Third Test

[Stumpy Tim]

According to the BBC, Collingwood is going to replace Strauss in the team for the Third test BBC Report .

It also mentions they may drop a spinner (probably Udal) and play a seamer. Personally I would be tempted to drop Udal for a batsman - Cook. Our batting has been weak and is only weaker with Strauss gone. Collingwood would probably get through the same amount of work as Udal anway.

For me, England should go with:

Tresco,
Vaughan,
Bell,
Cook,
Pietersen,
Collingwood
Flintoff,
Jones,
Giles,
Hoggard,
Harmison

Any thoughts?

 

[cheeseroll]

Interesting idea,

If we win the toss and bat first then to have another batsmen (or as Frieddie and the others say these days batter...) it could be a match winner.

Bearing in mind that we have to win this one though, we may have to have a balanced side so that the toss of the coin doesn't become too decisive.

I reckon they will play Anderson.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

If we can't put 400 on the board in the first innings, we won't win. If we had batted as well as we did against the Aussies we would be 1 up and not 1 down!

 

[CHAPPERS]

The batting has suffered but I don't think dropping a bowler is a good idea on these placid wickets even thought Udal hasn't bowled too well. One thing I do wonder about is why Pieterson hasn't turned his arm over at all as a second slow bowler.

Collingwood does have the ability to get a bit of reverse and can tie up an end if need be. I think bringing him in is the correct idea. Hopefully Caughan will move up to open and find some decent form.

 

[empire]

every test so far has lost out on half a day, because of bad light.this test is even worse so unless we win the toss for the first time and bat a large score,their is only one result, a draw

 

[Life After Bobby]

every test so far has lost out on half a day, because of bad light.this test is even worse so unless we win the toss for the first time and bat a large score,their is only one result, a draw

not necessarily. the pitch is a little damp, if it remains that way it might be best to bowl first (with an extra seamer, probably Anderson)

the ground does have floodlights, so it is possible that play will continue once the sun starts to go down. having said that, in south africa, one of the grounds there had floodlights but they didn't work to well until it was properly dark, so they made no difference!

 

[Chesney Christ 1]

The batting has suffered but I don't think dropping a bowler is a good idea on these placid wickets even thought Udal hasn't bowled too well. One thing I do wonder about is why Pieterson hasn't turned his arm over at all as a second slow bowler.

I have no idea why Pieterson hasn't bowled since coming into the test side. He originally went into the academy squad as an all-rounder, and is probably better than Vaughan who has turned his arm over a few times for England.

 

[CHAPPERS]

His first class averages aren't brilliant. 55 wickets at 47.6 with a s/r of 85ish.

Still decent enough to bowl a few overs I would have thought.

 

[Pevenseagull]

Giles is still a major doubt for tommorow, I can't inagine this is 'mond games' as I really don't think Pakistan will be shitting themselves if he comes through the last fitness test and plays

 

[Parson Henry]

Giles is still a major doubt for tommorow, I can't inagine this is 'mond games' as I really don't think Pakistan will be shitting themselves if he comes through the last fitness test and plays

really loudly in the office!!!

 

[wallington seagull]

Giles is a major doubt for tomorrow, next week, the coming domestic season in 2006 and for the rest of his career in my opinion!

 

[Parson Henry]

Giles is a major doubt for tomorrow, next week, the coming domestic season in 2006 and for the rest of his career in my opinion!

Blimey is it that bad.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Blimey is it that bad.

I guess over 100 test wickets and over 1000 test runs is really bad. He is not a world beater, but probably the best spinner we have at present and he has had a habit of breaking partnerships.

 

[Parson Henry]

I guess over 100 test wickets and over 1000 test runs is really bad. He is not a world beater, but probably the best spinner we have at present and he has had a habit of breaking partnerships.

Bucky I was commenting about the fact that his injury was perceived to be that bad.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Bucky I was commenting about the fact that his injury was perceived to be that bad.

Realised that to an extent.

Darn cold.

 

[wallington seagull]

3 wickets at 82 each in this series says it all! Time to take up your regal duties in Spain Ashley!

 

[Stinkers Bridge]

I thought the Ashes this year were great. Cricket at it's very best. I think we went through every emotion during the summer.
What was the final score?

 

[Coopers Right Arm]

I thought the Ashes this year were great. Cricket at it's very best. I think we went through every emotion during the summer.
What was the final score?

We won!!

It was well wicked!

 

[cheeseroll]

and the useless tosser wins the toss

 

[Stumpy Tim]

85-0! Quality

Collingwood in for Strauss. Plunkett in for Giles. I'm glad Plunkett was chosen & not Anderson. He deserves it