With one day to go all the talk amongst the England fans is what team we're going to pick. The general consensus is that 10 of the places are set in stone with a guaranteed top 7 of:
Strauss
Cook
Bell
Collingwood
Pietersen
Flintoff
Jones
Then it starts to get a bit complicated. Hoggard, Harmison and Anderson will be the 3 specialist quicks supporting Freddie but, if Panesar plays (and almost all the England fans want him too), it means England's No.8 for this test match will be Matthew Hoggard. Though admiring his bravery and stoical forward defensive technical qualities, this idea does not fill the avaerage England fan with unbridled optimism.
Rumour has it that Duncan Fletcher sees our tail as too long if Monty plays and thus Ashley Giles is the favourite to get the nod. His lower order runs and, crucially, his sound catching at 3rd slip or gully, mean he fits in with the Fletcher requirement of cricketers who contribute in more than just their specialist area.
England's slip catching will miss Trescothick - for my money the safest 1st slip in world cricket. I think Strauss will move there leaving Freddie at 2nd unless he's bowling - when Collingwood is likely to fill in. With England's excellent pace attack, there will be lots of chances flying to the slip cordon, so it's crucial they hold onto them.
The Aussies are favourites but they know that England have battle hardened players who can hurt them - Flintoff, Pietersen, Strauss, Hoggard - with Pietersen in particular seen as a big dangerman. I have a sneaking suspicion that the steep bounce at the Gabba will see Steve Harmison come to the fore - John Buchanan has had a bowling machine mounted on a small table to replicate the huge lift Harmison gets. If the mood is with him and he can produce the form that made him the best fast bowler in the world only 2 years ago, the Aussie's could be in for a real shock.
England to bat first on winning the toss..........and getting the better of a high scoring draw? Let's see.....................
Wello
Comments (2)
Wello,
Keith phoned me to do this.
England selection. Why not play Panesar and Giles? They can bowl long spells as a pair and leave Harmison and Flintoff to bowl short fast bursts. Hoggard, Collingwood and Bell can fill in. Batting line up:
Strauss
Cook
Bell
Collingwood
Pieterson
Flintoff
Jones
Giles
Harmison
Hoggard
Panesar
Wot's the problem?
Adex
Posted by Adex | November 22, 2006 1:39 PM
Posted on November 22, 2006 13:39
Wello you lucky bastard! I'm having to endure a little gloating from my Australian colleague after 1st day's play.
I believe that Melbourne is now the sports capital of the world - this according to a comment made live on air by a proud Victorian named Bill Lawry!!!
Enjow!
Vanders
Posted by Vanders | November 23, 2006 8:59 AM
Posted on November 23, 2006 08:59