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[Colesy]

England 2-2 Australia

[johan95]

Any result is possible in either teams favour..!

[thebd11]

Surely Steve smith will play?

Aussies

1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. North
7. Haddin
8. Smith
9. Johnson
10. Bollinger
11. Hilfenhaus

England

1. Strauss
2. Trott
3. Pietersen
4. Collingwood
5. Bopara
6. Bell
7. Prior
8. Broad
9. Swann
10. Finn
11. Anderson / Shazhad

2-2

[johan95]

Ponting has already said that hauritz is his first choice. Surprised youve put bopara in, hasnt played a test since '09 3rd test. Cook can make ugly runs too, and has determination and grit

[mattw]

Ponting has already said that hauritz is his first choice. Surprised youve put bopara in, hasnt played a test since '09 3rd test. Cook can make ugly runs too, and has determination and grit

Agree with that, I can't see Bopara getting infront of Cook - I can't really see Cook being dropped unless things go really tits up for him on tour...

[iand123]

id be very surprised if shazhad gets the nod over anderson (especially for the 1st game)

[iand123]

i dont think ravi will even be in the touring party

[johan95]

yEah shazad won't get picked unless one bowler flops, or maybe at Perth, no swann. Ravi will only be in for odis,not tests IMO.

[Colesy]

I'd pick Swann for Perth even if it doesn't turn because he can get drift and he's clever.

[Howzat]

Owais Shah said that he thinks the batting lineup should be:

Strauss
Cook/Carberry
Trott
KP
Collingwood
Bell

[Colesy]

I'd definitely have Bell in, he's class.

[thebd11]

I think left hand right hand at the top works, cook had problems with left arm over so with doug the rug and Mitchell in I don't see any escapeism for him. I think if we had trott cook and colly we are having a lot of ugly unclassical players , wheras with bell and bopara you've got the classical players who can keep the basics right and chalk up runs from there.

Hauritz is not an ashes standard bowler for me. He's not a big spinner if the ball, doesn't have any real variations and is definitely a number 9. Steve Smith turns it big, can bat, and has the top spinner. Afterall we know the impact of leg spin on ashes series....

Shazhad not for the 1st test but if Anderson isn't swinging it then the pace and hit the deck option of Shazhad could be useful.

Btw, that is what I would like the team to be and this is what I think the team will be

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn

[johan95]

Joe, I take your point about Swann.

[Tumo]

thebd - Hauritz turns the ball appreciably mate. you've been watching the wrong games. did you not watch the ashes in england? he made our batsmen look village at times! He's also got a good arm ball, gets a lot of bounce, and can more than hold a bat. Steve Smith is a quite dreadful leg-spinner. if you've not seen his FC bowling record, have a look, it's poor. And not just Aussie-current-spinner-poor, but averaging 47 with the ball and taking a wicket less than once an innings? http://www.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/267192.html
Shazhad is nowhere near test level, I hate to tell you. Anderson should be first seamer on the team-sheet.

Same team as usual: Strauss, Cook, Trott, KP, Colly, Bell, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn, with Rashid, Morgan, Carberry, Steve Davies, and a back-up seamer. Sorted.

[Colesy]

Will Onions be fit?