Pick any five from seven!!!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Two centuries might have helped his cause in the eyses of the selectors. If nas had bagged two low scores like butcher, a half century in either inngs would have been enough in the eyes of the selectors to drop nass and bring in strauss permanently.

For him to be a cast iron in the team which keeps giles in (GGGGRRRRRR)I genuinly think a 50 and double century would be the minimum to out any of our top 5. I keep going on about "eyes of the selectors" because they wont move a seasoned performer no matter how good the debutant was unless they are utter tosh. And they've all got either a good average, good recent form, a macth winning performance or being captain !

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Oliver

Ok, let's play a new game.

After healthy discussion on the subject of Rich Greenfield's XI for Headingley.
Let's take the unpleasant assumption that the selectors will only pick five specialist batsmen for the third Test.

So, in alphabetical order, we have Butcher, Collingwood, Hussain, Strauss, Thorpe, Trescothick, Vaughan.
Mr. Hussain has not retired. At time of posting.

Choose any five from those seven and put them in batting order.

It's pretty much impossible, Oliver!! That's why I'm pleased not to be on the selction panel!!

Martin Crowe made an intersting point about Nass on Spy Sports last nught: he said Nass is forceing the selecters to think ahead, because if they drop Giles for Headingly at some stage they will have to make the tough choice of dropping a quality batsmen. Who will it be? Hussain realises it'll most likely be him at this stage, hence the premptive action!!

I suppose if I was forced to pick five.. Butcher, Strauss, Thorpe, Trescothick, Vaughan. Only because I'm pretty sure in my mind Nass will retire - otherwise I'm sorry, but for the time being, Butcher you are the weakest link...goodbye!!

[R W S]

Ok, let's play a new game.

After healthy discussion on the subject of Rich Greenfield's XI for Headingley.
Let's take the unpleasant assumption that the selectors will only pick five specialist batsmen for the third Test.

So, in alphabetical order, we have Butcher, Collingwood, Hussain, Strauss, Thorpe, Trescothick, Vaughan.
Mr. Hussain has not retired. At time of posting.

Choose any five from those seven and put them in batting order.

What a deliciously tricky conundrum!

Are we picking for the third test at Trent Bridge and therefore guessing the result at Headingley or did you mean the second? I'll assume you mean the second (and for fun I'll pick for the third as well assuming we draw in Leeds thus covering both).

Some points to consider before choosing

• Is it more imoportant to beat the NZers or prepare a team for next years Ashes?
• Is team spirit and building a county-like atmosphere (Fletcher stylee) more important than getting hard nosed and professional (Marshesque)?
• Now that the England captain is no longer a selector whos voice carries more weight?
• Is Vaughan fully recovered?

Now without answering any of those posers i'd go for:

Vaughan, Trescothick, Butcher, Hussain,, Thorpe (and the same for the third test)

And the justification...

I dont agree with those commentators that said we stumbled upon Strauss, he's always been earmarked for a chance as far as I can tell. The Windies is a four test series and we have beaten them recently with something to spare so I'd bring him in at Lord's again for the first test. I'd tell him that's a promise regardless of how things pan out against NZ.

Trescothick/Butcher will be motivated.

Collingwood may end up being the unluckyest man in test cricket, but thats the breaks.

I'll make the choice again in a week and see if any of the many cognent arguments have swayed me.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I think by not playing Strauss and, in effect turning him into a batsman-bogey -man that Fletcher can use "If you dont start holding on to catches and scoring 100s mark, strauss is goin to get you" or "Marcus ! Look at your whites ! There a disgrace. And dont drag your feet, in fact start moving them or Strauss will open instead of you. Its no good crying, you've been told a million times.."

And so on and so forth.

And are we totally sure Vaughan is fit ?

[Rich Greenfield]

He's playing a one day game on monday

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Well yes he is fit then. Back to plan a........

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Tom Partis

Vaughan Strauss Butcher Thorpe Trescothick

With you there... If they pick five (which they won't) then I am guessing Hussain will stand aside before he is pushed. That was why he did the post match interview he did.

[Nikhil]

Originally Posted by Oliver

Ok, let's play a new game.

So, in alphabetical order, we have Butcher, Collingwood, Hussain, Strauss, Thorpe, Trescothick, Vaughan.
Mr. Hussain has not retired. At time of posting.

Choose any five from those seven and put them in batting order.

Strauss, Vaughan, Butcher, Hussain, Thorpe.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Trescothick, Strauss, Vaughan, Hussain, Thorpe

Scott

Trescothick,Strauss, Hussain ,vaughan, Thorpe

Ernest

[high_on_linseed]

Vaughan, Strauss, Butcher, Hussain, Thorpe

but it doesnt have to be like that, it can be:

Vaughan, Strauss, Butcher, Hussain, Thorpe, Tres...and no Ahsley if it looks like its a seamers paradise.