Finn

[Burgey]

Tal here theis morning that Finn might be"rested" from Boxing Day.

If that's the case, do you blokes think Shazad or Bresnan will come in? Which would you choose?

[Woodster]

Originally Posted by Burgey

Tal here theis morning that Finn might be"rested" from Boxing Day.

If that's the case, do you blokes think Shazad or Bresnan will come in? Which would you choose?

I've suggested on another thread, and I may be in a minority, but my preference would be for Bresnan to come in. He'll give the side more control, allowing us to use Anderson and Tremlett as more attacking/strike bowlers. He may not be as penetrative as many bowlers but he has excellent stamina capable of bowling long spells without losing any pace, I expect he'll be economical, perhaps taking some of those pressures off Swann, and he adds depth to the batting.

His experience gives him the edge over Shahzad also, which could be important in such a massive game at Melbourne.

[MW1304]

Another important point with Bresnan, i feel, is that Australia will almost certainly underrate him and look to attack him at every opportunity. Could really backfire for them if he keeps badgering away back of a length and all that (or he could get smacked all over the shop).

Not completely happy with either of him or Shahzad coming in but if Finn really needs a rest as badly as everyone's making out he does, Bresnan's the safer bet. Just stick with Finn, though, please.

[marc71178]

I think Finn may benefit from a game off and would agree with Woodster in going for Bresnan to replace him.

[Howe_zat]

Finn has been hit and miss all series, but definately needs a rest. He was flagging quite badly by the final hour of day one in Perth.

I've already offered my worthless opinion on England's bowling, play 'em all.

[Jacknife]

Was it any coincidence, that the 2 best Oz bowlers have only played 2 tests, along with Tremlett, they all seemed more fit and firing than the others.

[Howe_zat]

Originally Posted by Jacknife

Was it any coincidence, that the 2 best Oz bowlers have only played 2 tests, along with Tremlett, they all seemed more fit and firing than the others.

Not so much as remotely a coincidence. Though Johnson being one of the best two after one outstanding spell also says something about Aus' bowling at Adelaide.

[Uppercut]

TBH I thought Jimmeh looked moreso in need of a rest than Finn, even from early on in the Perth match. He's so much better than the alternatives that he kinda has to be picked, but the next two matches are back-to-back, and how well is he going to be bowling by the second innings at Sydney?

Having such a settled lineup served England pretty well for the first two tests but with Broad's injury it could easily come back to bite them in the ass in the last two. Of Australia's attack, only Peter Siddle has played all three of the first games. And he'll run in all day .

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

TBH I thought Jimmeh looked moreso in need of a rest than Finn, even from early on in the Perth match. He's so much better than the alternatives that he kinda has to be picked, but the next two matches are back-to-back, and how well is he going to be bowling by the second innings at Sydney?

Having such a settled lineup served England pretty well for the first two tests but with Broad's injury it could easily come back to bite them in the ass in the last two. Of Australia's attack, only Peter Siddle has played all three of the first games. And he'll run in all day .

He'd been to the UK and back in a week though.

Recent experience tells me that can be somewhat tiring.

[Uppercut]

True, I'd forgotten about that. Although in no way does his exhausting escapade between the second and third test make me more convinced that he'll manage to maintain standards until the end of the SCG test.

[Athlai]

Originally Posted by HeathDavisSpeed

Ah. Has Finn replaced Mitchell Johnson as the current CW in vogue "Only takes wickets with bad balls" bowler? As with Johnson, what a pile of tripe. He takes wickets with good balls, and bowls tripe in between, get it right.

Also, certainly at Perth he was clearly playing with a more than basic niggle.

I wasn't really on that Johnson train but regarding Finn I would agree he can bowl good balls that take wickets, however the amount of wickets he has taken this series has been more so to brain meltdowns by Australian's than his own occasional flashes of class. Anderson and Broad outbowled him for large patches of those first two Tests and Finn got gifted a fair amount of the wickets.

My opinion of him is also slightly influenced by some English overrating of him on TestMatchSofa. Can't fault a young bloke having a bit of luck in a tour of Australia too much but he is the lesser part of the English attack IMO.

[flibbertyjibber]

If Finn is dropped i'd be happy with Shahzad to get the nod but i think Bresnan will as he has more experience.

[King Pietersen]

Be Bresnan for me too. Another thing he has going for him over Shahzad is the batting. The tail didn't look anywhere near as strong with Tremlett in for Broad. Bresnan at 8 gives us some serious depth in the batting.

[G Rot]

I havent seen much of shahzad but ive seen a fair bit of bresnan and from what ive seen shahzad looks much more threatening... Bresnan just looks like he lumbers in bowls at an easy pace with no real movement. As an aussie fan id much rather see bresnan - finn - shahzad in that order....

[Burgey]

Shazad was impressive in the tour match, but so was Bresnan IMHO.

Honestly think either will do ok if picked.