Fascinating squad selection by Australia . As you say , Garlic , there was little point in picking Carey once Wade was included in the squad. I'm not sold on Wade myself but have to admit he has runs on the board . Carey's time will come , I'd imagine : Paine won't last forever .
And little point in picking a Lyon standby. There really isn't a spinner worth selecting apart from "Gary". Better hope he stays fit !
Neser the surprise pick. Bowled well in the trial game ; and is seen as one suited to English conditions I guess. Still seems like fast bowling overkill , but...
And speaking of fast bowlers ...do England need
seven of them ?! I suppose they are worrying about injuries but it still seems a bit unnecessary to name so many.
Assuming all fit surely Anderson Broad and Woakes for Edgbaston ? I appreciate Archer is a talent ; but he has just come back from a side strain which apparently had him battling with painkillers and hasn't played more than a ten over game for ages : you'd think he can keep for later in the series - surely going to be injuries/fatigue issues over five Tests.
Besides with Moeen hopelessly out of batting form a last four of him plus Broad Archer and Anderson almost brings to mind the famous Tufnell Mullally Giddins tail
The batting (such as it is) rather picks itself from this squad. Top three still looks dodgy ...nothing new there. Will be hoping four to seven are on the ball.
Not sure yet how the Aussie batting will line up. But again , Smith and Warner might need to do the heavy lifting.
Could be a short match if the conditions suit the bowlers...