Competition boosts England

Geoff Miller

National selector Geoff Miller is adamant the competition for places in England’s Test side will enhance their performances against New Zealand.

The hosts have announced a 12-man squad for the first npower Test at Lord’s which begins on Thursday before two further matches at Old Trafford and Trent Bridge.

The dozen includes the XI which came back from 1-0 down to win the Test series in New Zealand in March plus Matthew Hoggard, who was absent for those two final matches along with pace bowler Steve Harmison.

Miller recognises the luxury of leaving out former world number one bowler Harmison while the paceman strives to regain his best form with Durham.

“Clearly there is very healthy competition for places in this Test side, which can only be good for England,” he said. “The selection of this squad maintains a position of continuity from the winter following a series win against New Zealand.

“We’re expecting an equally tough series here at home and believe we have a squad capable of building on the success stemming from last winter.

“I had a chat with Steve Harmison the other day and explained the situation.

“We need Steve to be bowling, as he can bowl, at 90 miles-an-hour and if he is doing that, getting wickets and his confidence back then we will reassess it.

“At this moment in time he needs to be getting those performances in for Durham and we are allowing him to do that.

“His mood is pretty good, he knows where he is, he knows he didn't perform like he can perform in that first Test match in New Zealand and he is trying hard to get form back again - we will back him all we possibly can.”

Durham team-mate Paul Collingwood will have his fitness checked in the build-up to the first Test after he was treated for a sore right shoulder in the aftermath of Durham's defeat to Lancashire at Old Trafford, a match which saw Andrew Flintoff's injury jinx strike again.

England's medical team will monitor Paul Collingwood's shoulder injury © Getty Images

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“We now need to see how he responds to treatment before we have a definitive idea of his availability for the first npower Test,” Miller added. “At this stage it's too early to say whether he will definitely play as he will be reassessed in the lead up to Thursday.

“We've got cover, we know where we are going but I don't think it is necessary to announce 13. In that eventuality we are in a position to deal with it.”

Should a replacement be needed there will be strong competition with Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright. just three who could fill Collingwood’s position.

“It is about forcing the issue: we are looking to peripheral players not to be just knocking on the door but banging it down,” said Miller. “We have one or two players who are knocking very hard.”

Andrew Flintoff's side strain prevented his selection for the first two Tests

England could have recalled all-rounder Andrew Flintoff only for a side strain to sideline him for a fortnight.

“He was just getting back to the form he used to show with the ball,” Miller said. “He might have swapped one or two wickets for runs but we accept that, we know what he is capable of doing and I really feel for him.

“But I know he will be back, he's a really strong man, he's passionate to play for England and we will keep watching him and monitoring him and when he's ready I am sure there will be a place for him.”

England captain Michael Vaughan has publicly stated his belief that his side are better placed to replicate their 2005 Ashes success next summer than they were in 2004.

Momentum for the visit of Australia needs to be developed now, however, whether that be from the established players of the current team or those currently outside looking in.

“There is competition all the way through the team,” said Miller. “We are monitoring that consistently.

“We are in a position where we need to get a squad together, it is not just about a team any more, Test cricket is so intense these days, so we need to get a lot of players competing.

“There is always a temptation to stick with the same side because if you have got a winning side you want to be consistent.

“We have preached continuity for a long time now but we appreciate that we need to be winning matches and series, so form is taken into consideration as well.

“We will be loyal, give people as much chance as possible and look for a bit of consistency on the field.”