*Official Third Test at Edgbaston

[four_or_six]

ME Trescothick 837 Division 1 runs @ 64.38. I'm just saying.

Yeah, cause Cook and Strauss had a terrible test and need replacing.

 

[aussie]

Yeah, cause Cook and Strauss had a terrible test and need replacing.

No. But with the number 3 spot still a problematic area for ENG. If Marcus was still available, Cook could go down the three, thus stabilizing the top order.

 

[Uppercut]

^^ You're mad. You'd drop North when he's scored a century last test because he was dismissed by a gem of an arm-ball from Swann in this test?

Yeah, completely agree. Particularly for Shane Watson, who has done absolutely nothing at test level. There's a logic to playing five bowlers with Haddin at 6, albeit logic I don't agree with. I'd probably be looking at going unchanged- but if Lee is fit, he comes in for Hauritz.

 

[Uppercut]

Flattest and deadest track in the country. Something like two results in four years in the Championship.

Only two draws in the last fourteen tests though.

 

[Jamee999]

Yeah, cause Cook and Strauss had a terrible test and need replacing.

For when KP breaks.

 

[four_or_six]

For when KP breaks.

Tres is never going to play for England again, end of.

 

[four_or_six]

Will be interesting to see how Jimmy goes in the next match. There's been talk in the past that he's played better when Flintoff isn't there being the 'big important bowler', and today Flintoff bowled continually from one end even though he was injured to 'finish the match off'. I hope I'm worrying over nothing, and that his confidence is still good. After all, his first innings bowling was huge in terms of us winning this match.

Edit: Coincidence or interesting stat?

On a side-note, statsguru is very cool.

 

[Burgey]

Who will England call up if Kevin People-Skills is out for the third Test?

 

[Top_Cat]

No. But with the number 3 spot still a problematic area for ENG. If Marcus was still available, Cook could go down the three, thus stabilizing the top order.

I'm sorry, what? Two opening batsmen, in-form, you shuffle them around to accommodate a bloke who's been out of the Test side for a couple of years and that's a 'stabilising' move?

 

[howardj]

Lee and Watson should both be sent home if they can't play in the next tour game. WIth Clark and MacDonald both woefully underdone also, and no reserve opener, there's a real lack of options for Edgebaston.

 

[pasag]

Lee and Watson should both be sent home if they can't play in the next tour game. WIth Clark and MacDonald both woefully underdone also, and no reserve opener, there's a real lack of options for Edgebaston.

Call up Dave Hussey if a batsman gets injured before the 4th or 5th Tests?

 

[howardj]

Call up Dave Hussey if a batsman gets injured before the 4th or 5th Tests?

I reckon Hodge would be the best option to come in and do a job straight away.

Not really concerned about our batting so much anyway.

 

[pasag]

I think Hussey's in town playing county cricket which is a nice backup thought if something goes wrong because our squad is quite batting light.

 

[Burgey]

I reckon Hodge would be the best option to come in and do a job straight away.

Not really concerned about our batting so much anyway.

Yeah but you will be if someone busts a knuckle in the lead up to Edgbaston....

 

[howardj]

Edgebaston, I recall, is the party Test match.

The Sydney New Year's Test is the Aus equivalent.

 

[Johnners]

I'm going in unchanged. Have faith.

AWTA

Johnson will come good this match, as will Hughes.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Pretty sure I've said it before, lest I be accused of talking with the benefit of hindsight, but the make up of the Aussie squad is awful, isn't it? No reserve specialist batsmen, three blokes who're basically competing for the #6 position, two ageing bowlers with v recent injury woes & a reserve keeper who's surely only there in case of Haddin spontaneously combusting on the morning of a test.

 

[Top_Cat]

a reserve keeper who's surely only there in case of Haddin spontaneously combusting on the morning of a test.

In fairness, Manou was easily the best choice for the back-up keeper.

I'm with Jack, I don't think there's a need for any panic changes for the next Test. Not so much because they're all playing awesomely but mainly because the other options are a change for the sake of change rather than "**** me, Player X is batting/bowling the house down. We HAVE to pick him somehow." The Lords match essentially came down to one bad batting performance (and it was a stinker). I say, back the guys who are there to come good.

 

[howardj]

In fairness, Manou was easily the best choice for the back-up keeper.

I'm with Jack, I don't think there's a need for any panic changes for the next Test. Not so much because they're all playing awesomely but mainly because the other options are a change for the sake of change rather than "**** me, Player X is batting/bowling the house down. We HAVE to pick him somehow." The Lords match essentially came down to one bad batting performance (and it was a stinker). I say, back the guys who are there to come good.

Agree largely.

However, I'm leaning towards MacDonald for North.

Yes, North would be horribly unlucky, but the team comes first.

I also think Clark is a chance of pushing Siddle out, depending on the Northhampton game.

 

[Top_Cat]

I can see that. North is definitely one of those blokes who has high highs and low lows. Many suspect he's played his one good knock for the series, probably true. Rarely have I see a bloke look so in-form one day then a tail-ender the next.

Myself, I'd keep Siddle. Even when going for some runs, he poses questions for the batsmen. On a flat deck like Edgebaston, that could be handy.