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Strauss
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Cook
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Bopara
Prior
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Swann
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Onions
Ratings for the ashes series
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Uncle Buck
Ghost Writer
- Jul 7, 2003
- 28,077
Cook needs to spend the winter playing state cricket in Australia. He is a test player, but he needs to sort out the issues around his off stump.
England have to take and play Harminson in South Africa. The wickets will be prepared to be bouncy and take pace (for Steyn) and Harminson is the only bowler of that ilk we have.
Would probably get Bell to open in South Africa, with Pietersen at 3, Trott at 4 and Collingwood at 5.
England have to take and play Harminson in South Africa. The wickets will be prepared to be bouncy and take pace (for Steyn) and Harminson is the only bowler of that ilk we have.
Would probably get Bell to open in South Africa, with Pietersen at 3, Trott at 4 and Collingwood at 5.
Pietersen doesn't seem to want to play 3. It's been a problem position for ages, if KP fancied it, he'd have gone there by now.
I think Colly has had one failure too many.
I agree that Harmison should be the ideal bowler for SA but his record abroad. doesn't suggest that he will be.
I think Colly has had one failure too many.
I agree that Harmison should be the ideal bowler for SA but his record abroad. doesn't suggest that he will be.
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
I read today that Andrew Strauss wants England to become the best Test team in the rankings. Just to have an interesting discussion, here are my thoughts from afar:
Seems to me that some of the England players forget they are playing test cricket half the time and find it difficult to adjust. The only ones who look like test batsmen are Strauss and Cook (who obviously has a few technical problems at the moment), plus Trott if he keeps that form up.
Is it not time to earmark certain players to concentrate on test cricket and not pick them for ODI's etc? Cook I know does not often play ODI's very often but Bell does. Perhaps send them back to their counties now to get some practice in at the longer game ready for SA in November? Bell was young World cricketer of the year not so long ago, so why has he not pushed on?
Is Bopara a Test cricketer or a flash in the pan in the Windies? Again, if he is a serious option for Test cricket, let him concentrate on that and play him at 5. If not, dump him and let him concentrate on ODI's and 20/20.
Collingwood is not a long term option as he is getting on a bit and has not been consistent recently, so get rid now.
Pieterson does not have the brain to play at 3. Keep him at 4 and get him to stop trying to sweep balls that are 3 feet outside the off stump!! I would pick Trott at 3 and Bell/Bopara at 5 for now, unless England can find another opener so that Strauss can play at 3 and Trott at 5.
Prior has sorted his keeping out and the commentators here were raving about him at the weekend. So he should stay at 6 long term unless he has a complete meltdown in form.
With Freddie gone and Harmison being the enigma he is, I can see the bowling now being England's weak area. They have to have 5 bowlers. I doubt that Swann will be very effective in SA and the others only will be if it swings. Are there not any young quicks in England who can bowl 90 mph plus reasonably consistently and not have to rely on dodgy pitches or swing?
Anyway, in my opinion, now is the time for England to regroup, get rid of the dead wood and underachievers (Collingwood and Harmison for starters) and plan for the future. Nurture the talent that we have, find the best youngsers in the county game and give them the specialist coaching that they need to bring them on. Decide who is a better at test cricket and who is better at ODI's and get them to concentrate on the form of the game that they are best at. It wont happen because of the IPL and other money making schemes, but it's a thought.
**awaits flaming from The Wizard!! **
Seems to me that some of the England players forget they are playing test cricket half the time and find it difficult to adjust. The only ones who look like test batsmen are Strauss and Cook (who obviously has a few technical problems at the moment), plus Trott if he keeps that form up.
Is it not time to earmark certain players to concentrate on test cricket and not pick them for ODI's etc? Cook I know does not often play ODI's very often but Bell does. Perhaps send them back to their counties now to get some practice in at the longer game ready for SA in November? Bell was young World cricketer of the year not so long ago, so why has he not pushed on?
Is Bopara a Test cricketer or a flash in the pan in the Windies? Again, if he is a serious option for Test cricket, let him concentrate on that and play him at 5. If not, dump him and let him concentrate on ODI's and 20/20.
Collingwood is not a long term option as he is getting on a bit and has not been consistent recently, so get rid now.
Pieterson does not have the brain to play at 3. Keep him at 4 and get him to stop trying to sweep balls that are 3 feet outside the off stump!! I would pick Trott at 3 and Bell/Bopara at 5 for now, unless England can find another opener so that Strauss can play at 3 and Trott at 5.
Prior has sorted his keeping out and the commentators here were raving about him at the weekend. So he should stay at 6 long term unless he has a complete meltdown in form.
With Freddie gone and Harmison being the enigma he is, I can see the bowling now being England's weak area. They have to have 5 bowlers. I doubt that Swann will be very effective in SA and the others only will be if it swings. Are there not any young quicks in England who can bowl 90 mph plus reasonably consistently and not have to rely on dodgy pitches or swing?
Anyway, in my opinion, now is the time for England to regroup, get rid of the dead wood and underachievers (Collingwood and Harmison for starters) and plan for the future. Nurture the talent that we have, find the best youngsers in the county game and give them the specialist coaching that they need to bring them on. Decide who is a better at test cricket and who is better at ODI's and get them to concentrate on the form of the game that they are best at. It wont happen because of the IPL and other money making schemes, but it's a thought.
**awaits flaming from The Wizard!! **
Would also agree, Colly has more to offer. As a doubter about Prior (well he is Sussex) I must admit he impressed me, but only from what I saw on highlights.
I went on Radio5 Live this morning to make the point that theere are many areas who can't yet get C5 therefore we didn't even see the daily highlights. Now I will have to get the inevitable DVD to really gain an impression of the series overall.
We must STOP Murdoch's mob making a mockery of our national sporting calendar. What individual in their right mind would want to play rugby league in the middle of the Summer on baking hard pitches?
