Shouting from the Hop

I was quite close with my Ashes touring party summation, but got three wrong.

This is the squad -

Ashes Test Series squad:
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire, captain, left)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Ashley Giles (Warwickshire)
Stephen Harmison (Durham)
Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire)
Geraint Jones (Kent)
Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire)
Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire)
Liam Plunkett (Durham)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Chris Read (Nottinghamshire)
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)
Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)

The obvious differences were that I picked an extra batter, and the ECB have greater knowledge on the injured players than I.

Lima Plunkett (left) has been picked, even though he hasn't played for a couple of months. I'm surprised that he got the nod over Stuart Broad, who looks the better prospect to me (quicker and a better action). Plunkett did OK in Pakistan and India last winter, but isn't likely to dislodge the better batsmen in my opinion. He will compete with Saj Mahmoud for a place on the test team.

Also picked, was James Anderson. Jimmy also hasn't played much recently, and may not have all season! He burst onto the England one-day scene during the last World Cup in South Africa, but his action has led to a number of injuries, and ultimately a loss of form. He can bowl briskly, at around 90mph, but lacks control in my opinion.

The other difference is that Ashley Giles has been included as the second spinner (I had Dalrymple instead); The "King of Spain" also hasn't played at all this season due to injury, and he is still a major doubt I beleive. He has been asked to prove himself at the forthcoming Champions Trophy tournament, and the situation will be clearer in a months time.

The tour party is captained by Freddie Flintoff, which is no surprise to me, and as long as players can prove their fitness, and stay fit (Hoggard picked up a side strain yesterday...!) then we could have half a chance of retention of the Ashes urn.