CT Squad

Ravi returns.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-champions-trophy-2013/content/current/story/633815.html

In place of Pietersen?

Not too many surprises, which is not a er surprise.

In their own conditions...even without KP this is a steady side.
Bowling is expected to restrict opponents and this battting side at par for 250 score.....and more often than not that should win them.

they only need to win two out of 3 games and Eng's group containing Aus, NZ and SL means 2 games are relatively less challenging...and on paper Eng start as the favouriate in their group even aheda of Aus.

the other group is the group of Death with Ind, Pak, WI and SA

Why Ravi? Consistent failure for England, he's had his chances and never taken them. I would have preferred any one of Wright/Hales/Prior.

Ravi! Why not Hales? Why not me?

I was surprised by the Bopara decision. The logic isn't quite there for me, given his lack of form.

I accept that his bowling is a good one-day option, but surely only as the 6th bowler. To be the 6th bowler he would have to displace Root, which is unlikely on his current form...

One too many batsman for me. I might have expected an extra seamer in place of Bopara.

Shelsey93 wrote:I was surprised by the Bopara decision. The logic isn't quite there for me, given his lack of form.

I accept that his bowling is a good one-day option, but surely only as the 6th bowler. To be the 6th bowler he would have to displace Root, which is unlikely on his current form...

One too many batsman for me. I might have expected an extra seamer in place of Bopara.

That might suggest Tredwell and Swann may play more than once.

83 ODis. 0 (zero) hundreds.

im the biggest essex fan going, but im stunned at ravi's inclusion...

he's made 128 runs in 8 innings thus far this season!!

Root will play instead of KP though.

CF wrote:im the biggest essex fan going, but im stunned at ravi's inclusion...

Selectors obviously been reading the thread on this site about the need for more Essex players in the England side....

Can't believe Bopara has been selected. Honestly staggered by that.

Just hope he doesn't get near walking to the wicket at any point

The corporal called it correct, its all down to gboycottnut!!.
Absolutely strange decision with regard to Ravi Bopara. With Cook, Bell, Trott, Root, Morgan and Buttler, there is no place for Bopara in that top 6. Also remember Root can offer some parttime spin option, and England already have enough seam bowling resources.
Then at 7, particularly with the kind of top 3 England have, they need someone who can score real quick from the outset, about 8-10 an over. Bopara at best is a run-a-ball player, who can produce some big hits ones he's really set. So he's not suited to batting 7 for England, and his bowling is not anywhere close to the quality of Bresnan or Woakes, who both are more suited to ehe needs of batting 7 for England in present conditions.
Someone like Luke Wright would have been a more sensible choice for that number 7 position if they were looking at someone who can bat, and put in some useful overs, as Wright has the big shots that could make him handy in that position. Someone like Ben Stokes also could have made far more sense, he has been bowling well this season, and has the ability to play the big shots as well.

Apart from that, a pretty good squad, on expected lines. Even without Pietersen, they do have a chance.