England in South Africa 2015/16

It is the manner of Compton's dismissal in this match which concerns me. He seems to be concerned about criticism of him batting too slowly where that is precisely the role he was picked for. He is supposed to be the new Trott not another dasher. Bayliss's comments have not helped either when he has suggested that England require a positive number three. On commentary Agnew joked that Denis Compton would have ended the match with a six but no one expected his grandson to try and do so. Compton played an unnatural shot for him and perished. I think he wants to succeed too much. It was suggested he was too intense last time he was an England player. I fear he is succumbing to his own demons again.

As for Hales he has never suggested he is likely to play a long innings at Test level so far. Lees was out of sorts last season but if he starts well then I think he is likely to be the next one tried out. Lyth and Robson may well get another chance until someone claims the openers spot. It may be that if Cook does not have a good summer we are seeking two openers.

I really hope that Taylor makes a success of test cricket as I have previously stated I would much prefer him to succeed Cook than Root. Of the three I would give Taylor an extended run to include this summer. Sri Lanka are in disarray so it should not be too taxing and no one can predict how Pakistan will play.

It looks as if Finn will be unfit for the Fourth Test www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/17/steven-finn-england-south-africa-injury?CMP=share_btn_tw

That's a pity, because one of the most encouraging things from this very upbeat series has been the return of Finn to the confidence of his coach and selectors, and he has returned that very well. In the first innings at Johannesburg he looked good enough for a five-for and I think that next summer will see him rise up to partner Broad with the new ball as Anderson will need to be nursed more and more. In fact, unless the English spring has marvellous restorative powers for him it might be best if Anderson anticipated the loss of his powers and retired from selection. I don't think it is likely to happen ,and of course I will have egg on my face if he takes 7-50 in the final test in South Africa, but it would be better for him to depart of his own volition rather than be sacked a la Hoggard or enter a prolonged and pointless coda to his career as,say, Willis did from 82 to 84.

In the meantime that leaves one place and one last chance for someone to force their way in. SA have an incredible record at Centurion: in 20 matches they have only lost twice, and drawn three times. Two years ago Mitchell Johnson took 12 wickets in the match and hundreds from Smith, S Marsh and Warner did the rest. England are the only other side to have won there, and in the very questionable circumstances of Hanse Cronje's famous leather coat inducement for a result. Morkel has taken 23 economical wickets there, and Steyn 48. Spinners have done well from time to time: Swann took 5 on the last tour, Adams and Harris have also prospered.

Woakes did nothing in the First Test to suggest that he could be decisive in South African conditions, nor that he would let the side down very much. If the ambition is to play safe and rely on Broad and one final effort from Anderson then he would probably come in to keep one end open and contribute useful runs. Foottitt seems to have faded away completely from the assertions of some pundits at the start of the series that he was a certainty for selection but he could still be a wild card if we went all out to blow away what now looks like a fragile batting order.

It seems odd that there was no fixture between the 2nd and third tests when the likes of Footitt could have had a match. It would seem unlikely that he would play now so I expect Woakes will play but if Footitt is ever to play then this might be the best time. If he fails no real damage but if he does well then another player to call on in the future.

The wicket at Centurion, from a Nick Hoult Twitter post. Looks like all the bowlers should enjoy themselves as those cracks open up.

I find it amazing that Stuart Broad has been called into the one day squad. Surely someone from the Lions squad would be more appropriate. It almost looks like they are trying to save an airfare! With Anderson seemingly coming to the end of his effectiveness Broad should be wrapped in cotton wool and play Tests only. It is not as if he has an impeccable fitness record lately. There are always niggles and strains so he could have been rested for a couple of months. In time to come the only thing remembered about the one day series v SA would be if Broad picked up a serious injury.

Great series and England have played some splendid cricket. But as you say, still very much a work in progress.

Stokes is going to be better all-rounder than Flintoff (maybe he is already). Finn and Broad have been superb. Root and Cook are clearly undroppable among the batsmen. Bairstow will be fine; we are never again going to pick a specialist keeper, so weneed to get used to it. He's better than both Buttler and Billings with the gloves and far superior to both of them as a batsman in terms of constructing and building an innings as opposed to biffing it out of the park. So he's here for the medium-term at least in the Test side.

But lots of places up for grabs.

Hales isn't good enough and, as was suggested before this series started, is less well equipped for Test cricket than either Lyth or Robson (both of whom proved to be flawed, but on at least one occasion apiece showed they could bat all day at Test level which Hales cannot).

Compton apparently has proved again on his second time around that he's simply one of those non-collegiate, Ed Smith figures who doesn't fit and - perhaps through no fault of his own - just makes the dressing room feel a more awkward place than it should be. So he will be gone by this summer.

Moeen Ali is way short of Test match quality. He came in as a batsman who could bowl a bit of off-spin. He's now someone who can bowl a bit of off-spin but gets fewer runs than Swann. Despite England's dislike of leg-spinners, Adil Rashid, man of the tournament in the Big Bash, should now be given a run in Test cricket. He will also score more runs than Moeen.

Anderson has perhaps one more summer left in him.

Taylor I guess the jury is still out.

In other words, half of a good team but may be question marks over five places this summer.