Posts tagged with ‘Monty Panesar’

An Oval fairytale did happen this summer, but not for the media’s favourite saviour, Mark Ramprakash. Apparantly unhappy at being overlooked for the Ashes decider, Ramps has criticised the selectors and Ashley Giles in particular, who he all-but accuses of Warwickshire bias.

Sounds like sour grapes from where I’m standing.

It’s Central Contract Awards time, and the big “news” is that Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar have missed out altogether. Actually, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise – Harmison has been quoted as saying that he is unsure whether he will tour South Africa this winter and definitely won’t tour Australia the following winter. Panesar’s fall from grace seems to be complete – Adil Rashid has an incremental contract and must be favourite to travel as the 2nd spinner this winter. Between them they only played 3 Tests this summer.

As emotive as England’s late escape was yesterday, the team will be under no illusions – they were thoroughly outplayed. With the 2nd Test following just a few days behind, Strauss will need to regroup his team fast. Here are the areas that are of concern.

They told us he couldn’t bat. They told us it was all over. They hadn’t counted on Monty.

So this is it.  Let the battle commence.
England are playing both Swann and Panesar in the 1st Test.
And Australia will be playing Nathan Hauritz but not Stuart Clark.
Just what we would have wanted…

Two reports, from the Telegraph and Sky Sports suggest that Adil Rashid is due to be included in England’s pre-pre-pre Ashes squad announced Monday.

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.

Andrew Flintoff’s injury has opened up another selection conundrum over who to replace him with. It all depends on whether the selectors prefer to go with 4 bowlers or 5, and how adventurous they are prepared to be.

Andrew Strauss in a recent interview told us that he was certain of nine of the places for the Ashes XI this summer.

A series defeat against West Indies, but there are positives to be found. The worry will be that the selectors rely on those living on past glories in an attempt to bolster short-term results, particularly for the Ashes.