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[petehosk]

The long awaiting battle for the number 1 test spot is almost here!
Shame about a certain excellent keeper being injured as that puts a little dampener on the series.
But with AB taking the gloves, the SA batting line-up has the promise of being even stronger 

The only real question from an English point of view is whether we risk Finn or stick with Bresnan (if his elbow niggle has gone!)?

Andrew Strauss (capt)
Alastair Cook
Jonathan Trott
Kevin Pietersen
Ian Bell
Ravi Bopara
Matt Prior (wk)
Tim Bresnan or Steven Finn
Stuart Broad
Graeme Swann
James Anderson

Additional Squad members: Onions

[Vantage_Cricket]

You've got to play your best bowlers, therefore Finn should play.

[Manormanic]

Will certainly be an enthralling series, even if the ECB have made it far too damn short and the weather is conspiring against it.

On the England attack, I suspect they may go for Finn, who bowled with accuracy and pace in the one dayers against Australia whilst Bresnan looked a touch below his best, probably feeling the injury.  With the Yarpies undercooked, Finn's habit of attacking the stumps might be beneficial as well.

[PedalsMcgrew]

You've got to play your best bowlers, therefore Finn should play.

I'm not that sure Bresnan isn't one of our best bowlers!

[Alvaro]

Bresnan is a quality bowler, with great control of reverse swing and can obviously bat.

Finn is doing great in ODIs but Onions outbowled him at Edgbaston. Finn is not controlled enough yet to be third seamer.

[legger123]

I literally can't wait for the Test Series, shame it wasn't 5 Test's really!
However the third seamer spot, I literally don't have a clue who'll get it, I still think that Onions would be good. But I'm definitely can't wait for the Series.

[Pitbull]

I think Bresnan has to be picked ahead of Finn, he's been so consistent and bowls with control. I think Finn can be a bit expensive at times, plus as already said Bresnan can reverse the ball and of course bat.

[charlie15]

I like Finn, but I can't see what Bresnan has done wrong to get dropped, plus he offers more with the bat.

[Vantage_Cricket]

I agree I don't think Bresnan has done anything wrong, just for me - our batting is strong enough and we also bat long. I just think Finn is a better bowler and offers a lot more in the bowling attack with his pace.

[Manormanic]

the point is more that Bresnan does not appear to be 100% fit at the moment for me.  If he were, he'd have to be in the side.

[PedalsMcgrew]

If Bresnan isn't 100% fit then fair enough, we can't afford to carry anyone in a 4 man attack....I'd still consider Onions though...I think he's a class bowler and possibly offers a better option than Finn if conditions suit him. If it's likely to swing about you have to pick Onions...you can't go into a game in swinging conditions with only Anderson capable of actually swing the ball!

[PM7]

This will be Englands biggest test by far as the South Africans are a seriously tough team packed with matchwinners.
Everything England can do will be equally matched by SA and it will come down to whoever wins certain sessions within each test match. Man for man there is little to choose between them and SA might even shade it from a neutrals point of view.

[Alvaro]

I'm afeared of Dale Steyn

[Manormanic]

Well if you were to pick the best possible composite XI:
Smith
Strauss
Trott
Amla
Kallis
Pietersen
Prior/De Villiers
Swann
Philander/Broad
Anderson
Steyn

Then its five four to England with two 50/50 calls.

BUT....if you compare head to head it swings in the Yarpies favour as Smith tops Strauss, Amla does for Trott and Kallis for Pietersen.  Indeed, there are only Cook, Prior, Swann and Anderson guaranteed spots for England.

[PedalsMcgrew]

Based on recent form you wouldn't have Smith in there....Cook is a long way ahead of him...