Team for first Test vs. NZ

[sostenurter]

I picked option (iii), Strauss in for Giles, but I've pointed out before that whilst this is what I want to happen, I don't think it will because Fletcher sees Collingwood as next on the list for a batting spot and has a lot invested in him. So bringing in Collingwood for Giles is what will probably happen, and I wouldn't have any problems with that either. I just want an extra battsman in for Giles.

Also, Scott - I've just had a long-running argument with you about the merits of playing four or five seamers, and I see you've opted for

Strauss, Vaughan, Butcher, Hussain, Thorpe, Collingwood, GJones, Hoggard, Harmison, S Jones, Anderson.

That's four bowlers! Unless you are saying that Colly is an all-rounder...which I really don't think he is. So you are opting for only four bowlers? Can this be right?

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by sostenurter

That's four bowlers! Unless you are saying that Colly is an all-rounder...which I really don't think he is. So you are opting for only four bowlers? Can this be right?

sostenurter

Well, my line up wasn't one of the selections in the poll, but the poll entry I picked was the nearest. I'd already stated my views on the extra seamer in other threads and didn't really want to repeat that here - hence my selection.

But, my view on playing the extra seamer was always with the proviso that the pitch didn't look like suiting spin, with this nice sunny dry weather we're having, it looks like the pitches will suit spin on the 4th and 5th day - so in many ways that arguments gone out the window!

So my revised selection could look like -

Strauss, *Vaughan, Butcher, Thorpe, Hussain, Flintoff, +G Jones, Giles, Hoggard, Harmison, Anderson
Two changes - Strauss in for Trescothick, Anderson in for Jones.

The side I actually think they'll play is -

Trescothick, *Vaughan, Butcher, Thorpe, Hussain, Flintoff, +G Jones, Giles, Hoggard, Harmison, Anderson
One change - Anderson coming in for Jones.

Scott

[Blue Tiger]

I dont think I would make too many changes to the squad after all we did win 3-0 in the West Indies

1. Trescothick
2. Vaughan
3. Butcher
4. Husssain
5. Thorpe
6. G.Jones (wkt)
7. Flintoff
8. Giles
9. Anderson
10.Hoggard
11 Harmison

No place for Simon Jones. After that horrific injury i feel he needs more cricket under his belt. Anderson played really well against my team worcestershire and deserves a call up.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Blue Tiger

I dont think I would make too many changes to the squad after all we did win 3-0 in the West Indies

1. Trescothick
2. Vaughan
3. Butcher
4. Husssain
5. Thorpe
6. G.Jones (wkt)
7. Flintoff
8. Giles
9. Anderson
10.Hoggard
11 Harmison

No place for Simon Jones. After that horrific injury i feel he needs more cricket under his belt. Anderson played really well against my team worcestershire and deserves a call up.

Yes not a bad team,maybe keedy for Giles,keedy is a wicket taker.

Robert Key might just fit into Hussains place,in form got 130 today against the Kiwi's,might play better with vaughan as captain,I am thinking ahead to 2005 against Australia,dont think we can afford Hussain/Thorpe/and Butcher,bit age'y.

[Kirsty Harris]

After all the speculation, here is the team for the first test match v NZ:

Vaughan
Trescothick
Butcher
Hussain
Thorpe
Collingwood
Flintoff
G Jones
Giles
Hoggard
Harmison
Anderson
S Jones

No surprises there then, although why they've selected Collingwood ahead of Strauss is a mysetery... Graveny did hint at Giles not playing, and suggested Hussain would be in the side (form allowing) for the time being.

[kriss]

.
Well I've just heard the squad for Lord's, no surprises . It's interest for me is the competition for the couple of places up for grabs. Anderson putting pressure on Simon Jones and Collingwood after Giles' place. One other player who shouldn't feel too complacent is Matthew Hoggard. He has to swing the ball this week and take wickets. If he doesn't get into the NZ batsmen this series and move the ball in English conditions then I don't see him being in the side for long.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

After all the speculation, here is the team for the first test match v NZ:


No surprises there then, although why they've selected Collingwood ahead of Strauss is a mysetery... Graveny did hint at Giles not playing, and suggested Hussain would be in the side (form allowing) for the time being.

Hi Kirsty,They could not play,vaughan,Tresco,Butcher and Strauss,the team would not have been balanced,the on,y wasr it would havr worked would vaughan to play ehere Collingwood is not,Vaighan can plat anywere,not so sue about the ithers.or the could have left Hussain out,and played Tresco there,but that wouls have been two main changes,

Good morning Kirsty, Ernest

[R W S]

I heard the squad announcement from Chair Graveney this morning on t'radio and my interpretation is that we'll start with the usual suspects come Thursday (Giles returning). He talked about the future (Collingwood & Anderson were specifically mentioned) and Hussien's valuable experience. I dont expect this is much of a surprse.

Sporting Life reckon Anderson will replace S Jones but thats not the impression I got.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by R W S

I heard the squad announcement from Chair Graveney this morning on t'radio and my interpretation is that we'll start with the usual suspects come Thursday (Giles returning). He talked about the future (Collingwood & Anderson were specifically mentioned) and Hussien's valuable experience. I dont expect this is much of a surprse.

Sporting Life reckon Anderson will replace S Jones but thats not the impression I got.

Hi R W S

There they are doing it again,real team fot the furure this one.

Graveney says(Ceefax) Collingwood and STRAUSS will play a big part in Englands future,why did he say that?.they had picked the team,why mention Strauss,he was not picked?what are the other England wanabe's ie Bell to name but one/
gona think.
Praise Collingwood .yes good for his ego,it make it look like the England Cricket Team is a closes shop,looking at todays choice,it could be,2005 will be here pretty soon.....

I think he might pick Anderson,but I think Hoggard hould be Twelth man,but can slip him in if it looks like the ball might swing.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by ernest

Hi Kirsty,They could not play,vaughan,Tresco,Butcher and Strauss,the team would not have been balanced,the on,y wasr it would havr worked would vaughan to play ehere Collingwood is not,Vaighan can plat anywere,not so sue about the ithers.or the could have left Hussain out,and played Tresco there,but that wouls have been two main changes,

Good morning Kirsty, Ernest

Fair pont, but I don't think Collingwood is going to make it into the final 11 - him and Jones/Anderson are likely to be left out. Unless Giles is omitted. I think Strauss would benefit from being invovled in the test match preparation, as I hope he might get a game towards the end of the summer...