England's 25 man Performance Squad

[A Walking Wicket]

Nice to see I wasnt the only one to be left speechless by the name "Yardy" in the 25 man performance squad. Decent enough county player but good grief he is light years off the scene when it comes to the international arena.

With regards to Dalrymple, I know he had a shocking World Cup (but how many England players didnt?) Deep down I believe he has a lot to offer in the international side. Ive admired his cricketing skills for a while now and despite recent performances I think he is a player who has enough all round capabilities to cut it at international level. His performances last summer in the one dayers was one of the few positives to take out of a hideous string of results and he is certainly a talent to stick with. I hope he gets another chance to shine for England.

Looking at the omissions from the squad list can we safely say that the door has been firmly slammed shut on Read, G Jones, Solanki, Blackwell and Kabir Ali?

[Andy Mellon]

Hopefully not shut on Blackwell. He performed bloody well with the ball on the last tour of India (in the ODIs) and although not a good enough bat to succeed in India, I think he would have done a hell of a lot better than Dalrymple in the West Indies; plus we would have had another 'attacking' batsman in the World Cup.

I wouldn't have him near the test team though, and Read, Solanki and Kabir will have to do something VERY special to be noticed again IMO.

[darksideofthemoon]

England's 28 man Performance Squad: - room for 2 more this summer
M Vaughan, J Anderson, I Bell, R Bopara, S Broad, P Collingwood, A Cook, J Dalrymple, A Flintoff, S Harmison, M Hoggard, S Jones, E Joyce, J Lewis, S Mahmood, P Nixon, G Onions, M Panesar, K Pietersen, L Plunkett, M Prior, O Shah, A Strauss, M Trescothick, M Yardy, Sidebottom, Trott, Mascarenhas.

Only Vaughan, Collingwood, Hoggard, Trescothick and Nixon didn't go through the Academy, plus the latest recruits, Sidebottom, Trott and Mascarenhas.

Players from the A team not in this squad are - Bresnan, Carberry, Compton, Davies, Jefferson, Khan, Loudon, Rashid, Smith, Gidman and Kirtley reserves.

Only Jefferson and Bresnan from the Academy squad were chosen for the A team game against the West Indies. There could be a possibility these two might to be added to the 30 man Performance but I think it will more likely be a couple of players out of county cricket.

As we have 10 bowlers and 10 batsmen it could be 2 all rounders that are added to the 28.

[Rachael]

With any luck Nixon and Prior will disappear from that list before long... with Read and Mustard the obvious replacements and Foster and Davies more acceptable alternatives.

Compton doesn't seem to be building on his fantastic winter form... but Rashid must be in line for elevation by now.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Prior will disappear from that list before long... with Read and Mustard the obvious replacements

I am more likely to become the next X Factor winner!! Prior, thanks to his very good first series with the bat will be around for the time being. Read will never be selected again, the only name you mentioned who might be in with a shout is Davies...

Phil Mustards F/C average of just 27 will need to improve dramatically before he is in with a shout of getting selected?

[greg]

Originally Posted by Rachael

but Rashid must be in line for elevation by now.

Why?

He started brilliantly in the opening couple of games this season but has done little since.Give him time to learn his trade,he is still a teenager and it isn't as though we are desperate for a spinner right now.