England v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord's, 15th-19th May

If he's ready, he's ready, and if he's fit, he's fit.

Sage.

Allan D wrote:I don't think the selectors will make the same mistake as they did last season in the ODIs and bring Freddie back before he's fully fit.

You underestimate the capacity of our selectors to be complete pr@ts at times

But all reports suggest that he IS fully fit. Why waste his good form and fitness playing for Lancs when he could be playing for England?

He had that pre season tour of Dubai, and he's played every game for Lancs do far this season. That's enough cricket to suggest that he is fit and raring to go.

However England don't need him to beat the Kiwis as last winter showed. Putting him in the Test side now would take him out of the routine of the county circuit. He needs to play as many matches as possible, even at a lower level, before the Saffies arrive, who will provide the stiffest test before the Aussies next summer. Playing New Zealand will tell us nothing about either his match fitness or level of performance and only give him another extended layoff which could prove dangerous. He should stay with Lancashire until South Africa arrives and the Kiwis should be used to give outings to other promising players.

My England team for Lords-

Cook
Strauss
Pietersen
Bell
Collingwood (c)
Flintoff
Ambrose+
Broad
Sidebottom
Hoggard
Panesar

In case of any injuries:
Batting replacement Vaughan
Fast bowling replacement Onions
Spin replacement Rashid

If Flintoff isn't fit then we have to have a 4 bowler attack (unless something crazy is done like swapping out Monty for Rashid) and we play Vaughan. We really should expect to beat the weakened Kiwis in home conditions.

Allan D wrote:However England don't need him to beat the Kiwis as last winter showed.

It was hardly convincing though was it? IMO you can't play with test caps like that otherwise its got a habit of biting you on the arse. We need to win all the test series we can.

You pick your best players IMO

We really should expect to beat the weakened Kiwis in home conditions.

It seems an utter scandal that Bond is not being selected for NZ given he seems fit and is playing County Cricket anyway.

JKLever wrote:

Basil wrote:Nothing wrong with a five man attack in principle - but Fred has barely scored a run, he'd struggle to bat at 7 at the moment.

If he's recalled, it will be as part of a four man attack.

I should hope so. Our batting has been ropey as hell recently, so to put Fred at 6 would be sheer folly.

Fred must play though, simply because I will be there....

You finally decided to grace us mortals at Lord's with your company then Lever?

Merlin wrote:
You finally decided to grace us Lahndon w*nkers at Lord's with your company then Lever?

Indeed I did

JKLever wrote:

Merlin wrote:
You finally decided to grace us Lahndon w*nkers at Lord's with your company then Lever?

Indeed I did

Good man!
Don't forget to bring your passport .... and no farking kilts nor sporrans!!
Where are you seated .. Compton or Edrich?

How
Fulton
Taylor
Redmond
Marshall/Flynn
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Mills
Southee
Martin

Not bad. Could have done with Bond and Marshall though.

Merlin wrote:

JKLever wrote:

Merlin wrote:
You finally decided to grace us Lahndon w*nkers at Lord's with your company then Lever?

Indeed I did

Good man!
Don't forget to bring your passport .... and no farking kilts nor sporrans!!
Where are you seated .. Compton or Edrich?

grandstand

I can't wait for Test Cricket to be back. It seems like its been a farking age since the end of the NZ tour. My England team would be:

Cook
Key
Strauss (c)
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Ambrose (k.k.k.)
Broad
Sidebottom
Hoggard
Panesar

Flintoff's too much of a liability to play.

Yes, but Vaughan will captain.

JKLever wrote:

Allan D wrote:However England don't need him to beat the Kiwis as last winter showed.

It was hardly convincing though was it? IMO you can't play with test caps like that otherwise its got a habit of biting you on the arse. We need to win all the test series we can.

You pick your best players IMO

Agree entirely. New Zealand are the sort of team that will sneak up and beat us if we're complacent on the field or with team selections. Giving out a vibe of,"It's only New Zealand..we don't need Fred" will be just the motivation the Kiwi's need.