline "taylor forced into early retirement" in the early papers and got slowrolled into thinking it was Steven.

[Longy]

Very sadden by this. I have seen Taylor play more than most as a member of Nottinghamshire and he very much deserved to make it into the England team in the last year.  He was in particular a fantastic one day player and had the ability to work the ball for runs when so many others couldn't.

Hopefully an early detection has saved his life, but it seems cruel at such a young age to be forced to retire not having fulfilled his potential at the top level.

[TightEnd]

a real shame, proper player



best to save a life than save a career i suppose

[HutchGF]

It is both saddening and uplifting in that the discovery has potentially saved his life but has taken a man from our test side that I felt was growing into the role.

As sad as it is, it does pose a question.

Who should his test place go to? Will Bairstow be played as a batsman to accommodate Buttler back into the team? Will England return to previous selections (Bell? Ballance? Lyth?). Or will some young batsman like Hain be given on opportunity?

[TightEnd]

Cook
Hales
Compton
Root
vince? bell? ballance?
Stokes
Bairstow w (buttler at the ipl)
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Finn

to kick us off


major questions..opening bat (still), number 3

the likes  bell-drummond,browne, westley, abell, hain, malan etc on the shortlist to be introduced in due course depending when they are deemed to be ready

same for ansari, curran t and s, ball etc in the bowling attack

billings and foakes as keepers for the future

[TommyPlus]

Probably a chance to give someone new or two a go with 'relatively' easy home series against SA and Pakistan. This goes for bowlers and batsmen.

[nellberg]

Probably a chance to give someone new or two a go with 'relatively' easy home series against SA and Pakistan. This goes for bowlers and batsmen.

SL yeh? SA would be a harsh baptism! If you wanted to blood a batsman Sri Lanka at home would be just about the most ideal chance. Not so sure against Aamir in particular, and Wahab later on in the summer. Bowling wise either series would be fine, both touring teams batting line-up's will struggle against the moving ball

[TommyPlus]

Probably a chance to give someone new or two a go with 'relatively' easy home series against SA and Pakistan. This goes for bowlers and batsmen.

SL yeh? SA would be a harsh baptism! If you wanted to blood a batsman Sri Lanka at home would be just about the most ideal chance. Not so sure against Aamir in particular, and Wahab later on in the summer. Bowling wise either series would be fine, both touring teams batting line-up's will struggle against the moving ball

Sorry yeah Sri Lanka not South Africa.

[HutchGF]

Cook
Hales
Compton
Root
vince? bell? ballance?
Stokes
Bairstow w (buttler at the ipl)
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Finn

to kick us off


major questions..opening bat (still), number 3

the likes  bell-drummond,browne, westley, abell, hain, malan etc on the shortlist to be introduced in due course depending when they are deemed to be ready

same for ansari, curran t and s, ball etc in the bowling attack

billings and foakes as keepers for the future

I wouldn't fancy a top 5 with three of Cook, Compton and Ballance.

I've always liked Hildreth at Somerset but I feel his time has gone and we should put one of these promising young batsmen in. Perhaps Vince?

I think Bell would be a backward step but if he scores big runs between now and the selectors meeting it would be hard to ignore him.

A more ambitious option may be to play another all rounder and bat Bairstow at 5, with Stokes et al to follow.

It is a good time to be an England cricket fan, so much potential.

[Longy]

I am fine with having Ballance along with Cook and Compton if he has got his technique sorted. He showed in 2014 that he can be fluent once he gets himself in.

I like Hildreth whether he is good enough for England I am not sure but would be willing to give him a go. Vince not in test cricket yet for me, if we are picking the best XI available Bell probably is in the team but I think England have moved on.

Really impressed by Jake Ball's improvement in the last 12 months, has added a yard of pace, can get bounce from a length and move the ball. I think both the Curran brothers are slam dunk picks for the future as bowling all rounders, very talented.

[HutchGF]

Vince scores a ton yesterday in difficult circumstances against a decent Yorkshire attack.

I think he might get the nod personally.