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[jw17]

Gary Balances first class record is grossly over inflated by him wintering in Zim and basically getting a ton every time he goes out to bat. For me though, Taylor ain't good enough when the top order is already full of grinders.

I fail to see why that makes him a bad player? Just because he scores lots of runs in Zimbabwe doesn't mean he shouldn't tour. Hes scored a lot of runs in England as well over the last 2 years at least.

[LangerManagement]

Yeah, might seem harsh, but he does not seem a bowler particularly well suited to aussies pitches.

You're right that is harsh. As I understand it most Australian Test surfaces are prepared to be fast and bouncy, with a couple of exceptions. What fast bowler isn't suited to that..? Especially one that is confident with plenty of wickets under his belt. I far rather see Onions out there than Tremlett, who has barely played any cricket recently. I agree with Red Ink, Tremmers is in there because he terrorized the Aussies last time out. 2 and half years is a long while in cricket.

[Ayrtek Cricket]

I dont think compton was ever going to get a look in as hes been dropped from all formats over the summer, the selectors would be eating a big slice of humble pie if they rang him up to recall him having not had him play against the aussies all summer.

Suprised monty has made the squad as a few rumblings about Samit perhaps getting a look in which would have made sense as a second spinner/batsmen option. Think Tredwell has to feel a bit hard done by after putting in a few decent performances with the ball too!

[Manormanic]

Its a big squad - effectively 18 as we all know that Bresnan will be added if he recovers in time, which he looks set to do.  My suspicion would be that Stokes and Balance, possibly Finn as well, will be sent over to the performance squad to keep match sharp fairly early on.

Is it the right squad?  I think it has to be pretty close - the three major omissions are Compton, Taylor and Onions and in each case I can see the rationale - perhaps it is a little harsh on Compton to some observers, but I think the attitude he showed once dropped put a few noses out of joint at the ECB and that, combined with Carberry showing such composure playing Johnson in the one dayers, swung it against him.  Taylor for Ballance?  50/50 call - I think Balance is well suited to a spot at six so, yeah, I like.  Onions is just bloody unlucky - but in truth, I don't know who I would have left out for him.  Finn?  Perhaps, but Finn is deemed to be "the future" so....

[procricket]

At least Onions has had a shot Poor Glen Chapple never even got that.

Overall i like the look of the squad maybe i would have swapped Monty for Samit but cant grumble not a bad squad at all.

Is it too early to say make or break for some but i suspect half that squad is playing for there futures which they should be..

There something special about Stokes i just get that feeling without making comparisons with another all rounder from a few years ago but i think he has a special talent but maybe a little too soon.

I suspect England will cruise this series a bigger victory margin than in England i suspect better batting pitches but lets be honest Australia cant bat i suspect England will.

I did suspect a close series in England i think the pitches played into there hands a tad but i expect things from England top order out there..

Is Harris injured yet???

Mitchell Johnson behave

[Tail Ender]

I did suspect a close series in England i think the pitches played into there hands a tad but i expect things from England top order out there..

This is the funniest thing I've ever read on this forum. You're talking about the pitches that were openly doctored to favour Graeme Swann? Come on!

[procricket]

This is the funniest thing I've ever read on this forum. You're talking about the pitches that were openly doctored to favour Graeme Swann? Come on!

Yes they where but also doctored for slow low scoring affairs as well look at England top order hardly a 50 between them bar Bell.

What i'm trying to say is if it a batting paradise i suspect England batting is better than theres and as the bowling is say similar bar our spinner there lies the the key to a bigger England victory.

We won 3-0 but it was much much closer than the scoreline suggests i expect England to dominate in Australia like the last tour.

I believe we read into there Indian hammering too much like i say bar Bell nobody had a good series with the bat.

There be more runs and our real edge over Australia is batting of course only my opinion.

Look at the test averages the "doctoring hardly helped our batting as well did it"

They have slightly better seamers than us.

[ppccopener]

we deliberatley prepared dry tracks for swann and reverse for anderson
that took most of our other bowlers out of it bar an inspired test by broad.

it's a fairly recent thing here but other countries do it and we have followed-quite rightly.however most of the batsmen struggled except bell who is top class

not massively happy with the touring squad-compton and patel spoke out against the selectors and got punished
this is not a sunday knock about pick-your-mates
i'm afraid england are becoming a closed shop-something they always deny.
carberry is in that's good but anyone who realy thinks Compton got a fair chance needs their head examining

ravi bopara chances anyone?

[procricket]

Root is golden boy lets see after a series out there.

Agree about Compton but was he really good enough i guess we might not find out.

[Red Ink Cricket]

Root is golden boy lets see after a series out there.

Agree about Compton but was he really good enough i guess we might not find out.

you cant tell if someones good enough after such a short period. to score 2 test tons against anyone is still a test ton and still takes skill and ability. he dug in against india, facing spinners first up is never easy. the way the media and everyone got on his back as soon as he had a couple of low scores was shocking. theres pressure to perform anyway, let alone when the worlds ready to stick the knife in. I dont blame him one bit for his reaction. England were bang out of order with the way it happened. Roots face fits, unfortunately for compton, his doesnt. Root hasnt done much recently but wheres the knifes for his place? no where to be seen.

I dont believe that Samit should be in the squad as i personally dont think he is good enough but you can also understand his frustrations. as a county player he hasnt done much wrong. good county player but unsure if hes good enough for a test career

Onions - well unless he grows 6 inches and puts on about 2 stone in muscle he wont get picked. other option is england change their policy and selection ideas - that wont happen though!

[procricket]

you cant tell if someones good enough after such a short period. to score 2 test tons against anyone is still a test ton and still takes skill and ability. he dug in against india, facing spinners first up is never easy. the way the media and everyone got on his back as soon as he had a couple of low scores was shocking. theres pressure to perform anyway, let alone when the worlds ready to stick the knife in. I dont blame him one bit for his reaction. England were bang out of order with the way it happened. Roots face fits, unfortunately for compton, his doesnt. Root hasnt done much recently but wheres the knifes for his place? no where to be seen.

I dont believe that Samit should be in the squad as i personally dont think he is good enough but you can also understand his frustrations. as a county player he hasnt done much wrong. good county player but unsure if hes good enough for a test career

Onions - well unless he grows 6 inches and puts on about 2 stone in muscle he wont get picked. other option is england change their policy and selection ideas - that wont happen though!

I'm one of Compton fans and totally understand his frustrations.

I have never been a big Root fan and make no bones of this i don't think he is a test opener and as i have said he might not have nowhere to hide after the series down there.

Anybody who wears the England shirt though i wish good luck indeed

[Red Ink Cricket]

I'm one of Compton fans and totally understand his frustrations.

I have never been a big Root fan and make no bones of this i don't think he is a test opener and as i have said he might not have nowhere to hide after the series down there.

Anybody who wears the England shirt though i wish good luck indeed

that wasnt a dig at you by the way. was just in response to you finding out if hes good enough comment.

on another side - Monty is one lucky man!

[ppccopener]

compeletely agree
panesar should be nowhere near the squad,it's not as it he's  even got buckets of wickets. danny briggs if we want a left armer.

i actually think our selectors have lost the plot and worried about the influence of ashley giles too...
Flower is the best thing to happen to english cricket ever but we have been very inconsistent with selection

Root I like very much but agree with pro cricket,top class opening the batting is a tough game and you cannot play everything off the back foot
I thought the Aussie bowling sorted out root and trott this year

they are a decent bowling outfit-but lacking desparatley in the batting

[Toby]

Shocking selection from England , I just can't understand why Onions hasn't been selected in the test team.
But what was more surprising was the lack of Borthwick and Taylor from the performance squad.

[SOULMAN1012]

Root is golden boy lets see after a series out there.

Agree about Compton but was he really good enough i guess we might not find out.

One thing about Root is that he is a class player of fast bowling and plays very well off the back foot, having played most of his cricket on the fast, bouncy tracks for Yorkshire. I think he will do very well out there.

To be honest I do see Australia struggling to keep England under wraps on there tracks. 500+ for 1 again anyone?