The Cricket Thread 2013

[paul_e]

I'd go...if all fit

Cook
Root
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Prior
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson

win the test and then give taylor another go. If KP is not fit then Taylor comes in, bairstow for Tremlett. Compton's bridges well and truly burnt.

I agree with that pretty much other than I might not bring bairstow back in even if KP isn't fit.

[PGW]

Don't want to get too ahead of ourselves but lets get the series wrapped up and then plan for the return in Oz where Tremlett becomes a real force.  Brisbane has both pace and bounce so i'd love to see him in there but with Finn, Broad and Anderson it's possible that they'd go with all four and leave Swann out - he'd be back for the traditional turner at Adelaide.

Any H & Ver's heading down here for that series???

I'm hoping to come out for Brisbane & Adelaide, originally was coming for Tests 3,4 & 5 but i now have to be back in 'old blighty' for around 15th Dec. I came out there in 05/06 for the 5- 0 belting we were sat in Dubai airport waiting for connection watching TV coverage when we went 3 - 0 down......but fell in love with Melbourne & Sydney!!!

By the way reason got to be back.....gonna be a grand-dad for the first time.....and i ain't missing that!!!!

[taylorsworkrate]

Think it would be a bit mad going for 5 bowlers at this stage. We've easily bowled them out cheaply 4 times with 4 bowlers.

Playing one less batsman would give them a slight sniff of bowling us out cheaply enough to be competitive. Bairstow has done alright this summer against New Zealand and the Aussies, both of whom have good pace attacks.

[peter w]

I'd go with 5 bowlers because winning thsi test will be because we'll bowl them out cheaply twice. The batting hasn't kicked in fully and against an okay attack we have enough about us to acore 350+ first innings. It also gives Tremlett a bit of test match fitness. imagine thinking this against the Aussies even 5 years or so ago. But, they are poor. i hav n doubt the selectors won't go down this route in case the batting fails. but, it shouldn't do. This is a poor Australian team and we'll keep more or less the same starting line-up but clearly they're looking to get Tremlett in. 4th test I reckon.

[PaulWinch again]

I've come to the conclusion why select Tremlett if you're not going to play him? I think he has to start.

[fredm]

It's just to fool the Aussies. The same as selecting Monty, there is no way we will play 2 spinners but just makes them think a bit and maybe confuse them. Can't see us changing from the 4 man attack at all and Bresnan will be the 4th man.

[PaulWinch again]

Tremlett is a better bowler than Bres and England rate him highly. Considering his injury record and need to play games for fitness I think he'll play or he'd have stay with Surrey.

[PaulWinch again]

Boyd Rankin is the worst interviewee ever.

[tomd2103]

It's just to fool the Aussies. The same as selecting Monty, there is no way we will play 2 spinners but just makes them think a bit and maybe confuse them. Can't see us changing from the 4 man attack at all and Bresnan will be the 4th man.

I can't either and it would be very harsh to drop Bresnan.  Only change will be Taylor in for KP if he isn't fit. 

[PaulWinch again]

Teams that get to the top are harsh and ruthless. I agree Bresnan played decently at Lords, but if Tremlett is the better choice for Old Trafford he should play.

[TheTimVilla]

Don't want to get too ahead of ourselves but lets get the series wrapped up and then plan for the return in Oz where Tremlett becomes a real force.  Brisbane has both pace and bounce so i'd love to see him in there but with Finn, Broad and Anderson it's possible that they'd go with all four and leave Swann out - he'd be back for the traditional turner at Adelaide.

Any H & Ver's heading down here for that series???

Aren't pretty much all the Ozzie grounds drop in pitches now?

[Villan For Life]

I think Taylor will play at Old Trafford instead of KP.

Even if KP comes through various fitness tests and declares himself fit I don't think they will risk his breaking down during the test and being a batsman light.

They dropped Freddie for the Headingley test in 2009 for fitness-based reasons even after he declared himself fit and I think the conservative-natured captain/coach will do the same again.

[Dave Cooper please]

Nah, Pietersen will play if he's fit I reckon, Taylor (and a couple of others) will get their chance if we go 3-0 up.

[tomd2103]

Teams that get to the top are harsh and ruthless. I agree Bresnan played decently at Lords, but if Tremlett is the better choice for Old Trafford he should play.

Good point Paul, but we aren't harsh and ruthless.  Our selections and general tactics have been on the conservative side for a number of years now (constantly stuck with four bowlers) and I just can't see it changing at this point.  Saying that, I'm a fan of Tremlett and would happily see him back in the side ahead of Bresnan.   

[OzVilla]

Don't want to get too ahead of ourselves but lets get the series wrapped up and then plan for the return in Oz where Tremlett becomes a real force.  Brisbane has both pace and bounce so i'd love to see him in there but with Finn, Broad and Anderson it's possible that they'd go with all four and leave Swann out - he'd be back for the traditional turner at Adelaide.

Any H & Ver's heading down here for that series???

Aren't pretty much all the Ozzie grounds drop in pitches now?

Certainly not Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide although they are talking about it at Adelaide due to ground redevelopments.  Melbourne usually is, Sydney has been.