*Official** New Zealand in England

[SpaceMonkey]

As the 5th seamer in line when we might even be playing 5 seamers (I hope not) - he was certainly always going to be picked - but congratulations on stating the obvious!

The naming of Collingwood in the squad suggests that the selectors are clearly saying they view him ahead of Strauss - I for one would put him in the team on Thursday!

Considering what the conditions might be like, id personally pick Collingwood and Anderson in Place of Giles and Jones. But i know thats not gonna happen and the team will almost certainly be the same team that played the tests in WI.

 

[PY]

I'd like to see Jones coming in before Freddie myself, because if Jones does the job then Freddie can play his natural game which I think will bring more success.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

That James Anderson would come into contention after taking 10 wickets for Lancashire. He was included in the squad.

As stated previously Anderson was in the Squad for the winter so was always gonna be in this squad even if he got smacked around the park in his last match.

 

[gio]

What's everyones thoughts on Michael Vaughan. Things look bad, he could be out for a year or so, in the worst case scenario. But in the immediate future, what will happen? Will Tres or Butcher captain, or maybe Nasser will be given back the captaincy for a test. How big an impact will it have?

 

[Neil Pickup]

Trescothick will most likely captain the side (don't like the sounds of that).

I'd expect Butcher and Tresco to open with Collingwood being added to the starting XI and Strauss joining the squad.

 

[tooextracool]

What's everyones thoughts on Michael Vaughan. Things look bad, he could be out for a year or so, in the worst case scenario. But in the immediate future, what will happen? Will Tres or Butcher captain, or maybe Nasser will be given back the captaincy for a test. How big an impact will it have?

get strauss into the side as back up and make him open with tresco if vaughan is injured.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

What's everyones thoughts on Michael Vaughan. Things look bad, he could be out for a year or so, in the worst case scenario. But in the immediate future, what will happen? Will Tres or Butcher captain, or maybe Nasser will be given back the captaincy for a test. How big an impact will it have?

Highly unlikely that it would be for a year. Even if it was ligament damage for a batsmen we'd probably be looking at 9 months. More than likely he's done his cartilage again which if it required surgery would put him out for 2 months ish.

 

[Loony BoB]

Well that's no fun. =/ I was looking forward to seeing a full strength English side take on a full strength NZ side, but I guess that was a bit of wishful thinking.

Here's hoping Vaughan gets well soon.

 

[Wazim]

maybe this is a ideal situaution, they have been complaining lately about old players, so i think maybe bringing in strauss to open is nto a bad idea...or open off with geriant

 

[SpaceMonkey]

maybe this is a ideal situaution, they have been complaining lately about old players, so i think maybe bringing in strauss to open is nto a bad idea...or open off with geriant

Nah Strauss will be drafted in as Cover but wont play, Butch will open with Hussain 3rd Thorpe 4th and Collingwood 5th.

Thats if Vaughan is injured for the test. Which isnt 100% for sure.

 

[nibbs]

hahahahahaa. Surely England must have someone better than Collingwood to replace Vaughan

 

[Rich2001]

hahahahahaa. Surely England must have someone better than Collingwood to replace Vaughan

There's nothing wrong with Colly, his probley better than your batsman! Oh hang on you don't do batsman do you, just All Rounders

 

[Wazim]

ladies calm down...if u r gonna fight...do it in mud

lol...moreover, collingwood is a pretty good player...amazign fielder and his battign style may suit tests as he needs time to settle in...

as for his bowling, it was pretty decent from what i saw in the natwest finals(u know which one..2002) he did pretty good and had a handy off cutter, england should utilize him more instead of trescothink!

 

[James]

There's nothing wrong with Colly, his probley better than your batsman! Oh hang on you don't do batsman do you, just All Rounders

Richard Twyman! That's harsh!

Where is Collingwood likely to bat?

 

[Wazim]

coly is a player who should play at 3, as he can really anchor a innings and needs time to settle in, which is perfect as vaughan coems at oepner and butch can open and let colly at three, thus not scrwing up nasser or thrope

 

[blackcapsrule]

Collingwood is a good player. I'd like to see a younger player come into the team. Congrats to Kent for taking the victory. Go Flem.

 

[marc71178]

hahahahahaa. Surely England must have someone better than Collingwood to replace Vaughan

I assume you've seen him extensively then?

He is a very good player and hasn't disgraced himself in recent appearances!

 

[marc71178]

which is perfect as vaughan coems at oepner and butch can open and let colly at three, thus not scrwing up nasser or thrope

NO!!!!

Do not move Butcher from 3, he is actually one of our most successful number 3s of all time!

 

[Craig]

NO!!!!

Do not move Butcher from 3, he is actually one of our most successful number 3s of all time!

Mark Butcher at 3 - 2594 runs @ 40.53, with 6 100s and 15 50s.

I'm sure there has been more successful first drops for England then Mark Butcher.

 

[tooextracool]

Mark Butcher at 3 - 2594 runs @ 40.53, with 6 100s and 15 50s.

I'm sure there has been more successful first drops for England then Mark Butcher.

is 40.53 a bad average? seriously though the only problem with butcher is his temperament that prevents him from scoring big. hes been consistently getting 40s and 50s for england and its about time that he scored big.
As far as the replacement for vaughan is concerned id rather have strauss play instead of colly, not only because he would be able to fill the openers slot but also because i feel that strauss is technically more sound than colly at the test level.