Squad for 4th Test

[sten_super]

They reckon it's going to swing, in which case Siders will be IN.

I didn't see the Trott selection coming, it shows that they are concerned about Flintoff and fancy the draw. Assuming Freddie is not fit, I think this will be the team;

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Bell
Collingwood
Trott
Prior
Swann
Anderson
Sidebottom
Onions

With Collingwood, Bopara and Trott contributing a few overs.

 

[Gwylan]

Cannot see them dropping Broad especially if there is a doubt about Flintoff as he will be a valuable addition to the batting to score some runs. If Flintoff is out I would expect tem to replace him with Harmiston as a bowler or Sidebottom who may score a few runs but not as likely as Broad.

I think this is only true if they play five bowlers. If Freddie is unfit and they replace him with a batsman, then they'll drop Broad too - if you're going in with four bowlers, you want them to be your best four.

But yes, if Flintoff is replaced by a bowler - probably Sidebottom - then Broad has to play, or the tail looks very long.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

They reckon it's going to swing, in which case Siders will be IN.

I didn't see the Trott selection coming, it shows that they are concerned about Flintoff and fancy the draw. Assuming Freddie is not fit, I think this will be the team;

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Bell
Collingwood
Trott
Prior
Swann
Anderson
Sidebottom
Onions

With Collingwood, Bopara and Trott contributing a few overs.

What does Trott bowl?

 

[sten_super]

What does Trott bowl?

Right-arm medium. Although 50 first class wickets at 45 isn't exactly great, it's the same as Bopara (although he's bowled more, 90 at 45). Would be very much a defensive option.

I agree with Gwylan's post. If Flintoff is replaced with a batsman, they'd back his replacement to get more runs than Freddie (or at least on a more consistent basis) and would therefore feel safer swapping broad for someone who won't get the same number of runs.

 

[Gwylan]

Right-arm medium. Although 50 first class wickets at 45 isn't exactly great, it's the same as Bopara (although he's bowled more, 90 at 45). Would be very much a defensive option.

I agree with Gwylan's post. If Flintoff is replaced with a batsman, they'd back his replacement to get more runs than Freddie (or at least on a more consistent basis) and would therefore feel safer swapping broad for someone who won't get the same number of runs.

Trott has got as much chance of taking a test wicket as Ricky Ponting has of winning Man of the Year from the Barmy Army,

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Trott has got as much chance of taking a test wicket as Ricky Ponting has of winning Man of the Year from the Barmy Army,

You'd be surprised the 'lesser bowlers' that have a test wicket over the years... for example, Ravi Bopara, who was very close to getting a wicket yesterday already has Jayawardena as a scalp... and he's no better than Trott. I believe Allan Lamb or David Gower have a test wickets (I say either because I seem to recall one of them having a dolly dropped off them in a test).

 

[CHAPPERS]

Mark Butcher has a Michelle at test level.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Mark Butcher has a Michelle at test level.

I checked Gower and Lamb both have 1 test wicket.

Mike Gatting got 4 test wickets at 78, so about the same as Stuart Broad in this series.

FIGJAM has 4 wickets as well, at 129.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Both Ian Bell and Marcus Trescothick have a test wicket as well, surprisingly.

 

[sten_super]

Mark Boucher has got a test wicket to his name as well!

 

[Gwylan]

You'd be surprised the 'lesser bowlers' that have a test wicket over the years... for example, Ravi Bopara, who was very close to getting a wicket yesterday already has Jayawardena as a scalp... and he's no better than Trott.

Not Jayawardene the batsman though - the other one, the keeper.

I know that odd bowlers can take wickets but usually in games where nothing's at stake. I can't see either of the next two tests being that.

I wonder how many of the joke bowlers like Gower and Lamb have taken their wickets in an Ashes test.

 

[jakarta]

Both Ian Bell and Marcus Trescothick have a test wicket as well, surprisingly.

I have seen Bell bowl his medium pacers in County Cricket, but he never seems to be called on in Tests so he must be judged by England Coaches as being worse than Collingwood (probably) and Bopara (debatable)....

I've never heard of Trescothick bowling!

 

[keaton]

What England need if Flintoff's injured is a strong batsmen who's in form and a guaranteed wicket-taker. I belive Sussex have one such man. Step forward Michael Yardy

 

[Gwylan]

What England need is ... a guaranteed wicket-taker. I belive Sussex have one such man. Step forward Michael Yardy

Hmm...
Wickets so far this season - in 10 games - 3.

 

[Don Tmatter]

I've never heard of Trescothick bowling!

Vaguely remember him bowling quite a bit before he got in the England team.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I have seen Bell bowl his medium pacers in County Cricket, but he never seems to be called on in Tests so he must be judged by England Coaches as being worse than Collingwood (probably) and Bopara (debatable)....

I've never heard of Trescothick bowling!

Both Bell and Tres got their only wicket on different away tours of Pakistan, so they would have been a surprise bowler on the inevitable flat batsman's paradise out there.

 

[Gerbil]

trott is the leading run scorer in the cc this year & he has huge pockets

 

[Uncle Buck]

Trott is 28 FFS! And born in Cape Town. A top order of Strauss, Pietersen, Trott - why not bring back Lamby, Dolly and Greigy as well?

Best keep the pigeons away from Greig.

 

[Gwylan]

Both Bell and Tres got their only wicket on different away tours of Pakistan, so they would have been a surprise bowler on the inevitable flat batsman's paradise out there.

Bell's sole test wicket was a goodie - Mohammed Yousuf - no idea who Banger got out.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Is anyone else bothered by the fact Trott is South African and 28?