Who do you think will be in the England team for the second test???

Question

It pretty obvious that this First test is going to be a draw, and that Englands bowlers aren't able to do the job second time round,

Do we bring in Freddy and Harmy (for Collingwood and Sidebottom who appears to be carrying an Injury) and maybe Simon Jones for Anderson?

Answer 1

i dont know.

Answer 2

Just two changes for me , Freddie in for Paul Collingwood and Chris Read in for Tim Ambrose. If Sidebottom is unfit then Simon Jones comes in.

Unlucky on Colly but he needs to get some runs under his belt, and on present form Freddie is just as likely to score as many or as few as Colly but gives an extra dimension to the attack, which on the last two days is proably needed.

Answer 3

Same world record team

Answer 4

I don't think there will be many changes. A lot of people are looking for wholesale changes to the team, But I don't think this will happen, and I don't think that is the policy of the England selectors either.

Flintoff is almost certain to be picked. Whether he will play as an all-rounder, or as a bowler in a four man attack is the main talking point.

His batting so far this season has been poor, although there were signs in the Twenty20 quarter-final that it was finally coming together. His bowling has been its usual consistent quality, so there is a strong argument for bringing him into the side as a bowler alone.

However, due to his injuries, I doubt the England selectors would want to risk him as part of a four-man attack. Therefore a batsman will have to give way. The one most under threat is Collingwood, who has been in wretched form for months, and his on-field actions (the Elliott run out in the ODI, the only just held back dissent when given out in the first innings of the current Test), show a man buckling under the pressure.

I think Collingwood may be told to go back to County cricket, find some form, and try and force his way back into the side.

So that's one change: Flintoff for Collingwood.

As for Harmison coming back in for Sidebottom: If Sidebottom is fit, he will play. If not, then it is more likely that Hoggard will replace Sidebottom. He was unlucky to be dropped in the first place, and Harmison carries too much baggage, and is too unreliable.

Jones for Anderson? Jones has had a good season, but he has been extremely well handeled at Worcestershire, and has bowled only short spells. I doubt if his body is up to the rigours of a five day Test match.

So only one change for me: Flintoff for Collingwood. And if Sidebottom fails a fitness test on the morning of the match, I would bring Collingwood back in, and Flintoff could replace Sidebottom (I know I've just said I wouldn't risk Flintoff in a four man attack, but it would be better than making drastic changes)

Answer 5

Sidebottom is definately injured and unless he's 100% fit then he should be rested. Freddy still isn't worth his place though as he can't score runs at the moment - bowling ok but just ok - personally speaking i think the side is better off without his juvenile stunts and influence. Harmison isn't good enough, perhaps Jones but definately keep Monty there!

Answer 6

Get Flintoff in now!!!

First change- Flintoff for Collingwood. The fact is England are a better side when Flintoff is in the side. The whole team is balanced. Ok so maybe Colly is a better batsmen than Fred, but at the moment Colly cant score a run, so its the perfect time to bring Fred in. Flintoff is a match winner and if he is fit enough then he should play. England with a 5 man attack are very hard to beat.

If Sidey is injured then i would bring in Matthew Hoggard. Hoggy didnt do anything wrong to get dropped! He had a couple of bad matches, but just look at Andrew Strauss he had 8 or 9 bad matches before he was even considered to be dropped. Some people say Hoggard is past it! i think that is ludicrious! Hoggard is the most accurate bowler in England and his swing (especially to left handers) is deadly!

This is controversial but i would bring in Simon Jones for Broad, Broad has a great attitude! but he isnt taking enough wickets! he only took 7 wickets against a poor NZ batting line-up!. Simon Jones on the other hand is a wicket taker, personified! He is in my opinion the best bowler since Bob Willis for England

My Changes

Andrew Flintoff for Collingwood

Matthew Hoggard for Sidebottom (if Sidebottom isnt fit)

Simon Jones for Broad

Answer 7

Don't be so pessimistic, I still have some hope that we can get them out today.

Re; the team, I think you have just nailed what I would like to see. Although whether or not Freddie is good enough with the bat to replace the under performing Colly is a bit dubious. If I had to lay money on one of them giving a good performace with the bat, I think faith in Collingwood is the way forward. Would love to see the Talisman that is Simon Jones back in the side, I can't beleive that he hasn't played for England since the 4th ashes test, and am looking forward to the return of his 90 mile an hour swing bowling.

In reality, I think that they will drop Andersson for Jones, and keep the rest of the team as it is for the next one.

Answer 8

Flintoff will come in for Colly and that will be the only change for the second test.

Answer 9

I think they will remain unchanged for the 2nd test as well. They are unchange for quite long time.

Answer 10

the same as the first test i think

Answer 11

I think the 2nd test will also be a boring draw!!

The same team as they went with in this test!!

Answer 12

flintoff in and anderson out

Answer 13

the squad will remain same

Answer 14

this time they might  have  few changes

Lol~

Answer 15

I would actualy disagree with The Oracle who is a very respected answerer of cricketing questions.

Flintoff has to play and either comes in as an all rounder or an outright bowler.

I would pick Freddie in place of Collingwood as the all rounder and to bat at 6. Colly has not performed and Freddie brings in a much better option into the side.

If then Sidebottom is not fit you retain the balance of the team by replacing him with another bowler. I personaly would pick Simon Jones who I think is a far better possibility than Hoggard or Harmison.

Our bowlers took 13 wickets in three days and even though the Lords pitch is extremely friendly these days I would very much doubt if Shane and Glenn were bowling on it a side would have survived to the extreme we witnessed today.

Please do not drop young Broad as he is the new all rounder of the future.

Give the guys some catching practice as S.A are a very good side and you do not let them off the hook lightly.

Perhaps a change behind the stumps is a more important issue and a recall for Chris Reid is on the cards even if he bats at 8 and push Broad up to 7 which I believe his current form warrants.