No he won't because the bowling stocks in test cricket right now are the worst I have ever seen and he clearly bats on the most docile pitches on earth. I may just about grant you that he might well be the best of his generation, but I think that Lara, Tendulkar and Kallis might have something to say about that.

I also forgot to add that Kallis got a whole lot better once Akhtar, Lee, McGrath, Walsh, etc etc retired.

For me, of this generation,it is Tendulkar.

"How exactly do England plan on bowling SL out in the 4th innings at Lord's without a spinner? Mad decision."

Who would you have picked?

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;opposition=1;opposition=140;opposition=2;opposition=3;opposition=4;opposition=5;opposition=6;opposition=7;opposition=8;orderby=runs;spanmin1=15+Mar+1985;spanval1=span;team=1;team=140;team=2;team=3;team=4;team=5;team=6;team=7;team=8;template=results;type=batting

Check this out, I have taken Zim and BD out of this generation and compared. Most batsmen apart from WI, Aus and Eng lose a large portion of their average, often 3-5 runs. For instance look at How Ponting and Tendulkar become much closer in average. Most of the batsmen on the list from the three countries I mentioned only lose 1-2 runs at most.

The same is also true with bowlers from our era as well. Warne and Murali look almost identical when BD and Zim are removed.

I am an aussie fan so I'm not sure, is there not any spinner doing anything in the counties?

What about Panesar? I'm not even joking, I think English fans do underrate this bloke, he can't field or bat but he's not as bad a bowler as some would make out.

I just check and he has taken 25 wickets in 8 matches at 24 which isn't bad for May and early June in England.

You need to be a special spin bowler to play test cricket. Average spinners don't do a thing.. That's why the spinners invented the bent arm delivery the doosra.. that delivery use to be a a chuck..
England right now don't have a special spinner. Swann was a class bowler. and had a legimate action.
I ddont care what bowlng line up you have. bowling on wickets tha are slow and flat.. you will have issues..
Even Australia would struggle bowling at lords.. Ok bowling at brisbaine and Perth where the balls is up aroud yer throat area and yer have no time to adjust.. on slow flat wickets.. batsmen have all the time in the world.

Duncan, the day before the selectors met Monty was dropped from the Essex squad for poor behaviour... silly silly boy blowing his chances now Swann has gone

Average spinners at least give the quicks a chance to rest and therefore be more potent. Monty averages 35 in tests, this is not bad at all for a spinner and I reckon he might have picked up a wicket today had he played.

Marco, it is very disappointing to hear Monty is continuing his bad behaviour, this was obviously his big chance to try and force his way back in, shame really.

I mean the Aussie press are creaming their pants over Lyon and he averages 33 fgs. Even though he is not top quality, or perhaps even good, I'd argue that the Aussie team would be less effective without him.

I don't rate monty at all.. hes never done it in England.. very poor record at home..35 average is fine. But a strike rate getting on for 70 is not.. in four bowlers you need 4 strke bowlers. to be a top team that wins all the time

Lyon bowled well against England in Australia.. but England were destroyed in every game.. Hes a good bowler. But not world class... England have a few good spinners coming up the ranks. But nothing on the levels of swann right now. But to be fair.. Swann as been the best English spinner in living memory.
The days of Peter Such and ian salsbury

Ok, then find someone better, but I still think that on certain pitches in England (Lord's, the Oval) you still want to have a spinner.

Don't get me wrong, England will still most likely win but I think they'd have a better chance with a front line spinner.

England will probably pick a spinner against India.. and it will probably be Panesar.. But they think 4 seam bowlers and a part time spinner will be enough..The wicket right now is far to slow for a result.. The only hope is the sri-lanka is collapse in their first innings.. and that's still a possibility.. but if they get 500 then the game will be a draw..

comment by englandwhoelse (U16825)
posted 13 minutes ago
Lyon bowled well against England in Australia.. but England were destroyed in every game.. Hes a good bowler. But not world class... England have a few good spinners coming up the ranks. But nothing on the levels of swann right now. But to be fair.. Swann as been the best English spinner in living memory.
The days of Peter Such and ian salsbury
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Shaun Udal
Richard Illingworth

I have one a number of occasions have wanted Australia to go with a four man pace attack, and have been told that it was a bad idea by members of the old bbc 606. It turns of out they were right, pretty much every time Australia go for a 4 man pace attack and it's not Perth things don't go well for us.

Marco min patel even got a go in 1/2 tests.

Min Patel

Chris Schofield!

The versatility of Winker Watkinson!

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I can't help but think that Swann retired too soon, and it has caught England very cold. Our spin reserves are not good at all it's a bit of a desperate situation. Swann was so good and we could rely on him that is wasn't an issue but now it's a huge issue. I think it is number one priority for the selectors - find a top quality spinner for the next Ashes series.

This test will most likely be a draw, and while I am very happy that England finally posted a big total, let's not kid ourselves it is a very flat pitch. Makes for a dull test match and a result very unlikely. A bit of indifferent weather is forecast so may make batting slightly harder but still don't think either team will win.

the weather is very humid today.. maybe the ball will swing fro Anderson this morning... we need something to happen.. Like I said before the test match.. 550 playes 500 is useless. and Lords is a very flat wicket..

well the wicket is winning right now.

Yep can't see where the next wicket is coming from