: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:03 am  

Onions for Monty would be the only change I'd make...and I'd have had him in ahead of Monty in this test too.
The Aussies do not struggle against spin, their main weakness is the swinging ball so we should attack that weakness with the best available exponents of this who are Anderson, Flintoff, Broad and Onions with Sidebottom the next choice.

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:06 am  

Pretty sure Broad has a slight thigh strain which will make a convenient excuse to drop him for GBH

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:18 am  

Onions has more wickets than Harmison at a better average with a better strike rate and has more 5 fers this season...for me he has to be first choice to replace Broad.

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:37 am  

What makes me laugh is Ponting's remark about England not playing in the true spirit of the game AND that it was Australia's intention to do just that.

It's laughable when they are the masters of sledging and giving the verbals. Although, sadly, this is now part of the game, presumably it is NOT in the spirit of cricket.

Given, the Australians inability to knock over Anderson, and in particular Panesar, in over 11 overs, what difference would a few more deliveries have made? Not much is the answer.

Ponting should just have accepted the draw gracefully and used his thoughts to motivate his team for Lords. Whinging Poms, I don't think so. Hopefully England's great escape will give them some belief for the rest of the series, and hopefully put one over the Team Arrogance.

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:57 am  

One change for Lords to be Onions for Panesar me thinks.

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:43 am  

yes you poms had us aussies on rack. we very lucky to get draw

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:03 pm  

Why is everyone bagging Monty? He should stay in, it's not his fault the fast bowlers are pants.

If anyone should be droped it's Broad and Cook. Why is Cook in there?

I have serious doubts about whether England could get 20 Australian wickets in 5 days, never mind bat well enough to be in a position to do that.

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:13 pm  

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Onions

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:26 pm  

St_Maca wrote:

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Onions

Harmy will be in for the "injured" Broad, can see Bell and Sidebottom making it a squad of 13

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:59 pm  

Grevious Bodily Harmison is IN the squad, but Flintoff may miss out through injury.