*Official Third Test at Edgbaston

[Andre]

Watson for Hussey as the only Aussie change I'd say. Lords has to me confirmed my concerns - that Hussey can no longer bat for long enough periods of time at Test level. Still a good player, but Test cricket is about guys who can bat for a day and I don't think he can anymore. Just a gut feeling more than anything. He is still looking ok and will make runs, but something tells me he has made his last Test hundred.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Jamee999

We should pick KP and massively abuse the substitute rule.

England would never do that. Never.

[inbox24]

Again it's that time of year when Johnson deserves a good old dropping. It'd be pretty harsh to move any of the other bowlers, so there's really only one bowling spot up for grabs.

[pup11]

Originally Posted by inbox24

Again it's that time of year when Johnson deserves a good old dropping. It'd be pretty harsh to move any of the other bowlers, so there's really only one bowling spot up for grabs.

Mate, Give it a break.

[Trumpers_Ghost]

At the present time Johnson can not be relied upon to do his bowling job. It is a harsh call and I assume that he would come back soon and be better than before, but for the immediate time we can not carry his poor form.

I'd have to be pretty convinced that Watson's bowling form is better than the pies he bowled at T20 WC before I picked him in the side.

The form and mind frame of Hughes is a big worry too. Wish Hodge was in the squad. A re-jiggle of Hussey to opener would either re-ignite his career or see him out of the team (note this is a bit of a back-flip for me on Hussey oppening).

Other question is how is Hauritz injury going to pull up.

Radical Suggestion that probably shouldn't be taken too seriously:
In: McDonald, Lee and Clark
out: Johnson, Hauritz and North/Hussey

cheers

[Matt79]

Don't think Johnson should be dropped. If you look at Johnson's form line it follows something like:

1. Johnson enters series with big rep
2. While somehow still taking wickets, Johnson bowls badly, leading people to denounce him as overrated and call for his dropping. (We are currently here)
3. Johnson tears a match or two apart.

I'd hang out for stage 3 a bit longer yet.

[Matt79]

Hauritz bowled better with his finger smashed (was interesting hearing MacGill and Matthews discussing why this was the case) and the next test isn't back-to-back with this one. He'll be fine.

[wfdu_ben91]

Hopefully Johnson does something worth while with the bat tonight which makes him undroppable.

[Trumpers_Ghost]

Originally Posted by wfdu_ben91

Hopefully Johnson does something worth while with the bat tonight which makes him undroppable.

yes

[Matt79]

Reckon if he bats well, he could well turn his bowling form around pretty quickly. There doesn't appear to be anything physically wrong with him, but we always hear he's a confidence bowler and at the moment, I think that's his biggest problem.

[Uppercut]

Originally Posted by Matt79

Don't think Johnson should be dropped. If you look at Johnson's form line it follows something like:

1. Johnson enters series with big rep
2. While somehow still taking wickets, Johnson bowls badly, leading people to denounce him as overrated and call for his dropping. (We are currently here)
3. Johnson tears a match or two apart.

I'd hang out for stage 3 a bit longer yet.

He's never bowled anywhere near this badly before though. Really hope he comes good again. That spell in South Africa where he injured their team was one of the best spells of fast bowling I've ever seen.

[Jakester1288]

Originally Posted by GeraintIsMyHero

If Flintoff is out I would like to see him replaced with a bowler, personally.

Harmison?

Originally Posted by NUFAN

Now that Haddin has performed so well I'm tipping Lee or Watson to come in for the unlucky M. North.

The reason being that the team needs an extra quick. Hope Watson bowls well in the warmup.

I don't think we will drop North. With centuries against South Africa and in the first Test at Cardiff, I don't see us dropping him. Doesn't mean we won't though.

Originally Posted by Trumpers_Ghost

In: McDonald, Lee and Clark
out: Johnson, Hauritz and North/Hussey

So essentially

1. Hughes
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Hussey/North
5. Clarke
6. Haddin
7. McDonald
8. Lee
9. Siddle
10. Clark
11. Hilfenhaus

No thanks. Only changes for me are picking 2 of Lee, Clark, Siddle and Johnson to go with Hilfenhaus and Hauritz. I was of the opinion that Siddle should be a definite, but by opinion has changed.

I want to see the same batting line up retained, Hussey, Hughes and Katich were all not out, Katich is undroppable anyway, and if his foot was that little bit back on the delivery he still probably would have been out. North, well I want to see him get another shot. As I said up a little bit, he has made centuries against South Africa and in the first Test at Cardiff, surely you can't turn around and drop him the very next match?

Originally Posted by wfdu_ben91

Hopefully Johnson does something worth while with the bat tonight which makes him undroppable.

Hopefully.

[Hoggy31]

England will get absolutely pumped, never been more sure of anything.

Anyone know the likely pitch conditions?

[pasag]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

He's never bowled anywhere near this badly before though. Really hope he comes good again. That spell in South Africa where he injured their team was one of the best spells of fast bowling I've ever seen.

He was easily worse in the Windies.

[sephiroth123]

Well I'd imagine this win for England will be a kick in the butt for the Aussies and I doubt they will have a first innings as bad as this one. Still England will be buzzing as well thanks to this first win.