David Graveney Quotations

Until they go through fitness tests it's impossible to know if they are totally right. If you remember, we all thought Simon Jones would be fit to play at the Oval and he didn't.

What he brings to the stage in terms of bowling, batting and fielding is exciting. He's a young guy, got plenty of talent and we're taking the opportunity of including a younger guy to learn as times goes on.

Liam Plunkett has made a promising start to his international career and is an emerging player with great potential. Ian Bell has also been named in both squads as we believe his ability to bat in the top order will give us another option as we continue to plan for the World Cup in 2007.

Simon is continuing to make progress in his recovery from injury and we will give him as much time as he needs in order to prove his fitness.

I don't know what the situation is with the Australian team but they seem pretty settled. In the same way that there were plenty saying last summer that they did not want to be in the side that loses the Ashes, there'll be more wanting to be in the team that regains them. We are under no illusion about how determined Australia will be.

Ian Blackwell is a talented player who performed well in the one-day series in Pakistan and this is a terrific opportunity for him to show that he can fulfil his potential against top class opposition.

Ian Blackwell has been placed on standby to join the Test squad if Ashley fails to recover from his injury in time prior to the tour.

He's a young guy who's got plenty of talent. There's no doubt that off spinners have got to do something different.

He is a very good spinner. He gives the ball a good twist and has a very bright future.

How we're going to manage the players through all this is something we're going to have to talk about. We have to make sure that our key guys like Freddie are fit and raring to go for the Australia and World Cup legs.

James Anderson has big match experience with England and we feel that his inclusion in the squad will give the captain and coach another bowling option in the event of Simon Jones being unfit to play.

Jon Lewis and Stuart Broad have both shown fine early-season form for their counties and I'm sure they will be keen to make the most of this opportunity against Sri Lanka.

It is going to be hard to win four games in a row.

It is hugely to his credit that he took the initiative in approaching the selectors before Christmas to discuss how he could improve all aspects of his game and we are delighted with the progress he has made following his recent trip to Adelaide.

People have a spring in their step. When you read that the TV ratings exceeded the final night of Big Brother, you know that you're heading in the right direction.

When Darren gave up his position in Pakistan, he realized he was giving his spot to someone else.

With Liam Plunkett and James Anderson performing well in Pakistan, and Simon Jones now available for selection again, the selectors feel the priority is for these players to gain as much experience of one-day cricket as possible ahead of the World Cup and as a result Darren misses out.

They are always immaculately turned out no matter what circumstances.

The selectors also considered Alex for the Test squad - and although he's not been included on this occasion, he made a good impression in Pakistan and is one of a number of spin bowlers we have chosen on the A tour.

Although we lost the series, there were some encouraging individual performances from players who are new to test cricket and we are keen to continue their development.

Darren would like to make it clear that he has not decided to retire from one-day international cricket and the selectors fully understand his reasons.

Darren asked the selectors not to consider him for the tour of Pakistan for personal reasons and we respected his wishes. With Liam Plunkett and James Anderson performing well in Pakistan and Simon Jones now available for selection again, the selectors feel the priority is for these players to gain as much experience of one-day cricket as possible ahead of the World Cup.

Then we had a change halfway through. It hasn't been a subject that has cropped up in my discussions - which have mainly been about support for Michael - or whatever discussions I've had with Duncan when I've made contact with him in India.

The A tour runs simultaneously with the main tour and will be regarded as the next best players available.

It will not be easy - but he's done it before and he is the right guy.

In choosing our Test squad we wanted to show faith with the same group of players who have performed extremely well for England over the past two years. Although we lost the series, there were some encouraging individual performances from players who are new to Test cricket and we are keen to continue their development.

I hope Michael does get in. We have no input into it but I was disappointed Duncan Fletcher missed out as he is coach of the second-best side in the world.

His figures may not always look as good as some of the other spinners around the world but he fulfils a crucial role in our attack.

If he cannot tour it would be a big loss to us. But that is sport.