Selectors ignore Bell and Vaughan with brave choice

Bravo for the selectors!  After all the debate about whether England would select Ian Bell or Michael Vaughan to bat at three against West Indies, the selectors have chosen to ignore both with their squad for the 1st Test.  Steve Harmison and Owais Shah have also been left out.

A bold selection sees the inclusion of Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions for what would be their test debuts, whilst Ravi Bopara will also play in a top six that will include wicketkeeper Matt Prior.  Many will likely criticise the selectors, but personally I am delighted that they have resisted the temptation to return to previously underperforming players simply on the basis of things they achieved four or more years ago.

Much will be made of the exclusion of Bell, who has scored two centuries already for Warwickshire so far this season.  On Cricinfo, Geoff Miller is quoted as saying of Bell:

We need to get him even more passionate about playing…so he doesn’t lose his place again

How much has this squad selection been influenced by the new captain and coach, Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower?  Either way the selectors should be applauded for not taking the easy option by reinstating Bell at the first opportunity.  Ravi Bopara deserves his chance after a century in his last test match.

As for the bowling, it would seem to be a choice of two from Bresnan, Onions and Panesar – if England choose to field a second spinner then Panesar will play.  With only six frontline batsman, plus Stuart Broad, Bresnan’s batting ability will count in his favour.

1. Andrew Strauss (Middlesex, captain)
2. Alastair Cook (Essex)
3. Ravi Bopara (Essex)
4. Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
5. Paul Collingwood (Durham)
6. Matt Prior (Sussex, wkt)
7. Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
8. Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
9. Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
10. James Anderson (Lancashire)
11. Graham Onions (Durham)
12. Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire)