Flintoff’s injury gives selectors options to ponder
Andrew Flintoff’s injury has opened up another selection conundrum over who to replace him with. It all depends on whether the selectors prefer to go with 4 bowlers or 5.
Four Bowlers
With the number 3 spot also up for grabs, this increases the chances of Ian Bell being recalled, given Michael Vaughan’s lack of runs so far for Yorkshire. The selectors might decide to stick with Owais Shah at three, allowing Bell to bat lower down where he has a better record for England, or they could reinstate Bell at number 3 and try Ravi Bopara at 6. Even more radical, if they could convince Kevin Pietersen to move up to number 3, would be to pick Bopara plus another young batsman.
In the limited number of domestic games so far, James Hildreth is the one younger player to impress, with his triple century against Warwickshire, albeit on the Taunton featherbed.
Five Bowlers
This would be the braver option. With only 3 bowlers certain of their places (Broad, Anderson and Swann), two more would need to be found. This could be a problem if the selectors prefer to move on from the likes of Harmison and Sidebottom, who had disappointing winters. Monty Panesar would be an option as a second spinner, but it may be a good opportunity to try Adil Rashid, who offers more with the bat and who could be used as a surprise option. With Matt Prior able to bat in the top 6, a lower order of Broad, Rashid, Swann and Anderson (plus one more) does not look too bad.
Either way, Flintoff’s absense leaves England short in the pace department, with no obvious candidates to replace him if you discount Harmison and co. For Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower, this will be the first squad over whose selection they will have a direct input, the West Indies squad having been chosen whilst Moores and Pietersen were incumbent. It promises to be interesting.
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