Well after confidently predicting a 3-0 thrashing I have to applaud Freddie and the boys. When you consider virtually half of the 1st choice team was missing the win today was a fabulous achievement.
For those who missed the tour they have to look over their shoulders. There are now 8 batsman after 5 places. Oawis Shah and Alastair Cook impressed especially given they had no practice. Can the selectors just recall players and drop people who have stepped into the breech so well? I suspect Collingwood is now ahead of Bell, I have my doubts about Collingwood but his performances deserve him getting the nod. Indeed Bell maybe behind Shah and Cook as well. Pieterson will retain his place but needs a big summer.
Vaughan will certainly get his place back BUT you do have to say he hasn't scored heavily for over two years and Freddie has led the team well in India. Freddies responsibility with the bat has been superb. If Vaughan's form doesn't return and with his habit of getting injured his days as England captain could be numbered. Panesar may not be the finished article but he had a promising tour and Anderson grasped his chance with both hands and took it. Shaun Udal also had a good final test but a 36 year old is not the way to go unless he can really bat well. With Simon Jones also in the mix Harmisson really needs to step up he had a golden period but since the South Africa tour he has looked out of sorts.
All credit to Hoggy who must have sealed his place for the summer. Indeed the ashes party almost writes itself. Gereint Jones need to score runs and he needs consistency in his keeping, his keeping in the third test was the form we need to see. The Read v Jones debate will go for on a while and this summer will be crucial for him.
This summer will be a big one given we have an Ashes tour next winter.
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