Topic: Ashes 2010 - squad announcement, warm up's, Tests and ODI's

[Ben_]

England's squad being announced in the next half an hour or so for the Ashes tour at the Oval. Can't see there being many big surprises in the squad, I see Vaughan was pushing for a recall for Panesar but I'm not convinced on that.  Assume KP will be back in the side, interested to see who that second spinner is for the test squad... Yardy, Tredwell? Big call potentially there.

                                                                                                          
November
5-7 v Western Australia, Perth
11-13 v South Australia, Adelaide
17-20 v Australia A, Hobart
25-29 1st Test, Brisbane
Play starts at 0000 GMT

December
3-7 2nd Test, Adelaide
Play starts at 2330 GMT (2-6 December)
10-12 v Victoria, Melbourne
16-20 3rd Test, Perth
Play starts at 0230 GMT
26-30 4th Test, Melbourne
Play starts at 0000 GMT

January
3-7 5th Test, Sydney
Play starts at 0000 GMT
10 v Prime Minister's XI, Canberra
12 1st Twenty20 international, Adelaide (d/n)
14 2nd Twenty20 international, Melbourne (d/n)
16 1st ODI, Melbourne (d/n)
21 2nd ODI, Hobart (d/n)
23 3rd ODI, Sydney (d/n)
26 4th ODI, Adelaide (d/n)
30 5th ODI, Brisbane (d/n)

 
February
2 6th ODI, Sydney (d/n)
6 7th ODI, Perth (d/n)

[Garry_LFC]

I'd like to see Panesar in there as the back up spinner for if Swann get's injured. The other possible spinners are too inexperienced in test games to even be considered.

[Garry_LFC]

England Ashes squad:

Andrew Strauss (c)
Alastair Cook
James Anderson
Ian Bell
Tim Bresnan
Stuart Broad
Paul Collingwood
Steven Davies
Steven Finn
Eoin Morgan
Monty Panesar
Kevin Pietersen
Matt Prior
Graeme Swann
Chris Tremlett
Jonathan Trott

[Ben_]

So Monty makes the squad..

[Crosby Nick]

Tremlett ahead of Shahzad is a bit of a turn up isn't it? I thought the selectors normally preached about continuity. I take it Tremlett has had a good deason and with his height and bounce is cover for Finn/Broad?

Sydney is normally a spinners' paradise isn't it? Would we brave enough t o play 2 spinners? Didn't go too well in Cardiff although Monty did make himself useful in the end there!

[Phil M]

The return of Monty. Interesting.

[Garry_LFC]

Not exactly a surprise though is it considering he was the second best domestic spinner last season behind our very own Graeme Swann. Vastly experienced too, if (god forbid) Swann got injured then only Panesar is worthy of taking his place.

[Ben_]

My only concern is at international level, he has struggled unless it is a very spinner friendly pitch. So on that basis he could get a game at Sydney, then be the back up to Swann for the rest of the tour.

[-Sad Fuck-]

What have the selectors got against Yorkshire?

Bizarre.

[Nick110581]

The return of Monty. Interesting.

Had a brilliant season for the Sharks.

Deserves it. Top man too.

[SalisburyRed]

I think even at Sydney or Adelaide it's unlikely we'll play two spinners. A lot depends on how Swann's holding up by the 5th test though. He's going to be crucial to our chances, but he's going to have to bowl a hell of a lot. It may be that he wants a second spinner to take a bit of the responsibility from him in Sydney.

[Okkervil]

Good looking squad I think. Monty deserves his chance. Think we are in for a very close series.

[SalisburyRed]

Tremlett ahead of Shahzad is a bit of a turn up isn't it? I thought the selectors normally preached about continuity. I take it Tremlett has had a good deason and with his height and bounce is cover for Finn/Broad?

Tremlett's taken 48 wickets this season at 20.18. Admittedly that's in Division 2, but they're still good figures.

Shahzad's taken 34 at 29.79 (although he has played fewer games, and that's Division 1).

Basically, I'm not sure who I'd have taken. I don't think much sets them apart, and like you say, continuity usually wins the day.

[kelevra]

No Rashid? Unlucky

[XabiArt]

whens the aussie squad announced?

[Crosby Nick]

I like our Squad.

Not seen you post much in a while mate – welcome back!

I agree with nearly all of that although I thought Shahzad would have got the nod as the selectors like to talk about consistency. Agree that Tremlett could be better suited to Aussie pitches but doubt we’d ever field all 4 quickies unless we are trailing in the series and needing to do something different  (as in go for 5 batsmen with Prior at 6). Would give us a lengthier tail though.

Will you be working out there when it’s on?

[mehulb10]

Had a brilliant season for the Sharks.

Deserves it. Top man too.

Hope he gets a chance to redeem himself would love to see him and swanny bowl together

[Gus 1855]

Think I will need some waterproof trousers, I am so excited by this series.

Shame no Shazad, I think Panesar is a sound option, although odd no Rashid in the performance squad.

Tremlett is a bit of a crap version of Finn. May end up getting a few wickets if he gets a game, but doubt he will.

Got a few bets going in the office. My bets are Swann top wicket taker in the series. Strauss and Clarke top scorers for their respective teams. Really no idea what my colleagues were thinking!

Really excited by seeing Finn and Broad on those pitches. Suspect they will share a few wickets.

[rowan_d]

Got a few bets going in the office. My bets are Swann top wicket taker in the series.

Isn;t that pretty much odds on?

[Gus 1855]

Isn;t that pretty much odds on?

You would have thought so. In the office we had a round of various bets between four of use. Each picked a score, top wicket taker, top batsman in each team and lowest scoring batsman in the series in each team on average. Each taking it in turns to get first pick. Got 2nd pick with Swanny because some guy thinks Anderson will be (no chance with a Kook). Doug Bollinger was the third pick which I think is a pretty good shout.

[rowan_d]

I'd have gone for Swann-wickets and Morgan-runs. Got a good feeling about Morgan

[Gus 1855]

I'd have gone for Swann-wickets and Morgan-runs. Got a good feeling about Morgan

Not sure Morgan will cope with the bounce, think Bell may come in for him.

I went for:

Series Score - England 2-1
Top Wicket taker - Swann
Top England Run Getter - Strauss
Top Aussie Run Getter - Clarke
Worst English Bat - KP
Worst Aussie Bat - Hussey, M

[rowan_d]

Christ, completely forgot about Pietersen. Is that how far he's fallen recently?

[Sammy5IsAlive]

Christ, completely forgot about Pietersen. Is that how far he's fallen recently?

The thing with Pietersen is that he is such a black and white player. If he gets a good knock in the first test you can see him going on and being a series winning player. On the other hand he can be that player who is entirely out of form but the selectors are still picking him in the hope that he'll get that game winning century out of nowhere.

For the current England squad I'd say you've got to pick him. The impression I still have of our pool of players is that we have alot of very solid players but not so many outstanding ones. In that situation I'd be sticking Pieterson in and saying that from the batting side of things he is the guy that might win us matches. If he doesn't fire it is the responsibility of the steadier batsmen not to panic, play slow but sure and either see out a draw or if the bowlers get going get enough give them the platform to give us the chance to win matches in the field.

[Oingy Boingy]

The thing with Pietersen is that he is such a black and white player. If he gets a good knock in the first test you can see him going on and being a series winning player. On the other hand he can be that player who is entirely out of form but the selectors are still picking him in the hope that he'll get that game winning century out of nowhere.

As long as they don't end up doing the same with Collingwood who is horribly out of nick...

[Crosby Nick]

As long as they don't end up doing the same with Collingwood who is horribly out of nick...

Collingwood is the Dirk Kuyt of England. Every time you begin to lose patience with him he'll come up with a vital contribution and you find yourself feeling bad for ever doubting him.

[WEST HAM PAUL]

Genuinly believe for first time in years we have a chance with winning in Australia. I like the look of the squad, strong in all areas. I'm out in Australia for a month before the Ashes start arriving home the day of the first test, sods law. Although in Adelaide for Eng v SA. May try to catch a day if I can.
Was surprised about Panesar but may be a hidden gem as all eyes on Swann. For KP this could be a make or break tour. Needs to produce

[Gus 1855]

Genuinly believe for first time in years we have a chance with winning in Australia. I like the look of the squad, strong in all areas. I'm out in Australia for a month before the Ashes start arriving home the day of the first test, sods law. Although in Adelaide for Eng v SA. May try to catch a day if I can.
Was surprised about Panesar but may be a hidden gem as all eyes on Swann. For KP this could be a make or break tour. Needs to produce

Only thing I think we are short of is an out and out quick who can make the Aussies squirm. Broad and Finn can, but they are no Harmison/Malcolm or Sid Lawrence.

[bakstabba]

Not a big fan of the Australian Cricket Team, but England will probably be beaten pretty comprehensively.

[Yorkykopite]

No Rashid? Unlucky

A bad decision. He took 57 first-class wickets last season (only Willoughby and Adams took more in Div 1). He also hit 732 runs at 45.75. The lad's a genuine all-rounder and an aggressive bowler. Monty's neither.

[liverbnz]

A bad decision. He took 57 first-class wickets last season (only Willoughby and Adams took more in Div 1). He also hit 732 runs at 45.75. The lad's a genuine all-rounder and an aggressive bowler. Monty's neither.

Yorkie it was the correct decision. They aren't going to use 2 spinners and if Swann gets injured its a huge ask for Rashid. He's 22 and about 5 years away from his best cricket as a leggie. Monty has has a decent record down under and if called upon he can do a job. I know you're a huge advocate of throwing the young ones in because of the 'no fear' factor, but Martyn Moxon was consulted and he said Rashid could do with his first break in 5 years. It's likely to be his last for some time.

[WEST HAM PAUL]

*bump*

Thought bump the thread as only a couple of weeks till the first warm up game. Really looking forward to the series  believe we have a real chance this time. Squad looks good and confidence should be high.  I feel if we can put pressure on Ponting then the rest may struggle as the Aussies have looked nothing more than average against India.

[JLStretton]

Can not wait, going to be our greatest chance to beat them in their own back yard for years, just hope we can, agree about Colly, he is frustrating at times but he would be in my team.

Same for KP you would have to be a brave [or stupid] man to drop him.

been looking forward to this since the last Ashes, loads more than I was looking forward to the World cup.

[StevieSuarezJoe]

Monty will get very used to carrying the drinks.

Australias side will look pretty similar to this i imagine.

1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. North
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10.Hilfenhaus
11.Bollinger/Siddle

[Welshred]

Are we going to be running the prediction league again? Massive amounts of fun with the last one!

[PJG]

Monty will get very used to carrying the drinks.

Australias side will look pretty similar to this i imagine.

1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. North
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10.Hilfenhaus
11.Bollinger/Siddle

Doubt Hauritz will play in the first test

[gjr1]

Beware the wounded Ponting. I think he'll have a great series with the bat.

I still think we can win though. Could be very close this one.

[sinnermichael]

4 weeks today the first test starts. can't wait!

[Mackeroo]

Did you see the advert that Cricket Australia put up on Big Ben yesterday? A picture of Pup and Punters and underneath a slogan saying "Don't forget to pack the urn". I thought it was quite funny.

I reckon England will retain the ashes, I just hope they do by winning the series as opposed to just drawing. Hopefully my fellow Irishman will weigh in with a decent contribution. I read an interview with Punters in the Aussie FHM today, and he fully expects Morgan to start the first test ahead of Bell.

[Filler.]

Radio 5 live tonight has all been about the Ashes, with a discussion of all the great Ashes characters down the years. Vaughan, Allan Lamb and Sir Gladstone Small around the table and it's been brilliant radio. Well worth a listen later on if they put it on the site.

My winner: Merv Hughes. You can't beat Big Merv. Programme has 20 mins to go I guess.