Navman

Don't worry this man is back http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/3450782/England-turn-to-Ravi-Bopara-and-Jimmy-Anderson-for-first-one-day-international-against-India-Cricket.html

Back to the Ashes, I am watching a stream of SL vs Pakistan and one of the co-commentators (Waqar Younis) is mentioning MJ and the Ashes He goes onto mention what the tactics that were set-up by Australia vs England (MJ short bursts of fast bowling with Siddle and Harris to a lesser degree controlling run rate) and this was made clear prior to the series So what was Flower and his large back room staff doing to contend with these plans - the more I think about it the more I get angry about the lack of any plan - especially one so obvious At least Luke Wright just scored 49 of 18 balls in the Big Bash

Agree with that Giles Clarke did revolutionize things - not in a good way (No cricket on free-to-air TV for example) necessarily All the people in the big jobs just want to protect their interests

Not true Most countries it's run by politicians SA - minimum numbers of black players SL (I should know) - has a rubbish ministers son in the team India/Pakistan - political interference - and in India more prominence to curtains areas/backgrounds Even Australia - a lot of the players are from NSW Giles Clarke has revolutionised cricket here - but ultimately it's money that rules. If England are listing to Sri Lanka and India next year and the investment is at risk - Flower will be gone

It's clear KP and Flower don't get on But if KP retires then when England screw up again - flower will be for the chop I see that Dean Jones is one of the favourites to replace Flower Shane Warne would be brilliant - I don't think he would be a success but would be great box office (he was good in the IPL though)

What is the basis of this story that Flower will quit unless KP does Flower is basically doing a Moores and we all saw how that ended

MJ has broken Smith fingers previously so has the psychological edge SA are the better fielding side and with three better batsmen (Amla, Faf and ABD) I would really like to see Australia to pick Patrick Cummins as he is probably the most exciting fast bowler in world cricket I think SA might shade it as Ryan Harris will inevitabley break down physicially Lyon bowling against ABD would be hiliarous

England Lions squad: Chris Woakes (Warwickshire, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Scott Borthwick (Durham), Varun Chopra (Warwickshire), Ben Foakes (Essex), James Harris (Middlesex), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Simon Kerrigan (Lancashire), Alex Lees (Yorkshire), Tymal Mills (Essex), James Overton (Somerset), Sam Robson (Middlesex), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), James Vince (Hampshire). I think Ali, Taylor and Robson are next in line for the batsmen and Harris, Jordan and Mills for the bowlers The lack of captaincy is outlined by Woakes being captain I think Jordan is in the one day squad

The next six months of international cricket is dominated by one-day and T20 tournaments England Lions tour Sri Lanka - that will be a shoot-out for the new players - Batsmen; Robson, Ali and Bowlers; Mills, Woakes (please no), Overton (injured) The first test against Sri Lanka is in June - so alot of these players will have the county experience to prove themselves

Overall though both Ashes series have been dreadful for the sport (one-sided non contests) and please please could the next one be a contest. Doubt it. Roll on the T20 and One day series - will England actually win a game this summer?

To England - that was very poor. Many teams would have been whitewashed by that team - but to do it like that was inexcusable. The ECB will be under extreme pressure to do something - will they?

Well done to Australia - brilliant performance

Why is David Collier saying Flower and Cook arent going to be sacked Why is Gooch saying his coaching method is ok (what is it - duck and hope you knick to the slips) Seriously - if they dont change they'll get hammered but the press/public

That's the best comparison I can give It is also why I keep banging on about Robson - he reminds me of Strauss - in terms of temperament

Ballance = The new Trott

SA will win against the Aussies. That's a guarantee

Yep want a humiliation and see the back of Flower et al

Can imagine when Pat Cummins replaces siddle in this team (his comeback today in the BBL)? That is a really scary thought

To the Australians - is MJ bowling better now or back in 2008/2009 when he was cricketer of the year?

I would be worried that they won't get 45

Good luck with the debut

Once the tail is in - MJ could blow them away

What's England's lowest score vs Aussies?

Pietersen gone

It's a pity that Aussies haven't got the credit I think the true test will be SA though - as I imagine SA won't be so weak as England