Tried and tested get nod for Ashes battle

ENGLAND could find no room for Steve Harmison as the selectors kept faith with the team that beat West Indies for a mouthwatering Ashes opener.
Until recently the idea that the Durham pace ace would find a starting spot for the much-anticipated series with Australia, which starts in Cardiff on Wednesday, would have been laughed away. But six Harmison wickets for England Lions against the tourists last weekend gave the selectors food for thought.

But they have decided to stick with the tried, tested and successful bowling attack that won the two-Test series against West Indies, with the return of Andrew Flintoff to add some pace.

So Ricky Ponting and Co know the task that awaits them. If they are able to cope with a bowling attack of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, one of Graham Onions or Monty Panesar, and Flintoff, then the Ashes could well be theirs.

But national selector Geoff Miller is confident England’s attack is more than capable of bowling the hosts to Ashes glory.

“We were delighted with the way in which the team performed in the warm-up match at Edgbaston (against Warwickshire) and it was very encouraging to see Andrew Flintoff bowl so well on his return to the side,” Miller said.

“We were keen to show consistency in selection and retain the nucleus of the side that performed so well against West Indies in the Test series earlier this summer.

“Graham Onions has made an excellent start to his Test career and gives us a different option when we consider the make-up of our bowling attack and the type of conditions we will encounter.”

But for all the confidence there’s little doubting that, on paper at least, the attack at Andrew Strauss’ disposal isn’t as strong as the one Michael Vaughan had to call on four years ago. And success against a disinterested Windies side earlier this summer is little indication of how the team may fare against their arch-rivals.

Thirteen players have been chosen with Ian Bell coming in to the squad. However, it’s unlikely the Warwickshire batsman, so talented and yet for so long having flattered to deceive at the top level, will force his way into a batting line-up that picks itself.

And Flintoff’s return sees Broad, with an impressive average of 31.35, batting at No.8 in the line-up.

So the only decision awaiting Strauss and Co is whether to go into the Test with two spinners or leave Panesar out in favour of Onions.

All the talk has been that the track at Sophia Gardens will take turn so the Test could see two spinners take the field, both playing for the same side, if as expected the Aussies go for an all pace attack.

However, all hope is not lost for both Harmison and left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom, in the wickets for his county side Nottinghamshire.
The pace pair have been told by Miller that they could still force their way back in the side if they stay in form.

“There is healthy competition for places at present and the strong performance by the England Lions against Australia demonstrated that we are starting to develop a larger squad of players who can compete effectively with international class players,” Miller said.

ENGLAND SQUAD FOR FIRST ASHES TEST: Strauss (capt), Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Prior (wkt), Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Panesar, Bell, Onions

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