The Ashes & Hampshire Cricket Summer Thread

Will England play two spinners?

On the plus side it would be wonderful to see Swann and Monty bowling in tandum on a turning wicket.

On the minus side it would have an adverse effect on the tail, with Monty battling it out with Jimmy Anderson for the right to bat at the dizzy heights of number 10.

 

The key to that comment is that you're playing Derby. Monty won't be needed. I could probably fill in for guys, considering that it's Derby.

Although he'll most likely play for you any way. England will just release him back to you guys when he isn't named in the XI.

 

Given Old Trafford's record for producing 'bunsen burners', I think that it's a no brainer to play Swann AND Monty although we have decent back up spin options in Root and KP (if fit)...Quite frankly England's spinners are a class above the Aussie's and I would back us to take 20 wickets much quicker than it will take the Aussies, depending on the toss of course.

 

Likewise with Carberry, I think that his non-selection signals the end of any chance of playing International Test Cricket.

 

We loathe to only play two seamers though. Even in the first tests away to India and Pakistan in the last 18 months, we've left Monty out, only to recall him when we've then gone 1-0 down.

Are Cook and Flower willing to only play five batsmen and Prior, with Bresnan at 7? I doubt it. And at 2-0 up in the series, I wouldn't blame them to be honest. The more runs we score, the closer we move to retaining the Ashes from here.

 

Point taken Brendy, and if it was anywhere apart from Old Trafford I would agree that it that the sensible option would be to pick the strongest batting XI to guarantee retaining The Ashes, but I feel that on a pitch that has a history of turning we should pick the strongest overall team. Monty in for Bairstow and Prior is as good as a specialist batsman at 6....But this is England, and you're quite right that team selection is usually to err on the 'negative' side and try not to lose the Test before winning it....I pretty sure that the Aussies will be happy to not be facing Swann and Monty in this match.

 

I'm pretty sure the Aussie batsmen and spinners are so **** that it almost doesn't matter which bowlers we pick.

 

It's certainly a point that I've been thinking about ever seen we named our squad this morning!

One could argue that Root could be sufficient to bowl the Aussies out at OT!

Lyon has finished with 1-99 off 26. Agar with 1-66 off 14. Turner with 0-16 off 4. Smith didnt bowl.

 

A home QF is now secured for us, with two games still remaining.

 

Excellent! Already planning my 4th consecutive finals day weekend.

 

Who'd you fancy Brendy?... I suppose that it is feasible that we could be facing Surrey or Essex again if it is a random draw for the 4 home and away teams...
Don't really fancy Lancs, Somerset or Durham...maybe Glamorgan or Warwicks would be good, although we are good enough to beat any side if we play well.

 

It's at Edgbaston this year isn't it?...

 

Would be happy with any from Durham, Glamorgan, Warwickshire and Lancashire. Of course, all these teams won't get through.

 

Yep. Went to Edgbaston 2 years ago when there super overs in both semis!!

 

I wouldn't be so hasty. It is mathematically possible that they could be the four away QF teams.

Glamorgan win, Warks win, Essex lose, Middlesex don't win. In that scenario, the above four will be the four away QF teams.

Personally, I'm eager to get Glamorgan or Warks, and desperate to avoid Somerset.

Would rather we avoided Lancs, Durham, Surrey, Essex and Middlesex, but at the same time it wouldn't be the end of the world if we got any of them.

 

And next year too.

And the year after that.

Oh, and the year after as well.

 

So Hants play Kent tonight. Hants won the toss........










.......and chose to bat! Hale-flaming-ujah!

 

I've missed Monty so much, I'll be a very happy man if he plays. A fine all round cricketer and person.