I think we should pick three middle-order bats (not two as you suggested) with one batsman who can bowl at least 10 overs of decent stuff per innings ie a genuine all-rounder. I think Bopara and Rashid are genuine all-rounders and either, but not both, could be in the side batting at #6. This year Bopara deserves his place in the team ahead of Rashid.

Bopara is not, to my mind, any sort of "all-rounder": in his first class career he's managed an average of just 5 overs per innings with the ball.... and those have been carted at 4.14 an over... whilst returning less than half a wicket per innings... and all at an average of nearly 50.

He is, however, a middle order batsman: he's scored 6 centuries and 12 fifties and his 90+ innings have produced over 3000 runs at an average of just shy of 40.

Adil Rashid has played a third of the number of games but has already bowled almost as many balls and bagged more wickets. Despite being relied upon heavily AND bowling legspin (rarely bowled economically by anyone, especially in England) he's got a better economy rate (although this is still his weakness)... and his average is heading down towards the 30 mark rather than nudging 50!

No contest as a 5th bowler.

Now please note: he's also within one run of Bopara's batting average... and was 19th in the 1st division batting lists for this season - just behind Carberry and Horton, but ahead of Denly and Ambrose. His 800 runs at 46.47 in division 1 deserves more respect than you offer: it's quite comparable with Bopara's 800 runs at 60 against the minnows of division 2!

If it comes down to one of the two then Rashid wins hands down.... not least because England would actually use his bowling, whereas Bopara would have to queue up behind Collingwood and Bell (who has a far, far better first class bowling average and economy rate).

Not that it shoud come down to Rashid vs. Bopara: Bopara should be up against Shah, Sales and Carberry (and putting pressure on Bell and Pietersen) NOT staking a claim for Flintoff's role - which Rashid might well take on if the big Lancastrian fails to fully recover!

Seeing as this thread seems to have died, can i propose Broad, Swann, Tremlett and i suppose Ali (although I'd prefer Davies) as the bowling attack. To be honest I don't rate Ali that highly, but he has performed well and I accept that its going to be difficult to find support for Davies despite his average being a tiny bit better than Ali's and him having far better economy (2.81 to 3.43) although Ali has the better strike rate (42.7 to 51.6). Both bowlers are suited to fitting in this attack and bowling slightly slower swing compared to the two tall openers. I think the other 3 pick themselves for international performance/potential.

Fair comment... and I don't have a problem with your compromise solution....

In some ways I'm actually quite positive about Ali (aside from his economy) and Davies (who appeals more)... as I suspect they are both more competent at this stage in their career than Tremlett... who has to leap frog them for his record of getting decent bounce in the right areas in his three Test appearances but who did less than either of them in domestic cricket this year and really doesn't do much with the ball.

ps. It's a tad galling to see none of the youngsters getting close to Otis Gibson's 80 wickets at 20 and Caddick's 75 wickets at 23: right now... a side of supposedly "over the hill" county players in their mid-late 30s would completely trounce any WAT 'A' side we could put out!

Caddick bowled 522 overs, more than most spinners and Gibson was not far behind. That they did bowl so many was down to being fit and their captain using them more than the other bowlers in their teams. Ali bowled 378 overs.

That's true, I wish you had posted a multi choice poll as I have had to put all my eggs in one basket with Tremlett.

Had I had two choices I would have gone with Swann also, and maybe even Broad, as these three should be IMO automatic choices - because they have gained valuable experience with England.

An A Team place would help this trio to improve, and build on the experience the had allready gained.

Being I have only one choice - I am going for a spearhead bowler in Tremlett, with a view that with his height he will take over from Harmison in the senior team, sooner rather than later.

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Ern

I meant to do multi-choice poll: now sorted. Those who voted before can now have another go.

ps. Anyone want to make the case for Bresnan? For anyone wanting 4 seamers he's the obvious selection

Well going on stat's - Bresnan has a strike rate of a wicket every 10 over, which does not compare well with a much better strike rate from Ali (42ish) I think, also his average in the 30's is nothing special.

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Ern

I agree Ern,as much as i like Bresnan as a player he doesn't deserve a place this year.Then again he probably deserves it more than Rashid who seems to have support just because he is a leg spinner.