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[Ams4287]

Ok with the 1st half of the winter over and done with and the clock well and truly ticking to Ashes - who do you think should be the X1 rocking up for the first test? Maybe there's only the opening / number 6 spots up for grabs?

Cook
Root
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Barstow
Prior
Broad (if he proves his fitness and form at home vs NZ)
Swann
Finn
Anderson

Do like the look of the new bread of Aussie quicks but they seem injury prone! What do you think the line up will be? Don't rate Forrest or Lyon, hopefully they will be retained!

[The_Bird]

Cook
Root
Trott
Pieterson
Bell
Bairstow
Prior
Swann
Anderson
Meaker
Finn

Hopefully they pick a team that will win games not pick a team based on what ifs.

Broad's batting shouldn't get him in the team same for Bresnan. Pick wicket takers not bowling machines

[400notout]

England

Cook (C)
Comptom
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Morgan
Prior (WK)
Swann
Anderson
Finn
Onions/Panesar

Australia

Usman Khawaja   
David Warner   
Phillip Hughes     
Michael Clarke (C)   
Shane Watson
Chris Hartley (W)
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle   
Mitchell Starc   
Nathan Lyon   
James Pattinson

[essexarsenal]

Cook
Compton
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Root
Proir
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Khawaja
Wade
Pattinson
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Starc


Cummins in if fit.

[charlie15]

I reckon both Compton and Root will play, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Root moved up the order and Compton to 6.

Broad will play unless he is utterly abysmal/Dies/injured* in New Zealand.  The rest of the team picks itself;
Cook
Root/Compton
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Compton/Root
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn

* delete as appropriate!

[Manormanic]

find it remarkable the number of people who would play Compton but leave Root out.  Have you even seen any cricket in the last six months?

[The_Bird]

find it remarkable the number of people who would play Compton but leave Root out.  Have you even seen any cricket in the last six months?

He is what we need, classy young batsmen pushing Bell and co for his place

[19reading87]

Cook
Compton
Trott
KP
Bell
Root
Prior
Woakes
Swann
Anderson
Finn

[Ams4287]

find it remarkable the number of people who would play Compton but leave Root out.  Have you even seen any cricket in the last six months?

Well said has got a long England career in front of him, for someone so young he's calm under pressure and has a clear thought process.

Interesting people have gone for Morgan in tge middle order, whilst he's brilliant to watch and when inform one of the best one day batsmen in the world I just don't think he'll ever be classed as a test match batsmen. But I guess when Pietersen does eventually go who'll be the game changer in a session.
I do probably think Compton will open in NZ, but we'll see!

[19reading87]

Broad no longer deserves a place in the England test team. Woakes is a better batter which puts him in. Root will play at 6 due to being able to bowl and will be seen as an "all rounder" Compton is a solid batsman which will see him there for the next few series. If the selecters are happy with the top 8 (including Woakes) I would drop Swann for Panesar

[The_Bird]

I would drop Swann for Panesar

Really? All those left handers will be in a world of problems with swann surely!

[19reading87]

Really? All those left handers will be in a world of problems with swann surely!

It's a good situation to be in as a selector mate. They both have their pros and cons

[Ams4287]

It's a good situation to be in as a selector mate. They both have their pros and cons

Wouldn't drop Swann but there is a case that Monty outbowls him in the sub continent.

Could be worse look at Lyon and Krazer (how ever you spell his name) - beer is best of the bunch but he's a average county spinner at best

[Bruce]

Love how Bell is back in everyone's selections!

[19reading87]

Love how Bell is back in everyone's selections!

Bell never left my selection! He a MUST in the England team for the next 5 years, regardless of form