You make some excellent points. However, in the forseeable future, England simply aren't going to play six specialist batsmen. Flintoff's too vulnerable at the moment to be a front-line, twenty overs a day bowler. If he's batting at seven, it's not good enough for Read to be as good with the bat as Warne. Test number sevens should average 35, not 20. Read's natural game is aggressive, so it's a bit much to say he's under enormous pressure to play expansively.

James Foster played some excellent rear-guards in his career, which was postponed only by injury. He deserves another shot. Davies looks an excellent choice but would, I feel, benefit from another year in county cricket. That gives Foster a decent chance to prove his place. Incidentially, would be perfectly happy with Nixon to get us to and through the World Cup - wouldn't let England down and our only goal at the moment should be winning (yes, winning) the World Cup.