agreed. It's not like he hasn't been given his chances. At the end of the day he is just one of those brilliant county batsmen but just cannot handle the pressure of the test arena. Plus he's way too old now.

I'd rather throw the bat back to MPV.

still dont agree but thats my opinion, Trescothick anyone

I have a number of reasons why I am keen on bringing in Joe Denley.

He's only 23, he's scored a sh!t load of runs over the last year. He's graduated from the U19s England Test team and more importantly the Aussies wouldn't have the slightest clue how to bowl to him.

The Aussies have seen plenty of Bell over the last 5 years to know exactly what all his weaknesses are (and there are plenty of them), whilst Denley would be completely new to them.

A risk of course, but as Dell Boy once said, who dares wins.

Remember, Pietersen was seen as a massive risk prior to the last Ashes in 05'. So many "experts" were saying that he is a ODI or 20/20 batsman only and didn't have the right temperament for Test cricket. They also said that Graeme Thorpe should be picked instead. Aren't we glad we didn't do that?

...is still in a straight jacket

sounds good to me, give the lad a go

fair enough but in the case of Ramps it's fair to say that the stats don't lie

Tests: 52
Average: 27.32
Centuries: 2

I know his stats for England are pants but that was then, i think the guy has changed but who knows, bit stupid really to even talk about it because it wont happen in a million years.

It's not that mad an idea. Ramps is the best batsman in the country and he'd have no pressure on him. He'd know that it was just for three tests.

The selectors won't do it though. They'll have to go for Bell I think.

Used to get down to the oval and Guildford to see Surrey and Ramps was allways great to watch, his record in county cricket is outstanding and he did score 133 against the Aussies at the oval so bring him in for the last test, he will be playing on his home patch so could do very well.

Sorry, didnt catch that. What's cricket anyway?

Sorry about the deleted messages computer went a bit funny. My point was that I use to watch Hick and his record at county level was fantastic but jusy like Ramps could never do it at test level. However I would fancy my chances against Johnson and co.. So Bell or Ramps should be able to do a job..

I think the last thing we need right now is a dolly of a batsman walking into the England team wwho gives Johnson his ignition spark. This series is shaping up exactly like 05'. Gillespie came into it all cocky and expecting to just have to turn up to roll over the English batsman, yet they targeted him specifically and he only played one test after that series (Bangladesh, because nobody else could be bothered to go) before retiring. My point is, we need to keep up the pressure on Johnson and not let him gain any confidence.

There was a time when the expression 'it isn't cricket' meant someone doing something deceitful or dishonest. Sadly that expression has lost its meaning when the philosophy has changed to 'win at any cost'. (And that applies to both teams)

I must confess I was a bit worried about those Second Test umpires being out there without their guide dogs

Oz to win this one? Should change an attitude or two especially with a weakend England team...

http://www.skysports.com/twenty20/st...459762,00.html

Think the weather might win this one by all accounts.