Understatement of the week. I really hope they play Broad. England are in are caught between two stools because they have to look to the future. But the future isn't Broad.

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"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

Thats true. So far he has only taken wickets against the two worst (proper) sides in test cricket, but I agree he at least deserves the chance to prove himself. So far this summer he has bowled very poorly but to me he has barely looked fit. I just hope they don't pick him when he isn't 100% for the sake of it.


I don't think its that tough. His bowling has been very ordinary in every test he played but because he's the current "Golden boy" he can get away with anything.. I recall saying almost a year ago that Broads bowling was 2 years away from being ready in that he lacked pace (and penetration) and would be expensive.

I still find it amusing that the selectors are considering keeping him in the team because of his batting! If thats the case then play Colly as he is a genuine batsman and based on test stats a better bowler .

I think the selectors should call up Jones and Harmsion and pick whichever the pitch suits - if its pacey pick Harmy if it looks dry and might help reverse pick Jones . In an ideal world it would be nice to pick both but if Siders is fit he'll play and its unfair to drop Anderson even though Harmison, Jones and Flintoff would be a better pace trio IMO.

As for the batting either Flintoff has to bat at 6 or Ambrose has to make way for Prior and he can bat at 6. Batting Ambrose at 6 was another one of those stupid selectorial gaffes. The guy couldn't score a run at 7 and had been found out at test level in that he only had one shot so they thought by promoting him to 6 that things would change

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Mark.

At least we aren't the only side with problems as Steyn has broken his thumb and looks like missing the next game,could be the boost we need to get back in the series as Nel is nowhere near as good as Steyn.

I don't think he's bowled that badly. 17 wickets at 20 against New Zealand in three tests, followed by one Test against South Africa on a batsman's paradise. Although I agree that he shouldn't be picked if injured.

Still, it's nice to see that England finally has a bit of decent competition for the fast-bowling slots.

Neither Flintoff or Ambrose did too badly in the last test- both of them made 30s and hung around for a good partnership. But if Flintoff survived 90 balls and reigned himself in then he's capable of doing a job at 6 again. Which is a relief, because England just haven't looked the same since they started playing four bowlers.

As predicted, England have added Harmy to the squad.
From the XIII i would reckon Broad will miss out and then the XI will depend on if :

a) Siders is fit and

b) England play 4 or 5 bowlers.

I would still have liked Jones there as well though.

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Mark.

The side I would least like SA to face out of the 13.

1.Strauss
2.Cook
3.Vaughan
4.Pietersen
5.Bell
6.Flintoff
7.Ambrose
8.Sidebottom
9.Anderson
10.Harmison
11.Panesar

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"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

i think you might have hit the nail on the head with your prediction of the playing 11 although this is the makeup you would least like to play. the batting order looks perfect too. i think broad really needs to be judged for selection based on his primary job of bowling(which he hasn't been doing too well with wickets hard to come by for him) and not due to his batting skills lower down the order.

Indeed. Well Sidebottom is fit apparently, so that makes it more interesting.

Considering the weather we've had recently, which down here has been pretty sunny for a few days and is set fair for next week, it rather suggests that this wicket is going to be a fast, pacy, bouncy one. Harmisons recall then for this pitch and this Test is not surprising considering his recent form in CC.

What it also asks is, should England play two bowlers who are most effective when the ball swings, when in all liklihood it wont? This is one of the reasons Englands bowling attack in the last couple of tests has been ineffective. So which one, Anderson or Sidebottom? Should they play both? Given the choice on current and most recent performance, Anderson's ahead. Panesar and Flintoff will obviously play, so that leaves two slots.

If it stays dry between now and the start of the Test then I'd only play one swing bowler, if it rains then the argument strengthens for two. This would be my bowling unit for this test now that Jones is out of the running -

7 Flintoff, 8 Broad, 9 Anderson, 10 Harmison, 11 Panesar. All pace bowlers well over 6ft tall, four of them being hit the deck bowlers and 3 of them bowling in the late 80's.

Rumour coming out of the England camp is that Broad will be rested, so if they go with 5 bowlers this is the likely lineup -

7 Flintoff, 8 Sidebottom, 9 Anderson, 10 Harmison, 11 Panesar.

If they go with 4 bowlers, this is the likely lineup -

8 Flintoff, 9 Anderson, 10 Harmison, 11 Panesar.

Personally I think it will be a mistake to play two swing bowlers on that pitch and a mistake to play the extra batsman. They have to put out a side that can take 20 wickets and that means playing 5 bowlers. It seems to be out of Broad and Sidebottom and for my money Broad will be more effective on that pitch due to his height and bounce. They'll also benfeit from his extra runs on a pitch where the ball comes on to the bat nicely.

Ground characteristics: England’s happiest ground in several ways. Not only a good record there but also the most patriotic crowd, creating a fervour which can demoralise opponents, for example Australia in 1981, when Ian Botham ran amok. Swingers and finger-spinners have been the most successful types of bowler, which again suits England.
Weather: Warm and sunny with showers.
Ground capacity: 21,000.
Pitch: Good five-day result pitches except for not having much pace. Cloud conditions important, if not quite so much as at Headingley. The ball can swing after pitching, perhaps more than anywhere else, so Tim Ambrose’s home experience will be useful.

Ntini's back in form with 4-32 in the current tour match, Nel took 3-25, Harris 2-24 and Zondeki 1-30. I'd leave the team as it is, apart from the Nel-Steyn switch.