No way will they want to lose Broad's runs, not saying I agree I just don't think they will.

yeah i know there is no way they will pick Gramps but it would be great fun,
you dont need Broads runs as with that lineup they are batting down to 8, from what i can gather it looks like Trott is in for Bopara, just need to change Bell for Gramps or even Keys.

Ramprakash scored 133 in his last test at the oval against Australia, an Australian attack that included Mcgrath and Warne, the oval is also his home ground. Cmon Gramps

I can't see them dropping Broad, seeing as he took 6 for and scored a half century in the last test.

I do wish we had introduced Sidebottom earlier though, but I don't know how I would fit him in to be honest. I also would not be dropping Onions.

I think it will end up being:

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Bell
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Onions

I think that team is the one they will pick but it will not win us the test or the ashes, best that lot will get is a draw wich in my eyes is a loss as we need to win to get the ashes back. Bopara, Broad and Onions will all go on to play for England in the future but should be out for the oval i feel sorry for Bopara as he never was or never will be a number 3 test batsman and this stupid selection could set him back a bit. Bells test career should now be put on hold for a while as at the moment he just doesnt cut it.

well it looks at though they are dropping Onions for Freddy, which means Harmy stays.

Trott in for Bopara

If anyone who has a Wii is interested Ashes 2009 is not going to be released until November here in Aus. But you can buy it online now at ebay stores from the UK. They are guaranteed to work over here and are half the price than they would be in the shops here. I just bought mine from here at $45.
http://myworld.ebay.com.au/gameshop-australia/
You can be assured they will charge $90 when it is released here plus you don't have to put up with Pricky Ponting on the front cover.

Let us know if it's any good when it arrives.

Strauss and Cook need to put on a couple of good stands. Which I don't think will happen since I think the Aussies have worked Cook out.

Australia will do no worse than a draw at the Oval I think.

well, it's down to the arse end and I must say this has been an incredibly dull series played out between two very average teams. If Aus win this test they retain the number one spot, which in hindsight would be terribly undeserved.

I feel that this test will all come down to Aus' selection of Clark. If they pick him I feel that it would not only give them the best chance of a win, but also of a draw. If they don't pick him then England, I feel really have a chance to take it and dominate the Aussie bowlers. Clark just gives them that control over the run rate that was missing from their attack in the 2nd and 3rd tests and therefore allowed England to take the game away from Aus within the first few days. From there on they were always chasing their tails and England capitalised.
Headingly was a freak test, which I don't think (hope) will be repeated for a long time. It seemed that everything came together to kill England in that test. If Aus go into this test thinking they are going to be able to reproduce Headingly then they will be in for a shock.
I think Trott's selection is 2 tests too late, but a positive and correct move all the same. Even if he gets ducks in both innings, he will have faired no worse than Bopara would have achieved. It will be vital experience for a player who will undoubtedly be the future of our batting line-up and certainly now puts the pressure on Bell and Bopara to perform once KP is fit again. Competition is good, something our side has been lacking for too long.
Funny, reading Ponting's comments that picking Trott reaked of desperation. Of course it is a desperate move, but then so was picking a relative test debutant and inexperienced opener (Watson)to open the batting for them. Typical hypocracy from Ponting!

It's judgement day and you can be sure that Flintoff will not go out quietly, the question will be whether he can drag any of our other bowlers along with him for one last assault.

Come on England!

Hope England win the toss you mean. Though if Australia don't play a spinner it's less important for England to bat first.

I know nothing about Trott, never seen him play. To me the key is the opening partnership to keep England in the game. I haven't been impressed by Cook and his habit of playing across the line to good length balls on the leg... Still, we'll see. But England have to win. Can they take 20 wickets? Somebody has to have a blinder.

The rout has started!

Get in there!

Another treacherous dog.

Nice start to the morning for Australia, but I think it was more luck than good management. I'm worried that our bowling attack will be too predictable and lacking in variety.

DER luger is in the top draw of the desk , mien fuhrer.....mm

A good toss to win and England seem to be batting okay. If they can get through to lunch with 1 down then they will be looking good. England have had a good run on this ground but a draw is not good enough for them.

I'm hoping England get something out of this test so SA can go top of the world rankings.