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[Pitbull]

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.

Completely agree, depends if Bell manages to cut that invisible string that seems to be tying his feet together again.

[tushar sehgal]

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

Why is that mate, something happened with him?

[Pitbull]

Hes had back trouble again, but I can't see him getting ahead of Finn, Broad, Anderson and Bresnan at the moment

[tushar sehgal]

Hes had back trouble again, but I can't see him getting ahead of Finn, Broad, Anderson and Bresnan at the moment

Thats too bad he looked good when he was playing...

[langer17]

Bell's scores this year (test and FC): 3, 39, 0, 12*, 0, 4, 29, 3, 5, 10, 0, 14, 11.

I'm just saying that I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

[charlie15]

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

Haha quality, We'll just send him out to Sri Lanka for an extra long net if/when he gets fat again!

[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...

so you heard the team news here first and we have taken 3 early wickets, with sl batting first on winning the toss.
now it is the long haul to the second new ball!

[charlie15]

Cracking start, but to drop Jayawardne 4 times, and the two from Monty were shockers!  Although it is nice to see that one part of my game is better (just) than an international players!!! 

[109notout]

Great knock by Jayawardene, although dropping him 4 times as charlie said, not acceptable at that level, we shouldnt have let them get above 200 after being 24-3 or whatever they were...but hey who am I to criticise, Im never going to be as good as them! lol

[Red Ink Cricket]

poor from england today. 125 run lead conceeded. If only we could have taken one of the 4 Mahela chances things could be alot different. lets hope monty makes up for his lack of catching skills with a rapid 5fer. even if we get them out for 200 thats still a pretty large target to chase.

[Alvaro]

Hope springs eternal ...
But then hope is the killer

[Manormanic]

Quite.  If we'd been chasing 299 I'd actually back us to make it fromhere - the extra 47 that they got post Broad's no ball wicket will be the real killer I fear.

[thedon]

Did anyone see swanns appeal for a run out after the no-ball dismissal? I missed it

[Pitbull]

I know its easier said than done but today has shown how flat the pitch is, 200 odd to win in 2 days only requires Trott to get stuck in with Pietersen and Bell to play a few shots around him BUT that would be in a perfect world and the way England are playing at the moment I can see us being skittled out by lunch tomorrow

[legger123]

I thoroughly believe that if Trott and Pietersen (touches wood) get off to a good start tomorrow that this chance is do able. With Bell looking also looking in pretty good nick too I think there's a possibility!