Team for the 1st Test

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I shall try and track down the sources later if I get a moment.

Well... I can't find the other place I read the following... but this was in Wednesday's column from Pringle:

Originally Posted by Derek Pringle

Aside from which one of Sajid Mahmood or James Anderson completes the pace quartet, there is also the important matter of whether Ashley Giles or Monty Panesar gets the lone spinner's spot. The emphasis, especially early on in the series, seems to be control, which rules both in, albeit from different angles — Giles from over the wicket into the footholes, Panesar from around.

''We're pretty close to knowing the side we want for the first Test," Fletcher admitted. "Brisbane is mainly a seamer's track so we'll need a spinner who can give us control. But with five bowlers there's also the issue of the tail, which we'll have to look at in the games leading up to the first Test."

The solution to both conundrums would seem to be Giles, though he has not played a competitive match for almost a year. Cricket is a game that requires fitness but also judgment and precision movements, things blunted by such a long absence. Yet Giles is a wily campaigner and Fletcher will only make an assessment after playing him in the first two matches, beginning with Friday's game in Canberra against the Prime Minister's XI.

[Notts Exile]

Could someone please trawl through all these threads and find the one where I said that Read wouldn't play at Brisbane. I think it was as soon as the squad was announced! Obviously I would select him but I don't think there's any way Fletcher will do so.

[Milo]

I'd be very disappointed if we picked Trescothick. I said it months ago (when he pulled out the tour) that he really should not walk straight back in this top 6. Let him wait - Bell, Cook and Collingwood do not deserve to lose their place. Hopefully he will not be get back in, although I am very concerned about Flintoff (both batting and bowling).

[SixandOut]

I'd be really surprised if Tresco doesn't get selected. He's had his issues recently, but I think he his experience will count for a lot when Fletch is picking the side. Personally, I think Tresco should play.

And as somebody rightly pointed out, there's a big difference between the ideal side and the one that will be picked.

My prediction:

Tresco
Strauss
Bell
KP
Collingwood
Fred
Jones
Mahmood
Hoggard
Harmison
Panesar

I keep changing my mind about Jones and Read. I think I'd rather see Read in there since he is the better keeper and when you're playing against Australia you can't afford mistakes and you need to make the most of half chances, which I think Read is more likely to do. I suspect Jones will get the nod on the grounds of his experience from last year.

Mahmood over Anderson.
Panesar over Giles.

Drop Cook in favour of Collingwood. Collingwood provides an extra dimension in his bowling, he's the best fielder in the side and he's proven he can bat.

[outswing]

Originally Posted by Milo

I'd be very disappointed if we picked Trescothick. I said it months ago (when he pulled out the tour) that he really should not walk straight back in this top 6. Let him wait - Bell, Cook and Collingwood do not deserve to lose their place. Hopefully he will not be get back in, although I am very concerned about Flintoff (both batting and bowling).

trescothicks one of your best batsmen, and not picking him to face the aussies would be a crime in itself - although cook does deserve a chance.

when tresco gets going, it is almost impossible to get rid of him, and now that england are without Vaughan, him performing would become even more important.

[Scott-Wozniak]

This is a tricky one for sure, who knows whats going through Fletchers mind. I can only put forward the side that I think will be selected and the side I think should be selected.

Will be selected -

1 Trescothick, 2 Strauss, 3 Cook, 4 Bell, 5 Pietersen, 6 Flintoff*, 7 Read†, 8 Mahmood, 9 Hoggard, 10, Harmison, 11 Panesar. Swop Giles for Mahmood for pitches that turn.

Who I'd select -

1 Trescothick, 2 Strauss*, 3 Bell, 4 Pietersen, 5 Collingwood, 6 Flintoff, 7 Jones†, 8 Mahmood, 9 Hoggard, 10 Harmison, 11 Panesar. Swop Giles in for Mahmood on pitches that turn.

I've made two changes from who I'd select and from who I think will be selected. Collingwood in for Cook. I think Collingwood offers more in his overall game than Cook does and will deal with Warne better, plus Collingwoods more attritional style of batting will be better on these pitches and against Australias bowlers than Cook will. I have a feeling Cook might get found out on this tour. He's done particularly well against pace bowlers so far, but hasn't yet had to deal with high quality or very quick bowlers. Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka are not renowned for the quality of their quicks.

If Trescothick really struggles with his form, I'd swop Cook for Trescothick perhaps later on in the series, I'd like to see Cook opening the innings as I think thats where he'll play best and his game is most suited.

Jones in for Read, I think the runs from Jones will make the difference on pitches he knows quite well from having played on them earlier in his career, plus the fact that he's simply a better batsman than Read is. Also, he's had time to reflect on his batting and comes into this series probably fresher than Read, also Reads performance in the ICCCT is a concern. Jones' performance yesterday with the bat, whilst not scoring lots of runs, was there at the end and batted according to the situation - not something you can say Read has done much of lately.

As much as I like Giles as a player and how much he offers the side in his all-round game, the spinner area is one where I think Panesar must play as the sole spinner. England need to rely on Mahmood upping his batting game at No8, we all know he's quite capable with the bat - he just needs to apply himself a bit more. With Jones in for Read and Mahmood at 8 that strengthens the tail somewhat allowing for Panesar to play as the sole spinner and batting at 11. Panesar has the chance to make not only an impression in this series but a real difference with his bowling and if England use him as an attacking option he will take wickets. When pitches favour spin then Giles slots in for Mahmood at No8.

[Moss]

Originally Posted by Moss

Read won't play the first test.

I would bet money on it.

<watch me be wrong>

I knew I've should have gone to Ladbrokes.

[Notts Exile]

Will someone please tell me why we have a selection committee? It's obvious that Fletcher just does as he pleases. Read may as well not have bothered going to Oz. Graveney suggested when the squad was selected that they would both be given a fair crack of the whip. Evidently these statements were not made by the committee as a whole, just on behalf of Graveney and Miller.

I am appalled but certainly not surprised. I won't be surprised to see Jones fail either, nor disappointed (sorry if that's not the right attitude). England needs a change at the top.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

.I am appalled but certainly not surprised. I won't be surprised to see Jones fail either, nor disappointed (sorry if that's not the right attitude). England needs a change at the top.

This has been obvious sinse they (Vaughan-Fletcher) dropped Read against the rules of the ECB (was not in touring selectors remit) in the West Indies, and the allowing of the players to get sloshed in public view in the 'Victory parade' - and the attitude in Pakistan, seemingly yhinking winning the Ashes was enough, that showed poor management.

This latest affair with Read just backs up my thoughts, they (Fletcher - Miller and Graveney think that by picking Jones it will make England pick up where they left of Post Ashes in 2005, they are plonkers.

[Zainub]

This is clearly an issue NE, and I'm really confused about it too. I've always had the impression, just a general one, that on tour it is the captain who has the final say when it comes to the picking the final XI, it seems this is not the case in the England set up. Or may be the captain does have the final say, but he's in agreement with Fletcher on who should play, which should be a case of even greater worry to the England fans' Ashes regaining hopes then the fact that Fletcher and not Flintoff might have the veto power! If Freddie thinks England can win with the kind of side you guys are widely fearing will be picked, then you'd have to get worried about the tactic he'll use once the players are out there playing. He's already infamous for over bowling him self and under bowling Panesar, so this is not looking very encouraging by any means.