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Harmison left out by England

Panesar and Onions get the nod in squad for Ashes opener

Last updated: 5th July 2009

Harmison: Omitted

We were keen to show consistency in selection and retain the nucleus of the side that performed so well against West Indies in the Test series earlier this summer.

Geoff Miller
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Comments (30)

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Chris Bishop says...

It seems to me that the selectors are more worried about "pretty" players and far less about effectiveness. Sure Bell has a perfect textbook stance shot selection and Monty has a beautiful orthodox action for a slow left arm bowler, but neither are particularly good when Bells sitting in the clubhouse and Monty's being carted to all parts.

Posted 16:57 6th July 2009

Richard Johnston says...

I like Panesar, a good fellow who tries his best but in a world where South Africa 'save' 20-30 runs an inning with their fielding ability, he is a liability. Never mind talking about his batting average. Have you noticed I omit mentioning his bowling ability........because he is limited and bowls the same over after over. The only thing that will help England is the lack of big names for Austrailia.

Posted 13:32 6th July 2009

Jeffrey Kan says...

As an ex-member of England Deaf cricket team squad, I was not suprised about the team selection. Bad team selection, I must say!!. Why on earth was Ian Bell picked after he made 0 and 20 in the 1st and 2nd innings respectively against Australia last week? Did he deserve to regain a place? Oshwin Shah made a century for Middlesex against Surrey and should deserve a place. Sorry, lads, I have to say that Harmison should not be in the team squad not because of his age, just because of his abilitly. He's done well at County level but not at International level. Onions is an useful new-ball bowler and he deserves a place but I'd rather Ryan Sidebottom ahead of Onions because English weather conditions suits Ryan's bowling. A weather condition abroad doesn't suit Ryan's. Onions is picked for tour squad ahead of Ryan (except New Zealand - similar to weather in England. Ryan bowled well in New Zealnd a couple of years ago). I agree with some lads that Prior could drop catches. Foster is similar to Jack Russell and he can bat valuable runs, and is England's best wicket-keeper now No question. On a slow pitch, pick two spinners (Monty and Swann). On a fast pitch or batting wicket, pick Swann ahead of Monty. I'd go for a five-man bowling attack at first. If England batting collaspe again and again, then go for a four-man bowling attack. Any comment or objection? Your comment and objection will be noted!

Posted 12:39 6th July 2009

Gordon Brannan says...

As a brit living in Aus, me too why Bell and Monty. As an ex yorkie give Rashid and Shah the nod will do better than what they selected. The issue with Harmy and perhaps with Flintoff they carry injuries and possible will break down in time. At the end of the day the best of them can fail look at Peterson ? not that many good scores of late, but hope the selectors prove us wrong and the mighty red blue and whites give the Aussies A GOOD FLOGGING SO BRING IT ON, go the barmy army and sing loud to deafen them.

Posted 01:44 6th July 2009

Gary M says...

I seem to be in agreement with almost all the other comments on here about Panesar. The other test teams now have him totally worked out, they know he only bowls one delivery and apparently has been working on a 'new' arm ball - great tell them his possible second delivery as well. Also that ridiculous appealing at everything gets on my nerves and does him no favours with the umpires. When there might be an 'iffy' one the umpires are never going to give Panesar the benefit of the doubt, just pipe down a bit and appeal when there is a good likelihood that the batsman has actually hit it or it might be LBW not just because the ball has left your hand and ended up down the batsmens end. As Shane Warne said in an excellent interview about Panesar " People say hes experienced and has played lots of test matches - he hasn't he has played one test match lots of times - big difference " Mix it up Monty or get out of the way. I think Rashid is a good one for the future maybe a bit early just yet but as the old saying goes "if you're good enough you're old enough" Bell I am not sure about, there are other more worthy candidates about at the minute and I doubt if he will be in the starting line up anyway.

Posted 23:51 5th July 2009

Andrew Woodward says...

Did people watch a different Lions game, Harmison may have got a few wickets but his body language said, I don't want to be here and couldn't care less. Really he didn't look interested! I think the selectors are right to leave him out, he needs to want to play for England.

Posted 23:32 5th July 2009

Graham Thorne says...

It's to be hoped Bell isn't included in the team which plays Australia. He didn't captain England Lions very well, got a duck in the first innings and only 20 in the second.. To pick him ahead of so many other worthy competitors would be a travesty of justice, Graham Thorne

Posted 22:31 5th July 2009

Ben Norman says...

Graham Napier should have been included in the England 20-20 starting line-up at some point. if this had happened, he would have impressed and it would now be difficult not to pick him for the tests. This is what happened with Pietersen a few years ago. Good players should be brought in early.

Posted 21:37 5th July 2009

Alex Cowling says...

just to say i really hope they have got the squad correct as this is the Ashes not just another series against a minor nation, hopefully Onions will carry on where he left of against the windies, and i think it is a big Series for Bopara at number 3 especially after the recent retirement on the legend M Vaughan. I dont think Bell will play and good luck England, if mistakes are made players can always come into the next squad its not like its a overseas tour squad!!

Posted 20:57 5th July 2009

Alex Cowling says...

Posted 20:57 5th July 2009

Reg Wilkins says...

Having watch "Harmy" on all 4 days of warm up match v australia, looked very potent having the Hughes ducking and all over the place. whilst panesar took wickets againts team near the bottom of division 2.

Posted 20:23 5th July 2009

Steve Haley says...

Another predictable selection. Whilst not necessarily a Harmison fan I still think he's one of the few bowlers that can potentially unsettle the Aussies. No doubt the selectors will go running back to him should England lose the first couple of tests! As for picking Monty I agree with Shane Warne's well documented assessment that he's played the same test 30+ times. We need something a bit different so what would have been wrong with including Rashid? I hope I'm wrong but I doubt that Monty will bowl the Aussies out even on a spinners paradise in Cardiff! Rashid might go for a few but at least he'll cause batsmen occasional problems and the more experience he gets the more he'll improve. Finally what about Tim Bresnan? Everyone seems to have suddenly forgotten about him and I can't really see what he's done wrong. It does get a tad annoying when the Sky commentary team champion the same names all the time and Bresnan barely gets a look in. If he was from Essex Nass would be plugging him big time....... :-)

Posted 19:38 5th July 2009

Simon Richard says...

The fact that Prior is playing is the result of a misguided, arrogant policy several years in the making which started with Geraint Jones. Chris Reid was a great keeper who could bat a bit yet was axed several years ago in the search for a new "Gilchrist": this is arrogance in the extreme, he was a one-off and we should have always chosen the best glove man as we should now, Foster - remember the catches Geraint Jones dropped in 2005?

Posted 19:23 5th July 2009

Bob Kirkby says...

Foster is the best wkt keeper in the world his omission is a disgrace. Never mind the runs Prior scores, he needs to score the runs to balance the books that his dropped catches cost in runs

Posted 19:17 5th July 2009

Jonny Teale says...

I agree with the majority of peoples comments, the selectors have made a mistake by leaving out steve and rashid. Why on earth has monty been included cause he carnt bowl, bat or field.

Posted 18:58 5th July 2009

Jefferson King says...

Not too worried about Rashid and Bresnan being omitted. My county is in desperate need...Panesar is no longer a threat though. All the Aussies can read him easily. Harmison has only himself to blame , its not about one game !

Posted 18:48 5th July 2009

Lisa Phipps says...

What more has Harmison got to do to get in the side? 6 wickets in a warm up match against the Aussies's taking the wicket twice of their most dangerous opener..... PANASER... 6 wickets in 6 matches at an average of nearly 87 runs!! Surely on performances Rashid should be in the side as he can bat as well ( a bit!!)

Posted 16:58 5th July 2009

Craig Allen says...

i have 3 issues, which most people seem to have. Firstly, Ian Bell. Can anyone tell me what he has done in the last year to warrent a place, his record against australia is terrible, so we pick him? Secondly, Monty Panesar, the bowler dropped for bowling 6 identicle deliveries in an over. I personally think fielding is one of the main parts of a teams make up, which poor old monty is clueless about. My third issue is with Andrew Flintoff. He is an absolute cert for thr first test. Didnt the same thing happen last year in australia, rush him back from injury, play him half fit, then expect him to bowl the aussies out. Well, i'm sorry, but its not going to happen. I can actually see the worst happening, and personally, if Freddy does get a serious injury, i just cant see him returning to the test arena. I am however relieved Harmison hasnt been included. Infact, unless for an unbelievable remainder of the season, i would never pick him for England again. Glad Owais Shah isnt included aswell, Just another Mark Ramprekash. Also glad Adil Rashid is excluded, he is what, 18, 19? Give him a couple more years in county cricket, then let him make his test debut against a poorer team, like New Zealand or Bangladesh. He is an exciting talent, but not just yet. Prediction, Aussies take first test, but England still to win, HOPEFULLY!

Posted 16:50 5th July 2009

David Hampton says...

The omission of Harmy is beyond comprehension, and will probably cost us the first Test. Hughes will be celebrating of course. I hope I am wrong, but I do not think G. Onions will do well at Cardiff.

Posted 15:21 5th July 2009

Liam Kelly says...

i cant understand why foster isnt wicket keeper to be honest i think he stands more chance of doing something than matt prior although i firmly hope prior proves that he should be number 1 wicket keeper. also i cant understand why rashid isnt in the squad and panasar is can u tell me what panesar has done for the last year? why harmison isnt included is a shock also and i believe that denly should have been given the chance and that ian bell is there because of his test match experiance which isnt what u should be going on..

Posted 15:09 5th July 2009