Source: Daily_Mail
Stuart Broad boosted as Geoff Miller looks for consistent England selection
Geoff Miller is confident the England players he helps to select will continue to keep up their side of a mutually beneficial bargain as they seek to go top of the world against India. [LNB] National selector Miller has announced a predictable 12-man squad for the first npower Test at Lord's - including both Stuart Broad and his fellow seamer Tim Bresnan. [LNB]Broad therefore has his chance, having had to sit out much of England's Ashes glory because of injury last winter, to rediscover his best form on another big stage in this summer's four-match series.[LNB] Struggling: Stuart Broad has failed to take many wickets in international and domestic cricket this summer[LNB] [LNB]The fast bowler has struggled for wickets so far this season - he has managed 10 in eight international matches - and was dropped for England's NatWest Series decider against Sri Lanka last weekend. [LNB]But it will be either him or Bresnan - assuming England do not take a most unlikely and unaccustomed gamble by sacrificing an extra batsman to accommodate both in a five-man attack - who will fill the third seamer's position at Lord's. [LNB]As for England's prospects in the series as a whole, Miller said: 'I'm quietly confident. [LNB]'I'm not one for fanfares and trumpets. We just try to do the job solidly and make the honest decisions. That's bearing fruit.'[LNB] Next in line: Tim Bresnan impressed during the Ashes win last winter and could be set to replace Broad[LNB] Broad's inclusion, having taken six wickets for Nottinghamshire last week, is symptomatic of England's steadfast selection policy during the era of Andrew Strauss as captain and Andy Flower as coach. [LNB]'They've asked for consistent selection process, and in return I ask for consistency on the field - and I'm getting that,' said Miller. [LNB]Steven Finn, the most successful bowler in a collectively wayward display by England in the second Test at Lord's during their 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka, is the most notable omission on his home ground. [LNB]But Miller cited the importance England place on effective cover in all departments, as he acknowledged the likelihood that it will not be possible to field an unchanged team throughout any major series. [LNB]'We've been searching for a long time now for the strength in depth, and obviously there will be players who miss out. [LNB] No place at home: Middlesex bowler Steven Finn has been left out of the squad for the first Test at Lord's[LNB]'Unfortunately Steven Finn's missed out on this occasion. But there is a lot of cricket to be played in this series. [LNB]'Obviously, there are other bowlers as well who are in the mix.'[LNB] It seems Broad and Bresnan got the nod partly because England believe their skills may currently best complement the frontline pace of Chris Tremlett and James Anderson. [LNB]'We discussed what relevance he [Finn] had for this match, but we went with the variations that Stuart and Tim can bring for us. [LNB]'There's a study done on their [India's] batsmen, their strengths and weaknesses, which is always the case. [LNB]'So we know how they go about their job, and it's for us to winkle them out with the bowlers we've got.'[LNB] Ton-dulkar! Stand by to marvel at the Little Master as India head to Lord'sPerfect preparation for Strauss as England captain hits century at TauntonBroad and Bresnan in England first Test squad to face India, but no place for FinnTop Spin: The hits, misses and not-bad-at-alls in captain Cook's first series in charge [LNB]
