Who should bat at number 8 in the first Test?

[first change]

I'm sure Fletcher's already settled on a tail of Hoggard, Harmison, Anderson and Panesar, but I don't think it should be so clear cut. The idea that neither Anderson nor Panesar can hold a bat is, frankly, nonsense and, if anything, Hoggard's become more limited with the bat in the last year. My own preference would be for Harmison to bat at eight with complete licence. Impossible to underestimate the importance of a quick 30 - and we know Harmison can do that. No reason at all why he can't fill an Ambrose-type role at eight. My worry with Hoggard there is that England slide into negativity at the fall of the sixth wicket and get mopped up. Any thoughts?

[greg]

I expect it will be Giles actually.

[Rachael]

Look at what has actually been happening: Giles has slowed his action down during his year out... and Panesar appears to have gone into classic English defensive mode, spearing balls down so fast they offer no threat. If Giles is, as a result, actually outbowling Panesar... giving the ball more air... offering up more attacking deliveries... and still managing great control.... then he deserves to play.

Panesar certainly looks to be hugely promising... but competition for places is always a good thing... and whilst I'd hate to see Panesar lose out on the basis that Giles is a better bat... it's absiolutely right that Panesar should lose out if Giles is offering more with the ball!

[Collyisamackem]

Assuming that Monty plays, and I hope he does, I'd like to see Harmy given license to hammer away at 8 in much the same manner as Warne. Now clearly Harmy is nowhere near as good a batsman as Warne but he really could wind them up. I suspect it would be the Hogster however, to wind them up by boring them to death interspersed with scorching cover drives!!!