The Ashes

[thecoolfreak]

Mark Ramprakash for the next test!

Good God no, and I'm a Surrey supporter (though I whisper that quietly at the moment!)

I think Rob Key should come in for Bopara, who has shown no form whatsoever in this series. Ramps averages 20-something in tests, he just can't do it on the big stage. I think he'd choke massively, Mark Butcher said a couple of days ago that he hasn't got the strength to actually field for the game, I just think it's a really bad idea!

Apart from an hour yesterday morning (yay Broady & Swanny), it's been a pretty rubbish weekend one way and another.

I just hope that freddie is fit (not that I like pinning all my hopes on one player). I may drop Harmy if he isn't, as he isn't the player he once was. Not sure who (off the top of my head) I'd bring in his place, but I think I could do a better job. (Possibly not)

Please, please, please can the game go into day 5 though. I have tickets & I want to see cricket this year, and not what has been served up to me at the Oval the rest of the summer...

I don't think they'll call up Key. He wasn't in the runs against Middlesex in the County Championship last week, although he did score a century the week before against Derbyshire. Shah may be a wildcard for a call up. He had a very impressive innings against Kent yesterday, although it was a Pro 40 game and he hasn't been in the runs leading up to that. It'll all depends who performs in this weeks games, i reckon

[Darce]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket ... 192589.stm

Flintoff Plays

[simonno6]

Mark Ramprakash for the next test!

Good God no, and I'm a Surrey supporter (though I whisper that quietly at the moment!)

I think Rob Key should come in for Bopara, who has shown no form whatsoever in this series. Ramps averages 20-something in tests, he just can't do it on the big stage. I think he'd choke massively, Mark Butcher said a couple of days ago that he hasn't got the strength to actually field for the game, I just think it's a really bad idea!

Ramps has been playing the best cricket of his life over the past 2-3 years. His 27 average over 50 tests is poor, but he's twice the cricketer now. He's averaging 100 in the county championship this year with 5 centuries and 3 fifties in 14 innings. Key is averaging over fifty with 3 tons, but id certainly plump for ramps.

[suisse]

Matthew Hoggard said Ramps is mentally vulnerable. He would have played Test match cricket with most of the guys there today. So, is that just his opinion, or that of the squad?

Has to be Rob Key

[claire_m]

If it were down to me, I'd not change things round too much.

Freddie looks like he's going to be fit, so a straight swap with harmy, who probably won't be playing test cricket again. Wouldn't surprise me if he retires at the end of the season.

Wouldn't play Monty either. He's not had a good season and I just don't think he's up to it, this game. The Oval may turn towards the end of the test, but it's a batsman's paradise & there will be runs galore.

Wouldn't play Foster, unless he's played as a specialist wickey, you don't need Prior & Foster & that would also lose a bowling place. Colly isn't a number 3, so wouldn't try & make him one, if only just for one game.

Potentially there are 2 batting spots up for grabs. Bopara will definitely be rested. Trott would be favourite as he was called up for the last test, but he's not a natural no 3.

Just hope it's not Ramps. I don't think he'll cope with the mental pressure, which will be immense on him. It's the biggest game that most of these players will have played, so you need guys that will be mentally tough.

[thecoolfreak]

Key putting together a nice innings. Definitely putting his hand up for selection.

[simonno6]

In form england XI... (would be a very interesting team!)

Strauss (c)
Tresso
Ramps
Key
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Swann (Not in great form but englands best spinner)
Anderson
Onions

Cook, Bopara and Bell all playing shite, get rid of them!

Realistically, this team will never take the field... God it would be amazing to have banger back for one test. What a man.

[thecoolfreak]

I was reading in one of the papers over here today that there is a chance that Trescothick might come back for the final test and even all home tests following that. Would be great if he does

[simonno6]

miller has now ruled tres out. Massive blow.

In other news, bell and bopara both scored only one run today in the county championship. Get these clowns out of the team.

Cook only scored 4, Trott 15, Onions wicketless so far and Swann couldnt play due to a stomach upset. Im very worried about this final test...

More stats to further the ramps cause. He averages above 90 over the last 4 seasons and hasnt averaged under 50 in a season since 2001.

[thecoolfreak]

Bell and Trott both in the 80's not out for Warwickshire at the moment. May just save Bell his place in the side

[simonno6]

i think bells spot is beyond saving at this stage. Wont do Trott any harm though.

[thecoolfreak]

i think bells spot is beyond saving at this stage. Wont do Trott any harm though.

I don't know about that. Bopara is definitely gone but I think Bell may still have a chance. Anyway, Trott went onto make his century, out for 121. Bell not out on 92

[simonno6]

At this stage its trott and ramps for me.

[claire_m]

So, England have won the toss and are going to bat first

They'll get some play in (and hopefully not lose any wickets) before the rain comes.

I just hope it lasts 'til Monday, when I'll be there (otherwise it's lunch out & a refund )

[shezba]

So, England have won the toss and are going to bat first

They'll get some play in (and hopefully not lose any wickets) before the rain comes.

I just hope it lasts 'til Monday, when I'll be there (otherwise it's lunch out & a refund )

It's starting to feel like, rain or no rain, you'll get to go on Monday to see the draw being played out.

[Darce]

http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-UKX ... _pla=10day

[simonno6]

that forecast is fine for a test match - shouldnt have too much bearing on the result.

Good solid start for england - hopefully bell can press on and get a big score, someone needs to add to the ridiculous team tally of 1 england century in the series!

[simonno6]

just shows you what two wickets can do... england in awful shape now!

bell, bell, bell.....

[simonno6]

interesting to look at bells conversion rates of fifties-hundreds in tests compared to andrew strauss'.

of the 28 times he has scored over 50 runs, he has scored 8 centuries. Thats a conversion rate of 29%

of the 33 times Strauss has scored over 50 runs, he has scored 18 centuries, an impressive 55%, almost double that of bells.

Clearly a mental thing. Similar amount of scores over 50, showing he has the talent to score runs at the top level of the game, major difference in test centuries, showing his mental game is poor.

[Darce]

just shows you what two wickets can do... england in awful shape now!

bell, bell, bell.....

Meh...If Trott and Fred can hang in there and string something together, they'll be in decent nick.