England Test Squad vs Sri Lanka
This Friday the squad for the test matches against Sri Lanka will be announced, and there is currently a bit of debate about who will be in that squad. There are the usual suspects of course, but without Flintoff there will have to have a bit of change with the make up of the team. Freddie will be out for up to seven months, and we have relied on him so much to give us the balance in the team. Its a big loss, but not the first time its happened so hopefully the team have a backup plan!
Graham Swann will undoubtedly travel after the performances he’s put in in the one dayers, and the pitches will probably mean he’ll get a game along with Monty. Sidebottom has bowled well and is probably nailed on for a spot, and Harmison will be there as well. Then there is Hoggard and Broad, along with Anderson also to try and get in the team. I’m not sure how they’ll work it, but it might depend on the pitches and the type of bowler which will suit each pitch.
In the batting department there is currently a lot of debate about whether Ramprakash will make a return to the England Squad after 5 years out of the limelight - in which he has scored an absolute shed load of runs in county cricket. If he does return to the squad and the team it will probably be for Andrew Strauss who hasn’t set the world alight recently - however Strauss seems to have been dropped like a stone by England in most forms of the game and hopefully they won’t destroy his confidence completely. It wasn’t long ago that he was captain-in-waiting, but competition for places is strong now (which is a good thing). Owais Shah is another person who has performed well for England recently - and I would prefer him over Ramps in the squad and the team, but I feel that Ramps is well in the thoughts of the selectors as it’s difficult to ignore the amount of runs he’s scored!
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6 Responses to “England Test Squad vs Sri Lanka”
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I have a feeling that this is a turning point in England’s cricketing history. Two straight ODI series wins is a good omen. And I am amazed by the kind of talented raw material that’s pouring in — Stuart Broad, Luke Wright and others.
Why do assume Harmison will get picked? As far as I’m concerned he hasn’t produced the goods for some time with England and we haven’t missed him that much. The pitches will not suit him over there so i’d like to see the one day bowlers get a chance like Broad and Anderson with Sidebottom and Hoggard the other seamers competing for a three seam attack with 2 spinners. Here is my starting 11 for 1st test.
1. Vaughan
2. Cook
3. Shah
4. KP
5. Collingwood
6. Bell
7. Mustard
8. Swann
9. Sidebottom
10. Hoggard
11. Panesar
Others in my touring party assuming 15 are taken.
12. Broad
13. Strauss
14. Bopara
15. Anderson
P.S. Let hope and pray they don’t take Tremlett
That looks quite a short bowling line up there in your team Andy, and I completely forgot about the fun of choosing a keeper! Is Prior still injured? Mustard has done well with the gloves, and given a chance in the test team we could see what he could offer with the bat as in the one day games he never really got going.
And absolutely hope they forget Tremlett!
I have a feeling that Mark Ramprakash will be selected, watch this space!
Nick I’m watching this space… no Rampers….. can’t believe they’ve discarded strauss a month after giving him a 12 month central contract. Short memories these people not so long ago Strauss was talked of as the new Bradman. I bet Cook will be dropped in 2 years time!! Where is the bloody LOYALTY!!!!