From the Guardian's The Spin Email
STATS OF THE WEEK
A curious statistic this. At this precise moment, two of the four batsmen with the best averages in the history of List A cricket are English, and yet neither of them was picked to play in the first three matches of this current series against India. Gary Ballance is third, with an average of 52.52 from 64 innings, and James Taylor is fourth, with 52.33 from 96. Look a little further down the same list and you find the only other eligible Englishmen – excusing Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen – with career averages over 40 in the format are Varun Chopra and Ravi Bopara. England, then, are evidently blessed with such batting riches that they feel able to omit their four batsmen with the best records in limited overs cricket. Or they just don’t know what their best side is.
Forgot Bopara. Maybe in for Ali. Mind you without Ali today would have been even worse!Totally useless
From the Guardian's The Spin Email
STATS OF THE WEEK
A curious statistic this. At this precise moment, two of the four batsmen with the best averages in the history of List A cricket are English, and yet neither of them was picked to play in the first three matches of this current series against India. Gary Ballance is third, with an average of 52.52 from 64 innings, and James Taylor is fourth, with 52.33 from 96. Look a little further down the same list and you find the only other eligible Englishmen – excusing Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen – with career averages over 40 in the format are Varun Chopra and Ravi Bopara. England, then, are evidently blessed with such batting riches that they feel able to omit their four batsmen with the best records in limited overs cricket. Or they just don’t know what their best side is.
What I really couldn't get my head round was Taylor being selected for 20/20 but not ODI. I'm a big, big fan of his.
Once the selectors take their heads out of their Arse's, we may have a good side, its the same with the F.A....its an old boys club
Cook should focus on test matches, why do they need the same players for all formats? Ballence is a brilliant Test player, doesnt mean he will be a good limited overs player
what we need are fearless players who will attack the opening few overs, rattle a few cages.
instead of starting at 20/4 after 5 each match
The bowling isn't looking too clever right now...
India 150-0 (25 overs)
India 212-1 won by nine wickets with 117 balls remaining.
Abject