|
Post by Panda on Sept 20, 2013 23:31:37 GMT 1
So the squad for this winter's Ashes is announced on Monday. Any thoughts on who'll be in/out?
Most of the summer's regulars look like shoo-ins, though there is a question mark over Bairstow. Ben Stokes, Michael Carberry and Gary Ballance are among those in contention.
On the bowling side, Irishman Boyd Rankin has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the trip, while the second spinner slot could be up for grabs after Monty Panesar's nightclub incident. Will Simon Kerrigan get another chance?
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Sept 23, 2013 12:31:53 GMT 1
England squad for this winter's Ashes:
Alistair Cook Joe Root Jonathan Trott Kevin Pietersen Ian Bell Matt Prior Stuart Broad Graeme Swann James Anderson Jonny Bairstow Monty Panesar Gary Ballance Michael Carberry Boyd Rankin Steven Finn Ben Stokes Chris Tremlett
Looks a strong squad to me. I can't argue with any of those choices. I think the number 6 batting spot is up for grabs, though Bairstow keeps his place in the squad as second wicketkeeper. Stokes presents an all-rounder option, which is something we've lacked since Freddie retired, though I think he's a better batsman than he is a bowler.
They've deliberately gone for height in the bowling line-up with Finn, Tremlett and Rankin all standing at 6ft 7ins or taller. Tremlett has been mentioned for this series for months, due to the Aussie pitches tending to offer more bounce, so I would say he's in pole position for the final spot in the XI at the moment.
Monty is picked despite his recent off-field problems, which is probably more down to the lack of a third test quality spinner in England.
No place in the squad for Tim Bresnan, Graham Onions or Nick Compton, who some (well, Alec Stewart) had tipped for a recall. However, with the England development squad also going to Australia this winter, it's possible the series might not be limited to the 17 players named today.
Stewart's squad that he named on the BBC web site at the weekend featured Compton and Bresnan ahead of Ballance and Carberry.
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Sept 23, 2013 12:35:52 GMT 1
Interesting squad. The only notable omission is Tim Bresnan. He's been a dependable deputy for many years now, and they might come to regret not including him. I wonder if they'll ever consider Jos Buttler for a test place in the future ?
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Sept 23, 2013 12:39:38 GMT 1
I think Tremlett and Rankin are capable of doing the job. The only thing with leaving Bresnan out is it weakens the batting line-up but if the top order do their job (which they didn't this summer) we won't have to worry about the no. 8 scoring runs.
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Nov 18, 2013 18:37:58 GMT 1
So this came around quickly didn't it?
Any predictions?
Much speculation over the England line-up but the general feeling is Michael Carberry will open the batting with Cook, with Joe Root moving down to number 6. Matt Prior is an injury doubt so Bairstow will keep wicket if he is unavailable. The other spot up for grabs is the third fast bowler's spot with Chris Tremlett the favourite ahead of the woefully expensive Steven Finn and the somewhat ineffective Boyd Rankin but I can't help feeling Graham Onions would've been a better choice than all three.
I think this series will be closer than it was this summer but if England's batsmen can regain their form (and the early signs are good) they should have enough to win the series again.
|
|
Elmer
Member
Posts: 7,318
|
Post by Elmer on Nov 18, 2013 23:26:24 GMT 1
I believe that Joe Root is better at number 6. He can become a batting all rounder which will be his best role in the team for me. As for Graham Onions I'm not sure what he's done wrong. I think he's long overdue a chance in the team.
My team Cook, Carberry, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Root, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson and Onions.
|
|
|
Post by wonderwall on Nov 19, 2013 4:37:22 GMT 1
Think england will nick the series agree with Elmer about onions but they seem to like playing tremlett down under.
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Nov 19, 2013 17:09:18 GMT 1
Sky confirmed this afternoon that it will be showing a one-hour highlights programme every night at 10PM on PickTV.
|
|
|
Post by raliverpool on Nov 20, 2013 21:19:18 GMT 1
I think this will be tight, but if both sides perform to the same level of their ability, then I foresee England retaining the Ashes, with at best a 2-1 Series win, but possibly a 2-2 draw. The key for me is this first Test, with England being undercooked, if we can avoid defeat, then we'll win Down Under. Talking of Good v Evil ....
|
|
|
Post by o on Nov 20, 2013 22:46:39 GMT 1
Sky confirmed this afternoon that it will be showing a one-hour highlights programme every night at 10PM on PickTV. Cheers for this, will go see if I can find it, although I only like watching when we are doing well, dont like to see the Aussies gloating!
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Nov 20, 2013 23:01:49 GMT 1
PickTV's on Freeview. It used to be Sky 3.
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Nov 20, 2013 23:09:54 GMT 1
Thanks for the PickTV info. Just Sky+'d the whole series.
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Nov 21, 2013 0:53:48 GMT 1
England team: Cook, Carberry, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Root, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Tremlett
Australia team: Rogers, Warner, Watson, Clarke, Smith, Bailey, Haddin, Johnson, Siddle, Harris, Lyon
Australia won the toss and will bat.
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Nov 21, 2013 1:17:44 GMT 1
Rogers gone! Caught by Bell off Broad! 12-1
|
|
|
Post by wonderwall on Nov 21, 2013 8:41:19 GMT 1
Australia 273-8 great first day for england finish them off early in the morning then pile the runs on hopefully.Stuart broad with 5 wickets.
|
|
|
Post by o on Nov 21, 2013 10:09:16 GMT 1
Let's see how we bat first, our bowling was always stronger than our batting! Promising start though and great to see Broad get 5 wickets!
|
|
Elmer
Member
Posts: 7,318
|
Post by Elmer on Nov 21, 2013 10:37:45 GMT 1
Our batting is stronger than it's ever been really. 4 guys who average nearly 50, a wicketkeeper who averages well over 40 and 2 of the tail are pretty genuine all-rounders.
But I agree, lets not get too excited until we have a first innings lead then the test match will really start to take shape !
|
|
|
The Ashes
Nov 21, 2013 15:36:05 GMT 1
o likes this
Post by rubcale on Nov 21, 2013 15:36:05 GMT 1
I wouldn't be overconfident on this as England have a long history of batting collapses.
|
|
|
Post by wonderwall on Nov 21, 2013 15:55:27 GMT 1
Be interesting to see how Micheal carberry does
|
|
|
Post by raliverpool on Nov 21, 2013 18:09:13 GMT 1
To repeat the Geoffrey Boycott cliche, let's wait and see how England are doing after they've had their turn with the bat. Still well done that Notts county English medium pace bowler:
|
|