Useless may be too strong but they're not very good. I wouldn't have them as first choice for the Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka or even the England side.
Hmm...RP Singh is like a left-arm version of James Anderson circa 2003-2007/08. He can deliver one or two good spells, but most of the time he bowls dross (his Test ER is over 4) and is cannon fodder when the ball refuses to move. So no, not entirely useless, but I certainly don't rate him.
IMO, Munaf Patel is a little bit better. He's generally more accurate than RP Singh and is therefore less expensive overall. He can also be a threat when in the mood. However, he is horribly inconsistent and often plays like he doesn't give a ****.
Neither add anything with the bat or in the field.
But let's have a look at the squads:
1)
Australia: Nope - IMO, Johnson, Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Bollinger and Noffke would be ahead.
EDIT: ...and Lee, but the point's a bit moot.
2)
South Africa: Steyn and Ntini have the first two places sewn up, but Morne Morkel is not a hell of a lot better with the ball, whilst Albie's bowling doesn't strike me as being Test-class. Morne is a more talented batsman and a better fielder, though...so probably not. I can't say whether Parnell is better or not - he's played too little.
3)
India: Could take the third seamer's position
4)
Sri Lanka: Maybe as a third seamer (behind Vaas and Malinga)
EDIT: I forgot about Mendis. So the pitch would probably have to be an absolute greentop if either are going to be selected.
5)
Pakistan: Obviously not if Pakistan has a full-strength team, but when was the last time that occured?
6)
England: Well, if fit, Flintoff and Anderson are ahead, but beyond them, who knows? Broad isn't there yet, Amjad was a spray-gun in his only Test, Harmison has been past his peak for some years (bar the odd good performance) and Hoggard appears to have been pensioned off. Broad is a decent fielder and a very useful batsman, though.
EDIT: Oh, I forgot about Sidebottom, even though he's not been at his best lately.
7)
New Zealand: Probably not ahead of Martin and O'Brien (as of late, anyway), but Southee is the most condition-reliant bowler I've ever seen and Shane Bond is unavailable right now. So maybe as a third seamer.
EDIT: I forgot about Mills and Franklin, but neither have been at their best lately.
8)
West Indies: Edwards has improved of late and Jerome Taylor is ahead, too. They'd be a lock for third seamer, though.
