No chance that Ramprakash will be called up. If he was going to be called up it was a couple of years ago when he had his best season, but having not been selected then, it was never going to happen for him.

Think Bell will be able to do a decent job but obviously he isn't KP and can't take the game away from you in a session. And the fact that KP isn't playing will give the Aussies a huge confidence boost, even though he hasn't been a big factor in this series.

Probably needs a few more runs to be found down the order to counter this, so Flintoff may need to step up a bit with the bat (still don't think he'll play all three tests as he isn't any near full fitness) and the tail need to keep contributing well.

Pressure also increases on Bopara who has to get some runs now, even though his place in the side will probably be secure for the rest of the series. Doesn't look convincing at number three and would do better down the order, with Bell coming in at three, but that doesn't seem to be the way to go.

Can't see it happening, but for three tests at home, Marcos Trescothick to be called back...

Leading run scorer in the country, very good test record, and solves the number three problem if you shift Cook there (or even play Strauss/Tresco there), and would be someone who the Aussies would not like to face.

Tres won't come back. I badly want him to, but what do I know of psychological trauma?

In a way I'll be quite happy if this Test is rained off, since I think that Freddie needs some time off.

You're missing something. He's turd.

Stats often don't tell much in cricket, you know. Especially for bowlers.

Take Freddie, his bowling average is extremely ordinary - 32.17. But I don't think that barring Steyn (and Bond if he comes back), there's any pacer in the world whom batsmen hate facing more.


I've never seen Lewry play - don't get 4 day games on TV and he doesn't play limited over matches any more. So I have no clue...

solanki actually has been hard done by many times. he was chucked out of the side to make room for test players like Strauss, Bell, Cook and Vaughan, then dropped for no reason.

IMO he was the most complete opener we've had since Trescothick and Knight, even if he never blew anyone away

Ed Joyce recall
james kirtly?

Can't see more than 150 overs being played in this match.

Going back to previous points, "statistically" Flintoff is not a world class bowler. In actuality he is.

Jason Lewry is about as threatening as fart1's posts.