Do we know what Bob Key’s shoulder is like at the moment? I don’t always find myself in agreement with Fletcher’s thirst for multi-dimensional cricketers but I do expect them to be able to throw the ball in from the boundry.

I suppose we should presume that Joyce really impressed Fletcher in training during his stints with the ODI team last summer. Either that or droopy Dunc’ shares the view often expressed by Shah’s critics that what he has in talent he lacks in temperament. Prehaps Owais’ struggle to extract himself from last season’s form slump didn’t help in that regard.

It is a bit baffling- Joyce is a top player- but I’d have sent Shah who, as you point out, plays spin v.well and if called into a test match, as he showed on his debut- wont be phased. They both have similar first class records-but shah’s pedigree is so far, slightly more proven. Maybe its to do with him being a lefty? Or maybe Shah, whos known as a bit of a loose cannon off the field detererd them from picking him. As for Key-he didnt do too well last year-so perhaps they were worried about recent form.

Fear this could spell the end for monty now marcus has returned home, as the batting has now been immeasurably weakened. Giles in at 8, with hoggard, anderson, and harmison-behind him I reckon.

Or alternatively, England with three men down, and weaker than in 2005-might as well just as throw caution to the wind and just pick monty anyway-theres no denying it, the oz’s, despite their age-are much stronger on paper-if we’re going to lose, we might as well lose 5-0 instead of 2-1.

Hard to be critical of this decision - the selectors must have better knowledge than anyone of the status of the three candidates, and their readiness to join the squad. Shah and Key have at least played Tests, and Key toured Australia last time, so they have good claims.

Consider this - Joyce won’t play in the series unless there is an injury. While he’s with the squad he’ll be doing little more than drinks duty, meanwhile Shah and Key will be working at the Acedemy. If there is a problem with one of the first-choice bats after the first Test, the selectors are within their rights to send another player from the academy to cover, with some practice under their belt. Joyce might just have been sacrificed to allow the other two guys to warm up properly.

Would have taken Shah. His confidence on test debut was impressive, and England could do with that in this series. If the Aussies were bowling pukka pies instead of Kookuburra’s, then I would have picked Key.

Actually I think this criticism of Key is slightly unfair. I went to see him play for Kent against Yorkshire this year and didn’t recognise him, he’s lost that much weight.

It is academic anyway, Vaughan’s likely to be fit (although for what I’m not sure) by the third test.

I don’t think Joyce will play at all.