With Brett Lee out now, and apart from Mitchel Johnson i can't see much in the Aussie bowling attack which would cause us problems. Without the threat of the Warnes and McGraths and with a rather young and inexperienced squd in terms of Ashes experience, I feel we should be aggressive and take it to them. A victory in Wales i think.

Moore, Denley, Key, Shah. All deserve calling up in front of Shermanator.

Going back a few pages someone mentioned about Bresnan. I know he hasn't made the final squad but i still cannot believe how many people are blinded by stats (or lack of). When Flintoff was first picked for England his averages were hardly leaping off the pages of Wisden but it was deemed he had natural talent. Several others in recent years have been picked due to having something about them, Trescothick and Harmison (grrr!) being prime examples.

Anyway the burning question is:- Never mind Harmison, why isn't Hoggard in the frame should any of the others break down?

Restricted view seats in the wintershed stand at Headingley:

How 'restricted' is the view?

I always used to sit on the upper tier of the winter shed if I had the chance, good view from there behind the bowlers arm.

Can't recall ever sitting in the lower section, and with the building work going on next to it it's hard to judge how restricted the view might be.

Disappointed that Lee is out to be honest. You are guaranteed full effort from Lee and I want to see a series with the best players from each nation competing.

Still, it should ease our top order into the series fairly nicely.



I think it was me who brought up Bresnan's stats. I realise stats can be deceiving and a lot of players perform better at Test level than County, however, in Bresnan, I see no natural talent. I see an average players who has found his level at County Championship level.

With the bat he might hang around a bit and give what remains of the top 6 some support, but he isn't going to make many runs, and the sight of Tim Bresnan running up to the wicket with ball in hand isn't going to concern Ponting and co.

Bresnan's an honest player but doesn't have the ability to shine at Test match level.

Its been demolished

I agree.

Lee missing out is a huge blow for the Aussies, easily their most potent bowler. Watched Athers, Hussain and Croft talking at the weekend about the first Test and Croft reckoned the pitch would have something in it on the first morning for the seamers but then should be a decent pitch for the first two days. After that he expected the ball would stay low and spin a fair bit. On that basis maybe it was the right decision not to play Harmo in this Test and it should suit Onions more.

Broad added: "Australia will be wary of Freddie after 2005. He is the sort of player and character that any Test side in the world would want in their team. He's a crucial member of our side and brings a lot of firepower to our bowling attack and we are delighted to have him back.
"The side has done well without him but having Freddie back gives us confidence.
"He looks like he is firing on all cylinders. In the warm-up game against Warwickshire he bowled very quickly and we're looking forward to seeing the same again in Cardiff.

I am in there for days 2 and 4 of the headingley test. Might be in the building site then.



Was on about lower tier not upper.

Can see this series ending up as a draw after all the hype surrounding it.