Ashes Debacle : Is it time to make wholesome changes to English batting line-up?

Alastair Cook said Monty Panesar had picked up an injury, although the spinner got through a practice session on Thursday. Is there a wind of change in England team ?

Also there are reports that Jonny Bairstow would retain his place for the fifth Test. Also a change in batting will be there. That would mean caps for the batting wrist-spinner Scott Borthwick, Zimbabwean-born batsman Gary Ballance and Irish-reared fast bowler Boyd Rankin.

It has been repeatedly whispered that opener Michael Carberry will make way for a shifting of the furniture, allowing Joe Root to open, Ian Bell to move to number 3 and Ballance to bolster the middle order. It is also clear that Prior will have to wait for a while for a recall after giving way to Bairstow.

Cook indicated Bairstow would play in Sydney though: "It is very difficult to come in for one Test and [Bairstow] is a very talented player. He deserves another chance in this Test to show that. Matt is still a fantastic cricketer and, at 31, has still got a lot of Test cricket available to him if he wants it." He added : "When you lose games of cricket and you lose like we have lost, it is a tough place to be as a captain. It’s only when you come on such a big tour with as much media coverage as this, that it does affect people, make no mistake about it.

"It hurts for me, but it is what it is. When you lose, the criticism is exaggerated, and hyped when you win, because that’s the way the media work. So it’s something I’ve been used to in my career so far. It’ll happen to anyone who plays a lot of Test cricket. For me to say I’m 100% right would be wrong. I am proud of the way I’ve handled myself in this series, but I do know I’ve got a hell of a lot to learn as a player and as a captain." he added.

Cook is being criticized for his captaincy but he had also not contributed well by his batting for the team. Critics feel he is an outstanding player but had not performed well because of his captaincy. Now Cook and Andy Flower needs to look after the matter and if changes are need to be made it must be made. Chances are there that some harsh action will be taken by them.

On the other hand Brad Haddin hoped the same XI that took the field at the Gabba for the first Ashes Test could come out for the final one at the SCG for the Aussies as they look for a 5-0 clean sweep.
Australia will face England in last match of this Ashes tournament tomorrow.