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[LcWoodward]

They won't call time on Balance before the end of the summer, the injury possibly gave him an extra chance.
The bowling for the ashes worries me a touch but if they're isn't anyone knocking on the door what can you do.

[Seniorplayer]

Yes 5 tests  in Aus 100 wickets  need to be taken  most normally  by seamers who in the England side is going to get them can see  TRJ And Wood getting extra bounce and doing okay   along with Broad Stokes and Anderson if they can stay fit.

[northernboy1987]

Yes 5 tests  in Aus 100 wickets  need to be taken  most normally  by seamers who in the England side is going to get them can see  TRJ And Wood getting extra bounce and doing okay   along with Broad Stokes and Anderson if they can stay fit.

Surprised you haven't mentioned Woakes in the bowlers list 

[petehosk]

Surprised you haven't mentioned Woakes in the bowlers list 

He thinks that if he keeps him out of the subject for long enough, the selectors will forget about him once he's back from injury 

[WalkingWicket37]

Yes 5 tests  in Aus 100 wickets  need to be taken  most normally  by seamers who in the England side is going to get them can see  TRJ And Wood getting extra bounce and doing okay   along with Broad Stokes and Anderson if they can stay fit.

Anderson's record in Australia is average at best!

Stokes just seems to make things happen, and he's bowled well in Australia in his one series there so far. 

Wood, I hate to say it, won't last the tour. His body just isn't designed for Test cricket.

Doesn't Finn have a nack of taking wickets in Australia, maybe take him on the tour?

Woakes is a shoe in to travel if fit, if he's effective remains to be seen.

With TRJ, Broad & Ball we aren't short of seamers. It's the lack of spinners may be an issue but that's been know for ages

[stevie_94_]

Really late to notice it but how come hotspot isn't being used anymore?

[GoodLeave]

Really late to notice it but how come hotspot isn't being used anymore?

Good question. Is it because it can be fooled? Waxing edges etc.

Or, perhaps ultraedge, spin vision and ball tracking is enough?

[Biggie Smalls]

Anderson's record in Australia is average at best!

Stokes just seems to make things happen, and he's bowled well in Australia in his one series there so far. 

Wood, I hate to say it, won't last the tour. His body just isn't designed for Test cricket.

Doesn't Finn have a nack of taking wickets in Australia, maybe take him on the tour?

Woakes is a shoe in to travel if fit, if he's effective remains to be seen.

With TRJ, Broad & Ball we aren't short of seamers. It's the lack of spinners may be an issue but that's been know for ages

Agree with all except : last time eng toured oz Finn was deemed 'impossible to select' by ecb selectors . Also , unless you have a big turning leggie you trust (so that rules out Rashid) , then a finger spinner of Ali's level should suffice for the job .
Personally,  i love Woakes as a player , but i dont think you need /should want Woakes and Anderson in the same side in Australia.  . With Anderson's mediocre aussie record and Woakes' superior batting,  id opt for the latter .
Personally i think trj just looks perfectly suited to oz conditions and should be a definite starter .
Bat Ali at 8 , then 3 specialist bowlers ( woakes, broad, trj ) , along with stokes at 6 or 7 , bairstow at 6 or 7 , and 5 specialist batsmen..... england, just stop being indecisive re opener spot ( just decide on Hameed already and be done with it ) , then figure out the best bloke for the one available batting spot ( working from a starting point that Ballance is not to be picked under any circumstances ) ...... and presto - england test selection dilemas sorted ! 

[FattusCattus]

God CRICINFO's new look is driving me mad!!!!

Where's the old text commentary bit with all the pre-match banter from the commentators - I can't find it?

Same problem as last time - where's all the pre-match banter and build up to the toss on cricinfo?  This is driving me doolally!

[ppccopener]

Anderson with a stand named after him up north
Not bad for a clubbie 

[LcWoodward]

The "Burnley Lara' Stand?

[justnotcricket86]

No Philander or Morris, which is a big plus for us.

We are unchanged and batting first

[northernboy1987]

No Philander or Morris, which is a big plus for us.

We are unchanged and batting first

SA look a miles weaker side once you take Philander out, especially in English conditions. Morris has the x factor but is very inconsistent, England should win this comfortably (he says nervously).

[justnotcricket86]

Really hope Jennings gets himself a good score today.

[ppccopener]

Philander is such a good bowler it's scary
He's carrying a few extra pounds just goes to show in the modern game it's still skill that counts