The ashes

I think he himself and the ECB should just be honest and come clean and say that Marcus Trescothick suffers from depression rather than 'a stress releated injury', its silly everytime I hear it.

In my honest opinion I think this is too close to call, Australia has a squad with vast experience and some big match winners, but on the other hand it is rather too mature which was one of the main factors why England won last summer.

In terms of bowling I'm surprised Tait was picked, he was awful in the last Ashes series, Martyn has regained his formed which is a big boost yet the erratic form of the awesome match winner Adam Gilchrist is a worry. Glenn Mcgrath has been edging back to his deadly best with Brett Lee having a very fine year and no need to say anything about 'Spin King' Warne. Pointing as good as he is with the bat, last year when Australia were up against the cosh with injuries and some players not hitting form his qualities as capitan were lacking.

3 things surprise me though a) the inclusion of Shaun Tait, b) the inclusion of uncapped left-armer Mitchell Johnson and c) The left out Phil Jaques. I'm seriously surprised Jason Gillespie after a good 2006 has not had a mention neither has Phil Jaques who knocked England about silly in the warm up matches. But you do get variety by having left armed Johnson in the squad I suppose.

In terms of England like I said above the ECB should fess up rather than this 'stress related injury' malarky. In terms of form I think we are not half bad, not at our peak but the players will be in a different 'zone' so to speak when it comes to the first test, even if we lose the first test just like in 2005 I believe we have players who can step up.

My first worry is calling up Ed Joyce, I would have definately gone for Robert Key who has a lot more experience and has become a much better player after becoming captain at county level. Secondly I would pick Giles over Panesar notably because Giles was a big match winner in 2005 grabbing important wickets against the Australians, I know he is rusty after a long injury lay off but I would have faith in him, and also secondly because he is a very competent batsman and a good fielder. My biggest concern is the Wicket keeper Geriant Jones who cannot bat nor keep competently, even 4 days ago he dropped Jaques on 21 who then went to make a century, he is a big liability and I would always have gone for Read but things may change as the series progresses.

In terms of the players form I have been very impressed with Strauss, the ECB made a great decision making him captain over the last part of summer his batting has gotten better during and since his duty as skipper, personally I would have chosen him as skipper. Ian Bell who I lambasted last summer in the Ashes has by far been Englands best player over the year nobody comes close and I'm glad he proved me wrong. As for captain Flintoff he has alot to do as captain, bowler and batter and it remains to be seen whether he can stop his terrible run with the bat. Kevin Pietersen like Gilchrist has been rather erratic in his form going from blasting bowlers round the park to getting out very cheaply. As for the opening bowling pair I'm hoping Matthew Hoggard who is very good at swing bowling can exploit the conditions, although I'm a little concerned about 'homesick' Harmison who generally admitingly doesn't travel well and usually plays terribly abroad, with Flintoff and Anderson impressing during the warm up matches.

As for the injured, I would maybe welcome Vaughn back into the squad if he is fit in 3 weeks; he has been out for awhile, but he is quite simply England's best batsman although he hasn't shown much of it since batting at no.3 instead of opening, and I would rather see him open than Ed Joyce or Allistar Cook. But it is a big shame not having Simon Jones who bought something different last summer swinging the ball well.

Well thats my little summary, hope you enjoyed my views and I hope we see some cracking cricket in high spirits. (I only meant to write one paragraph sorry).

Jam it back in, in the dark.

There is simply too much pressure on Flintoff because he has to Bowl everybody out, Bat and get a 100, Field and Captain, which is why I think Strauss should have been chosen but my word what is wrong with him and that hook shot. Its like Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, one man can only do so much for the team.

Personally if Vaughn is fit, I say drop Allistar Cook and have Vaughn open at number 2 and retake his spot as captain. Sure he is rusty but 'technically' he is the best batsman in the world alongside Tendulkar and Yosuf, his foot and wrist work is beautiful, its only since he moved to number 3 that he has been quieter with the bat. During the previous ashes down under he smacked the Aussie bowlers silly helping himself to 3 centuries along the way.

There's nowhere I can't reach.