The England World Cup squad that lands in the West Indies next month could look
very different from the one announced by Chairman of selectors David Graveney
on Wednesday.
The selectors decided it was worth the risk of naming captain
Michael Vaughan and seamers Jon Lewis and James Anderson despite
hamstring, ankle and back injuries respectively.
The main reason for the gamble is that they believe the potential
replacements are not experienced or good enough to give England a realistic
chance of mounting a challenge in March and April.
Such an assessment could even include the captaincy abilities
of Andrew Flintoff, who stood in for Vaughan during the woeful 5-0 Ashes
test drubbing in Australia before redeeming himself slightly as England
claimed the one-day tri-series.
"My personal wish is that Michael Vaughan gets off the
plane in St.Vincent leading England, "Graveney told a news conference on
Wednesday.
"Lets not get away from being honest about the winter.
I will go and see Andrew Flintoff about his views about the captaincy.
"Andrew Flintoff deputised for Michael Vaughan
during the winter but there is a process that has to be adhered to. We will
sit down, have a conversation about the whole of the winter not just the last
four games."
If Flintoff was overlooked as stand-in captain, Andrew Strauss
would seem next in line after impressing as skipper in the home tests against
Pakistan last year.
But Strauss had a dreadful tour of Australia and during the
tri series he was relegated down the batting order from opener to number four.
Tall paceman Stuart Broad, who will be on the England
A tour to Bangladesh, is one possible late call-up if Anderson or Lewis
do not pull through.
"The majority (of possible replacements) will be drawn
from the A team. Stuart Broad is very close. He was very much in the frame,"
Graveney said.
If Flintoff was overlooked as stand-in captain, Andrew Strauss
would seem next in line after impressing as skipper in the home tests against
Pakistan last year.
But Strauss had a dreadful tour of Australia and during the
tri series he was relegated down the batting order from opener to number four.
Tall paceman Stuart Broad, who will be on the England A tour
to Bangladesh, is one possible late call-up if Anderson or Lewis do not pull
through.
"The majority (of possible replacements) will be drawn
from the A team. Stuart Broad is very close. He was very much in the frame,"
Graveney said.
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