There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[backfootpunch]

my team for next couple of series

cook
root
bell
KP
ballance
stokes
prior
broad
onions
anderson
panesar

im hoping prior scores some runs for sussex, if he doesnt then id bring in buttler for bairstow who isn't convincing in front of or behind the stumps

[Arthur Crabtree]

I agree with that bfp, apart from I think we should bring in a younger pace bowler ahead of Onions. Anderson and Broad remain quality bowlers, but can we see Anderson going much more than a couple of years? We need to take this opportunity to find a couple of emerging bowlers while this stability is in place.

[Durhamfootman]

England won't go back to Onions any time soon.

They've spent a year watching him at close quarters (in the nets), identified him as having lost his pace, post back surgery, and have drawn a line under him.

Another coach might pick him, but as long as Flower and Saker are involved in the bowling decisions, I can't see them reversing that decision. If being the leading wicket taker in the CC for 2 years running can't get him a gig, I'm not sure that there is anything he can do to make them change their mind

[GGAS]

I don't think wholesale changes are needed. The current lot have the ability, we know that, they just seem to lack focus and concentration which is why I'm astounded the current coaching set up is carrying on. Think a new approach his definitely required, including a new captain but I'm not sure who would be a candidate. Only players I'd consider bringing in that aren't in the squad would be Onions and maybe Buttler.

[backfootpunch]

the stand out young bowler in county cricket has been chris woakes for a long time, but he has been deemed as too slow even though he bowls the same sort of pace as bresnan and jimmy

290 wickets at 25 almost all in division 1 is pretty impressive, especially when combined with 7 hundreds and an average of 39 with the bat

he has played a bit of ODI cricket but he is a way better bowler with the red ball, one test on a flat oval pitch then completely discarded

nobody else really springs to mind, jack brooks maybe but he's 29 and reece topley is still a bit green

[Arthur Crabtree]

I don't think wholesale changes are needed. The current lot have the ability, we know that, they just seem to lack focus and concentration which is why I'm astounded the current coaching set up is carrying on. Think a new approach his definitely required, including a new captain but I'm not sure who would be a candidate. Only players I'd consider bringing in that aren't in the squad would be Onions and maybe Buttler.

Even if they are the best we have, quite a lot of the team is coming to the end of their careers. If we restore confidence and keep them in, we'll still have the same problem in the near future. Having said that, evolution is preferable. Bell, KP and Anderson will almost certainly continue. And possibly Panesar and Prior.

[Arthur Crabtree]

the stand out young bowler in county cricket has been chris woakes for a long time, but he has been deemed as too slow even though he bowls the same sort of pace as bresnan and jimmy

290 wickets at 25 almost all in division 1 is pretty impressive, especially when combined with 7 hundreds and an average of 39 with the bat

he has played a bit of ODI cricket but he is a way better bowler with the red ball, one test on a flat oval pitch then completely discarded

nobody else really springs to mind, jack brooks maybe but he's 29 and reece topley is still a bit green

Mills and Overton are a long way off, but Jordan as a 90mph bowler? Obviously we hope Finn re-emerges. Woakes will presumably get a chance, but I'd like some real pace in the team in the short term. Woakes is skipper in SL.

[backfootpunch]

the stand out young bowler in county cricket has been chris woakes for a long time, but he has been deemed as too slow even though he bowls the same sort of pace as bresnan and jimmy

290 wickets at 25 almost all in division 1 is pretty impressive, especially when combined with 7 hundreds and an average of 39 with the bat

he has played a bit of ODI cricket but he is a way better bowler with the red ball, one test on a flat oval pitch then completely discarded

nobody else really springs to mind, jack brooks maybe but he's 29 and reece topley is still a bit green

Mills and Overton are a long way off, but Jordan as a 90mph bowler? Obviously we hope Finn re-emerges. Woakes will presumably get a chance, but I'd like some real pace in the team in the short term. Woakes is skipper in SL.

jordan had one good season, if he can repeat it this time around he will be pushing for a place

fortunately now we have stokes as a 5th bowler there will be much less pressure on whoever comes in as 3rd seamer

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just a reminder of the team to go to SL.

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) *Capt
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Scott Borthwick (Durham)
Varun Chopra (Warwickshire)
Ben Foakes (Essex)
James Harris (Middlesex)
Chris Jordan (Sussex)
Simon Kerrigan (Lancashire)
Alex Lees (Yorkshire)
Tymal Mills (Essex)
Sam Robson (Middlesex)
James Taylor (Nottinghamshire)
James Vince (Hampshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Overton pulled out with an injury. Don't know anything about Wood. I presume Durham fans will be waiting to blame his call up for poor form next season, if he starts badly. ;)

[Red Devil]

the stand out young bowler in county cricket has been chris woakes for a long time, but he has been deemed as too slow even though he bowls the same sort of pace as bresnan and jimmy

290 wickets at 25 almost all in division 1 is pretty impressive, especially when combined with 7 hundreds and an average of 39 with the bat

he has played a bit of ODI cricket but he is a way better bowler with the red ball, one test on a flat oval pitch then completely discarded

nobody else really springs to mind, jack brooks maybe but he's 29 and reece topley is still a bit green

I have to say that Woakes would have been my pick ahead of Stokes. I guess I'm not surprised that he's been sidelined by the Eng management, it's a similar story with Onions. Fron an India perspective I hope they persist with ignoring onions next summer!

Moeen Ali is the other guy who I am surprised doesn't get mentioned more. Top quality domestic batting record and also a very useful spinner.

[hopeforthebest]

I'm surprised by how quickly the selectors and most everyone has discarded Kieswetter as a possible England keeper. Is Buttler so much better, Somerset don't think so and their respective stats for that county don't point that way either.

[Arthur Crabtree]

CK was considered a better keeper. On tv, Trescothick seemed to assume he was close to a place. His England career does seem to have gone backwards however.

[Durhamfootman]

Don't know anything about Wood. I presume Durham fans will be waiting to blame his call up for poor form next season, if he starts badly.

Decent enough bowler. Not tall, particularly. Has a knack of taking wickets when they are most needed. Decent pace, able to get reverse, and seems to have the faith of Colly. All good, but far from the finished article

He has a very odd run up. It's almost like watching a long jumper about to start his run; kind of dips down onto one knee as he sets off. England won't be able to resist 'coaching him out of it' and we know how that usually works out

[meninblue]

England should consider players around 30 and give them debut.Even if they will have shelf life of 5 years.There is no point in discarding them because of age.If their experience will help them adjust rather quickly to international level than 20-22 yrs ones then why not.How successful have the youngsters that have been recently tried give confidence that they are upto the mark.

[shankycricket]

I don't think there is a need for wholesale changes. There are already a few problem areas in the team that haven't been fixed yet and they need to sort that out before any thoughts of dispensing with senior players. By this, I'm referring to the 2nd opener, 3rd seamer and spinner. Unlike others, I don't think the wicketkeeper is a source of concern. Prior will be back and back soon. I'm amazed at some of the reactions to his lean patch. He has just had 2 bad series against an exceptional bowling attack. I'd be very surprised if he has any issues against the Sri Lankan or Indian attacks.

Will post in more detail in the next post about what I think they should do with regards to the 3 problematic slots.