The Ashes Squad

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Definites:
Cook
Root
Trott
KP
Bell
Prior
Swann
Anderson
Broad
Bresnan

Probables:
Tremlett
Finn
Bairstow

Possibles:
Stokes
Carberry
Onions
Kerrigan
Woakes
Ali
Compton
Taylor
Robson
Panesar
Tredwell

Realistically 4 from the possibles list. 1 seamer, 1 spinner, 1 opening bat, 1 middle order bat. Assuming Bairstow is backup keeper

Where is your money?

 

[mickey]

Gary Ballance is a certainty as back up middle order because he plays all 3 forms of the game well.

 

[brandon]

Where are the Lions this winter? I'd imagine those who don't make it will be watched very closely in the event of injury/form.

I haven't a clue exactly who will go and I'm not even sure I know who I want to go! Of course I'd love Bunny and Stokes to travel but I'm not sure Australian pitches will really suit Onions, plus he's too similar to Anderson for me and I think you can only really have one player like that in the side at any time. As for Stokes, he hasn't done it with the bat this season to warrant being picked but he could be very effective IMO at say 8 as an out and out seamer. I really believe his bowling has improved THAT much. He certainly has the pace and bounce needed in Oz.

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Gary Ballance is a certainty as back up middle order because he plays all 3 forms of the game well.

Does playing 3 forms matter? He may go like[DOUBLEPOST=1377554737][/DOUBLEPOST]

Where are the Lions this winter? I'd imagine those who don't make it will be watched very closely in the event of injury/form.

I haven't a clue exactly who will go and I'm not even sure I know who I want to go! Of course I'd love Bunny and Stokes to travel but I'm not sure Australian pitches will really suit Onions, plus he's too similar to Anderson for me and I think you can only really have one player like that in the side at any time. As for Stokes, he hasn't done it with the bat this season to warrant being picked but he could be very effective IMO at say 8 as an out and out seamer. I really believe his bowling has improved THAT much. He certainly has the pace and bounce needed in Oz.

Aus aren't they?

 

[callaghan08]

Gary Ballance is a certainty as back up middle order because he plays all 3 forms of the game well.

he's earned his chance. got my doubts about Bresnan's fitness now, he's a big heavy lad & could take a long time to fully heal - would be a risk. still not 100% sure about Root although I'm sure he'll go.

 

[elder]

Gary Ballance is a certainty as back up middle order because he plays all 3 forms of the game well.

he'll only fly out with the test squad if he's part of those plans. if they want him for the shorter games then he'll fly out after the test series finishes, which is what the do every tour here.

 

[Steak Pie]

I think they'll take two extra bats and they will be Compton and Taylor, with Bairstow reserve gloveman.
Tredwell is closest to a Swann replacement, so assuming they aren't thinking of playing two spinners, he goes.
You need six seamers and (barring fitness problems), they pick themselves:

So:
Cook, Root, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Compton, Taylor, Prior, Swann, Tredwell, Anderson, Broad, Bresnan, Tremlett, Onions, Finn.

Then send the Lions round playing Grade sides and mix up the bowling as required.

 

[Andy Reids Love Chil]

Cook, Root, Trott, KP, Bell, Prior, Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Tremlett

Bairstow, Panesar, Stokes, Ballance, Finn.