Can we win with this England Squad

[Cliff-UK]

England squad for this winter's Ashes series, announced by chairman of selectors David Graveney at The Oval today:

A Flintoff (Lancashire, capt) 28 62, AJ Strauss (Middlesex) 29 31, ME Trescothick (Somerset) 30 76, AN Cook (Essex) 21 9, KP Pietersen (Hampshire) 26 18, PD Collingwood (Durham) 30 15, IR Bell (Warwickshire) 24 18, CMW Read (Nottinghamshire, wkt) 28 13, GO Jones (Kent, wkt) 30 31, SI Mahmood (Lancashire) 24 5, MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire) 29 58, SJ Harmison (Durham) 27 45, MS Panesar (Northamptonshire) 24 10, AF Giles (Warwickshire), JM Anderson (Lancashire) 24 13, LE Plunkett (Durham) 21 6.

ends 121503 SEP 06



this is the squad - i just think we may miss Simon Jones a lot and if Freddie isn't 100pc, we could be left wanting out there. I hope Saj Mahmood is good enough. He sems to lose his head and his accuracy a lot. And is Harmy going to find his form and consistency....

Kind of wish Strauss was captain. Freddie cant' do everything.... surely?

[greg]

Can't see Giles or Anderson being involved as both haven't played for months and months.Hopefully Plunkett and Flintoff will be fit enough to play.

Not sure it is the right squad but good luck to them,i will be watching and ENGLAND EXPECTS.

[Notts Exile]

I fully expect Fletcher to have his way and a half fit Giles will start the First Test along with Geraint Jones.

A quite ridiculous squad, obviously nothing was learned from the debacle of four years ago when more players retirned home injured/unfit than ever before. Neither Anderson nor Giles should be anywhere near that squad.

[Cliff-UK]

Yeah - just can't wait for it to start. But I do worry about our bowlers. But on the other hand, the Aussie bowlers are either largely untried or over the hill. Come on England!

[greg]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

I fully expect Fletcher to have his way and a half fit Giles will start the First Test along with Geraint Jones.

If Read and Monty aren't playing in the first test (injury permitting) i won't watch.

My feelings about Tresco are well documented and i am amazed about Anderson being picked.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by greg

If Read and Monty aren't playing in the first test (injury permitting) i won't watch.

Wasn't there a feeling that Fletcher wanted Dalrymple ahead of Monty for the Old Trafford Test? I can't see him sticking with Read; it was Miller and Graveney who axed Jones for Headingley wasn't it? On tour he has carte blanche to do as he pleases, he has no selectors to worry about.

[Cliff-UK]

Clearly, Fletcher has been lost his all powerful domination ofth selection process because Read and monty were given their chances last Summer. If he was still fully in control, they wouldn't have got a sniff. Those boys will be there. I agree with you about Anderson. But luckily, it seems we're taking a second squad of 14 players.

Press Association has put the reserve squad out too...

England players to be based in Perth as standby for the main squad on the Ashes tour:

RS Bopara (Essex), SC Broad (Leicestershire), R Clarke (Surrey), JMW Dalrymple (Middlesex), SM Davies (Worcestersire, wkt), EC Joyce (Middlesex), RWT Key (Kent), J Lewis (Gloucestershire), G Onions (Durham), MJ Prior (Sussex, wkt), OA Shah (Middlesex), TC Smith (Lancashire), CT Tremlett (Hampshire), MH Yardy (Sussex).

end 121505 SEP 06

[Moss]

Strauss should be captain.
Anderson & Giles haven't played for ages, and are currently injured, as is Plunkett.
Trescothick is unwell with no definite date for recovery.

No Tremlett either, but Plunkett is selected?

No surprises at all really.
Fletcher could have slipped in one or two upsets but it's not in his nature.

I hope Jones doesn't play in the first test, as he's shown no improvement in form.

Shame there wasn't room for Dalrymple either.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Moss

I hope Jones doesn't play in the first test, as he's shown no improvement in form.

In fact, his form for Kent has been even worse than his form for England!! James Foster could easily have been selected ahead of him.

[Collyisamackem]

Typical, an England squad announcement is met with howls of derision. I for one am pleased at the squad and will not second guess Fletcher's future decisions, not that I think Read will be dropped or Panesar removed for an unfit Giles. Notts - I see you can't even lay off Jones when your man is in the team and the pro-Jones camp is supporting him, why?

These are the entrusted men for the retention of the Ashes and I believe in them.