Mahmood is the liability in this team. Franks has a lot more to offer than Mahmood. I don't see the point of dropping Franks and leaving Mahmood in. If Mahmood is in then so is Franks.

OK Mike.. I came in late on the bowling discussion earlier.. but it seems that Mahmood is being mooted here mostly on the insistence of Ernest: I was not, initially, AVERSE to giving him a run.. but if we have so little confidence in the guy then I'm prepared to do either of the following:

{a} throw my weight behind Glamorgan Wander and yourself in support of Harrison.. on the basis that Harrison, Mascarenhas, Lewis and Keedy, Backed by Bell, Pietersen and Wagh, is a balanced attack;

or {b} back your nomination of Franks ahead of Mahmod... on the basis that Mascarenhas, Franks, Lewis and Keedy, Backed by Bell, Pietersen and Wagh, is a balanced attack.

I don't mind either way... but if you feel so strongly that Mahmood isn't up to the job that we have to muck up the entire team to cover for his perceived weaknesses then I really do think that, however much potential we think he's got, we've got to say "you ain't convinced us you're ready yet, go away and start demonstrating some consistency".

It's bad enough picking a player you doubt.. but to start re-adjusting the entire team because of your doubts is just madness.

Can I propose:

1. Wagh
2. Bell
3. Pietersen
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. Wallace / Prior
8. Franks / Mascarenhas
9. Mascarenhas / Harrison
10. Lewis
11. Keedy

Rachael, I think we should now wait for GW's opinion because you feel strongly that we are a bowler too many and I feel strongly that Mahmood is not up to the job, yet, and Mahmood is ernest's automatic selection so unless ernest has a change of heart then we need GW to break the deadlock.

No it was not Rachael, you should have read mikes post before you said that, he only picked Mahmood because you had picked him as well.

"On the basis that Rachael selected him"

Only GW had picked Harrison.
It would seem you want to change the team about, well so be it.

PS This entire post was intended for Rachaels attention, the quotes from mike where to remind her Mahmood was selected on her say so as well, I have done this postscript because of the way I set out the quotes., which may have seemed I was replying to mike .

Could I propose
1 Wagh
2 Jefferson?
3 Bell
4 ????
5 Pieterson
6 ??
7 Keeper
8 Franks
9 Mascarenhas
10 Lewis
11 Keedy

I would much prefer a team with Franks at 8, Mascarenhas at 9 than Harrison in at 9 (who hasnt done that much more than Franks with the ball) and having Mascarenhas at 8. I would have liked to have seen Davies (50 @ 18.76 in 10 games)given a little more consideration for one of the bowling slots but I am happy with what we have at the moment, although I feel that he is as deserving as any for the other possible seamers space.

That's right, ernest. I let Mahmood in on the basis that Rachael had also picked him. I'm not suggesting Harrison should be an automatic choice either. Just that their inexperience might upset the balance of the side.

Well it seems to me that Rachael is ducking and diving because Franks was in the team, letting GW break the deadlock is like picking Harrison, who can blame him.

So I am withdrawing my support for Mahmood to be included in the England A-Team.

I'd also like everyone to consider the fielding side of things when selecting your players. We have a few options for batsmen but some of them will need to be good catchers for slips positions and a good catcher in the gully and mid-wicket.

OK folks.. to clarify.. I wasn't here earlier when the Harrison / Mahmood discussions took place.. and whilst my initial instinct was much as Ernest's is (that Mahmood could step up to the plate and show a bit of class) I'm not so convinced as Ernest: I am ahppy to go along with the idea that he's too raw to be risked in this context.. and to plump (instead) for Harrison (ideally) or Franks (if need be).

Having disrupted proceedings enough on Mahmood.. I'll leave the Harrison / Franks debate to others!

postscript: I reckon we're doing OK on the fielding with Bell... but am not sure on the rest: any strong feelings? I've got it into my head that Newman was the complete disgrace of the A tour last winter.. so appalling Marsh that he was almost / actually dropped.. but I might have the wrong guy. Other than him.. my thought is that we can easily spruce up the outfielding by selecting both Prior (as batsman cum outfielder) AND Wallace (as keeper).

pps. I'd be inclined to take Prior ahead of Collingwood to sharpen up the fielding.. he's more in keeping with the spirit of the side (Colingwood is a long standing International, albeit principally in ODI competitions rather than Tests.. and he's a Test Tour veteran.. albeit principally as 12th man: Prior is more clearly an up and coming star).

Well, if GW agrees on the following attack then we can move on:

8 Franks
9 Mascarenhas
10 Lewis
11 Keedy

I suggest we think about the make-up of the remaining positions based on GW agreeing on the above bowling attack. We'll leave the wicketkeeper to last. Next we should sort our batsmen giving priority to our need for some good catchers. With a wicketkeeper at 7 Collingwood comes into contention as he is a decent middle-order batsman and an exceptional fielder.