I don't see why broad is a cert!

I think Tremlett and Mahmood should be up there no doubt, I can't see a case why Mahmood with his Test experience is not automatic.

Mascarenhas should IMO be there to balance the side, also a form player.

Also Lewis with his conventional Hoggard like swing should IMO be there to compliment pace, not instead of it.

Kabir Ali ????

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Ern

23 Overs, 3 maidens, 141 runs, 2 wickets, economy 5.87 - against Onions' 31-5-151-2-4.87 vs Yorkshire.

Onions' prior figures vs Sussex:

(Home)

17.2 Overs, 1 Maiden, 67 Runs, 2 Wickets, Economy 3.86 (5nb)

(Away)

26 Overs, 7 maidens, 76 runs, 0 wickets, Economy 2.92(4nb)

Anyway, I did promise to rest my case in relation to yourself earlier and I will honour that. I'll also avoid trying to have the last word! (Common habit, apologies)

Lewis is over the age limit. Qualified players must be under 30 at the end of the season.

In a match earlier this year player A returned 13-7-19-6 with an economy of 1.46.... whilst player B returned 6-1-33-0 with an economy of 5.50. Someone in this thread thinks the latter is an automatic choice!

ps. Same bowler returned 24-4-108-2 and 27-3-101-2 this same season!

pps. That's 4.25 / over off those 57 overs!!!

pps. how do these figures stack up:

Player x: 36 wickets at 25.69, econ 3.44 vs. Player y: 35 wickets at 30.66, econ 2.8.

To my mind that latter (at 20 years of age) is the better England prospect than the former (already 24 and still spraying the ball everywhere).

Ok then Ryan Sidebottom might be able to do a job with - Mahmood-Tremlett and Mascarenhas.

Seems a balanced attack to me.

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Ern

I feel Broad and Tremlett are definites.

The third seamer is more tricky. Mahmood certainly has the potential; but does he have the control? Onions has done fairly well so far but his economy rate doesn't make pleasant reading. For the control factor, I think it'd go for Ryan Sidebottom (though I am by no means inflexible on this issue.)

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third-umpire.com

I think Tremlett is a definite, I think we have to strat taking chances with players like Mahmood, this type of player wins matches.

With respect to Broad - he has a long way to go before he has the potential penetration of Mahmood IMO.

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Ern

If we look at long term potential the obvious names are Mahmood, Broad and Smith.

Mahmood's the senior one of the three and has a natural action that clearly has potential: his first few overs in Test cricket and his final few spells in the ODIs revealed an edge that would be quite useful if it were not interspersed with many times the same volume of absolute rubbish.

Broad hasn't the experience of Mahmood but already looks like Mahmood's senior partner: he has the temperament to inspire confidence, he comes across as unlikely to go AWOL. Right now he looks far too raw... but he looks LESS raw than Mahmood... and arguably more technically accomplished.

Tom Smith is obviously the least known of the three... but to me he's the real star: he's barely out of nappies but his 2.8 / over economy rate suggest he's already managing the sustained pressure that proves so elusive for Mahmood. If he's that consistent at 20... it seems to me that we're potentially looking at another McGrath.

That's the 'potential' players... and I see room for one of the above for sure. For me it's Smith, alongside Tremlett (who is very definitely ready now and is only eligible because injuries prevented him from accumulating a stack of caps). That leaves a final spot... and to my mind that should go to the county performer who is doing it NOW (even if we doubt his long term potential).

I see the final choice as between Sidebottom and Mascarenhas: unlike Onions and Shreck they have both managed economy rates suggesting real class... and as both have taken wickets at a decent average I'd be happy with either. I can't see either winning enough support but I'm going to argue for them anyway: Mascarenhas, in particular, has earnt some support - his season really has been sensational.

We have not seen enough of Broad IMO to say he looks senior to Mahmood - a couple of one dayers.

Mahmood is needed as a contrast to players like Sidebottom, no other fits the bill.

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Ern