England opt for a quick repeat

Name the team who were forced to cling on desperately for a draw in their opening match, but then, galvanised by a shrewd, imperturbable foreign coach, produced a magnificent exhibition in their second to inflict defeat on one of the highest ranked sides in the world and stir the hearts of a nation. England, of course.

Her cricketers, that is, and every bit of the analysis is true, except for the stirring of hearts. Events elsewhere are conspiring against that happening whatever deeds Duncan Fletcher's players perform. The squad for the Third npower Test against Sri Lanka, at Old Trafford on Thursday, was announced yesterday and probably failed to impinge on the nation's consciousness, or its hangover.

Partly, this was because of the little matter of that other result, partly because such minimal change was expected. In the event, the selectors named 13 players, retaining the Glamorgan speed merchant Simon Jones but excluding the Derbyshire swinger Dominic Cork.

There are doubts about the fitness of Mark Butcher, but if he fails his test on Tuesday there would presumably be a straight swap with John Crawley, who was omitted at Birmingham. "We will be looking to make an early decision in fairness both to him and Crawley," said David Graveney, the chairman of selectors.

Those who wondered why Cork was chosen in the squads for the first two matches might suppose themselves vindicated. However, Graveney said: "When selecting a squad we need to ensure that everyone has a chance to play. Given that we will be playing at Old Trafford we felt that Cork was unlikely to feature. We have spoken to him about this and assured him that he will remain in our thoughts for future selections." Cork has been written off before, but despite Graveney's soothing words, it is difficult to envisage him coming back again. As the summer wears on and the hard winter in Australia looms closer, there will be other fish to fry, other bowlers to try.

If Jones has a realistic chance of being given his debut on a Manchester pitch which recent convention dictates is quicker than most in this country, it remains unlikely. The seam-bowling quartet of Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard, Alex Tudor and Andrew Flintoff did all that was required of them in Birmingham, where England won by an innings and 111 runs. Omission for any of them would be harsh.

On the other hand, Jones possesses true pace, one of the weapons which Fletcher claims is essential for England to become a team of enduringhigh-achievers. He can, in the old phrase, give batsmen the hurry-up and he can also be provided with protection by the older hands around him. For all the handsome skill of their batsmen, Sri Lanka in Manchester might be a better bet for a debutant fast bowler than, say, Australia in Brisbane.

Hoggard justifiably won the man-of-the-match award at Edgbaston. He was out of form going into the match and repaid the faith shown in him by his captain, Nasser Hussain, and Fletcher. Still, the best bowler on show was Caddick, who produced a stream of pearlers, especially with the second new ball in Sri Lanka's second innings on Sunday afternoon. Caddick has often been maligned for his quirky temperament, but he is a bowling thoroughbred.

Butcher's knee will eventually need surgical attention which will keep him out for three weeks. His participation will depend on his assessment as much as that of the England medical team. It is a big decision for a professional sportsman.

Butcher has enjoyed a marvellous spell since his unexpected recall against Australia last summer. In that time his average has been 46, class in any terms, and he is a player whom the demons have fled. But international sport is unforgiving. If he were to miss Old Trafford and Crawley came in and scored heavily on a ground he knows so well, Butcher might not get back immediately.

Considering the whole country seems to have gone World Cup barmy and that the cricket selectors went for what was widely castigated as a lacklustre squad at the start of the rubber, spectators are actually in healthy supply. Birmingham has the most involved (and knowledgeable) of English crowds and had a total attendance of 50,000 over the four days. If ticket sales for Manchester are not exactly brisk, nor are they moribund, as was widely feared. Pre-sales for the first four days are 7,000, 11,000, 12,000 and 7,000. This leaves plenty of room for walk-ups, which depend on the sun shining.

The ticket hotline (08705 338 833) is open and at £15 for the cheapest adult entrance on the first three days and £10 on the fourth (£7.50 and £5 for Under-16s) the England and Wales Cricket Board are determined to attract crowds.

England will soon be turning their attention to the shortgame. Their squad for the NatWest Trophy will surely bear a striking resemblance to the one which will appear in the World Cup next year. If Ronnie Irani of Essex is not in he might wonder what he has to do after his exploits this summer. For this week, England have to concentrate on clinching a Test series while contending with another World Cup. They would do well to remember the quality of the opposition. Muttiah Muralitharan must be snuffed out of the game like Juan Sebastian Veron.

Test squad

N Hussain (Essex, capt) Age 34, Caps 71
M E Trescothick (Somerset) 26, 24
M P Vaughan (Yorkshire) 27, 18
M A Butcher (Surrey) 29, 40
G P Thorpe (Surrey) 32, 75
J P Crawley (Hampshire) 30, 30
A J Stewart (Surrey, wkt) 39, 117
A Flintoff (Lancashire) 24, 17
A F Giles (Warwickshire) 29, 14
A J Tudor (Surrey) 24, 6
A R Caddick (Somerset) 33, 55
M J Hoggard (Yorkshire) 25, 10
S P Jones (Glamorgan) 23,0