Ashes 2013/14

[Dante Lavelli]

Is that Carberry playing himself into the team, freeing up Root to take the 6 spot.
Apart from one big score Root has not looked that good against the new ball, even struggling at 6 when a new cherry was taken.

[OzVilla]

Well well.  Good on Carberry for seizing his chance.

That makes it very interesting.  Difficult to see how you wouldn't now open with Cook and Carberry and bat Root at 6 tbh.

It would potentially solve a couple of issues we have.

[Bald Eagle]

I like Root at 6, as it puts a grinder amongst some very attacking players. Adds balance to the team.

[PaulWinch again]

That Carberry innings makes things very interesting.

[Dr Butler]

yep watched about an hour last night and vs the new ball we looked pretty safe, for me it probably would of been Carberry to open as that is his position and if he can get a good score in the opening test then he will probably keep the place for the tour.
First Test
Cook
Carberry
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Root
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Tremlett (if Bresnan not fit)

[paul_e]

The advantage of Carberry being there is that he seems more willing to 'take on' a bowler, look at his treatment of the spinner today for example, none of Cook, Root or Trott offer that which is why we've looked a little predictable in the last year or 2.  Having an opener who can hit a few big shots to relieve pressure is valuable.

[PGW]

I've only named 10 above missed Broad out - sorry...so yes 7 certainties (Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Prior, Swann, Broad, Anderson ) playing today plus Bell. The fact that Carberry is opening suggests to me that perhaps Root isn't a certainty. Tremlett needs to do well as yes he could be replaced by Rankin or Finn. Ballance won't play in Test which could let in Stokes.

Team picking itself nicely now for first test: Cook, Carberry, Trott. Pietersen, Bell, Root, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson plus Tremlett if he does well in this game, if not Rankin or Finn!!!

[Villan For Life]

I follow few ex-Cricketers on Twitter and several of them have been tweeting Carberry was the answer to our top order problem since Strauss retired.

We've got a good record of introducing new players into important series so I think Carberry could do well.

[PaulWinch again]

I follow few ex-Cricketers on Twitter and several of them have been tweeting Carberry was the answer to our top order problem since Strauss retired.

We've got a good record of introducing new players into important series so I think Carberry could do well.

As it stands my team would be

Cook
Carberry
Trott
KP
Bell
Root
Prior
Broad
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson

I don't you can ignore Carberry after his last couple of innings, and I think Root being in the middle order really strengthens our batting. Tremlett is in for me at the moment on an experience basis, but if Finn or Rankin bowl brilliantly they could force their way in.

[OCD]

I think the only question left now is Finn, Rankin or Tremlett. That will just go down to form and conditions so we should be in good shape.

I wonder whether the Aussies are regretting not playing a stronger bowling line-up? Now our batsmen will be going into the first match with some confidence.

[paul_e]

the 3rd seamer is the interesting one now, On form Rankin edges it but he's far and away the least experienced.

[Villan For Life]

And of course there's Bresnan to bring into the mix, he's approaching full fitness.

It's a nice problem to have and will enable us to select a third seamer based upon pitch conditions on the 1st morning of a test. Fast and bouncy then Finn, Tremlett or Rankin. If it's more batsman-friendly or looks like it will seam then Bresnan comes into the equation.

[paul_e]

And of course there's Bresnan to bring into the mix, he's approaching full fitness.

It's a nice problem to have and will enable us to select a third seamer based upon pitch conditions on the 1st morning of a test. Fast and bouncy then Finn, Tremlett or Rankin. If it's more batsman-friendly or looks like it will seam then Bresnan comes into the equation.

I didn't think Bresnan was going to be back until at least the 2nd test, if he's fit it's probably his place to lose.

[Dr Butler]

And of course there's Bresnan to bring into the mix, he's approaching full fitness.

It's a nice problem to have and will enable us to select a third seamer based upon pitch conditions on the 1st morning of a test. Fast and bouncy then Finn, Tremlett or Rankin. If it's more batsman-friendly or looks like it will seam then Bresnan comes into the equation.

spot on for me.....fast bouncy then any of the 3 quicks and a seaming batter then Bresnan if fit.

Bresnan is there and nearing full fitness.....

[PaulWinch again]

If it's fast and bouncy, which I expect it will be it'll be one of Rankin, Finn or Tremlett.