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

[outswing]

do you think that Compton and Davies are ready for the international scene yet?

[flanflinger]

Not ready for Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka

But we are talking about a West Indies team without a really good fast bowler and no Brian Lara, so I would prefer to give those guys a shot rather than waste time with Ramps, Crawly or Key.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Lost patience, ever since Bell got selected you have called for him to be dropped, you have not said a positive thing about Vaughan in three years, the only player you would have is a mainstay is Flintoff!!

Not true FF - I (like the the England selectors went off him after the Ashes 2005, he only regained his place by default with Vaughan being injured.
Not true over Flintoff either - if he is out of form with the bat, at least he can bowl - but I would keep Hoggard - Simon Jones - Trescothick - Harmison (in England - Collingwood - Panesar, England need a stronger squad, and picking players in form makes sence to me.

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Key is unproven - yet you would have him in the team as Skipper. Adams, Ramps, Salisbury and Crawley have all failed at the top level, yet you would recall them!!

I remember when both key and Bell had roughly the same average, key did not get another game - Bell lived on to fail once again in the Ashes 2006.

What has Crawley done wrong? - he was in good form when he was injured, but he never got back in the side.
Ramp's topped the averages last year, Adams has success behind him, yes I would be interested to see if Salisbury has improved.

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Tainted with disaster they may not be, but the potential for greater disaster - losing at home to the West Indies, is much higher with your side.

With respect FF - most people think the West Indies are rubbish - well they have a new captain in Sarwan, and have players like Gale and Bravo - maybe not the pushover people think.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

With respect FF - most people think the West Indies are rubbish - well they have a new captain in Sarwan, and have players like Gale and Bravo - maybe not the pushover people think.

I am not saying they are a pushover, but they are currently one of the weakest sides around. They are certainly not going to cause the same problems as Australia. Consequently I would prefer we went down the youth route, rather than the bring back some tried and tested failure.

What has Crawley done wrong 37 Tests, average 34, a very poor 4 Hundreds, just 1800 runs

Bell 23 Tests, average 43, 5 hundreds already and just over 1600 runs.

Bell has better stats, is the right side of 30, for me he is the obvious pick.

[cantplaycantalk]

If we were going to bring back an older player it would have to be Mark Butcher who was averaging around 65 for the year or so before he was injured. From the older bowlers I don't see anyone who deserves a placeahead of the current incumbents. None of the old guys had an exactly startling record. If we had a crisis then we could pull Goughie back in to support the youngsters but I think we are better looking to Freddy, Hoggard and now Harmison as the old hands to support one or at most two youngsters. Anderson, Broad, Plunkett, and Mahmood will be scrabbling for those spots.
The keeper spot though is totally up for grabs, and could even go to Pothas if nobody else makes a good case shortly. We have plenty of talented youngsters in that department it is just a matter of working out which one is going to cope with international cricket best.

[greg]

Oh well we can end the talk of who gets dropped for Vaughan as he has broken a finger.It would seem unlikely that he will be fit for the first test v West Indies.i presume we will go in with the 6 who played the ashes.

[Rachael]

With Vaughan out the vice-captaincy issue is obviously going to be revisited... but in terms of balance of the side... I'd hope this signals a Test cap for Joyce.

Strauss*
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Joyce
Collingwood
Flintoff
['keeper]
Hoggard
Harmison
Panesar

On a seperate note... I noticed trailers for Test match highlights last night: the long wait for real International cricket is finally coming to an end!

[Collyisamackem]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I noticed trailers for Test match highlights last night

Which channel? It's good to know that we'll be able to see some cricket at least! I assume it's BBC1?

I hope Vaughan is fit as it appears he was hitting some form against the Windies and Hampshire, but if not I'd let Strauss step into the role he has occupied so well previously. As to who comes in, I'd hope that Shah's early-season form could see him recalled to play at 3, as he did so well in that spot against India in his sole test.

[darksideofthemoon]

Salisbury could yet have a recall for the Sri Lanka tour. He had an excellent season in 2006 and his best friend just happens to be Moores.

[greg]

Originally Posted by darksideofthemoon

Salisbury could yet have a recall for the Sri Lanka tour. He had an excellent season in 2006 and his best friend just happens to be Moores.

I hope not,he isn't up to it.Like his Surrey teammate Ramprakash he lacks the mentality to perform at the highest level.