2 spinners or all out seam

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by KennyG

I hope the Poms play two spinners in Perth because Giles is not much and I want to see if Panesar can handle bowling against a quality line up.

Well if an Aussie groundsman says the pitch will play spin, then I would go in with all my pace bowlers, England have had lots of Aussie selectors this year.

I expect to see Panesar - but is Mahmood does not join him, then there is little or no point.

Myself I would choose.
Flintoff
Mahmood
Plunkett
Hoggard
Anderson.

The only hope is to take Aussie wickets, and I can't see the spinners doing that.

[Monty 4 PM]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Well if an Aussie groundsman says the pitch will play spin, then I would go in with all my pace bowlers, England have had lots of Aussie selectors this year.

I expect to see Panesar - but is Mahmood does not join him, then there is little or no point.

Myself I would choose.
Flintoff
Mahmood
Plunkett
Hoggard
Anderson.

The only hope is to take Aussie wickets, and I can't see the spinners doing that.

Unfortunately England are not Windies circa 1980's and the WACA isnt the Headingly of old. Even with Simon Jones back and harmy bowling like Curtly Ambrose we still need a spinner...and Monty is our best spinner at least since Phil Edmonds.

We should play our best bowlers. Despite form against the Crocodile Dundee Eleven, Jimmy Andersen does not quailify.

[Monty 4 PM]

Ernest...I just read Plunkett in your list as well. Didnt see that one creep in. Plunkett should not be in the party. I put him behind Andersen..and thats saying something considering how little I rate Andersen.

Both show no fire and would be fodder for the Aussies.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Monty 4 PM

Plunkett should not be in the party.

Quite. I'm not sure what the pecking order of England-qualified bowlers would be if everyone were match fit but I'd go with something like the following:

Hoggard / Simon Jones / Flintoff

Lewis / Panesar

Sidebottom / Giles / Anderson / Tremlett / Mahmood / Harmison

Onions / most other county opening bowlers

Plunkett / Collingwood and all the real also ran county bowers

Quite how Plunkett leapfrogged the queue is unclear... but one suspects his elevation is part of the endless quest for a 'multi-dimensional' no 6 / 7 / 8: he's got bio-mechanically sound, repeatable action that should not over-stress his body... he's got a good eye... and I can only think the selectors and coaches want to try and manufacture him into an English Razzaq / Watson / Bravo.

[Monty 4 PM]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Quite. I'm not sure what the pecking order of England-qualified bowlers would be if everyone were match fit but I'd go with something like the following:

Hoggard / Simon Jones / Flintoff

Lewis / Panesar

Sidebottom / Giles / Anderson / Tremlett / Mahmood / Harmison

Onions / most other county opening bowlers

Plunkett / Collingwood and all the real also ran county bowers

Quite how Plunkett leapfrogged the queue is unclear... but one suspects his elevation is part of the endless quest for a 'multi-dimensional' no 6 / 7 / 8: he's got bio-mechanically sound, repeatable action that should not over-stress his body... he's got a good eye... and I can only think the selectors and coaches want to try and manufacture him into an English Razzaq / Watson / Bravo.

Interesting thought Rachael...my top tier would be the same, with Harmison instead of Lewis in the 2nd tier, Lewis and Broad because I believe he is a future star, as well as your other names (except sidebottom) would comprise level 3, but I would have poor old Liam in the 4th at least....His bowling has potential (only potential alas) I believe to be very good...in the Stuart Clark mould but his batting technique just cannot cut it at test level to be an all-rounder

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Sidebottom / Giles / Anderson / Tremlett / Mahmood / Harmison

Yes, Broad is an interesting absentee here.
And Sidebottom, an extremely strange inclusion.
And as for Giles...: "DAMIEN! Have a word mate."

[Irish Left Armer]

Spot on Rachael, he's only in there because England have him earmarked for that number 8 role, i.e a bowler that bats. It does, however, help occasionally if this player is reasonably proficient with the ball.

Plunkett will have to improve considerably with either bat or ball to ever be an International class player.

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by Irish Left Armer

Plunkett will have to improve considerably with either bat or ball to ever be an International class player.

A bit of a Theo Walcott selection there.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

All theo needed to do was finish his homework on time, he was good enough !

Yes I guess fletch is trying to build a razzaq, bravo etc. problem is that pakistan nad WI are trying to build a freddie and we already have one of those. None of our bowlers are very old. The aussies beat everyone, everywhere with 4 bowlers. Why cant we do the same ?

[Irish Left Armer]

Originally Posted by Oliver

A bit of a Theo Walcott selection there.

Come on now Olly, no one has ever suggested that Plunkett has electric pace.