Number 3?

England started their two day tour match against the Chairman's XI, in between the first two Ashes tests, in Alice Springs today.

Ballance put himself as a front runner for the newly available spot in the England Ashes 1st XI with a top-score of 55 as England declared late in the day on 212-7.

Australia closed the first day with 16 for no loss, Cazzulino and Harris putting the runs on the scoreboard for the home side.

The slow pitch in the Northern Territory stadium saw Joe Root open the batting, with Carberry who was dismissed with a catch at mid wicket, suggesting England are preparing the Yorkshire County Cricket occasional off-spinner for the number 3 spot.

My first choice to replace Trott at number 3 would be Ian Bell. But with his first test match stats Down Under standing at; 37 runs across two innings and just one catch to his name - is our summer Ashes hero the right man for the job?

What do you think?


Ball on Willow.