Who will be the Wizards in Oz ?
One of the best parts of my job is the chance to hear the views from some of the greats of the game and over the past couple of days I've had the fortune to be in the Five Live commentary box ear-wigging the likes of Geoff Boycott, Graham Gooch, Alec Stewart, Rodney Hogg and Graham Thorpe. Yes, I know this sounds like name dropping... but I can't help who wanders in !
As Pakistan continue to pile on the runs and the bad weather interrupts play thoughts from many are turning towards Australia and who England should select for the Ashes tour. Although most of the places are already confirmed subject to fitness, the selectors will have some interesting decisions to make.
Who should be the extra batsman? It's reported the choice may be between Owais Shah, Ed Joyce or Rob Key. Well Graham Thorpe, who knows a thing or two about batting after playing 100 tests, thinks Key should be the man.
The Kent captain apparently impressed the Aussies during the last Ashes series down under.
Then there is the issue of bowling reserves. Liam Plunkett, James Anderson and Chris Tremlett will all get a mention. But Rodney Hogg, who once took 41 wickets in an Ashes series, thinks the man has to be Stuart Broad.
What a story that would be... Twenty years ago, his father Chris was the man of the series as England retained the Ashes under Mike Gatting. Could Stuart Broad be part of an England team to do the same in 2006/7?
Phil Tufnell watched Broad bowling last weekend at the Twenty20 finals day when he was commentating with Five Live - and he was very impressed. On our Five Live Sport outside broadcast last night Tufnell said he was particularly impressed at how Broad was happy to "get up the noses" of the opposition including experienced campaigners like Ronnie Irani. Rodney Hogg said that even if Broad doesn't feature in the Test side, what fantastic experience he would gain.
The other major issue is perhaps the most important... who will lead out the England team at Brisbane for the first Ashes Test... Strauss or Flintoff? Simon Hughes was on our show last night and had an interesting view. He said Flintoff could toss the coin and lead the team talks, but perhaps Strauss could take the major role out on the field.
This may take pressure off Flintoff so that he can concentrate on the little matter of bowling, batting and fielding in the slips.
Anyway - I raise these issues - but what do you think?
