Thirteen To Go...

England select their side for the First Test against Zimbabwe at Lord's on Saturday with the beauty of a clean sheet for the only time in the summer and a fresh wave of optimism. Zimbabwe are not likely to provide too stern a test, no matter how many Mark Vermeulen scores against a substandard Sussex attack, and the South Africans are not what they were in 1998, with players like Gary Kirsten, Jonty Rhodes, Darryl Cullinan and Allan Donald missing, replaced by the less awe-inspiring Martin van Jaarsveld, Jacques Rudolph, Boeta Dippenaar and Allan Dawson.

The First Test, starting on Thursday 22nd May, gives the selectors a great chance to give some newer faces a taste of the Test game and a less pressurised debut than the South African games or this winter's tours to Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

Let's start by looking at the names, which by all accounts ought to be at the top of Duncan Fletcher's team-sheet in permanent marker by now. MARCUS TRESCOTHICK seems to have put the winter's struggles behind him and has returned to form with style, panache and plenty of boundaries in the last few weeks. Opening partner MICHAEL VAUGHAN would be in anyone's XI at present, and needs no further comment. NASSER HUSSAIN, despite looking out-of-touch at present and being the meat in the sandwich of James Anderson's hat-trick yesterday, is worth his place for the drive and direction that he gives the side, and you know the saying - class is permanent. MARK BUTCHER completes a solid and settled top four and has won over the vast majority of his critics (including myself) since his recall almost two years ago.

The remaining positions in the top seven must include at least one wicketkeeper, and ALEC STEWART is likely to be the number one for the South Africa series, but may be rested against Zimbabwe, especially with Rod Marsh now on the selection panel, a big fan of Nottinghamshire's CHRIS READ. Essex keeper JAMES FOSTER impressed in his outings this winter and also holds hopes of a chance. Outside tips include Sussex's MATT PRIOR, Derbyshire's in-form LUKE SUTTON and Academy and Glamorgan keeper MARK WALLACE.

ANDREW FLINTOFF, if fit, must play - there are no other all-rounders who at Test level can rival the Lancastrian (definitely not Rikki Clarke, anyway) - and he will be partnered by one further specialist batsman at number five, or if he's not, then two batsmen will play as there are no other suitable candidates for the number seven slot. Warwickshire's JAMIE TROUGHTON and IAN BELL are leading contenders for the position, Troughton on the back of a highly impressive winter with the Academy seeming a better choice than Bell at present, as Bell has, at best, struggled to score runs in 2002 & 2003. ROBERT KEY impressed with his grit and determination in Australia but is yet to make a big Test score and this may well count against him, whilst giant Essex opener WILL JEFFERSON's lack of middle-order experience is likely to rule him out of contention. JOHN CRAWLEY's torpid winter will probably mean the end for him at Test level, whilst MARK RAMPRAKASH surely doesn't merit another recall, no matter how many UCCE attacks he hits for double tons, and there's always GRAHAM THORPE...

The spin question only has one answer, ASHLEY GILES. The Warwickshire left-armer's control makes him the sole English slow bowler who can cut it at Test level. RICHARD DAWSON's impotent Ashes is likely to draw a line under his International career for a significant amount of time, whilst Northants duo JASON BROWN and MONTY PANESAR have started promisingly but need to show much more until they can seriously challenge for full honours.

Paceman ANDREW CADDICK is out for up to six months with knee ligament damage, so this will give the younger quicks a less-pressurised start under the International spotlight against Zimbabwe before the big South Africa games. The three starting are likely to be Yorkshire's MATTHEW HOGGARD, often so devastating in swing-friendly conditions and Lancashire's bright young thing JAMES ANDERSON are likely to be joined in the squad by Durham speedster STEVE HARMISON, who will want to answer his critics and turn it on in front of his home fans in the Second Test at home ground Chester-le-Street. Somerset's RICHARD JOHNSON and Worcestershire's KABIR ALI have made the biggest impressions so far in the County game, and look the strongest candidates for a squad place. Neither is likely to start, however, whilst Yorkshire pair CHRIS SILVERWOOD and RYAN SIDEBOTTOM are waiting in the wings. Team-mate DARREN GOUGH will have a lot of work to do to overcome his injury problems and get back in the England side.

Predicted 13:
Marcus Trescothick
Michael Vaughan
Mark Butcher
*Nasser Hussain
Jamie Troughton
Robert Key
Andrew Flintoff
+Alec Stewart
Ashley Giles
Richard Johnson
Matthew Hoggard
Steven Harmison
James Anderson

Posted by Neil