England have a dilemma or two, or even three.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

The new ball should swing a little in Australia, but the key for Hoggard will be the pace of the wickets: being faster than those in India will aid him hugely, allowing him to plug away with lively balls in the channel without worrying about anything other than line and length.

You could have said the same for Devon Malcolm - the new ball would have helped because of the hardness of the ball.

Ok there might be a little swing early on, but Hoggard will suffer IMO later on, the very fact that there will be more pace in the pitches goes against Hoggard who struggles to get over the 80MPH barrier at times, so with more pace of the wicket - he could be expensive, he IMO is simply the wrong type of bowler for Australia.

And Rachael i think Indian conditions would suit Hoggard much better than Australia will, because there is more chance of swing there, and the pitches are slower.

That's why players like Harmison are no good in India/Pakistan.

FF I agree that Hoggy did well in South Africa, but so did Flintoff - they both had to bowl well to make up for the fact that Harmison was not functioning, but even South Africa's pitches are not the same as Aussie ones.

Originally Posted by flanflinger

I do fear that Fletcher will try and rush Giles back, but I had not even thought that he would drop Hoggard for Mahmood.

Fletcher has hinted for a while that Mahmood would play, myself I thought Anderson would have been picked ahead of him, but it seem Mahmood is in favour with Fletcher.

I don't think it matters, but with Mahmood you are more likely to get an unexpected panfull of wickets.

[darksideofthemoon]

Hoggard and Harmison are definites I think. Hoggard with his record against left handers and he will bowl all day. Anderson gets wickets when there is no swing about but hasn't had much bowling since India. He should get a chance if Giles is picked instead of Panesar, or if there are injuries. 5 Tests and hard pitches can be a problem on the ankles for fast bowlers as Nel found out. The heat will also be a factor. Therefore Flintoff should only bowl as a strike bowler for 15 overs a day. I see Hoggard and Panesar doing most of the work. I think Mahmood will play in the first Test which should test his endurance and his economy.

Hoggard 20 overs
Harmison 18 overs
Flintoff 15 overs
Mahmood 18 overs
Panesar 20 overs

[Hache]

My 2 cents:

I would select Panesar over Giles without giving it a second thought. I may not be aware of the finer nuances of English spin history, but I believe he’s the first genuine spin bowler to make a successful and courageous start for England since the days of great Derek Underwood. His forte is the guile in the flight he offers, and the secret arm bowler which he used so effectively against Pakistan this summer. If he manages to keep his morale and confidence high and also resists the crowd pressure. He might well be England’s trump card.

I’m confused about Johnson and Mehmood. IMO, the concerns should look into the performance of both in the build-up games to the 1st test and also the prevailing conditions to decide who fits the bill more justifiably.

Lastly, I will still persist with Read, although he had a quiet ODI series, but again most of the members didn’t performed up to their potential that’s why England are going home early, Albeit, one game is still left to be played. Read is a mile safer with gloves than Geraint, and is a improved player with the bat as was evident with the important knocks he played against Pakistan at home.

[SixandOut]

I'm on the same bandwagon as most here - Andersen and Read. I think Saj will get a serious beating if he bowls in Australia. Having said that, if Harmison is still away with the fairies, then there might not be a choice. There is no way that Tresco won't play, so I still want to see the top 4 as Tresco, Strauss, Cook and KP. Then Collingwood or Bell, Flintoff, Read, Anderson, Hoggard, Harmi and Monty.

The big q is probably between Collingwood and Bell, and Bell has a good history against the Aussies. Maybe it will end up beign between Collingwood and Cook.

We also have to hope that Flintoff's ankle holds up.

[TopperHarley]

I think Jones will get the nod for the wicketkeeping spot.

I would have to cite as evidence for this theory the failure to give Read a central contract, plus his poor showing in the Champions Trophy (no runs and a missed catch and stumping) plus the fact Freddie (Jones fan) and Fletcher (Jones fan) have the main say in picking the team.

I like both keepers, and am not overly concerned, as i think both men will do a job, but I do have sympathy for read, who deserves a longer run, but the men that count seem to think Jones is the main man.

[greg]

My team for Brisbane would be this

Strauss
Trescothick
Cook
Pietersen
Bell
Flintoff
Read
Hoggard
Harmison
Anderson
Panesar

Probably a bit light on the batting but easily the best bowling line up available.Mahmood is too much of a risk at present so Anderson's extra experience gives him the nod.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by TopperHarley

I think Jones will get the nod for the wicketkeeping spot.

I don't doubt it. For me Read had to score plenty in the Champions Trophy. The only way now that I see him playing at Brisbane is if he scores loads more than Jones in the warm up match he plays - sounds like they'll play one each (no doubt Fletcher will make sure Read plays against the better bowling attack).

Going back to Jones would not be a step forwards. He hasn't done anything to suggest he's likely score runs. He didn't do anything when he went back to Kent.

The consistency in selection that has benefitted many of the current squad appears not to being offered to Read. Hence he feels under the same pressure the likes of Hick, Ramprakash and Crawley suffered. All good players who could have done better with the right support. Why does everyone else in the side get it apart from Read?

[Teatime FatCat]

Interesting that no-one has picked Giles here (I think) yet Fletcher loves him so much, he will be straight back into the side, and Panesar will be immediatly discarded (wrongly in my opinion).

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Teatime FatCat

Interesting that no-one has picked Giles here (I think) yet Fletcher loves him so much, he will be straight back into the side, and Panesar will be immediatly discarded (wrongly in my opinion).

Don't mention that! I'm hoping that by not mentioning it, it won't happen. Though I did predict as soon as the squad was announced that both GoJones and Giles would start ahead of Read and Panesar.

[Ernest]

I agree NE - Read has not covered himself thus far with glory with he bat, but then neither has Jones.

Read must be selected for his keeping, and hope his batting improves.

Panesar V Giles is interesting, Panesar could like Mahmood be a deciding factor in who wins this Ashes series, but both present a gamble - I think that Fletcher will at least start with Giles, personaly I think it's time for a change.