So do you think Flintoff and Fletcher will pick Monty in 3rd test in Perth?

Question

If they don't what do you think wil be the reception at home in the media and do Any of you think england can still retain the ashes?

I think they can if they make considerable team changes ! It will require grit and determination to do this and not the pig headed arrogance we saw over the last few days.
Australia are accused of being arrogant, maybe they are but with that arrogance comes a quiet confidence- this is something I think the English crickets lack to be honest.....

Answer 1

In my opinion they should try every option and Monty is not a bad choice considering Shane Wanrne's performance in the last test. English team is under immense pressure after winning the ashes last year as the expectations are very high from the cricket lovers in England but England team need to regroup themselve and play their natural game and not like in Adelaide where just one bad session costed them the test and it was only because on the final day England played for a draw only and went on to the defensive from the first ball.

Answer 2

Monty isn't picked for non-cricketing reasons. Monty should have been an automatic choice in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The Gabba and the WACA would be for Giles.

Monty isn't played as there's an understanding betweeen ECB and CA - to avoid playing both Monty and Mahmood in Australia. This could keep away the racial abuse from the crowds. CA are terrified of getting an aparthied-like ban due to Australia's race problem.

Even if there is a slightest of racial slurs from the spectators - the first demands for a ban will be raised officially by the subcontinent boards. And Sutherland precisely knows that. And if that happens, CA would hurtle towards bankruptcy.

Answer 3

I think Panesar will play at the WACA, but in tandem with Giles and rightly so. This witch hunt against Ashley Giles has to stop. He doesn't pick the team, he plays to the best of his ability. Remember, he's been out of the game for 12 months and he needs to bowl to regain his rythm, just like Harmison does. There are so many players under performing, you cannot blame Giles alone. For me, the key is Michael Vaughan, if there is any way they can get him 1/2 match fit and confident he wont injure himself further, then he must play. Giving the captaincy to Strauss at this stage will only dent Flintoff's confidence further, it could also have a negative effect on Harmison, who could feel responsible for letting his mate down.

Answer 4

Who can read their minds??

On balance, yes, I think they will pick Monty - but in place of Anderson - they will probably pick the wretched Giles as well (even though Pietersen is just as effective as a second spinner, and offers variety!).

If these Tests were being played in England, the reaction to the exclusion of Monty might have been similar to the so-called "D'Oliveira Affair" in 1968 (for those of you old enough to remember it!).

No, Boycott is right, the Ashes are lost; Ponting, Hussey and Warne won't let it slip from here. We're playing for pride now - three draws is probably the best we could hope for.

Answer 5

if there was a vote today between Giles and Monty then Giles wouldnt even get 2%. Fletcher as to realise this and know that if he doent pick Monty then everyone will turn against him. i see why he went with Giles- better batting ability- but now that we need to win tests we need our best bowler who can help us get 20 wickets.
england can still retain the Ashes, we won 2 tests against them last time, but we need Flintoff firing and Panesar bamboozling the Aussies like Warne does to us.

Answer 6

I think they will pick Monty. If Hoggard can continue his form and Flintoff and Harmison can regain theirs in Perth (which i think they will) then our main task will be getting runs on the board and Giles is better with the bat than Monty is so I don't really mind who they choose but it would be nice to see monty get a game

Answer 7

Cricket is too much of an 'old boys' sport so Giles may get the nod AGAIN.

It should be Monty though. I mean , you pick bowlers for their ability to bowl, and batsmen for their ability to bat. So Fletcher should tell the batsmen to bat properly, and pick Monty instead of Giles for Perth. Also consider Saj, as Perth is a quick pitch, instead of Anderson- he hasn't exactly impressed. Tell Harmison to pull his socks up.

Answer 8

Although I think monty is the better bowler its not really the answer. Its been the batsmen that have let England down at cruical times in the first two tests, yet it seems to be changes in the bowling attack that people are calling for.

Answer 9

Ys, Monty will be defenitely included in the England 11 for the 3rd Test.

Answer 10

To be honest, I wish they could retain the ashes, but the Aussies seem to have an upper hand. Let's just keep our fingetrs crossed for Flintoff and company.