Vaughan ruled out of Ashes series

On form he's England's best and classiest batsman. Since he took over the captaincy, his batting has dropped quite a bit, but as a captain he has been absolutely fantastic. I think this is probably it for his test career and possibly his career fullstop which is a real shame.
 
This is a huge blow to our chances over there and with our current spate of injuries, I'm getting worried. :(
 
Big Kev said:
This is a huge blow to our chances over there and with our current spate of injuries, I'm getting worried. :(
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Even if KP's on top form we're gonna get battered I think. The bowling is what worries me most, the one day team has been atrocious and Hoggy won't get much swing over there. I would say take some youngsters but it wouldn't do any good to get whitewashed by the Aussies, their confidence will be shot to pieces. Is Simon Jones likely to be available for the Ashes?
 
no simon jones either, it's possible (likely even) that james anderson will be fit (say what you like, i think he's a quality bowler).

I'm worried, I'm also going (free tickets no less - haha!) so I'm going to be mocked constantly when we loose!

I figure a first choice XI is

tresco
strauss
cook
pieterson
shah
flintoff
dalrymple
jones
anderson
harmison
hoggard

or thats what we'll get, of course a decent keeper would be nice!

no panesar but i reckon fletcher will want dalrymple's batting more than a decent spinner (giles proves that) and his off spin is tidy enough

no collingwood as i think he'd be found out against australia, shah instead as ed joyce is really a top order batsman and bell is crap

just my thoughts

edit - vaughan - his leadership will be missed most but he was a long way from the form that made him the top ranked batsman in the world. ponting has that honor now, but if you're looking for the future, pieterson is probably the best batsman in the world
 
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Haven't seen much of Shah but agree with you that Collingwood and Bell would be no use against the Aussies. Only thing I could see Collingwood being useful for is holding an end up for Pietersen and Flintoff. He's had several innings so far where he has scored about 10 yet it's been a vital innings because he's stayed in for for a good few overs while the guy at the other end has kept the scoring up. Either way, we need a firing opening partnership, KP and Freddie on top form and Harmison back to his best to stand a chance. Can't see all of those happening at once in fairness :(
 
It's a real shame as his leadership is vital to the team if not his batting (ala Mike Brierley) but someone's got to take over some time, as a player S. Jones will be missed more:( I don't think Freddie should have the captaincy long term as it all seemed a bit much for him during the India & Sri Lanka series. Not saying he can't do it, but I'd much prefer if he were just left to concentrate on his batting & bowling.
At least Vaughan being out has given Cook a chance & he looks the real deal.
Key is in good form at the moment & if he gets a chance & takes it v Pak. then he might tour in the Winter.

There's plenty of choice at the moment:

Tresco
Strauss
Cook
Bell
Key
KP
Collingwood
Shah
Freddie
Dalrymple
G. Jones
Read
Hoggard
Harmison
Plunkett
Monty
Loudon
 
key won't play against pak this summer, he had shoulder surgery and is still officially recovering (by playing for england A strangely).

any thoughts on who englands spinner will be? giles just declared he was sure he'd be fit for the ashes
 
Bresnan has trod on Hoggard's right hand & he's had some stitches in it:(
I'd take Monty & Dalrymple, they're the future:)
 
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