Keep Kasprowicz and Gillespie

Cricket journalists are predicting a three-way contest for two fast-bowling places in the Australian team for the first Ashes test.

I heard Darren Lehmann say in TV commentary though, that Brett Lee will definitely play. Lehmann is close to the team, so you have to respect his call.

I agree that Lee should play, however I think that dropping Jason Gillespie or Michael Kasprowicz would be grossly unfair. Both have done admirably for Australia in their recent test appearances.

My suggestion is that Australia should select five bowlers.

The idea has been tossed around before, and in this circumstance I think it’s thoroughly justified.

It would mean batting Adam Gilchrist at number six, followed by Shane Warne and Lee.

Many other teams would be happy to have Warne and Lee at seven and eight. Australia has the batting class for this to work.

I’d leave Michael Clarke out for the first test and let the pace bowlers shoot it out for a preferred selection in the next two games, barring injury.

Clarke is young enough to make a small sacrifice for the sake of the team.

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