Ashes Betting: Ringing endorsement from Giles sees Bell and Trott selected

Bat and ball / Frank Gregan / 18 August 2009 /

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Many consider Ian Bell to be extremely lucky to have kept his place for the deciding Oval Test.

Warwickshire's Director of Cricket is Ashley Giles, one of the England selectors and he would no doubt have been in both player's corner when the selection debate got feisty. "Much has been made of their good knocks against a County side, the fact that both players flopped in the first innings seems to have been glossed over. Most critics agree - Ian Bell is a very lucky man."

As England announce the inclusion of Warwickshire pair Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott, Frank Gregan wonders to what extent Warwickshire Director of Coaching Ashley Giles had a say in matters in his other role as England selector....

The radical changes that were being called for in the media have not happened and England are sticking with their tried and tested for the deciding fifth test which gets underway at the Oval on Thursday. Ravi Bopara has been given the dreaded "very much a part of our future plans but in need of a break" spiel and will be replaced by Jonathan Trott with Ian Bell set to claim the coveted No 3 spot. Trott will bat at 5.

The decision to throw Trott into what is surely the most important test match since 2005 is a brave one. Any test debut is irritable bowel syndrome-inducing - this one should come complete with a heart monitor and a resuscitation team. The decision should be applauded even if it backfires as it would be tragic to lose the Ashes and look back and say "why didn't we.............?"

Both Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell were in great touch for Warwickshire last week scoring 121 and 126 respectively against Nottinghamshire in the second innings which helped secure the draw. Warwickshire's Director of Cricket is Ashley Giles, one of the England selectors and he would no doubt have been in both player's corner when the selection debate got feisty. Much has been made of their good knocks against a County side, the fact that both players flopped in the first innings seems to have been glossed over. Most critics agree - Ian Bell is a very lucky man.

The inclusion of Trott may well prove to be a case of too little - but the irony is - it wasn't too late. There are many, including myself, that felt that more changes were needed. It's a momentum thing, Australia are buzzing after their Headingley triumph and have carried on where they left off at the weekend by thumping the English Lions with Brett Lee taking a very ominous 3 for 37 in 16 overs.

Making one change to the upper end of the batting order (and bringing in a débutante to boot) is not going to faze the Aussies. There had been calls for Mark Ramprakash, Robert Key and Marcus Trescothick to be recalled and the selectors must have been tempted to include one of the old guard. Indeed I read an article at the back of end of last week in which the author was suggesting digging up WC Grace! But all the pleas have fell on the left ear of Van Gough - the selectors have ignored them all.

Two more changes at the top end of the batting order and the return of Andrew Flintoff would have given the line up a totally different feel and helped to negate all the positives that the Australians are able to call upon from Headingley. It would have sent the message, "that was Headingley, this is the Oval and this is a much different team that you are facing." As it is it is, we're talking about it being pretty much the same side the Aussies are up against but at a different venue. Ponting is entitled to tell his men "we battered them two weeks ago and nothing much has changed, let's batter them again."

Of course Australia don't need to win the test to retain the Ashes a draw will suffice and with the Oval wicket forecast to have as much life in it as graveyard at four in the morning, don't expect any generous declarations from the Aussie camp. They will occupy the crease for as long as possible and with rain forecast to interrupt at least three of the days' play a draw is not surprisingly the favourite at [2.26] with Ponting's men at [2.62] and England at [5.5].

It's still Australia for me although I concede the English weather may earn Strauss and his men an unexpected drawn series. The gulf in class between the two sides was evident at Headingley yet let's not forget that prior to that match, England were short-priced favourites to win the series having held a 1-0 lead with two tests to play.

The selectors have elected not to panic and have kept faith with the vast majority of the side that had got their noses in front. Freddie is back for his last ever Test match and it would be great if he could sign off with a magnificent Ashes winning performance. He has it in his locker - can he bring it out just one more time? We'll find out on Thursday and we'll also find out if the selectors have got it right!

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