England v Australia, 3rd Test, Edgbaston, Jul 30 - Aug 3

beamer wrote:

JKLever wrote:

vilkrang wrote:Swann should be ahead of Broad anyway, the guy has 4 FC 100s.

Doesn't look as comfortable against the short ball as Broad though, has to be said.

Broad should have more FC 100s than that by the time he's 30, although if he stays in the Test side he will have fewer opportunities than Swann has of course. Both are more than decent number 8s though.

Broad looks more than capable of scoring a few Test centuries across his career. Of course, he does need to justify his place as a bowler for that to happen.

What's your team for Lords then assuming everybody is fit.

I'd probably go with the same line up, but I guess pressure is on Bops & Broad. Seems a bit crazy after making 3 tons only 5 innings ago but there you go. Ian Bell ftw...

Bell, Ace, Bops, Bell again.... surely they could get Blobert in as opener, drop Chef to #3 and do better that way.

My concern with Bopara is what it always has been - that he isn't a number three. He looks like a Test cricketer alright, but that's a big ask for him to go in first down. The trouble is that the only way around that is moving KP to 3, Colly to 4 and then have Bopara.

Otherwise, probably the same team unless conditions are specifically saying to change.

Rob I wrote:Bell, Ace, Bops, Bell again.... surely they could get Blobert in as opener, drop Chef to #3 and do better that way.

Is Key really that good? And why would we split up a pretty succesful opening partnership?

The opening partnership was one of the concerns I raised before the second Test, they certainly proved me wrong, though I think we need a specialist number 3 or third opener-type player in there really. Bopara is a talented player but really needs to establish himself further down the order, it's one thing batting 3 against the West Indies but quite another against stronger opposition.

Unchanged from Lord's ... though Bops position must be looking dodgy - wrong IMO - he should get another crack at it ... if only KP would move up to 3 and give Bops some breathing space at 4.

Promote Jimmy in the batting order (though he may not want it) as he's looking more and more accomplished with the bat.

Broad gets one last chance (part of a winning team and coz he got Ponting out yesterday, albeit played on) - but he really has to go if again under-performing at Edgbaston.

For the record, bar one maybe two balls this morning - he once again bowled absolute sh!te.... and as an onlooker you never once felt any confidence that he was going to ever take a wicket. Plenty of dot balls sure but only because they were too bloody wide for the batsmen to play at.

Merlin wrote:Promote Jimmy in the batting order (though he may not want it) as he's looking more and more accomplished with the bat.

Above who? Broad and Swann both have FC averages in the high 20s, Jimmy's improving but he's not that good yet. Although he's due a nightwatchman appearance soon I suppose, as for once he didn't get one at Lord's...

Don't underestimate Jimmy's application to his batting - confident, good defence and an improved range of shots....
Also he's bloody minded about giving away his wicket cheaply.
A work in progress is our Jim ...

I think Broad has to go for now - he simply isn't bowling well enough for long enough.

I would add Harmy and Siders to the squad for Edgbaston.

Basil wrote:I think Broad has to go for now - he simply isn't bowling well enough for long enough.

I would add Harmy and Siders to the squad for Edgbaston.

As an Aussie I don't want to see Harmison added to the team.

Siince I'm going to the first day - yeh! - it had better be a bloody sight more productive than the last day at Lord's.
Johnson had better stop daydreaming; and Hughes had better step up (if they're still in the side.) Frankly, i think the two of them are brilliant prospects. They have to be allowed to fail and pick themselves up, before everyone decides they're only fit for the scrapheap.

And of course, Lee will be there to add stability, experience, ability to knock off tailenders before they accumulate hundreds of runs, extra batting strength, fielding prowess and a bright Colgate smile.

"And of course, Lee will be there to add stability"


Lee who?

Has Carseldine been called?

footwork wrote:And of course, Lee will be there to add stability, experience, ability to knock off tailenders before they accumulate hundreds of runs, extra batting strength, fielding prowess and a bright Colgate smile. eye candy

Feminist correction.

OP Tipping wrote:"And of course, Lee will be there to add stability"


Lee who?

Majors?

Well he is my six million dollar man.

Basil wrote:I think Broad has to go for now - he simply isn't bowling well enough for long enough.

I would add Harmy and Siders to the squad for Edgbaston.

It was quite remarkable to see a team's leading bowler (allegedly) look so inoccuous when he came on yesty morning. Sure, Fred was on fire, but Stewie just looked anaemic.

And poor old Onions didn't even get to roll his arm over. I felt a little sorry for him as the team marched off triumphantly. He was looking around sorta lost and not quite knowing where to place himself in the team as they walked off.

Old Warnie goes alright in the comm box. He summed it up nicely when he said Harmy woulda been most unwelcome to the Aussies, bowling at the other end.

Onions apparently had a slight elbow injury.

skully wrote:

Basil wrote:I think Broad has to go for now - he simply isn't bowling well enough for long enough.

I would add Harmy and Siders to the squad for Edgbaston.

It was quite remarkable to see a team's leading bowler (allegedly) look so inoccuous when he came on yesty morning. Sure, Fred was on fire, but Stewie just looked anaemic.

And poor old Onions didn't even get to roll his arm over. I felt a little sorry for him as the team marched off triumphantly. He was looking around sorta lost and not quite knowing where to place himself in the team as they walked off.

Old Warnie goes alright in the comm box. He summed it up nicely when he said Harmy woulda been most unwelcome to the Aussies, bowling at the other end.

Does he qualify for an OBE yet?

skully wrote: He summed it up nicely when he said Harmy woulda been most unwelcome to the Aussies, bowling at the other end.

The same aussies that have been calling him PHS for the past 2 years?

He's averaged 40 in that time, you just want him in the side for his pies

Shoeshine wrote:Onions apparently had a slight elbow injury.

Which explained why he netted alone wth the coach early doors yesterday.
Looked pretty down when fielding and no one was surprised when he went off.
We suspected a stomach bug ... he looked pale, poor bugger.
I suspect he won't return at Edgbaston .....

JKLever wrote:I'd keep Broad in, I like the depth in the tail being the strong bottomordermonger that I am. And that strength has seen us ok in this series so far.

Prior 6,Fred 7,Broad 8,Swann 9 - I likes it.

Sidders & Harmison have let England down, they need to wait their turn. Particularly GBH.

Bounced for furriner

Thank you G. Wood, that explains that.

Cheers.

Not that anyone GAF but there should be a mopping brow in relief icon. Or something.

Watson to open?!?! I hope not!

You know, it's so crazy the NSP will probably do it. Qunts.

England's real problem next test will be complacency. They better not get to footloose and free...