Selectors play it safe but will they be sorry

Stephen Harmison should be playing at Lords. Australia will definitely be relieved he isn't. He is the biggest attacking weapon England have right now, and if you aren't going to pick him now on a bouncy wicket when he's in devastating form when will you ever pick him? I feel that England have picked only 3 bowlers and 2 all-rounders in Flintoff and Broad, neither of whom will set the world alight with the ball - I would be surprised if they take more than 6 wickets between them in the entire match. Unfortunately England have fudged it and selected both, not wanting to upset Flintoff by resting him due to his knee injury, or wanting to upset the youngster Broad either, as has been discussed previously in this blog.

England batted very positively and it was noticeable to see the displays of intent, even from Pietersen in his brief knock. But they will need to bowl their socks off with the questionable line-up they've got if they are to break their 75 year Lords hoodoo.