2009 Ashes Series - England vs. Australia **Spoilers**

ringo747 said:
Well i'd like to think getting 50 is no outstanding achievement for a number 3 - thats what they are meant to do. It was another of those innings where he wasn't under as much pressure. Any big occasion where the going is real tough then he is rubbish. Really think Key and Ramps should come in for him and Ravi. I think if either of them are in the team then the selectors are more or less throwing away any chances of a win.
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You're right, Bell hasn't done enough. I can't see him dropped after the runs he's got today though
 
Spawn said:
PMSL:D:D

At this rate they might as well bring back Nasser and Atherton as well:p
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Tehehe, I've seen this type of thing trotted out a few times.
Fact is, Hussain and Atherton don't play any more. Ramps does, and very well:

2006? Average over 100
2007? Average over 100
2008? Average only around 60 - poor show.
2009? Average over 100

Basically in recent years he's been the best English batsmen in the County game. OK, so he's old. Big deal. Personally I couldn't give two monkeys if picking him would be viewed as a 'step backwards', 'not planning for the future' etc. The Ashes don't come around every year, we should be thinking about the here and now, not worrying about future tours.

Some might suggest his age could hamper us in the field... well, possibly, but he's probably the best English fielder I've ever seen back when he was in the side. To this day I still remember a one-handed diving catch he took in the covers.

Yes, his test average isn't the greatest, but it's well over 40 against Australia, and his game has arguably improved over the years.

Another excuse for not picking him I heard was that he's playing in Division Two. True, but the standard of playing in Div2 isn't that bad, the gulf isn't as wide as it is in many sports.
 
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I see Bell got another ton today. I hate that because it looks to the selectors like he is on form and clearly at test level he isn't. You can't necessarily carry county form into the big stage so just because he gets 100+ in a pressureless county match doesn't mean he will be a good bet for the final test. I bet he will get selected as normal though. Definitely would like to see Key and Ramps in.
 
Adil Rashid has had a good few days. 117 NO yesterday and has demoilshed Hampshire this afternoon with 5 wickets. Would love to see a yorkie in the England side.
 
Yeah it maybe seems that way but I really mean that we know Bell can't stick the pressure at test level so give the other county guys a chance to prove if they can.
 
Bit harsh to say it was a pressureless game Bell was in.

a) he was batting for his England place. If he had failed it was likely he wasn't going to be picked

b) his team were following on and the first wicket fell early on. Yes Trott and Botha both scored runs but he anchored the team together.
 
I think the point being made was that Bell has had chances at test level recently compared to say Ramprakash, even if he didn't start the Ashes.
 
pull2808 said:
Adil Rashid has had a good few days. 117 NO yesterday and has demoilshed Hampshire this afternoon with 5 wickets. Would love to see a yorkie in the England side.
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Would love to see a leggie in the England side, Yorkshire or not!

For me you replace Ravi with Key, and Harmy for Fred (if fit), and leave it at that.
 
Looks like the only batting change is Trott for Bopara. Not impressed with Bell keeping his place. If we lose this match I wouldn't be surprised if it was another middle order screw up centered around Bell!
 
I see the BBC is reporting that, but how do they know when the official squad isn't being announced until tomorrow morning?

I will be unimpressed if Bell does play. Although it is always possible he will make a good score if other players play well around him, which seems to be the key factor.
 
Heard a rumour this week about Flintoff replacing Onions, and Harmison staying in.

Can anyone confirm or deny?
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/8201312.stm

England have taken a major gamble for the crucial fifth Ashes Test by replacing Ravi Bopara with the uncapped Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott.

Andrew Flintoff, who missed the fourth-Test defeat at Headingley with his ongoing knee injury, is expected to play his final Test before retiring.

Ian Bell keeps his place in the 14-man squad and will bat at three while left-arm spinner Monty Panesar is recalled.

England squad:

A Strauss (capt),
J Anderson,
I Bell,
S Broad,
P Collingwood,
A Cook,
A Flintoff,
S Harmison,
G Onions,
M Panesar,
M Prior,
R Sidebottom,
G Swann,
J Trott
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On very recent form, Collingwood has hardly shone, but his place has never been in doubt.

Brett Lee is almost back to his best judging by the way he is tearing into the Lions. Will he play, considering the effort of the Aussie bowlers at Headingly?
 
It really annoys me every time I read the squad list and Ian Bell is still there. What a joke. I think the selectors have shown total incompetence since as long as I have followed cricket!
 
If the selectors want two spinners then Onions is most likely the one to lose out. If Flintoff is fit the selectors will have him in. Anderson has to play. Broad will probably play because he can score runs.

If Swann is the only spinner to play then I can't see why Onions wouldn't be in the team.
 
Looking like the first two days of the final test could be disrupted by heavy rain, which would be rather a shame when we normally need five full days to get a result at the Oval IIRC.
 
Well it's about to start!

England Team:
Strauss, Cook, Bell, Colly, Trott, Prior, Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Harmison, Anderson

Australia Team:
1 Shane Watson, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Mike Hussey, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Stuart Clark, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus

England win the toss and bat first :)
 
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