England's Summer Of Cricket against New Zealand and AUSTRALIA!

[Alex]

Its no fun when they are in disarray. A white wash would be glorious. But the rate they are going it wont even be a contest. Shame.

[EwarWoo]

Clarke stepping down does kind of make sense if he believes it's creating friction and impacting his ability to operate as a captain and team mate.

He's remaining captain so it's no massive change to setup. Just an attempt to get back to being one of the boys and winning back trust.

But the timing of all this is just mind boggling.

[EwarWoo]

Double post.

[captainfog]

They are a mess. Complete shambles. But...... they still have the bowlers to make this a tight series. If they win the toss and bowl first in the first test they will have a chance to shape the series.

[Alex]

With the form Cook and Trott are in with the bat, I am less worried than I was last year. Cook has inexplicably gotten better with since he took over the captaincy. I worry for Bell or whoever else is going to open though. We could be stopped before they even get going.

[captainfog]

With the form Cook and Trott are in with the bat, I am less worried than I was last year. Cook has inexplicably gotten better with since he took over the captaincy. I worry for Bell or whoever else is going to open though. We could be stopped before they even get going.

Bell will bat at 5. I think it's a certainty that Compton will start, not convinced he'll finish the series though.

Our batting lineup with KP looks absolutely boss:

Cook
Compton
Trott
KP
Bell
Root
Prior

The Aussie bowling attack has the potential to be fantastic though and if the pitch is doing a bit then it'll be tough getting past 350.

[Chazza]

Darren Lehmann has been promoted from Australia A to the head coach position.

Talk about baptism of fire

[Shaggy]

BBC Sport @BBCSport
England national selector Geoff Miller: "We believe Joe Root is currently the best opening partner for Alastair Cook."

England squad to play Essex County Cricket Club in the LV= Challenge match: Cook, Anderson, Bairstow, Bell, Bresnan, Broad, Finn, Onions, Pietersen, Prior, Rankin, Root, Swann & Trott.
Geoff Miller, National Selector, said: “We believe Joe Root is currently the best opening partner for Alastair Cook & he will open the batting against Essex"

[captainfog]

Gutted for Compo. Nobody wants to play against the Aussies more than him, what with the family history an' all. He must be devastated.

Our middle order looks far weaker with Bairstow in the side too IMO.

[Chazza]

WTF is Boyd Rankin doing knocking around the squad.

[captainfog]

WTF is Boyd Rankin doing knocking around the squad.

Mad isn't it. Apparently he's in that group challenging behind our usual 4 seamers.

I thought we had loads of ace bowlers, but we really don't.

Jimmy
Broad (inconsistent)
Finn (got run up issues)
Bresnan (lost his nip)
Tremlett (always injured)
Onions (past it)

and now we can add to the list RANKIN!

[Alex]

I've always thought Onions has done well for England, shame he never got more of a chance.

[Shaggy]

I don't think Onions is past it.

Finn is still very young and will be world class.

Broad - agree he is inconsistent and probably always will be.

Bresnan - yep, injuries have ****ed him

Tremlett - yep injury prone

[Alex]

Agree on Finn. Thought it was harsh he was dropped on Sunday in favour of Bresnan. On Bresnan, he seems to have out a bit of bulk on. Looking like Flintoff at his biggest. That can't be good for his knees and ankles.

[Chazza]

Just had a look in the Lions squad and not much in that either.

Chris Woakes, Toby Roland-Jones (No idea) or Chris Wright as the pace options.