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[Pitbull]

How about KP, his spin used to be really quite handy!

KP will get a bowl at somepoint, always does

[legger123]

And I would probably go with Patel at 6 means we can have two spinners plus Bres, Broad and Jimmy rather than dropping one of them for Monty

I'm thinking we'd probably go for the same team then. Can always use Trott and Pietersen as part timers

[uknsaunders]

bresnan would my choice if the pitches are going to be flat.

[legger123]

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Bell (possibly Bopara, depending on what he does in the test)
Prior
Patel
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Anderson


Was thinking you can always swap Prior and Patel around. But after having a think I reckon Prior above Patel.

[charlie15]

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Bell (possibly Bopara, depending on what he does in the test)
Prior
Patel
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Anderson


Was thinking you can always swap Prior and Patel around. But after having a think I reckon Prior above Patel.

I'd want Monty in there, he was brilliant in the UAE, plus do we really want someone (Patel) who really has been picked as a Batsmen to be bowling a lot of overs in the heat and humidity?

[Outlaw]

Just noticed Ravi has ditched GM, using SS bat and GM pads relabelled with an SS logo.

[langer17]

Bell is really struggling ATM. I wouldn't be surprised if he was left out.

[legger123]

Could you leave Bell out and play Patel?

And then go in with 5 outright bowlers, Anderson, Bresnan, Broad, Swann and Panesar then all rounder spin from Patel?

[The_Bird]

Could you leave Bell out and play Patel?

And then go in with 5 outright bowlers, Anderson, Bresnan, Broad, Swann and Panesar then all rounder spin from Patel?

Warm up pitches seem Flatter than a flat thing so could go with that,  it would mean prior or Patel batting at 5 tho....

[petehosk]

I suspect they may go with........

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Prior
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Monty

[Buzz]

no chance of Bell being dropped for the time being, he has been our best batsman over the last 18 months, Cook and Trott included - apart from the tour to Dubai.

the team for the first test will be
Strauss, Cook, Trott, KP, Bell, Patel (Ravi has got side strain and can't bowl- so effectively rules himself out), Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Panasar.

Sorry Pete - Patel over Bresnan for me, if they need some extra swing, Trott will fill in.
With Finn is ripping the door down to be included...

[legger123]

Is it even likely that they will replace Bopara?

[tushar sehgal]

Anyone know when Tremlett is coming back?

[Joe]

Anyone know when Tremlett is coming back?

Never. He won't play another game for England.

[mattw]

I'd want Monty in there, he was brilliant in the UAE, plus do we really want someone (Patel) who really has been picked as a Batsmen to be bowling a lot of overs in the heat and humidity?

Patel may lose a few pounds if he bowls a few overs in that heat.