Delighted for Sibley. He certainly has the temperament for test cricket and has proved me wrong in this game. Crawley’s technique looks a little loose. Denly again got in and then got himself out but has shown a lot of resilience.
But maybe we have found the next generation in Pope and Sibley. I hope so

Without getting carried away (given the paucity of opposition) the young guys are doing well.

They miss the Kolpak players.

There are rumours that Keaton Jennings will be in the squad and will probably open the batting as he plays spin well.

Personally I would rather that we continued with Zac Crawley as we need to give him experience of quality spin in a spinning environment.

I know that everyone has a difference of opinion on our priorities but to me I would rather win back the Ashes in Australia than win the Test Championship and Keaton Jennings is the wrong man to be opening the batting in Australia and Cummings, Starc and Hazlewood

Yes Crawley has done enough to suggest he could make it at test level. Jennings has never given me that opinion and has had more chances than most.
Sibley looks like he has the right temperament and Pope looks like a young Ian Bell.
Denly will need to score some runs in Sri Lanka, although he has made some important contributions in what hopefully will be a series win.
Burns will definitely return to open with Sibley, so the number 3 spot is open for debate. Given Denly bowls a few leggies he will undoubtedly play in Sri Lanka.

At 123-2 South Africa are making a fight of it, but 466 is a gargantuan total to attain in a last innings.

Would be some feat if South Africa reach the required total and if so England will be vilified and rightly so.

Edited by Willo (27 Jan 2020 12.25pm)