A few of my thoughts that I thought Mr Fletcher may care to take into account :)
There has been a lot of discussion about team selection for the up coming Pakistan series and the tour to Oz. I will start of with my ideal sqaud:
Trescothick
Strauss
Vaughan (C)
Pieterson
Collingwood
Flintoff
G Jones
Hoggard
Giles
S Jones
Harrmison
There are a few problems with this selection however.....
1. Vaughan. People have been questioning whether he should automatically get his place back. I would say a definate yes. His form was OK before the injury, no one (Cook, Bell) that has come in to peplace him has really proved their capability. He has a great form in Australia (average of 63.3 from 5 matches in the last tour to Oz) and we need him to get some match practice in before that tour so if he is fit sleect him for the Paistan series. Also, see point 2....
2. Captaincy. If Vaughan is in the squad give him back the captaincy. He has a great record. Dont ever give Flintoff the captaincy again. I dont doubt his capability but it is on burden to much. He bowls as much if not more than anyone else in the side and everyone still expects great batting. If Vaughan dosent make it for the Pakistan series hand the captaincy to Strauss or even Pieterson (I think he would be an excellent capatain and tactically ruthless).
3. Collingwood. I think he is the most underated batsman in the team. Why do people constantly question his selection? As in my point for Vaughan none of the new batsmen who have come in have proved them selves. Having Collingwood in at 5 makes a great foil for Pietersen and Flintoff to bat with.
4. Geriant Jones. Not great but who else is out there to take his place? Look for a replacement after the tour to Oz.
5. Hoggard & Harrmison. Looks like both of these guys will be fit for both the Pakistan & Oz matches. Automatic selections.
6. Giles. The only Warwickshire man to make it. Looks like he may be fit for the Pakistan series. I really hope he is. Monty was ok but not great. There are some serious questions over his fielding and Giles is a far better tail end batsman. I also don't think Monty will be able to take the comments that Shane will have to say about his mother without crying.
7. Simon Jones. I think is the biggest problem for the selectors. It looks like he is definately not available for Pakistan and Oz and his career may be over. As for the replacment batsmen no one has shone as a replacement for Jones. I would keep Anderson in mind, he might not exactly be the most consistent bowler but when he is in form he can take wickets. Plunkett may be the only choice.
My last point would be give Flintoff a break. His injury may not be a bad thing. It wouldnt be a disaster for him to sit out the summer and be fresh for the tour to Oz.
...........my 2C for what it is worth.......
