Last 2 Tests - Calling Applications for Eng/Aust Selectors

[Squawk]

The first scenario:

Duncan Fletcher has been sacked mid-tour and sent home. No other Pom wants the job so the 1. Poms seek a 'relief selector' via competition.

The Competition:

The English Cricket Board launches the competition and the question is:
"When would your selections culminate in the English team winning back the Ashes?"

Most everyone says in response "2009" but you answer, "to the nearest decade, most likely between 2020-2029". You win.

Two tests remain: Melbourne and Sydney.

What are your selections for the fourth test for England? What changes, (if any) should be made to the order of merit for batting? (eg Peterson elevated?).

The second scenario:

Boony and Beefy are offered BIG money to leave the Ashes series behind and tour to promote their VB effigies and the beach cricket comp. Boony resigns as a selector. Cricket Australia offers the opportunity to be a selector to all members of the "Australian Cricket Family", (except those who play trumpets). You win (again! Get a lotto ticket as well!)

Who do you pick for the fourth test in Melbourne?

Talking points for selecting the Aussie team:

Should the same team be kept?
Should Lee be dropped?
Should the next two tests be used to try some new players bearing in mind the Aussies don't play another Test series until Nov 2007 (I think that is right)
Should McGrath be rested to give him some R and R with Jane and his 36y.o. body to help him prepare for the World Cup in March in the Carribean?
Should Michael Clarke be given a chance to captain the team in an Ashes test as the only aussie under the age of 30? (even if not in name as Captain but by having Ponting let him make all the decisions).

Over to you!

[Aerie]

I wouldn't change the Australian team. Symonds being the only question mark, he'll be playing for his Test career in Melbourne and Sydney.

The England team I would go with the same formula I wanted at the WACA - i.e. six batsman, Flintoff, keeper and 3 bowlers. Playing Mahmood instead of a batsman cost them the match IMO. Especially given Pieterson ran out of partners in both innings.

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pieterson - should have batted number 4 from the start, it balances the batting order
Collingwood
Joyce
Flintoff
Read
Harmison
Hoggard
Panesar

[am Bays]

A spinner will come in for Australia at Sydney IMHO Cullen or McGill. Given that Australia's best bowler this series I expect Lee to be 12th Man because I wouldn't be surprised if between now and Sydney some behind the scenes enquiries will be made of McGrath and to a lesser extent Langer as to their future playing intentions.

Nice little marketing ploy if the NSWCA and CA can promote the last test as McGraths swansong which from test playing point of view it should be given our next test is suspposedly aganst SL next November

[Squawk]

A spinner will come in for Australia at Sydney IMHO Cullen or McGill. Given that Australia's best bowler this series I expect Lee to be 12th Man because I wouldn't be surprised if between now and Sydney some behind the scenes enquiries will be made of McGrath and to a lesser extent Langer as to their future playing intentions.

Nice little marketing ploy if the NSWCA and CA can promote the last test as McGraths swansong which from test playing point of view it should be given our next test is suspposedly aganst SL next November

Couple of good points there Tassie re Langer and McGrath. I suspect Langer will want to play on especially if the Aussies are due to play for the Border-Gavaskar trophy or the West Indies trophy (cant just remember its name atm!).

Re McGrath - a great swansong if he finished on his home ground. Surprised this hasn't been mentioned to date - I certainly hadn't thought of it though. On the other hand, I'm not sure about the status of ticket sales at the SCG but promotion is probably not needed. On the other hand, Channel Tony Greig and the "Sports Shop" might lean on CA as a means of promoting ratings any way they can, especially now the Ashes have been won.

[blink]

West Indies trophy (cant just remember its name atm!).

Frank Worrell Trophy I reckon.

[matt]

I wouldn't change the Australian team. Symonds being the only question mark, he'll be playing for his Test career in Melbourne and Sydney.

The England team I would go with the same formula I wanted at the WACA - i.e. six batsman, Flintoff, keeper and 3 bowlers. Playing Mahmood instead of a batsman cost them the match IMO. Especially given Pieterson ran out of partners in both innings.

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pieterson - should have batted number 4 from the start, it balances the batting order
Collingwood
Joyce
Flintoff
Read
Harmison
Hoggard
Panesar

Pretty much agree. Mahmood was hugely disappointing.

Only problem with that side is that Panesar will get bowled into the ground especially so if Flintoff is recluctant to bowl himself. Dalrymple a big, big show for Sydney.