There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[ianp1970]

Woakes at 8 in June then AC?

[Making_Splinters]

This may be the outcome of the release of feelings that people have had to keep bottled up for a long time whilst they were members of the same team. It's difficult to think there wouldn't have been any with a character like Peitersen in it.

I agree that it's not a very edifying spectacle. All it needs now is for Piers Morgan to get involved.

You give Piers too little credit. He got involved very quickly yesterday...

"Can't wait for Kevin Pietersen to tell his side of the story. See how these pumped up little weasels like Swann/Prior/Cook feel then. @KP24"
"BOOM! > RT @KP24 Fewer Q&A's, more Sussex nets methinks, @MattPrior13!"
"Swann stabbing @KP24 in the back again today - just as he stabbed all his colleagues in the back by quitting this winter. Gutless coward."

Really? I've not been keeping up with it to be honest. I wonder if Pietersen has ever had the nous to realise that with friends like Morgan, who would need enemies? Probably not.

I don't really see why this is still being brought up in the news. Baring an almost unhinkable u-turn from the ECB, KP is no longer an international cricketer. I can only assume Prior is attempt to gain favour with the new management to get back into the side.

Hopefully he'll stay dropped to give either Bairstow or Buttler a long run in the side.

[m@tt]

Good tour for England in SL. Successes were Taylor, Robson and Woakes with the bat and Onions and Woakes with the ball.

Kerrigan improved as the tour went on as well. Plunkett was a surprise success with the bat as well.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Woakes at 8 in June then AC?

Seven?

Depends on Finn. If he's bowling well, he should be in the team. I'd want Woakes to replace Anderson, if he was injured. But for our fourth bowler, I think we need some pace. Jordan might be worth a look. And most of the media seem to be behind Onions. Woakes' county average is pretty identical to Onions (and he doesn't bowl at the Riverside) and he's an allrounder. Onions isn't going to bring pace, and can be expensive. I'd sooner pick Woakes ahead of him. My guess is that Onions will play in June out of all these. Maybe Bresnan might still be around.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good tour for England in SL. Successes were Taylor, Robson and Woakes with the bat and Onions and Woakes with the ball.

Kerrigan improved as the tour went on as well. Plunkett was a surprise success with the bat as well.

I guess Plunkett's batting won't get him a call up though. I think Moeen took a few wickets in the first match. Press gossip suggests Borthwick will get the England spot, but I reckon Kerrigan and Moeen are ahead, in different ways.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Most of the batters did well. Chopra made a few.

[m@tt]

Most of the batters did well. Chopra made a few.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... ype=series

Several batsman averaging over 50. Onions and Woakes both have impressive bowling figures. Mills did alright too, good to see his economy rate was only 3 runs an over. Borthwick had a poor tour with the ball, whilst Bairstow chances of keeping his place is looking very slim.

[ianp1970]

Woakes at 8 in June then AC?

Seven?

Depends on Finn. If he's bowling well, he should be in the team. I'd want Woakes to replace Anderson, if he was injured. But for our fourth bowler, I think we need some pace. Jordan might be worth a look. And most of the media seem to be behind Onions. Woakes' county average is pretty identical to Onions (and he doesn't bowl at the Riverside) and he's an allrounder. Onions isn't going to bring pace, and can be expensive. I'd sooner pick Woakes ahead of him. My guess is that Onions will play in June out of all these. Maybe Bresnan might still be around.

Surely Stokes and a keeper at will be at 6 & 7?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Woakes batted ahead of Prior when they played together. If he's going to be developed as a genuine all rounder, he's got to bat higher. Prior at eight.

I think Bairstow is probably quite a way off a place now. He and Lees were the only batters not to do well.

[Arthur Crabtree]

On flat pitches, all the bowlers kept things tidy, apart from Borthwick, who at least made runs.

[D/L]

Woakes at 8 in June then AC?

Seven?

Depends on Finn. If he's bowling well, he should be in the team. I'd want Woakes to replace Anderson, if he was injured. But for our fourth bowler, I think we need some pace. Jordan might be worth a look. And most of the media seem to be behind Onions. Woakes' county average is pretty identical to Onions (and he doesn't bowl at the Riverside) and he's an allrounder. Onions isn't going to bring pace, and can be expensive. I'd sooner pick Woakes ahead of him. My guess is that Onions will play in June out of all these. Maybe Bresnan might still be around.

Finn must be seen as a big "if". Jordan shows promise. Sadly, after some strange omissions, it may be that Onions' boat has sailed. Not at all convinced by Woakes as a test player. There is no doubt that Bresnan will be around and a more likely contender than all of the forementioned.

[m@tt]

If Finn bowls well for Middlesex, then why not recall him? Yes it's an if, but a few months of net bowling and County cricket away from the England set up could do him the world of good. Amazing how quickly things can turn around. But if he isn't ready then he must not be picked.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Obviously there's a question mark. But if bowling well he'll be back quite soon.

[andy]

Varun Chopra is the real outsider as well...he could maybe sneak in, he's been prolific over the past couple of years, even more so than Robson, and also performed well on the lions tour, so don't rule him out..

[ianp1970]

Would Prior be the best ever batting test 8?