Ok, Ok, I’ve taken into account some of the advice polietely offered on here, and I’d just like to make a few points –
A. The selection is based on general quality, rather than performances against Australia alone. I mean, I don’t want Peter Such in there do I? (for Heath)
B. Top Cat – I was of course referring to Phillip Hughes. I assume that number 10 is the natural batting position of Australia’s answer to Brian Lara now?
C. Seriously though, I get some of the points made. So –
1. Gooch
2. Trescothick
3. Stewart
4. Pieterson
5. Thorpe
6. Flintoff
7. Prior +
8. Broad
9. Swann
10. Gough
11. Anderson
Right, to address some points. Cook – I know he’ll go on to break record and has amassed some big scores; but (and people may disagree) he still feels like a conditions-dependent player. I’m equally unsurprised by him scoring 190 against mediocre opposition on a helpful pitch, or him getting plucked for 3 on a seaming one, whilst making the same errors he was 6 years ago. For me, there’s still a structural weakness in his play. Although, he may change my mind in the up and coming Ashes by scoring a 1000 runs. I still favour Stewart (now as a non-keeping number 3) above Vaughan. Although Strauss at 3 could tempt me to change my mind perhaps. Vaughan was obviously imperious in 02/03, but seldom have I ever seen a more fragile top order batsman when even slightly out of touch.
Anderson is in for Caddick. Although I still shudder about the treatment he received in 06/07, although he wasn’t exactly match fit at the time.