A few days ago, we heard that Shahzad and Morgan have been selected for the Test side and Belly has been ruled out of the 4 Test series. True, there is never a good time to get injured but it is the worst when you have just made your comeback. Trott and Morgan pose a threat to Bell. Now Bresnan, who has played a lot more than he should have played, has replaced injured Shahzad. Half of England's selection woes are solved by injuries. I seriously doubt Bresnan's credentials as a Test player. It is compulsory for every Test playing nation to tour and host every other Test playing nation at least once in 5 years and now that no International matches are being played in Pakistan, they will tour and host England in England. This English summer is full of International matches as the summer stretches to September 22. While England are playing in the seaming, swinging conditions, Australia will play 2 Tests and 3 ODIs in India before playing against Sri Lanka at home as part of their Ashes preparation, which Ponting has regarded as the worst preparation. England will not play any International matches after playing Pakistan, before the Ashes.
        Andrew Flintoff has backed fellow Lancastrian James Anderson to prove to be England's best bowler during the Tests against Pakistan and the Ashes. With new spearhead Finn, still in the reckoning Sidebottom, fiery Shahzad, things will be hard for grumpy Jimmy, who can be lethal in swinging conditions but has a history of being down in the dumps and a bad record in Australia. Onions looked impressive last year but he is injured and will be hard for him to his way to the Ashes. Kudos to Sidebottom for his confidence about playing in the Ashes who has warned the current lot of fast bowlers that he will come knocking as soon as they falter.
                                             Pakistan are on a high after defeating Australia for the first time in Tests in 15 years. But with them you never know when they are going to be disastrous or spirited. They have good fast bowlers but changing captains so often and their fragile batting may not help. Salman Butt has vowed that he will not criticize his players no matter what, unlike Mohammad Yousuf who decided to be a captain-cum-critic, once commented that Salman Butt "cannot run". The 1st Test of the series will start today at 10 am GMT at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, watch out for it!
Until next time, take care, Cheers!