Ashes Squad

[greg]

While we would love to take the squad Rachael has picked if we are realistic about it we know that it is unlikely that 3 or 4 of those players will be fit anyway so i just ruled them out and chose the replacements i would go for.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Can't agree with Dalrymple being the "second spin" option, he's not got enough experience or IMO is good enough.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

Can't agree with Dalrymple being the "second spin" option, he's not got enough experience or IMO is good enough.

He's just as good at spin bowling as Plunkett is at seam bowling: maybe not good enough... but credible. What makes both of them interesting is the way they fit Fletcher's ideal of a multi-dimensional player with the temperament and attitude to succeed despite limited talent.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by greg

is unlikely that 3 or 4 of those players will be fit anyway so i just ruled them out and chose the replacements i would go for.

Exactly - being realistic nither Jones nor Anderson have much of a chance of making the Ashes side, we have to keep faith as much as we can with the side that did so well against Pakistan.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by Rachael

He's just as good at spin bowling as Plunkett is at seam bowling: maybe not good enough... but credible. What makes both of them interesting is the way they fit Fletcher's ideal of a multi-dimensional player with the temperament and attitude to succeed despite limited talent.

I suppose you are right...I suppose I'm also blatently biased against him because he got a dodgy LBW against Neil Carter not too long ago against Warwickshire when he was 99.... man I was **********.

[TopperHarley]

Batting-wise the only question marks seem to be about trescos form, and who will make way for Fred, if england decide they need a five man bowling attack.

If a batsman has to make way, unfortunately (and unfairly in my view) Colly is the most likely to be chopped. The seventh touring bat is a difficult one, key, Butcher, Shah and Joyce have all been mentioned in despatches. Like others I would take ramprakash, who averages 40+ against aussie (especially IN aussie) and has the technique and all the shots and is the man in form. it wont happen, so i would imagine Shah, the better player of spin, will go.

Bowling wise its between Louden and Dalrymple for second spinner, but hopefully neither would actually play!

Seam-wise...Hoggy Harmy are definites...Mahmood has probably just done enough...Plunker will go...and its between lewis and broad...

Broad probably...

EDIT - Just an afterthought, but has anyone considered Rikki Clarke? We know fletch likes his cricketers to have more than one string to the bow, and clarke has had a decent season with the bat....he will probably make the one-dayers as well....

Given how Fletch rates Monty as one-dimensional...it's a bit bleeding rich that Alistair cooks bowling hasnt been criticised yet...he cant field, so really should be contributing a bit with the ball.....Trescothick can field, but maybe needs to learn to bat or bowl before he is a certainty for the ashes...

[The Phantom Ram]

I don't think we will take two wicket keepers. I think Jones will be on standby.

[Trescothick]

Originally Posted by TopperHarley

Batting-wise the only question marks seem to be about trescos form

That is certainly not the only question at hand infact it is probably one of the last questions in Flecthers mind!! You have to look at who England will be playing in November! Not a weakened Pakistan attack but a strong Aussie attack and I believe we will find:

* A frightened Bell
* Cooks weaknesses possibly exploited given his inexperience
* Collingwoods lack of 'star' prowess with the bat, he will make a couple of useful knocks but I believe his performances won't be enough.

In Australia we have pitches that will be good batting surfaces: Ideal for players like Trescothick, Pietersen and Strauss. Cook, it could go either way.Bell I'm afraid has that knack of in his first couple of overs getting a knick as he tentatively plays at a ball, and Colligwood I feel will be average at best, maybe not enough to win the Ashes.

Tresco has been poor but i believe the ODIs will let him swing the bat, time the ball a bit, get some quick runs and boost confidence. Its not as tho hes turned to a bad player over a summer. Infact I remember an almost perfect innings in twenty20 against Sri Lanka and some good knocks in the ODI and a centruy in the test. So lets stop these overreactions about Trescos form and remember that our top 6 batting line up is not invincble, far from it.

[Collyisamackem]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Ram

I don't think we will take two wicket keepers.

We always take two keepers, Jones will go.

[darksideofthemoon]

Trescothick
Strauss
Cook
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Read
Jones
Harmison
Hoggard
Panesar

Reserves :1 Bell 2 Shah 3 Jones 4 Giles 5 Mahmood 6 Broad 7 Anderson
On Standby: Joyce Prior Dalrymple Plunkett