Oval team selection

[Harmy's Army]

Given the tradition of the Oval to favour pace (and bounce) over swing, and in addition England's woefully understrength tail of the previous two tests, is it likely that Stuart Broad will get his first test at the expense of either Anderson or Sidebottom? And if so which of the two?

[engssmoothcriminal]

Well if Broad comes into contention solely on the basis of his much hyped lower order batting then someone on the selection panel deserves a good kicking (preferably Graveney). At the moment he's a perfectly competent county number 9 who one day (ideally after 2/3 years of county cricket) could bat higher not the replacement for Gilo at 8 this side so badly needs.

So it all comes down to has Broad done anything with the ball since being overlooked for the first test to justify selection and given he's barely bowled for Leicestershire the simple answer is no. Anderson bowled pretty darn well at Lords so to drop him for a debutant in a must win game at the Oval (which this season has been flat and devoid of pace and carry) on the back of one bad performance at Trent Bridge just smacks of the random knee jerk selections of the dark days of the 80's 90's. Something I thought we were long past.

[pie_chucker]

I doubt very much that Sidebottom will be dropped - his place in the team at the moment is deserved.

Broad isnt that quick (and no where near as quick even as Anderson can be) so selecting him on grounds of pace woulnt be the wisest move.

Personally I'd have picked neither Anderson or Broad - they are both still far too raw.

[Moss]

Sidebottom shouldn't be dropped - he has done very well so far. He may not be fast, but he's accurate and economical, plus he can bat a bit more than most bowlers.

Keep the squad as it is for now. I can see no point bringing in Broad for the last test of the summer, not when we have to win it. If it was a dead rubber, then maybe.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Moss

Sidebottom shouldn't be dropped

Quite right: the guy just bowled more impressively than most in world cricket EVER bowl... and must surely be one of the first 2-3-4 names on the teamsheet for the next Test: Pietersen may be a better cricketer... but aside from Panesar... no-one is harder to replace than Sidebottom... who should surely be regarded as undroppable right now!

[darksideofthemoon]

Anderson - reverse swing

[Barmy Harmy]

I think they'll stick with the XI that played at Trent Bridge.