My England test squad for South Africa

I'm bored, so here goes-

Batsmen

Strauss(c)
Cook
Trott
Pietersen (if fit)
Carberry
Joyce

Keepers

Prior
Davies

Bowlers

Broad
Anderson
Sidebottom
Plunkett
Woakes
Swann
Rashid

Carberry has had an excellent season, and it's unfortunate that he broke his finger a couple of weeks ago. He's been around for a while now, and at 29 he would appear to be the finished article.

Joyce has had a solid rather than spectacular county season, but he's long been one of the best batsmen in county cricket. Averages mid 40's, and has a good temperement. I'm not really sure why he's never really been close to the England test squad before.

Plunkett has had a good season for Durham. I've always rated his ability. He can run through a side on his day. There are signs that he's starting to be more consistent.

Chris Woakes may still be a fair way off from the finished article, but there's no harm in having a 'project player' in the squad.


Of course, they'll pick Bell and probably Collongwood as well, but this squad is my opinion, not what the stupid selectors will actually do.

Bell & Collingwood will be picked without doubt.

Carberry is an opener isn't he? He'd have to open if selected.

I reckon your bowlers are pretty spot on apart from Plunkett - reckon they'll go with Bresnan

Keepers - they would be my picks, but they'll probably go Ambrose as back ups.

Woakes is a good pick as one to take and perhaps get a test if lucky. He's not at all quick - probably sub-Hoggard speed but does move it both ways and can bat. Not been in the greatest form this season but has certainly found some at the back end of it

Oh shit, I forgot Onions. He goes ahead of young Woakes.

Take him instead of the slightly backward looking north easterner

Plunkett is a real wicket taker though, even if he can bowl some rubbish at times. We need more wicket takers. Especially when we play abroad.

Carbs can bat all over. He's settled into opening these days, but I'd fancy him at three. It's a problem position. Ideally you want someone who can face the second ball of the innings or be the beginning of the middle-order "engine room".

Scored hundreds against the spinners in India on the Lions tour a few seasons back - he's got an all-round game.

I'd be tempted to have Cook at three with Carberry opening.

Plunkett??? Hasn't even been in the Durham side half this season.

Had Sidebottom lost his zip? Looked about as quick as Nathan Bracken yersterday.

James Harris should get a stint in the T20 squad for the SAF tour.

Pah, Plunkett has taken 40 wickets at 23 this season. He's got talent. In form I think he's better than Anderson.

BS Trev.

Eric Air Emu wrote:Plunkett??? Hasn't even been in the Durham side half this season.

Had Sidebottom lost his zip? Looked about as quick as Nathan Bracken yersterday.

Has sidders ever done anything besides NZ & WI bash?

Eric Air Emu wrote:Plunkett??? Hasn't even been in the Durham side half this season.

I believe he was injured for a period there.

So he's like the majority of English bowlers....soft.

DJ_Smerk wrote:BS Trev.

Yeah, let's pick James Harris, Adam Shantry, and Dean f*cking Cosker instead.

Well, Woakes and Harris might be worth a punt. Cosker is a far out possibility for the next tour of India.

But every Durham bowler does well- they play half their games at Chester-le Street. Is there any indication that Plunkett is a different bowler than he was a few years back?

Sidebottom couldn't even ruff up the infant Australia have opening & keeping for them this series yesterday.

I think we have to take a third opener, as otherwise where's the cover? Carberry has had a decent season and his overall record looks OK, I thought he was a bit younger than he actually is and it's always a concern picking players close to 30 for the first time but there's not too many younger candidates making a case for inclusion!

Plunkett would get eaten alive in SAF, like any young bowler who we send out there.

We'll see if Anderson has improved since his last tour there, although, to be fair to him, he barely had time to make an impact because he had Simon Jones breathing down his neck.

DJ_Smerk wrote:Well, Woakes and Harris might be worth a punt. Cosker is a far out possibility for the next tour of India.

If Cosker ever wins a test cap, I will literally eat my balls.

I'm surprised your balls are still intact after the Amjad Khan and Darren Pattinson selections.

Actually come to think of it Udal toured India the time before last and I remember Martyn Ball making the squad once. I'll withdraw that- I don't want to eat my own balls.

I've already named my squad to SA in another thread. But I might've changed my mind since then - I can't remember. So apologies in advance for any backtracking:

Strauss *
Key
Carberry
Pietersen
Trott

I had another batting spot up for grabs (for a drinks-carrier). Possibly Alastair Cook, due to a lack of decent alternatives.

Prior +
Davies +

Broad
Onions
Sidebottom
Mahmood
Swann
Rashid

And another seamer - maybe two. Wouldn't be averse to giving Plunkett another look - scattergun or not, he's had a good season with bat and ball.

Anderson and Harmison can f*ck right off.

What the squad will actually be:

Strauss *
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Trott
Collingwood
Prior +
Davies/Jones/Ambrose +
Broad
Bresnan
Anderson
Sidebottom
Swann
Onions
Rashid/Panesar

Woakes won't get the gig ahead of Stephen Finn. And then there's the "Harmison Question" I would pick him to be honest with the proviso that if he rocks up anything less than 100% match-fit, he'll be sent back to the UK on the first available flight.

Well, England seem to think that Harmi is likely to retire. I think he'll make an announcement in the next few days. Andy Flower said that he wasn't sure what Harmi's plans are, and I assume that the two would have had a chat about it in the last month or so.