Who will be dropped for the first test of the summer?

[pie_chucker]

If fit, Harmy should walk back into the side. He is the only bowler we have who is genuinely quick and gets the ball to bounce. I know the WIndies would much rather he wasnt in the team.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Younis Khan #1

Collingwoods performance in the ashes? Other than a double century what did he do?

Probably more than Michael Vaughan has done with the bat!

If players sre being picked on form - then Vaughan would not get in the side, stuggling would be Bell and Strauss.

As TTFC says, Harmison is not sure of automatic selection.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Ernest

As TTFC says, Harmison is not sure of automatic selection.

Harmison should be. Hoggard will only be the only pace bowler who will (and should be) picked ahead of him.

Jones wont be fit or last a series .

Anderson will be 12th man .

Plunkett/Mahmood wont get picked ahead of Harmy.

Broad/Tremlett - your having a laugh!

Note: I've not included Flintoff as he will be picked as an allrounder, assuming he quits his plans to sail around the world.

[Ernest]

pie_chucker I said "Harmison is not sure of automatic selection", not commentating on the right or wrongs of that stance.

One thing not in Harmisons favour is the fact the he has let England down badly on two tours, South Africa and the more recent Australia tour.

Fit - and that means mental also, he is Englands premier bowler, even above Hoggard who has had his share of lean spells.

As for Broad and Tremlett et al, they are eons away from Test selection.

A batter will probably go, and that batter will probably be Bell, if not then it will be Strauss, but Harmison is not sure of his place at all on away form.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Ernest

pie_chucker I said "Harmison is not sure of automatic selection", not commentating on the right or wrongs of that stance.

Sorry Ern, bad day at work - hadnt read post correctly.

Rightly or wrongly I feel that a batsman will be dropped, Fletcher and Vaughan like the idea of 5 bowlers too much to change.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

Rightly or wrongly I feel that a batsman will be dropped, Fletcher and Vaughan like the idea of 5 bowlers too much to change.

I agree with Fletcher, England won the Ashes 2005 with their bowlers - their batting except in part were no great shake.

Strauss or Bell, but Trescothick if fit could be overlooked for Cook, or Cook could be dropped for Strauss.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Ernest

England won the Ashes 2005 with their bowlers

Thats true, I've never seen the Aussie batsman look as ineffective as they did during that series. Unfortunately our strongest attack would contain Jones who will never complete a series .

[Quagmire]

Players that can not be dropped.

Strauss
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Hoggard
Panesar

Players that could be dropped

Cook - Could get dropped for Trescothick
Anderson
Harmison
Mahmood
Read - You never know with England and there keepers

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

Players that can not be dropped.

Cook - Could get dropped for Trescothick

Trescothick is a long way off. If his problems are in the mind, then it is not just a matter of a quick fitness Test. We also have to keep in mind that he told the selectors he was ready and willing before the Ashes, played one game and was off. I think It will take a long time for the selectors to recall him. Cook's place is secure for the time being.

The main challenge will come from Compton, who, if he has a good start to the year, could challenge either opener for a place.

Originally Posted by Ernest 134386

If players sre being picked on form ..... stuggling would be Bell and Strauss.

Struass I can understand, but Bell was the third highest run scorer in the Ashes, why would he be struggling? Except for the fact that he is player you have already written off, and so therefore will always be struggling. He scored three hundreds in a row last season (against the then second placed Pakistan) and you still thought he wasn't good enough!!

Originally Posted by Ernest 134412

I agree with Fletcher, England won the Ashes 2005 with their bowlers - their batting except in part were no great shake.

Yes, but we also lost the Ashes with 5 bowlers!! While Australia regained the Ashes with essentially four bowlers!!

For me if Bowling is your strength and batting is a worry, then get the batting stronger. Three fast bowlers and a good spinner should be enough against most Test teams.

[Collyisamackem]

I'd say after Australia and the year Collingwood has had, and the experience and ability Strauss has as an opener, that it will be between Cook and Bell. Since Cook learned well in Australia and made a good ton later on, I think he will be selected and Bell will lose out, especially as Cook has demonstrated great ability at 3 already if Vaughan is returning to open alongside Strauss. That's very tough on Bell given his form versus Sri Lanka and Pakistan last year, but that's the way I see it possibly going. However, it is commonplace that Collingwood is dropped irrespective of good or bad performances, so he could still be dropped though I don't believe he will (or should) this time.