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England squad for the First Test

International Tests England
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No major suprises in this...

MP Vaughan (Yorkshire, capt)
AN Cook (Essex)
AJ Strauss (Middlesex)
KP Pietersen (Hampshire)
IR Bell (Warwickshire)
PD Collingwood (Durham)
TR Ambrose (Warwickshire, wkt)
SCJ Broad (Nottinghamshire)
RJ Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire)
MS Panesar (Northamptonshire)
JM Anderson (Lancashire)
MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire)

The fact that a 13 man squad had been talked about but it is only the 12 to me indicates that Flintoff would have been picked were it not for his injury yesterday. Strauss has got another chance after his 177 at Napier and Vaughan keeps his place, and both I would imagine will have the whole three test series to prove themselves before the South Africans roll into town later this summer.

On the bowling front I don't think there is any suprise to see Hoggard back in there, personally I would play him in place of Anderson from the team in NZ, as Hoggard is in my opinion a more potent, reliable and consistent bowler than Jimmy Anderson.

As such, my team for Lord's would be thus;

Strauss
Cook
Vaughan
KP
Bell
Collingwood
Ambrose
Broad
Sidebottom
Hoggard
Panesar

This team should easily beat the New Zealanders in my opinion, as without wishing to offend the opposition England should be the stronger Test team.

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posted May 12, 2008

I thought gr8ron, DongFloyd, are aberrations in human creation when it comes to logical thinking - now the list is larger - unabale to digest an Indian capable of strategic thinking you guys are venting your bile by writing inane and worthless criticisms

Fact - England is the weakest team along with West Indies and Bangladesh - if you bigots post bile, I will seek that they be removed promptly -

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posted May 12, 2008

I am puzzled to think why the selectors at england think that james anderson is a england standard bowler yes I know he takes wickets but when he doesnt he is smacked all over the park plus his action is terrible the reason being he faces down when he releases the ball!
It would be abit risky but i would reccomend andrew flintoff becasue i really think he would peform on the day he has been on good form at county level so far.

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posted May 12, 2008

Australia
India
South Africa
England
Sri Lanka
Pakistan
New Zealand
West Indies
Bangladesh

And yet the ICC would have us think differently, clearly they lie then.....

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posted May 12, 2008

Chez - I do not give India abad Press - Your english media and aussie crowds throw bottles and targets at Indian journalists out of affection - that's more of a bad press than what I do by educating innocent Indians who beleive the bile written by you UK bloggers

India has press freedom and so do I in my country USA

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comment by U10158139

posted May 12, 2008

ravi, but still India can't beat Australia in an away series laugh

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posted May 12, 2008

Lets be honest guys,this is apolical selection by the ECB. The IPL threat is still there and so they picked the 2009 Ashes side, Flintoff fit enough but given an excuse of the side strain so he doesnt play this series and learns how to bat again in county cricket.

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posted May 13, 2008

Hoggard to play ahead of Anderson every single time for me.

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posted May 13, 2008

ravibala, India are a great cricket nation, but i don't think they need your input. I love watching indian cricket, and with the IPL, the young tallent coming through is great. Please stop your provocative dribble, it only serves to digress from the true matters at hand. For example, what on earth does bottle throwing have to do with Hoggard?

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posted May 13, 2008

Agreed - stick to the point Ravibala and stop feeling sorry for yourself that nobody agrees with you - you talk about teams conduct on the pitch however fail to mention Harbajan's slapping incident - I fear it is you who should grow up my friend and take off your blinkers!

Anyway Hoggard not Anderson, alhtough pacier Anderson is still too inconsistent.

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posted May 13, 2008

Very dull and predictable selections - why Panesar ahead of Rashid? Monty's bowling has hardly set the world alight so far this season and the young Tyke can hold a bat. If, as predicted Adil Rashid has a bright future as an international player then now is the right time to blood him if he is to have an impact during the Ashes.

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