Ok folks... over half of us want the following in the side:

Batsmen: Horton, Denly, Shah, Bopara
Wicket-keeper: Ambrose / Foster
Bowlers: Swann, Broad, Tremlett

That leaves us needing at least one specialist batsman for a top 5 spot... and the time has come to narrow down the field.

The leading candidates are:

Carberry
Edwards
Hildreth
Sales

All have the backing of at least a couple of contributers...and we need to narrow this down to two options and then vote one off.

Fire away!

ps. both leading contenders MAY make the side depending on the final balance of the side.

I have gone for Sales as my first choice, I think Edwards could be a good choice, but not at the expence of Sales.

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Ern

Hildreth and Sales for me and i would have both in the side anyway.

I can't say that any of the quartet strike me as preferable to others like Joyce or Compton on points: despite encouraging performances in the international arena (Joyce with the seniors, Compton with the academy) the latter have perhaps done too little for their own cause in this season to get in this year... but I'm not convinced that any of this quartet should even be entering senior-selectors minds at this stage - none yet rival even the dropped Strauss or the more clearly competent Joyce for credibility and whoever we pick should be viewed as no more than about (at best) 12th-15th in line for Test consideration!

I'm inclining towards Hildreth as one choice... and perhaps to Edwards as a second choice: not sure yet.

ps. Ahead of Hildreth should be: Cook, Vaughan, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Shah, Bopara, Strauss, Tresco, Ramps and Joyce (the latter surely being more worthy of a Test spot even if we showcase someone else).

Of the 4 listed I only see Hildreth as having a viable international future so even though he hasn't done anything startling down at Taunton the fact he looks a potential England batsmen (in terms of the technical side of his game and presence at the crease) is enough to get him the nod as first choice.

For the final batting slot as I've said previously on other threads I'd personally go with the all rounder Rashid at 6 (and reluctantly play 2 spinners given my views on Swann) but if that's not an option, of the specialist batsmen Carberry just pips Sales. Sales is a fine player but as admirable as his loyalty is to Northants if he harbours serious England aspirations he needs to make a move to a bigger more high profile county to take his game to the next level. Until he shows that ruthlessness then his lack of ambition keeps him out of the side for me. Plus I always have a personal preference when it comes to balancing a side of having the 3 specialist openers and Carberry for me would be a better number 3 than Shah who should never bat any higher than 5.

I'm inclined to agree: Hildreth interests people rather than exciting people... and that's because he's got technical strengths that inspire confidence and get old hands talking respectfully despite the fact that his stats don't mark him out as far superior to the run of the mill bashers whose game is based on little more than a good eye.

He's not demanding a place through sheer weight of runs... but he's doing as well as most and of the leading contenders he seems to have the most potential.
The argument against Sales is one I've warmed to... and the argument for preferring openers is one I've made before... but on that basis.... why Carberry ahead of Edwards?

I'm going to vote for Hildreth and then for one of Carberry and Edwards... but I don't have enough of a basis for that decision yet.

Continued excellence over an extended period at a higher level (in tougher batting conditions) as opposed to the solitary season of non too taxing run accumulation down at Taunton and unlike teammate Hildreth he doesn't stand out as a particularly talented individual. At 24 he seems nothing more than a good solid county pro and will have to prove he can cut it in div 1 next season before he remotely comes into contention for me. Personally I'd place him behind youngsters Godleman and even though he's barely played first class cricket Moeen Ali who (as much as it pains me to say it ) is a serious talent.

OK.. my vote goes to Hildreth with the second spot going to Carberry. That brings the votes to the following:

For better or worse it seems that Edwards is out of the running. Unfortunately, whilst Hildreth is through we still can't seperate Carberry and Sales.

We could do with more information on 1st choices and 2nd choices...

Edit: I've changed the poll to force the issue between Sales and Carberry...

Carberry is one of the best fielders in county cricket as well.

Ok... Sales vs Carberry looks like going Sales' way:The top order now reads:

Horton
Denly
Shah
?
Bopara

That leaves a straight fight between Hildreth and Sales for the no 4 spot... though it is of course possible for BOTH to get in when we get around to the no 6 spot!

Vote away...