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3rd Test: Australia wins Sydney Test (scorecard), South Africa won Test Series 2-1.. T20 & ODI series follows.
Current Cricket Series : South Africa vs Australia, West Indies vs New Zealand. Coming Up : India in NZ 2009.

Filed under Ashes 2006

He was born in Dublin, Ireland, played ICC trophy matches for Ireland from 2001 to 2005 and he is the reason why you will see Ireland in 2007 Cricket World Cup in Caribbean.

He is 5 feet 11 inches in height, has played 3 ODI's International for England (he completed his England residency qualifications in 2005) and as he was fielding in his 4th International cricket match for England - A twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in June this year, damaged his ankle and was out of consideration.

Yes, the name is Ed Joyce (a left handed batsmen, right arm medium bowler) and he is called to Australia as the replacement for Marcus Trescothick in England Ashes Squad. A middle order Middlesex batsmen is yet to make his Test Match debut.

Why a middle order bat replacing an opener :

Because England selectors feel they have other opening options (read Alaister Cook) already in England squad. So with Ed Joyce, who is capable of batting at any position in middle order, will be the better option than Robert Key and Owais Shah - who played in India recently.

Ed Joyce was included into English 30 player squad which was announced before the Champions trophy, which means that he is not that bigger surprise. England selectors had their eyes on him and surely see him as a surprise package against Aussie fast bowlers.

Moreover, Ed Joyce (age 28 years and 54 days) is someone who is very good player of spin bowling. As England team is looking to give him a middle order position, it was important that Trescothick's replacement knows how to handle Shane Warne. him being a left hander will be another added advantage. Good and thoughtful choice by English selectors I'll say.

But what exactly is wrong with Marcus Trescothick :

No body knows. Trescothick returned from India after playing just one tour match in May this year. He said he was "mentally stressed". Came back into England team for Pakistan series but again escaped the ICC Champions trophy.

England team left for Australia and he joined them. But after playing 2 practice games, he again complained similar strees-related illness and returned home.

England team plays one more tour match against South Australia from 17th November before the Ashes test match at Gabba Brisbane.

England Squad 2006 Ashes series.

England's tour of Australia 2006 Schedule.

Tricks for England - First.

Ashes 2006 & Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series

About Ashes you'll like to know,

Ed Joyce replaces "mentally stressed" Trecothick.

Aussie team for 1st Ashes test at Brisbane.

Ashes 2006. 1st test Day 1.

It's time England hit back : 2nd Ashes test preview.

England must believe they can still keep the Ashes