Posted by   on (January 6, 2011, 13:18 GMT)

Dude... Talk about Australia... Do you have the gutts to say that Khawaja should bat at no.3 for Australia. Ricky is struggling for life and Kevin got a double hundred in the series. Please dont bother about what other teams should do until you can give enough suggestions to Australia to help them get back on their feet.

Agree with all the comments and disagree strongly with Mr Chappell. You've got a player averaging over 60 at number 3, why would you move him and risk unsettling him? Similarly Bell is doing well down the order so why move him up the order? At most I would move him up to 5. For me, Trott is more of an ideal number 3 than Bell. When the 1st wicket goes down you want someone who is going to play carefully and avoid a second wicket going down quickly. Your real stroke-players should come in at 4,5,6 when a foundation has been laid.

Posted by   on (January 6, 2011, 5:30 GMT)

Bell has been in good form no doubt about that. But Trott at 3 is playing absolutely beautifully why do you want to disturb him. In any case he should bat 4 or 5.

I have never understood the difference between batting positions except for openers and 1 down. There cannot be 'specialists' for #4 or #5! Openers need to be different mindset and skill set. 1 down batsman is one who can consolidate if there is an early wicket or increase the tempo set by the openers. The rules for #4 or #5 batman is minimal except to 'continue' the work. They are less likely to face the new ball and can bat as they want. So I am not sure how Bell can be a 'specialist' at #5! Batmen after top 3 should find little difference in their batting styles if their position changes a level up or down. Ian seems to suggest that Bell can play at #3 and not waste his talent at #5 or #6.

I agree with Chappell on lots of things, but this is DEFINITELY not one of them. J. Trott who currently occupies the number 3 slot is the best option England has for it. Bell has failed at the number 3 slot and clearly enjoys coming in down the order. Number 5 is the best spot for Bell. If he seems to be underused at even number 5 and Pietersen is way out of sorts then there could be an argument for number 4.

However, Bell has one job - and that is to prove the critics wrong by batting well at number 5 for a long period of time and make runs more often under pressure. Pietersen has to go on and improve his game at numer 4 as well - it is a key spot that if he will deserve the plaudits of a true great then he will make his own and produce many more fine centuries like the one in '05.

I would not mess with the top 3 that are looking like the best in test cricket at the moment.

There are times when Chappel talks sense but about Bell, he is way off target. Trott is best equipped for No. 3 slot and Bell can just move up a slot to replace Collingwood. Chappel's urge to have an opinion on everything must be curbed. He can be riciculious at times like these.