England ashes bolters

Is there anyone who could make the squad that not many people have heard of? The second spinner's spot is still unclear. Possible bolters could include Lancashire's left armer Simon Kerrigan, who has impressed people so far this season, and Yorkshire's David Wainwright, who has been rated for a while, and can bat.

The favourites would still be either Rashid or Monty, but i'm not sure Flower and Strauss have much confidence in either of them at the moment.

At the moment I would mark down Broad, Finn and Swann as the only cut and dried certainties. Anderson will probably go assuming his game picks up from the first test.

I wouldn't pick Bresnan, I think he would be marmalised in Aussie, and I wouldn't pick Rashid for the same reason. Second spinner would have to be Monty.

As for the remaining seamers - who knows: we're not exactly bursting with options. I wouldn't pick Sidebottom because of his fitness issues. That leaves Shazhad, Onions - and it would be a leap of faith to pick him as he will hardly play this season, and Tremlett (see Sidebottom).

I'll whisper this quietly, but don't write off the lanky harmless one from Durham just yet. If you want a completely leftfield pick, I'll go with Stuart Meaker - wild, but rapid.

And saffie...

Stuart '96' Meaker is in the wickets this season.

The bowling is a worrying prospect.

Bolters? .... a bit too late to bring many of those on at this stage, I fear. In Oz you need aggression as a seamer, and pluck for the hard days, but also a bit of the guile and belief that comes from sufficient balls-out experience, as a rule. Shazhad should really have been tried less half-heartedly if he was fancied.

You would think uz Poms would need a bowling team including at least two, probably three with a bit of genuine pace and bounce Dahnanda. If so, Brezzy might be a good pick as fourth seamer. But I can't see them. Finn and Broad might be two, though Harry Potter's nemesis is hardly express speed.

Which explains the irrational desire - still - for Harmison as a front-line spearhead. Yes, i know. I agree, Baz - you have a point, if a slightly crazy one at this stage.

I think, given what the ECB has got, Sid might be a good option in Oz, esp in a pack alongside a coupla quicks. Slanting, awkward delivery etc. Aggression aplenty (when he can control the Rumpelstiltskin effect, that is).

And that's why he has been called up.

The main problem with Sid is the very obvious one everyone has mentioned.

And that may be another reason he has been called up. Will he break down again, if he has to bowl 35 overs in the match?

Basil wrote:
I'll whisper this quietly, but don't write off the lanky harmless one from Durham just yet.

He said bolters not bottlers, Bas.


Not really an outsider but I would suggest the uncapped player with the most chance of being a first XI player by November is probably Steven Davies.

A bit more off the radar is Adam Lyth, considering our lack of depth at opener he may get a call if Cook or Strauss were to get injured.

How about Sir Freddy of Flintoff to come riding in on a white horse?

Harmison?

I hope you guys are joking, because I've never heard a more ridiculous theory in all my years of living.

harmy is a cert, tho not likely to play in brisbane...what about slaw...he certainly knows the gabba wicket....and of course pommy patto had a fair summer here

horace wrote:harmy is a cert, tho not likely to play in brisbane...what about slaw...he certainly knows the gabba wicket....and of course pommy patto had a fair summer here

Get ****** Horrie

Opening the stable door after Harmison has shot his bolt?

Kerrigan's demise also explained (see OP)

Has any player survived a Trevving?