Iain Fletcher says weather 'saving grace' for England selectors in Oval Test

Former England cricketer Iain Fletcher has said that English selectors are fortunate that the fourth day of the final Ashes Test at The Oval had to be abandoned entirely due to rain, as otherwise there was still a chance that they would be embarrassed and lose the match.

Fletcher had played first-class and county cricket for Somerset and Hertfordshire and is now a cricket journalist.

According to The Scotsman, Fletcher feels that it is incomprehensible why the selectors are suddenly offering chances to the beaten Australia, adding that the selections of both Chris Woakes and Simon Kerrigan were unexpected, even by the players themselves.

Fletcher also said that due to England's easy capitulation, Australia would feel better about facing the upcoming Ashes Test matches in the return series than they should, adding that the selectors wasted their time in picking Woakes nor Kerrigan as neither of the duo might play in Australia this winter.

Stating that Chris Tremlett should have been picked for this Test as he had bowled wonderfully for Surrey, Fletcher said that the fact had even been acknowledged by Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, adding that a team should do what the opposition least likes.

Fletcher further said that in contrast to Australia, which is now starting to do away with experimentation and put together a decent, workmanlike side, English selectors are experimenting with bringing players like Kerrigan and Woakes, adding that if it continued, England would not be confident of winning the Ashes in Australia.