BBC SPORT | Cricket | The Ashes | Selectors not to blame



By Matthew Hoggard England bowler in Australia

The finger of blame has been pointed at the England selectors as our players continue to fall prey to injuries.

Almost everyone with an opinion on the game feels that certain players should not have been picked if they weren't 100 per cent fit.

I think the criticism is unfair and unfounded as selectors can do no more than trust the medical advice they have been given.

You can't bring second-string players over and ship them back if and when the first-choice players prove their fitness.

Craig White
White's attitude is inspirational

Plan A is to accept the advice and hope for the best. Plan B is happening now and we were prepared for it.

It may be only the second match in the series, but the Adelaide Test is already a must-win game for us.

Never mind the obvious need to level the Ashes scoreline after Brisbane, we need to give Australia something to think about.

We need to stand toe-to-toe with Australia and show that we are not intimidated by them.

We may be ravaged by injuries yet again, but the fact remains that 11 men will represent England in Adelaide - and they wouldn't be here if they weren't good enough.

Of course the loss of Ashley Giles is a massive blow, especially after his good showing in the first Test.

But as one door closes another opens, and this is a chance for Richard Dawson to step in and show the world what he can do.

Contrary to popular opinion, we have no doubt we can beat Australia. The morale in the camp is very good

I would think he is sure to play as it looks as though the Adelaide pitch will take some turn as the Test progresses.

And Craig White has already proven himself a ready-made replacement for Andrew Flintoff.

I rate him as one of the best all-rounders in the world on his day.

He relishes a challenge and firmly believes he can beat Australia, and an attitude like that rubs off on the rest of us.

The form of Rob Key and John Crawley against Australia A was very heartening.

Key went after the bowlers and Crawley bored them to death.

It was a shining example of two completely opposite, but equally effective, ways we can take it to Australia.

Rob Key
Key took the attack up to Australia A

They went out with a mindset that they wouldn't budge from and it worked.

If Australia want to put six balls out of six in the one spot, let them. We'll let them get bored before we do.

We proved on day two in Brisbane that we can compete with Australia, and it is hard to put your finger on why we couldn't play like that on the other days.

We have to maintain intensity and not become lazy or complacent for one ball, let alone a whole session.

We traditionally start series quite slowly, and we hope that the first Test will prove to be just a minor blip.

You never know, perhaps Brisbane was the kick in the teeth we needed.

As for me, I can't wait for the second Test to begin.

I welcome the extra responsibility without Darren Gough and Simon Jones and want to prove that I have what it takes.

Like the whole team, there's no point just talking about it - we've got to do it.