Who is pushing for England places now?

[high_on_linseed]

Bowling Back Up
Obviously Jimmy, who took a six for against an admittedly moderate Worcs line-up.
Richard Johnson - a seven-four, outperfroming Caddick in the process. Goodbye Andy?
Chris Tremlett, a fine prospect, has good progress reports, and has performed well in ever game so far.
Ryan Sidebottom - cant be ignored much longer for the one-dayers surely. Some people are under the illusion he is crap. in fact, he is as consistent as they come. Offfers good accuracy, and a range of variation.

Batting Back Up
Usman Afzaal has played too very mature knocks, and although he is not immediately kncoking on the door, moreof the same, must surely prize it open for him agan.
Aftab Habib. Probably considered too old, but boasts a first class average of almost 44 over a long career, and is still producing the runs. and still class, despite what the nonsense-mongers say.
Andy Srauss. Continuing his good form in the Caribbean with good form for Middlesex.
Scott Newman. A real outside bet, but he has a dynamic game and a prolific appetite for runs (admittedly from a small sample).

Keeping-Batting

Chris Read and John Batty

these are the most obvious candidates. have I missed anyone?

[Mike_Hock]

Powell and Harrison have had good starts for Glamorgan, however I wouldn't think that a call up would be around the corner.

[Statto]

whats this mascheranas like at hampshire? i know hes playing well with bat and ball but is he england quality. is he even english?

[Jon Marks]

According to Vaughan the selectors are keeping an eye on Alistair Cook as one for the future.

Prior, Tredwell and that fella Pieterson had good A tours, so I wouldn't count them out.

Mascaranhas might well over-take Rikki Clarke as back-up for Flintoff, and from a personal point of view I think Keedy has to come in to the set up soon.

[Whips_off_the_bails]

I don't see how you can fail to mention Robert Key. If back to back centuries against an international team are not a reminder to selecters, what is?

[Notts Exile]

I don't think Read will be back for the Test side, even if Jones fails I think Fletcher will go with Batty, Foster or Prior ahead of him. Being Rod Marsh's favourite will probably go against him.

Afzaal should never have been dropped from the scene in the way he did, far less deserving players have been given better opportunities.

Sidebottom's always appeared a bit too inconsistent to me.

Mascarenhas must be deserving of a ODI call up.

Pietersen will be there or thereabouts in September, though he's not started the season too well.

Robert Key must be worth a call up if his form demands it. In fact, if Vaughan is injured I would play him on Thursday, the Kiwis won't look forward to it !!

[Linseed_on_willow]

I wrote this before Rob Key (previously universally villified) made his back to back centuries and overnight became the new English batting messiah!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Not english batting mesiah but useful cover against a side who he just bashed about for 4 days. Still makes more sense than hick.

[flanflinger]

I am suprised nobody has mentioned Bell?

And of course Mahmood.

My tips for the next year (or so)

Batsmen

Pieterson, Bell, Cook, Newman (when he learns how to field), Benning, Peng

Bowlers

Mahmood, Kirby

Keepers

Prior, Ambrose, Foster

[Tom Partis]

i've been really surprised by all the support Rob Key has been getting in the last couple of days. the fat jibes about him seemed to be so widespread and vicious that i thought it would take a lot more than two back to back centuries to get him back into the international frame.