Victoria v England XI, Melbourne, Dec 10-12

Oddly scheduled and located tour match considering the next test is in Perth. The main focus of this game is who out of Tremlett, Shahzad, and Bresnan will bowl their way into the test side as Broad's replacement. Tremlett starts as the favourite.

As far as I know, the whole England squad has flown to Melbourne for this one. I would have thought most of the first choice XI would have gone straight to Perth from Adelaide and had a few days off.

Will anyone from the Adelaide test actually play in this game? Maybe just Matt prior as a batsman, as he's hardly batted all tour. Wouldn't be surprised to see a few Performance squad players in this game.One thing I will bet my house on- Ali Cook wont play. Probably something like-

Lyth(?)
Umm....Jimmy Adams maybe?
Hildreth(?)
Morgan
Prior
Umm......James Taylor perhaps?
Davies+
Bresnan
Tremlett
Shahzad
Panesar



Perhaps.

Jimmykins went home for the birth of his child

I reckon you're pretty much spot on, only Prior really could do with time in the middle.

Looks like Strauss may play, with Lyth, Hildreth, and probably Adams the three batsmen called upon from the Performance Squad.

4 debutants in the Vics team, just named

Cameron White (C)
Ryan Carters
Aaron Finch
John Hastings
Jayde Herrick
Michael Hill
Jon Holland
David Hussey
Alexander Keath
Clinton McKay

Tom Stray
Matthew Wade

Collingwood and Prior could use a knock.

Possibly something like:

Lyth
Davies +
Collingwood *
Prior
Morgan
Hildreth

Bresnan
Shahzad
Tremlett
Panesar

Maybe Ian Bell making up the numbers at six.

Pro-active move, with an eye on the future, would be to bring in Ben Stokes there as an all-rounder of sorts.

Although Strauss might want a game, as he hasn't got any first innings runs all tour.

Bottom line: I've got no f*cking idea. What a pointless post.

Ben Stokes is playing against Western Australia A in Perth. The only batsmen who don't appear to be playing in that match are Lyth, Hildreth, and Adams.

They could pull him out, though. I think these games are about 13 a side.

Dello wrote:They could pull him out, though. I think these games are about 13 a side.

pretty sure it's XIs

This tour game, sure. But I meant the game the "Performace" squad were playing against the Aussie kids. Don't think that's got FC status or anything like that.

Nath wrote:4 debutants in the Vics team, just named

Cameron White (C)
Ryan Carters
Aaron Finch
John Hastings
Jayde Herrick
Michael Hill
Jon Holland
David Hussey
Alexander Keath
Clinton McKay

Tom Stray
Matthew Wade

an excellent squad...have been looking forward to this match...sadly rain is going to be a significant factor

Sh!tty Aussie weather FFS.

at least it isn't -20

I don't know how you lot can live in all that rain.

You want to get yourselves off to a nice dry country.

Well i've just lost my house. Ali Cook is playing. That is a strange decision. The poor guy must be completely knackered.

England- Strauss, Cook, Bell, Collingwood, Morgan, Prior, Davies, Bresnan, Shahzad, Tremlett, Panesar.