In reply to GrahamD:
> Something has to give in the top order, but I don't think it makes sense to make wholesale changes to the side that did so well in Cardiff. Root is consistently successful at 5 (as was Ian Bell of course) so why change the most reliable aspect of the team ? Lyth has earned the right to get a decent run out - at least the series. That leaves Bell and Balance - and I would think Balance is the most vulnerable right now. I would probably just bring in Bairstow for Balance right now.
Bells a walking wicket. His form over the past 2 years is really poor and showing no sign of improvement.
I can't think why Lyth has earned the right to open the batting for the series, he is giving away his wicket with poor stroke play and not scoring runs.
If anything I would given Balance the benefit of the doubt given his overall average but what do I know.
England have to stop being 3 or 4 down for 30 or 40 runs. They got away with it in Cardiff but I doubt they will get away with it again. Certainly not against this decent Australian team.