Team for the 1st Test

[greg]

So we are now looking at this as the team.

Trescothick
Strauss
Cook
Pietersen
Bell
Flintoff
Jones
Giles
Mahmood/Anderson
Hoggard
Harmison

Unless of course the plan to play Jones is a way of playing Monty as the spinner as they think Jones will get the extra runs to enable it worthwhile playing Panesar instead of Giles.

Of course this plan is flawed as Jones will drop a sitter and the player he drops will go on to score a hundred.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka are not renowned for the quality of their quicks.

? Pakistan not renowned for their quicks... have you seen Akhtar bowl.. or Asif.. or historically Younis, Khan and Akram!!!

Think you may have to re-think that comment...

[flanflinger]

Greg,

I think Fletcher talked about playing both spinners and Anderson is ahead of Mahmood (and Saj didn't bowl a ball all day!!). I am hopefully that Read may be lost in order to accommodate Panesar, but I am worried that both might lose their place, and as a consequence we can kiss the Ashes goodbye!!

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

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.

I'm not sure what the point in his 13 from 41 balls on Friday was. There were few if any attacking shots and even the defensive shots were beaten (even on the highlights package!).

Read's for in the ICCCT was poor. However, so was Jones' in England. Read's form at that time wasn't too bad. He did what he was required to do which was far more than Jones had done all summer. Anyway, all pointless as Fletcher made his mind up ages ago and Read was only ever in for those two Tests. Fletcher was probably disappointed that Read actually scored some runs and made his decision look flawed. Had Read failed, his decision would have been so much more obvious to everyone else.

Oh yes, and we've got the wrong captain.

[greg]

Well it is becoming clearer now what the plan is.The top 6 that batted today will probably be the top 6 for Brisbane,we know Jones is at 7 and from what Fletcher said Anderson will join Harmison and Hoggard if we only play one spinner.

The only doubt now is which spinner we play.I want Monty but my gut feeling says Giles will play.

[flanflinger]

Greg,

I think you are right, the things to note (that have not been stated)

1. Mahmood, although in the 14, didn't bowl a ball
2. Collingwood bats behind Flintoff

For me this indicates that Mahmood is behind Giles/Panesar/Anderson, and that Collingwood, unless he bats his way into contention, is behind Cook/Bell

The thing we still do not know (and I don't think Fletcher/Flintoff yet fully know) is if they go with one spinner (and that is a big if!!) who will get the nod.

I think Fletcher naturally would go for Giles (because of his three dimensional skills) but I get the feeling that Panesar did enough this summer for him to realise that as a bowler he is worth risking.

I think Fletcher could not go for Read and Panesar, so maybe Jones won to accommodate Monty?

[greg]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

I think Fletcher could not go for Read and Panesar, so maybe Jones won to accommodate Monty?

That thought has been in my mind since it was announced that Jones was in.I hope it is the case as Monty is twice the bowler that Giles ever was.

[Ernest]

Trescothick
Strauss
Cook
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Jones
Giles
Anderson
Hoggard/Mahmood
Harmison

This looks the stongest side being Read has been forced out.

[greg]

You can't seriously think that Hoggard will be dropped to play Mahmood Ern?

Hoggard is the best new ball swing bowler in the world and he has Hayden's measure from last summer.Who would open the bowling then?

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by greg

You can't seriously think that Hoggard will be dropped to play Mahmood Ern?

Ern and Ern alone would do this: the fact that the Gabba is the one ground where swing can be EXPECTED escapes Ern.

Harmison strikes me as in danger of having a one-Test series: the Gabba should suit him more than any other ground in the series... and if he doesn't do well there I suspect the seam attack from that point forward will be just Hoggard, Flintoff and Anderson.

Tresco is the other player who might test Fletcher's loyalty: Cook looks a better bet at the top of the order... and if Tresco has no runs going into the first Test the pressure is going to start mounting. If he plays and fails in the first Test that could be two England seniors reduced to drinks-carrying duties by the second Test.