Dominic Cork and Michael Vaughan have been included in the 12, so is this the right squad to beat Pakistan and win the Ashes?

After a successful tour of the sub-continent, and four Test series wins under their belt, the England and Wales Cricket Board is looking for consistency in team selection.

But with the announcement of the central contracts for the summer, the ECB has shown that some things still have to change.

Does the exclusion of Graeme Hick finally signal the end of his international career?

In picking Dominic Cork, are England risking a player who has been plagued with a back injury in recent times?

Is Matthew Hoggard good enough to become a consistent part of the England pace attack?

Tell us what you think.

Prediction for this summer. England lose one or both of the first two tests. Vaughan or Trescothick perform poorly. Hick is scoring freely in the Championship. He is brought back in. England lose one of both of tests three and four. Hick fails, again. Series lost, the selectors decide to "bring in some youth", which is where we started.

How I hope I am wrong!
Andrew Wood, USA

The people who doubt Robert Croft's ability ought to take a leaf out of Nasser Hussains book and take a look at the statistics.

Robert was third in the bowling averages and fifth in the batting on tour. This strikes me as a quality performance and not a bit part from a player of so called "limited ability".

He should definately have been awarded a central contract.
Peter Jones, UK

Finally the selectors have made the correct decision with the underachieving and ageing Hick
Oliver Goodway, England

Surely, one of the benefits of the central contracts was the continued fitness of the fast bowlers (especially Gough). Wouldn't Flintoff benefit from a fitness regime rather than a meaningless round of county games if he is to fulfil his potential?
Simon Wenham, UK

I'm pleased to see Matthew Hoggard in the squad as he looks a real prospect, with the ability to worry top batsmen with his pace. He looks aggressive and a real competitor and I hope he gets in the side against the Aussies this summer. If this is the end of Hick, I think we should give some credit to a decent guy who despite his critics still enjoys the respect of his England team mates.
Peter Squire, UK

Strength, stubbornness and a will to win. These characteristics epitomise the typical Yorkshireman and it is no coincidence that the national side now has players from Yorkshire CCC forming it's nucleus. Good luck to England this summer!
Richard Thornton, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Graeme Hick should retire now from English cricket now. re-establish himself in Zimbabwe and play where he is appreciated. A superstar sent to the dizzy heights by the press in his early days and then butchered. Sorry Graeme you had such pressure put on you which was bait to opposition bowlers.
Steve Pitchforth, England

Right decision on Hick, though he is worth saving for one day games. He should be credited for the way he has handled himself over the years in the face of a lot of hostile media.

I would have liked to see some more spinners being offered the chance to play for England. Just consider how much better England would have done in Pakistan and Sri Lanka if they had a world class spin attack.

>Why has Phil Tuffnell been consistently ignored? And I agree that more than 12 players should be contracted. Thank God, England have finally got rid of the perennial under-performer - Graeme Hick
Anindya Raychaudhuri, UK

Be under no illusion - Graeme Hick will feature in the forthcoming Ashes series. Hick has created a situation where people will only recognise his poor performances, and forget that when he is on song - the top world bowlers fear him. But good management like Fletcher do not have these blinkers on.

But take note messieurs McGrath, Lee and Warne. Hick will be waiting.
Rob James, Birmingham UK

I can't believe that Alan Mullally has been overlooked again, especially for the likes of Cork. If he was better looked after by the ECB (as he is another player whose injuries have so far blighted his Test career) then he could bring in a whole new dimension to the test side.

Everyone has seen the danger that a fast left arm/ right arm fast partnership can bring with Waqar and Wasim. Mullally has shown in the past that he could be capable of similar things.

I don't believe in the long term that Cork and White can play in the same side as they are just too similar in style.
Jimi P, UK

I think it's a good squad although I find it surprising that Corky was given a contract considering his fitness record. I do hope that England will give other players the odd test match. I for one would very much like to see Flintoff or Tudor in the Test side at some point.
Dave M, England

As an England supporter for many a year I feel that no matter what team we put out its not going to be good enough to win the Ashes! The Aussies are a near perfect team and although i think that England's latest triumphs are encouraging we should not do as we normally do and get over excited.

The team is slowly moulding but is no where near the Aussies standard!
Keith Eddowes, England

Where to bat Vaughan could be a problem. We had the same problem with Ramprakash when he was playing, who commonly came in at 6. Batting at 6 requires different skills to top-3 and that's where our biggest mistake with Ramps was. Vaughan is a good bat who could eventually replace Atherton as opener, but a player like him is not really suited to batting at six.
Billy, England

I would never bet against the great survivor Mr Hick making comeback number eleven. How that man continues to remain in the thoughts of selectors is totally beyond me.
Duncan Holding, England

Graeme Hick unfortunately was never able to get to grips with Test cricket and the selectors have done the right thing by removing him from the firing line.

As for Croft, why he ever played for England I will never know. How a spinner can get so far in the game without actually having the ability to spin the ball is beyond me.

The omission of Robert Croft is a disgrace after his series winning performances this winter. However, it is a result of only twelve contracts being available, when at least fourteen players are in the frame! Surely the ECB are not being tight with their money are they?
Richard Endacott, UK

I agree with all the selections for an ECB contract, but it is a shame that the number couldn't be extended to encompass a full squad of fifteen. That way it would allow England not just to monitor fitness of players like Alex Tudor and Andrew Flintoff but also to keep players like Robert Croft involved with the system, and to know that his contribution is valued.
Alex Willmott, England/USA