Time for a change in Prior methinks?? Can't buy a run, not been great with the gloves, and since being named Player of the Year, his form has taken a massive turn for the worse!!

Ryan Harris has been the best bowler in this series by a mile. Thankfully he missed the first test!

He's not from Yorkshire, therefore his place in the side is not up for debate.

The "why haven't they picked Onions/Tremlett/Finn/Bob Willis instead of Bresnan?" cabal seem to have a gone a little quiet. He's even managed to get some grudging respect for removing Warner and Watson so Broad could mop the tail and take the glory.

Excellent spell by Broad to win the test. England need to look at getting a fifth bowler in the team, so he can bowl in shorter bursts, rather than spell after spell of mediocre donkey work that he can be reduced to.

Tremlett in for Anderson next test. He's been bowled into the ground this series, even when not bowling well.

Have to admit that I thought that Onions should've played, for either Bresnan or Broad, which was made to look a foolish assessment during the second innings. Great batting a bowling spell by Bresnan yesterday was crucial.

Still think Onions would have been very dangerous on that pitch, but that could just be a case of players getting better when they're not actually playing.

I suppose Bresnan's back injury saves him the ignominy of being dropped because his captain clearly doesn't fancy him despite a fine all-round series.

Gonna be a very long tail now then without Bresnan and if Tremlett comes in. Both Broad and Swann have been less than average with the bat in this series, and Prior's serious lack of runs at number 7 ( and Bairstow at 6 ) means if the top order don't do it in the next game, the scores we've managed so far could seem huge compared to what we could get rolled for at the Oval!

Broad's batting average in this series is better than Bresnan's. As important as his second innings was in the last test, I think it was only the second time he'd got to double figures.

Having Broad and Swann as well as genuine 10 and 11 wont be too much of a worry, but wouldn't want any more bunnies in there.

Woakes and Kerrigan in. Bairstow off up to Trent Bridge - a little harsh on him, but I'll take it as a Yorkshireman. Prior or Woakes at 6 - whoever it is is at least one too high.

Bit of a risk picking a second division bowler for a debut, but then he's only going to be bowling to second division standard batsman.

Superb to see the best spinner in the world get his chance.

Two dreadful overs. Is that it for the boy?

Talk about a nervous start. Hopefully he'll be given another spell later if things calm down a touch.

Talk about a career flashing in by front of your eyes....



Wow. Woakes has bowled a maiden!

To be fair to Kerrigan and Woakes, they've not been the only ones who have been poor today.

Woakes' selection will need to be judged once he's batted. Think he's easily good enough to be 4th seamer/5th bowler. Just need to find if he's good enough to be 6/7th batsman.

Problem yesterday was the odd selection of Kerrigan. Means that Swann still bowling 30 overs and Broad/Anderson 19 each on day one, despite us having 5 bowlers

Must admit, I reckon Keggsy should've been given the 12th man role on this occasion. Give him time to adjust to everything, the experience of being there, the odd fielding appearance.

To put him on before lunch, with Watson in full flow, wasn't the best move to be honest. Hopefully it's not affected him too much - look at Shane Warne's start in test cricket, wasn't the best.

Watson was only in full flow once Woakes and Kerrigan were brought on.

what's the point picking 2 specialist bowlers, and then bowling Trott? Yes he has a wicket, but this selection smacks of desperation - they'd have been better off grooming Root as the 2nd spinner and playing an extra batsman!

I know Kerrigan froze yesterday, but how is he gonna feel now, not getting a bowl and Trott bowling before him? Best thing to get his confidence back is give him the ball!! Another one to add to the discarded pile methinks!!

Two Chris Schofields, there's only two Chris Schofields....

As soon as England fall even slightly behind in a game, Cook becomes inept as captain. Declaration bowling started before they'd even got to 400 today, and just let them do what they want.

Next time he loses the toss, he should just let someone else captain for that match.

Better to find out how he, and Woakes, can do now than at the Gabba?

I'd have taken him as a drinks carrier to Aus as well - maybe play him towards the end of the series if it's dead. That, to my mind, would have been better than chucking him in at the deep end. Give him a chance to soak it all in.

But what do I know?

That would be the ideal. But if Swann breaks a finger on the eve of the first test?

Then you're buggered, unless you've taken another spinner (which would be highly doubtful). You can't plan off ifs, buts and maybes, though, even if it isn't always ideal.

Exactly. You have to plan on the basis that all members of the squad are ready to play, if needed.

And he's 24. Youngish for a spinner but not exactly a babe in arms. Same age as Panesar when he was first picked.