Poll: Ramprakash or Key - Sidebottom, Panesar or Harmison?

Nick 0208 Ldn

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They appear to be the two big selection conundrums for the England selectors, so how do you see it?

Some on the radio tonight were saying that they would drop Bell and not Bopara.
 
I'd go with Key in for Bopara and, depending on the pitch, Panesar.
 
Bells had a decent knock today hasn't he?

Boparas confidence looks shot so he needs a rest.

You can't question what Ramps has done over the past few years and his age shouldn't be an issue. I'd have him involved. And i'd go with harmison over panesar & Sidebottom.

I watched trescothick play well tonight, but he's discounted himself hasn't he.
 
I'd go with the same team. Give the present players the confidence to go out and prove themselves. If they were good enough to have been in the side for the whole series, then surely they must have talent. It would make matters worse if replacement players were bought in for the last game.

Bringing Rampers in for the last test would be odd at the age of 40 - seeing he's been overlooked during the best part of his career.
 
Panesar is in the worst form of his life. He needs to be kept out of international games for his own good.
 
Nick 0208 Ldn said:
They appear to be the two big selection conundrums for the England selectors, so how do you see it?

Some on the radio tonight were saying that they would drop Bell and not Bopara.
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There are only around 10 posters hanging around this forum.

I am certain we dont need a poll.
 
Sultan said:
Panesar is in the worst form of his life. He needs to be kept out of international games for his own good.
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There is a theory that the groundsman at the Oval will do he can to make it a turning pitch on account of our greater strength in that department.

If Anderson's injury is still a problem we may have no choice but to bring in someone. Alternatively Sidebottom does provide some control to the attack.


As regards the batting, Bopara's not shown himself an able No 3 at any stage in the series [probably isn't one which doesn't help of course but that's the way the dice fall for such a player with KP and Collingwood in possession at 4 and 5] and even less so now with his confidence being what it is. On eof Ramps or Key has to be brought in there IMO.
 
Why is Sidebottom not in the side ahead of Harmison?

He's taken a raft of wickets in recent county matches too.
 
jgraham said:
Bells had a decent knock today hasn't he?

Boparas confidence looks shot so he needs a rest.

You can't question what Ramps has done over the past few years and his age shouldn't be an issue. I'd have him involved. And i'd go with harmison over panesar & Sidebottom.

I watched trescothick play well tonight, but he's discounted himself hasn't he.
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Totally agree with this.

The only issue is that Trott was brought in to the squad for the fourth test, so he's logically the next call but as this is a complete "one-off", I'd agree the obvious batsman to leave out is Bopara, who will no doubt come good in the future.

The Oval has traditionally favoured pace bowlers so yes, Harmison ahead of Sidebottom, who probably should have played at Headingley.
 
Sultan said:
I'd go with the same team. Give the present players the confidence to go out and prove themselves. If they were good enough to have been in the side for the whole series, then surely they must have talent. It would make matters worse if replacement players were bought in for the last game.

Bringing Rampers in for the last test would be odd at the age of 40 - seeing he's been overlooked during the best part of his career.
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Completely agreed. Bringing a new player in will only boost the Aussies confidence. Scoring runs in county cricket is one thing, but bringing in a new player out of the bolt to play against the Aussies of all teams is plainly not a good idea.

England should stick with the same team. All this talk of Trescothick, Ramprakash is nonsensical.
 
zing said:
Completely agreed. Bringing a new player in will only boost the Aussies confidence. Scoring runs in county cricket is one thing, but bringing in a new player out of the bolt to play against the Aussies of all teams is plainly not a good idea.

England should stick with the same team. All this talk of Trescothick, Ramprakash is nonsensical.
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But if Boparas confidence is gone, a change is needed.
 
Trott and Key in for Bell & Bopara. Flintoff in for Harmison.

I thought Sidebottom should have played at Headingly ahead of Harmison, but the Oval isn't renowned for swing and Flintoff is a shoe in if fit.

Bell even if he is in form at county level looked nervous in the last test so go for Key at 3, and then Trott in as Bopara looks to have lost his confidence. He's a definite test player but needs to iron out a few kinks in his game as he has been found out a little and was never a test no.3 at the highest level, really someone like Pietersen or Collingwood should be at 3, or pick find another opener (preferably a right hander to make it more awkward for the bowlers) and put Strauss in at 3.
 
Key should definitely get into the team and placed either as an opener or at number 3. Probably out Trott in for Bell as well as I have always doubted the latter's ability and temperament against the elite in the test arena. But do we really want to go down the yet another South African route..doesn't say much for players coming up the ranks. Shouldn't Stephen Moore or Joe Denly who both performed against Australia in the Lions match be given a shot or is it perhaps too early to bring them in.
 
FlawlessThaw said:
Key should definitely get into the team and placed either as an opener or at number 3. Probably out Trott in for Bell as well as I have always doubted the latter's ability and temperament against the elite in the test arena. But do we really want to go down the yet another South African route..doesn't say much for players coming up the ranks. Shouldn't Stephen Moore or Joe Denly who both performed against Australia in the Lions match be given a shot or is it perhaps too early to bring them in.
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Moore is in his late 20's so he should be more 'ready'. Denly is younger and a potential England player, it's probably too much pressure for a first test for him, especially opening the innings.
 
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