5th Test: England vs Australia at the Brit Oval

[King Pietersen]

Manee, Pietersen's not going to be fit. Recently discovered he's got an infection in his achilles, so is more than likely out of the ODi series against the Aussies as well.

Ravi's going to need to score big in the 2nd innings to have a chance of playing at the Oval you'd have to say. If he fails again, his chances could be all but finished. Bell failed as well, getting out to Sidebottom, who picked up Bell, Troughton and Ambrose. Trott made just 15.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

I was going to say this yesterday, but I did think people should wait until the county games before being sure who england should or should not pick. everyone is playing for selection, that's pressure in my opinion, and should be a good indicator of who can handle it.

if ramps makes a big score surely the talk of him not being mentally able to handle the pressure is discredited a bit.

 

[barmyarmy]

I'm coming round to the Ramps thing a wee bit. I think he wasn't mentally strong enough in the past but since he left Middlesex to come to Surrey he's been a different player. My dad, big Surrey fan, has been demanding a Ramps recall for about 6 years now!
My only concern is that he's playing div 2 attacks week in week out and it's quite a step up to suddenly be facing a firing test attack.

 

[Hooper]

Cook out for 4. Ravi out for 1. Vs Middlesex at Lord's.

Damn it. Wish they got runs...

No more cheap wickets.

Ah wait, we've got Mark Ramp'n'bash, the best county cricket you'll ever see and Mental Catastrothick the best opener since Chris Rogers.

 

[Will_NA]

You didn't make those up yourself.

 

[Hooper]

Oh yes I did baby, you know it.

 

[Themer]

I don't envy the selectors choice for the next match as you could argue to have anyone of Key, Ramprakash, Bopara, Bell and you could also have a strong case for Carberry, Denly, Hildreth, Patel and Moore.

I can see them being questioned who ever they pick especially if said players go on to fail.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Ravi's going to need to score big in the 2nd innings to have a chance of playing at the Oval you'd have to say. If he fails again, his chances could be all but finished. Bell failed as well, getting out to Sidebottom, who picked up Bell, Troughton and Ambrose. Trott made just 15.

Still more than Ravi, Bell and Cook combined

 

[PaulNixon1]

Actually double of what Ravi, Bell and Cook combined scored

 

[ZoraxDoom]

More than double infact! :rtfl

Cook, Bopara and Bell: 4+1+1 = 6
Trott = 15


Get him in!

 

[barmyarmy]

Excellent article on cricinfo. Well worth a read.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Yea, I read that. Thought it to be strange that he had to quote Toy Story out of all the possible movies and books, but meh.


RAMPS AND TROTT FOR THE OVAL!!

 

[King Pietersen]

Cricinfo agree with my shout to have Cook at 3 and Key opening I'd rather have Trott ahead of Ramprakash though. Interesting that Sidebottom is called for ahead of Onions, and not Broad. Can't say I agree with that, I'd stick with Broad and Onions.

 

[Leicester Fox]

Sidebottom would have been a much better shout at Headingley.

I would go with
Strauss
Key
Cook
Trott
Colly
Prior (+)
Fred
Broad/Harmison
Swann
Anderson
Onions

but don't see it happening.

 

[King Pietersen]

That's also the team I'd go with. Great minds and all that..... I see it as a very possible option actually. There's no point making wholesale changes bar Strauss, so this is a very happy medium. Cook's moved down to 3 which helps with his battle with the new ball, we've got a left-right opening partnership, a far more dependable middle order and the rest of the side stays the same. I'd love us to pick that side. Can see one of Bopara and Bell in that XI though unfortunately.