The test series with Pakistan may have come to a chaotic and potentially earth shaking end (if the allegations against Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif are proved), but the England selectors certainly seem to have kept their eye on the ball. Just ask Kevin Pietersen.
Whether you agree or not with the dropping of England's best batsman from the Twenty 20 and one day squads to face Pakistan, no one can argue that Andy Flower isn't afraid to take drastic action in order to get Pietersen's form, confidence and swagger back. At first we weren't sure, but we believe that come Brisbane in November this may prove to have been a canny move from the shrewd Flower.
Like at least ten of the eleven who played in the test matches against Pakistan, Pietersen is assured of being named in the squad that will aim to retain the Ashes. The only possible doubt concerns Eoin Morgan, who with Ian Bell to return may have to compete with Michael Carberry for the spare batsman slot. Morgan will probably get the nod, but with doubts still remaining about the form of Alastair Cook, England will at least want Carberry close at hand with the Academy should a change of plan be necessary. It may be controversial and a little harsh on Morgan, but we'd opt for Carberry on a horses for courses basis and send Morgan to the Academy.
Depending on whether England opt for a 16 or 17 man squad, that leaves four or five positions available. One of these will go to the spare keeper, where it seems that Stephen Davies has jumped ahead of Craig Kieswetter in the pecking order. That leaves a second spinner and either two or three pacemen (or two plus an all-rounder).
The second spinner, who may well play at Adelaide and/or Sydney will be a straight fight between three players - James Tredwell, Adil Rashid and Monty Panesar. Tredwell is the safe but hardly adventurous option, although in some ways is the man in possession following his participation in the Bangladesh tour earlier this year. Rashid is the wild card choice, but he has snared 51 championship wickets at 31.60 and hit 679 runs at 52.23 this season, so has more than one string to his bow. Sooner or later, England are going to have to give him an opportunity, but maybe the Ashes is not the best testing ground (unlike Bangladesh, where Rashid should have been included).
Panesar has recaptured some of his best form since moving to Sussex and has 44 championship wickets at 26. He has also toured Australia before and performed reasonably well when he was belatedly picked for the last three tests in 2006/07. So, it's Monty for us with Rashid held in reserve at the Academy.
With Graham Onions injured, England will pick two or three from Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad, Ryan Sidebottom and Luke Wright to complete the squad. We'd opt for three names but also add Chris Tremlett to the mix. Some people may laugh, but Tremlett did well in his three tests against India in 2007 and troubled all of the Indian batsmen. He seems to have finally shaken off a catalogue of injuries and is having a good season for his new county Surrey, where he has 40 wickets at 21.25. Unlike Bresnan for instance, Tremlett has the attributes to do well in Australia with his height, accuracy and bounce.
To our surprise inclusion of Tremlett, we'd also add Shahzad, whose pace and ability to reverse the old ball will be useful. Finally, against our better judgement, Sidebottom would be the last name. As a left armer he offers balance and variety. That means no place for Bresnan, but can anyone really see him taking wickets in Australia (or even at test level, for that matter)? We can't and that's why he misses out.
The Reverse Sweep's Ashes squad (starting XI for Brisbane in bold): Strauss, Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn, Carberry, Davies, Panesar, Tremlett, Shahzad and Sidebottom
Bell and Carberry ahead of Morgan is a bit odd. And by a bit odd, I mean barkingly insane.
Otherwise about right, I'd like to see Tremlett given a bit of a run out. I agree with Panesar's inclusion as well. Bring on The Ashes.
*Admission - I'm from Ireland thus my views on Morgan can be rightly judged to be not *totally* impartial.
Posted by: Ali Jackson | Friday, September 03, 2010 at 08:51
For me, I'm not convinced by Carbs yet. I'd prefer to give a go to Jimmy Adams or Adam Lyth. And Monty's not looked great for much of the year, and I do not want to watch him drop PRicky, so it'd be Rashid for me. Otherwise, I'm very happy.
Posted by: DaveBardBird | Friday, September 03, 2010 at 08:59
Morgan for Carberry, otherwise that looks good to me. I'm likewise reluctant to pick Sidebottom for a Test series, but he's an experienced hand and offers variety.
Posted by: Ian Ashworth | Friday, September 03, 2010 at 10:33
I must admit that I surprised myself in omitting Morgan for Carberry, but I just feel that England need a spare specialist opener in case Cook fails again. I prefer Bell in the actual XI, so that meant no spot this time for Morgan. It might be better to not pick him this time in any case so that he can focus on the World Cup, where along with KP he will be our key batter.
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Friday, September 03, 2010 at 11:26
Thanks Dave, but I'd definitely rate Carberry above both Adams and Lyth. The coming man is Alex Hales, but it is too early for him just yet. Carbs seems to have the temperament to step in for Cook should he be needed. On Monty, he's looked pretty good to me this year, so his experience and better consistency shades it over Rashid. Of course, Rashid should have played in Bangladesh then he may have made an unanswerable case. The selectors got that one wrong.
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Friday, September 03, 2010 at 11:30
Cheers Ian, I just feel that England will need a spare opener to cover for Cook and I'd prefer to leave Trott at three. With Bell making my XI, that leaves no room for Morgs this time. I'm with you on Siders, but Bresnan is not test standard and who else is there?
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Friday, September 03, 2010 at 11:32
I can see how the inclusion of Tremlett makes sense but not Sidebottom. He has lost 5mph of pace since his last injury and has often lost touch during long Championship innings. His variation isn't as necassary in the longer form either.
I'd rather take Shazad as the next back-up seamer, followed by Bresnan. I've not been convinced by Bresnan but he has been holding his own in the Test area and has some call to be in the mix.
I'd feel inclined to take both Morgan and Carberry, England's 6-man batting lineup is looking fragile, and two batsmen to cover it seems worthwile.
Also, I'm not sure a second spinner is a good idea. England won't play anyone over Swann anytime soon and won't play only two seamers. If Swann gets injured, Monty or someone can be called in. The only way two spinner would work would involve playing Rashid/Broad at #7, and I don't think that's a good idea down under.
Howe_zat's squad:
Strauss(c), Anderson, Bell, Bresnan, Broad, Carberry, Collingwood, Cook, Davies, Finn, Morgan, Pietersen, Prior, Shazad, Swann, Tremlett, Trott
Posted by: Howe_zat | Friday, September 03, 2010 at 21:07