Really pleased to see Stokes get the nod, real exciting talent, along with Hales in the T20 form of the game. I can only assume Ravi is in because of his "bowling"in the collingwood mould for one day cricket, logic i can't see myself but there you go.

As long as Gooch is there Bopara will keep getting his chances.

No James Taylor?????

A squad of 14 is strange, which means 3 cannot play.
Cook
Kieswetter
trott
Bell
Morgan
seem the certain top 5
Swann is certain, Probably Broad also.
Stokes apparently can't yet bowl so he must be seen as fighting for number six position with Bopara and Patel who may also be fighting for number 7.
that leaves Dernbach, Anderson and Bresnan to fight for the last two pace bowling positions.
The fact that Dernbach has become flavour of the month may decide in his favour.

oops, I see it's a 15 man squad even odder. Forgot Finn.
So he joins the battle for a seamer's role.
Broad, Bresnman, Anderson, Finn and Dernbach seems overkill in the pace depatment.

anderson, tim bresnan should be a must. The only battle for a bowler should be that of the 3rd seamer which I think broad will win. Im just wondering is your combination 6-4?

I believe England will play 5 batsmen, two all rounders and 4 bowlers, counting Stokes as an all rounder when his finger injury has recovered.
Cook
Kieswetter
Trott
Bell
Morgan
Stokes
Patel/Bopara
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Dernbach/Anderson/Finn

I thought anderson is your best bowler? How can you not play him..... otherwise hopefor i think it would be pretty much what you suggested

Viru, he is best in Test. Also class in English bowling conditions in the one day game.

However, Anderson out of England in the one day game is poor, as shown in the World Cup.

"comment by hopeforthebest (U3251) posted 2 hours, 41 minutes ago

I believe England will play 5 batsmen, two all rounders and 4 bowlers, counting Stokes as an all rounder when his finger injury has recovered.
Cook
Kieswetter
Trott
Bell
Morgan
Stokes
Patel/Bopara
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Dernbach/Anderson/Finn"

Stokes can't bowl yet following his injury, so I've heard, so I reckon he'll be fighting it out with one of the top 5 as a batsman pure and simple. Which makes Taylor's ommission even more strange IMO.
Of course, I could have heard wrong.

"I thought anderson is your best bowler? How can you not play him..... "

----------------------------------------------

its called having strength in depth in our bowling options

a concept you might not be familar with

Hoggy I put Stokes at 6 as a batsman because the first game is at the Riverside, his home ground and because I believe the selectors have chosen him as a number 6 who can bowl in the future. Having players at 6 and seven who can bowl must be their long term goal.
Meanwhile until stokes is fit to bowl, Trott will be the 6th bowler.
Of course as I posted early on it could be that Stokes, Bopara and Patel will battle it out for the 6 and 7 positions depending on form and playing conditions.
The fact that they have included 5 pace bowlers does give the option of playing 4 of them and Swann but I think that's pretty unlikely.

Shame theres no Taylor, Ravis getting a real chance its surely time for him to show some quality.

I'd like to have seen Bairstow in the squal too

Glad to see Hales and Butler picked