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Test squad announced

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M

mikemanc

Striker
No surprises, Bopara in for Bairstow.

Only decisision to be made is do you choose Bresnan who's done nothing wrong and strengthens the batting or Finn who looks like he could be a far better bowler, and recently demonstrated it in the ODIs? I'm assuming they won't pick Onions, basically because it looks like Finn could be an outstanding bowler so he'd get the nod.

I'd go for Finn personally, Prior, Broad and Swann at 7-9 should be enough for the batting.
 

Aye I'd go for Finn. Bresnan is steady and reliable but Finn has looked world class ever since he took time off for strength/conditioning last year. Definitely put a yard of pace on.
 
Really like Finn however at home we only need 4 bowlers and plenty of batting so Brennan for me particularly as they both have similar records with The ball
 
Is this the same Tim Bresnan who out bowled Steven Finn in the last test match??

No way Bresnan should be dropped IMO although I think Finn will get more wickets than him in time.
 
Bres is probably the most under-rated Test player in England. His bowling and batting averages are considerably superior to the legendary Flintoff's.
 
mickey said:
Bres is probably the most under-rated Test player in England. His bowling and batting averages are considerably superior to the legendary Flintoff's.
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Agree with this, I think if he was more loud brash character he would get noticed more. Very good player hopefully can start replicating his batting in the odi game so he then become a fine and world class allrounder
 
NorthCountryBoy said:
Is this the same Tim Bresnan who out bowled Steven Finn in the last test match??

No way Bresnan should be dropped IMO although I think Finn will get more wickets than him in time.
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The same Tim Bresnan who was outbowled by Steve Finn in the last ODI series ;-)

It's a really tight call, I've got no problem with Bresnan being in the team at all, I just think Finn could be a better bowler and the batting should be strong enough with Finn and Anderson at 10 and 11. If we need Bresnan to get a score at 8 then we're in trouble anyway.

eddyfinn said:
Agree with this, I think if he was more loud brash character he would get noticed more. Very good player hopefully can start replicating his batting in the odi game so he then become a fine and world class allrounder
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Agreed, although I don't think Bresnan's batting is aggresive enough to take a game away from an opponent but he's a good, consistent performer.
 
NorthCountryBoy said:
Is this the same Tim Bresnan who out bowled Steven Finn in the last test match??

No way Bresnan should be dropped IMO although I think Finn will get more wickets than him in time.
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Agreed, Bresnan should keep his spot for this series, Finn looks a great prospect though, hopefully he keeps on developing.
 
I know it's a never ending debate on here, but I'd go with both and push Prior to 6. With it seemingly being Bopara lined up to replace Bairstow, we would end up with a walking wicket at 6 anyway. So may as well have greater depth in the bowling line up what with the need to take 20 wickets and the great form of both Bresnan and Finn.

As has already been said, if we need a performance from 6, 7 and 8 we'll be in trouble anyway, and it's not like Broad and Bresnan are liabilities with the bat anyway.
 
chelt_mackem said:
I know it's a never ending debate on here, but I'd go with both and push Prior to 6. With it seemingly being Bopara lined up to replace Bairstow, we would end up with a walking wicket at 6 anyway. So may as well have greater depth in the bowling line up what with the need to take 20 wickets and the great form of both Bresnan and Finn.

As has already been said, if we need a performance from 6, 7 and 8 we'll be in trouble anyway, and it's not like Broad and Bresnan are liabilities with the bat anyway.
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Not a bad shout, but Bopara has earned his last chance, and he will get these 3 tests as a make or break.
 
Can't really argue with Bopara's recall, has earned it through ODI and has looked in excellent touch whenever I've seen him this season.

I think I'd still go with Bresnan aswell for now, great problem to have with 3 top class bowlers vying for one spot, but Bresnan seems to improve all the time and his record speaks for itself, as already mentioned he's a quality number 8 batsman aswell so adds great balance to the side. I would eventually like to see us return to a 5 bowler attack with Prior at 6 but I don't think Flower and Strauss are keen on this, both naturally conservative blokes.
 
The Breen Machine said:
Can't really argue with Bopara's recall, has earned it through ODI and has looked in excellent touch whenever I've seen him this season.

I think I'd still go with Bresnan aswell for now, great problem to have with 3 top class bowlers vying for one spot, but Bresnan seems to improve all the time and his record speaks for itself, as already mentioned he's a quality number 8 batsman aswell so adds great balance to the side. I would eventually like to see us return to a 5 bowler attack with Prior at 6 but I don't think Flower and Strauss are keen on this, both naturally conservative blokes.
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He has a record of playing well in ODIs only to be a let down in tests though. It's been a theme throughout his career since he got into the side. I hope he proves me wrong though, we could do with the top order knowing they've got a reliable middle order below them. But I still hold out hope that Flower and Strauss will surprise us and be brave with 5 bowlers.
 
chelt_mackem said:
He has a record of playing well in ODIs only to be a let down in tests though. It's been a theme throughout his career since he got into the side. I hope he proves me wrong though, we could do with the top order knowing they've got a reliable middle order below them. But I still hold out hope that Flower and Strauss will surprise us and be brave with 5 bowlers.
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I know what you mean and in the past I'd agree but I think he showed a little more maturity batting at 4 in the ODI series so I'm quite hopeful for him in this series. If he fails again however that should be it in terms of his test chances, particularly with players such as Taylor, Root and Bairstow on the radar.
 
mickey said:
Bres is probably the most under-rated Test player in England. His bowling and batting averages are considerably superior to the legendary Flintoff's.
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Would like to have seen Bresnan in Australia in 2005. Flintoff played in an era when there was no real worldwide 20/20 and test cricket was to the fore, sadly that isnt the case anymore and Flintoff is by far the better cricketer

England side reminds me of the Saffers when the likes of Gary Kirsten, Pat Symcox, Cronje, Pollock were all playing. Tough to beat, came at you hard almost with military precision and ground you down.

Just feel we lack a bit of something special, that stardust to seperate the good from greatness
 
essex boy said:
Would like to have seen Bresnan in Australia in 2005. Flintoff played in an era when there was no real worldwide 20/20 and test cricket was to the fore, sadly that isnt the case anymore and Flintoff is by far the better cricketer

England side reminds me of the Saffers when the likes of Gary Kirsten, Pat Symcox, Cronje, Pollock were all playing. Tough to beat, came at you hard almost with military precision and ground you down.

Just feel we lack a bit of something special, that stardust to seperate the good from greatness
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Nice to see you back EB....predictions for the series?
 
Bres over Finn at the moment. He's done nowt wrong. Let's not upset the balance eh..
 
Mainze said:
Nice to see you back EB....predictions for the series?
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Depends on Smith, and Kallis must be due a good series over here at some point

Not much between the bowling attacks, get a few flat decks and their big guns come off with the bat, could be tough

1-1
 
essex boy said:
Depends on Smith, and Kallis must be due a good series over here at some point

Not much between the bowling attacks, get a few flat decks and their big guns come off with the bat, could be tough

1-1
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The way the weather has been the toss could be all important, I feel we have a stronger batting line up and more balanced attack. However they are a potent force with both bat and ball, a 1-1 draw would have no shame attached to it. Whatever happens (weather permitting) it should be a cracking 3 match series, its just a shame it's not 5 :-|
 
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