Flintoff has come out and done a bit of a McGrath by stating that this is our best ever test side and it's a not a case of will we win it's a case of how many will we win by?

Simply because our leading run scorer and wicket taker are simultaneously playing along with Root and Bairstow. Yes, they are 4 of the best players in the world at present but you need contributions from everyone.

England have some very good players but, even for those, there are doubts about how they'll perform in Australian circumstances. Others are some way from being proven performers in any circumstances.

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Must have 5 bowlers in the team. Tail still strong. 1-5 is weak.

Presumably you mean 1-5 is weak because we've only got 2 proven batsmen in there rather than saying all 5 are weak?

Greatteams - Cook seems to be dropping a few easy ones at the moment and taking all the tougher ones, similarly to Root. It seems to be a theme with a fair few of the players at the moment, I fancy them to take the half chances but drop the dollies. I don't know whether it's a complacency issue or whether they have the mentality of Theo Walcott and are better when it's instinctive rather than having a bit more time to think about it.

Finn being called into the squad actually strengthens the bowling but weakens the batting so now looking at cook stoneman root ballance malan bairstow moeen woakes broad finn Anderson.

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Not sure I agree that Finn strengthens the bowling. I'd prefer Stokes even for just his bowling over Finn to be honest.

Overton is obviously a complete unknown at Test level but I think Bayliss will like what he sees. He's an aggressive bowler who likes to give it out but he's matured a lot so he doesn't take it too far anymore. He's also a handy batsman and not in that he can score a few quick runs like Roland-Jones but a more classical type.

Finn will be a backup at best.

so is mark wood injured?

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agreed.

I think if we're chasing victories towards the end of the series then Wood will be drafted in to the squad.

should they not be chasing victories from the outset but i get your point

Fair point!

But yeah, if we're 1-1 after 3 tests for example then there's no reason to gamble on Wood but if we're 2-0 down with 2 to play then it's a worthwhile gamble you'd say.

Mark wood is good at doing his horsey act and getting injured.

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Wood has done nothing since the last ashes series. Did nothing last summer when he got his chance and always injured. Never an option for me. Anderson broad woakes and one of Overton ball and finn. Would hope jones gets fit maybe for the new Zealand series.

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Injuries might yet have a bearing on the starting 11. Ali and finn doubts for the first test. Might regret not picking patel. Might not be in a position to pick 5 bowlers now. Facing the prospect of root filling in as 5th bowler backing up 4 seamers. That and captaincy. No wonder he doesn't want to bat 3.

Stoneman, Vince, Ballance and Malan make decent scores in the first warm-up innings. Cook and root do not.

Finn out of the squad due to injury. Bad luck for him but probably not a first choice anyway. I wonder who will be called up?

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Tom Curran has been called into the squad.

http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/07/ashes-2017-tom-curran-called-up-to-england-ashes-squad-as-steven-finn-replacement-7060697/

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