My first rant...

Why oh why did the Selectors at the ECB see fit to exclude Graham Thorpe from the Test team? I mean, it's not like he has been our best batsman for aeons or anything. Nor has he an outstanding record against the Convicts, especially Shane (fat b@stard) Warne.

The whole Thorpe vs Pietersen argument was a nonsense. And a dangerous one at that. And as a result Thorpe announced his retirement from the International game. So even if the powers-that-be wake up and smell the coffee, and finally realise how much we need him... he won't be available anyway. Although they might want to consider rehearsing some sincere grovelling and begging!

With all due respect to Ian Bell, he's the one that should have been dropped to make way for the diminutive one. Nothing against Bell, who has a long future ahead of him, and whose time will surely come, but that to me would seem the logical (and only!) choice that should have been made.

I am not suggesting that England go back to their old ways of binning newbies after a few attempts. We've got past that, thankfully. But considering this is the much-hyped Ashes Series, where England are supposed to show how far they've come since our last drubbing, how about we pick the best, and most experienced, team that we can, with the best chance of sticking it to the Old Enemy? Or have I missed something?

Our batting was dismal in the First Test, KP excepted, and we could so have done with Thorpey's presence to do what he does so well and dig in when the top order have collapsed. Twice in consecutive innings.

A century from him and the result of the game, and the Series, could have been very different indeed. It's easy to say with hindsight, and in all honesty is said mainly in jest, but there is an element of truth to it...

So tomorrow the Second Test begins. Here's hoping that it is more of a contest! Will Giles be playing on his homeground? Will Collingwood take his place? Will we drop another seven, yes seven, catches? Answers on a postcard please...