Trescothick flies home

[Hong Kong Blue]

I suppose it simplifies the selection process.

Cook will now open, Bell in at 3 and Collingwood at 5.

Presumably Yardy or Key will be called up from the academy, unless Vaughan makes a miraculous recovery.

[Ailsa Road Shrimper]

Strauss, Cook, Bell, KP, Collingwood, Flintoff is still a strong batting line-up. The cover is threadbare though. Perhaps Ramprakash deserves shock call up from Strictly Come Dancing! He was prolific this season, averages over 40 against Australia and could provide some steady experience.

Yardy isn't an international player, he looked completely out of his depth in the Champions Trophy. He's an all rounder in the same mould as Gavin Hamilton, Matthew Fleming, Mark Ealham et al...

[Hong Kong Blue]

Can't say I actually watched much of the Champions Trophy, however its harsh to class Yardy in the same category as Hamilton, Fleming and Ealham. Yardy is a batsman first and foremost. He might not be an international class one, but he is a genuine batsman and only an occasional bowler.
Yardy's stats (http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/countycricket/content/player/23523.html)

The other two who I forgot but might be in the frame are Shah and Joyce.

[BILLERICAY BLUE]

Key or Shah for me, preferable Key as I think he has the mental fortitude to deal with the Aussies.

BTW HKB bad luck in your QF, they looked a bit of a 3 man team http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/oops.gif

[Hong Kong Blue]

Don't know how fit Key is. He struggled all of last season with a shoulder injury. Had he scored some runs last season (first one for a while he hasn't been prolific) he'd have been an automatic choice on the basis that he's an opener, has experienced Australian conditions and won the respect of the Aussies. Averaged 36 last season.

Shah I think is seen as a specialist against spin. His fielding isn't great, hasn't experienced Oz and only averaged 35 last season. Does have a test match average of about 60!

Yardy averaged 50 last season. Joyce 52. Both are left-handers.

One final suggestion, Mark Butcher. Nearly 1500 runs last season, experienced head, another lefthander and Ashes veteran. Not a member of the academy, but I wouldn't be overly surprised if he got a call.

[Matt the Shrimp]

Is this a sad end to Banger's international career...?

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausveng....67.html (http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/current/story/267867.html)

It looks like Key will be the main beneficiary, although if he's not fit, then I think Butcher is a good shout, Cousin Weir. Have to say that the England line-up looks a little... green?

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
G. Jones
Giles
Hoggard
Harmison
Anderson / Panesar (depending on the surface)

If Vaughan is miraculously fit in time for the third Test, he's got a reasonable chance of getting straight into the side - with Bell (I imagine) the man to suffer.

Ho hum. I'm not feeling optimistic. And the misfiring Jones has wheedled his way back into the side... not sure that's right either, given his pathetic efforts with the bat of late (which is the only reason to play him). If only Fozzie's career had fulfilled his early promise. He could have booked his place in this Test side for a very long time indeed.

Another good article here, by the way:

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausveng....79.html (http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/current/story/267879.html)

Yours, fearing 3-1 to the Ockers,

Matt

[Uncle Leo]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Nov. 14 2006,13:37)]One final suggestion, Mark Butcher. Nearly 1500 runs last season, experienced head, another lefthander and Ashes veteran. Not a member of the academy, but I wouldn't be overly surprised if he got a call.
I'd be pleased with that. A couple of cracking tons against the Aussies to his name, including, IIRC, one at the Gabba eight years ago.

[Ailsa Road Shrimper]

Reports suggest Key will replace Trescothick in the squad. At least there isn't a selection dilemma with the batsmen now as we'll surely start the Ashes series with Strauss, Bell, Cook, KP, Colly and Flintoff.

The selection for the bowlers will be a tough call though. Giles or Monty? I prefer Monty. Anderson or Mahmood? I feel Anderson is slightly better but is still a bit of a gamble. However a tail of Hoggard, Harmison, Anderson and Monty is very long, I think they're are all number 11 batsmen!

As for the wicketkeeping position, I feel Jones is lucky to be recalled as Read did pretty well against Pakistan in the summer.

[number11]

I think watching Yardy come in to bat for the test team would be embarrassing to be honest and just cant see that he would have the class at international level.

Key is an intriguing one as he was earmarked for a regular spot when quite young, impressed on the last tour to Oz, made a Lords double century against the Windies then lost his place when Strauss blasted onto the scene. I think Key or Butcher would be the best choices...Butcher has done pretty well against the ozzies but by be viewed now as being part of the 'older generation' and Key is slightly more progressive choice.

I personally think Flintoff coming in at 6 gives us a very long tail....is he any better than Gilchrist who will come in at 7 for the ozzies? With Jones hoggard Anderson Harmison and Monty to come in that is a very tail.....oh for an alec stewart calibre wicket keeper batsman.

[Uncle Leo]

Quote[/b] (Matt the Shrimp @ Nov. 14 2006,14:37)]Yours, fearing 3-1 to the Ockers,

Matt
I'll be having a bit of that at 11/2 with VC Bet

May have a saver on 4/1 as well - best price 9/1 with the same firm.

[Davros]

Word is that Tresco's Mrs is playing with one of his team-mates middle wicket (fairly reliable source)

[Shrimper2thecore]

It does not look good with that line up really. It has potential England style collapse written all over it. Looking at it, I cant see us getting a score without a big knock from Freddy or KP, which is even more pressure on the two of them.

KP needs to be really intelligent, we cant afford for him ever to throw his wicket away this time. I can see us having to follow on at least once in the series with that line up, which doesnt make me think we are going to retain the ashes.

Never mind, its all about every 18 years!!