Print

[uknsaunders]

Personally I don't think Ballance could tie a test batsmans shoe lace

Given the somewhat average pace attacks and a season at home, the jury is still out on his test average. The Windies aren't great but it will be a challenge away from home. If he get's through the summer still averaging 60 then we'll know alot more about him.

[Manormanic]

Given the somewhat average pace attacks and a season at home, the jury is still out on his test average. The Windies aren't great but it will be a challenge away from home. If he get's through the summer still averaging 60 then we'll know alot more about him.

A more valid way of looking at it.  I maintain that I see him as a test player, though not batting as high as three - all his first class runs came at five and six and his game is best suited to that position.

[Number4]

Aye, he's no Rob Quiney. 

Nor a Neil Fairbrother 

[Sam]

Tredwell....?

[Rob580]

Tredwell....?

Tredwell. James Tredwell.

License to Twirl.

[six and out]

For me it's

Cook
Lyth
Trott
Bell
Root
Ballance/Stokes
Butler
Rashid
Broad
Tredwell
Anderson

I think Trott needs to bat where he has scored all his runs, to be able to come back into test cricket feeling comfortable knowing where he is at etc... Plus we can't forget that if he is going to open then he is going to have to walk out 1st up against AUS in the summer, after what happened in the Winter.

We need to play 2 spinners - you only need to look at the results currently in the WI to see that - unfortunately Tredwell has been picked rather than Riley or even Monty so have to go with him.

The only question mark i have is whether we need 5 bowlers or 6 batters - so therefore is a question whether Ballance or Stokes plays - with the way the pitches will be i am probably edging towards Stokes as i have the feeling they will be roads and in the heat will need the bowling to take 20 wickets etc...

[Neon Cricket]

Personally I'd have this as a test set up - still missing a key player IMO though (a KP for short  )

Cook
Lyth
Bell
Root
Trott
Buttler
Stokes
Rashid
Broad
Tredwell
Anderson

[FattusCattus]

Broad has got to produce something special soon to justify my faith in him - I don't think he is fully fit.

I'd deffo play two spinners out there, but I don't get the great 'rush Trott back' thing. He either slots in as an opener, or waits his turn. I'd like to see Balance play a few more games before deciding - I don't think he's done much wrong in tests.

My side would be:

Cook
Lyth
Balance
Bell
Root
Stokes
Buttler
Rashid
Plunkoid
Tredwell
Anderson

[FattusCattus]

By the way - my imaginary A team squad to take place at the same time would be:


Robson
Adams
Lees
Taylor
Vince
Bopara
Davies
Coles
Riley
Brooks
Topley
Billings
Kerrigan
Finn
Hales

[uknsaunders]

I guess Ali's injury must be a long term one to be excluded from the tour.

[Neon Cricket]

So KP has just signed for Surrey for the county season...

Keeping the Ashes dream alive??

[six and out]

I guess Ali's injury must be a long term one to be excluded from the tour.

This is from the below article on Sky Sports website about the touring party -

"Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali miss out through injury, but both are expected to be fit for the home series against New Zealand in May and Ali could yet be added to the touring party if his side strain heals in time."

http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/9764953/jonathan-trott-back-in-england-squad-for-tour-of-the-west-indies

[six and out]

So KP has just signed for Surrey for the county season...

Keeping the Ashes dream alive??

i see that on Twitter - however on the BBC website James Whitaker is saying he really doesn't care!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/31905804

[ppccopener]

YEP,THE SELECTORS DONT GIVE TWO HOOTS....and his is where this whole issue is going to blow up again

and also......did you see AC's comments on BBC about his sacking? what ever anyone thinks about Cook  the guys has a set of kahunas.

ive seen English cricket last year described as an annus horribilis'

sit tight it's only just started

[uknsaunders]

i see that on Twitter - however on the BBC website James Whitaker is saying he really doesn't care!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/31905804

That's clearly a sacking offence if he means it. His job is surely to recruit the best players to play for England. If KP smacks 1000 runs in May, then he will be big trouble if he doesn't pick him. Whether KP is 34 or not, plenty of guys have had test careers up to 40 or so if he's good enough he should play. I don't remember England Team being a nursery for emerging talent, whatever Whitaker thinks. If you get picked to play for England, then it really shouldn't be a case of "developing" into the job.