Prior suited to style of Moores
What with central contracts and the aim for a consistent selection process, England team announcements are usually rather predictable.
But today we can chew over - Andrew Strauss to lead the side in Michael Vaughan's absence and Matt Prior as the wicket-keeper.
First, in terms of the captaincy, it is clear that Andrew Flintoff鈥檚 ambition to continue as England鈥檚 official standby suffered more than merely a temporary nose dive when he .
He was stood down at the time as vice-captain - and as well as suspended for one match - but this is confirmation that the need for greater discipline within the team is high on Peter Moores's list of priorities, and quite right too.
Flintoff will be hugely disappointed, but the England captaincy is not a thing to treat lightly, and if he really does yearn for the job again sometime in the future, he will simply have to knuckle down and convince the new coach.
This move will enable Flintoff to concentrate on his own game - and get him amongst the runs again for a start - while Vaughan is expected to return for the .
More significant perhaps is the decision to steer a new course with the wicket-keeper鈥檚 position.
Paul Nixon kept, and batted, well in the World Cup. But at 36 he would not have been a forward-thinking choice, so Matt Prior - who has played one day cricket for England - gets the chance.
Prior is a lively character who, one feels, will be more suited to rather than Duncan Fletcher鈥檚 - and it surely cannot be a coincidence that the former Sussex coach went for Prior at the first opportunity.
There has been far too much debate about England鈥檚 wicket-keeper in recent years, which has not been healthy for the team, and Prior now has the opportunity to succeed where Geraint Jones and Chris Read both failed.
He has the chance to make the job in both indisputably his own, in both forms of the game.
will feel rather aggrieved that he has been left out of the squad altogether, but the truth is that both he and Sajid Mahmood are still too inconsistent to be fully reliable.
Liam Plunkett played second fiddle at the World Cup, but he - and Matthew Hoggard - should enjoy the chance to bowl at the West Indians in helpful early summer conditions.
So who makes way for Vaughan when he's fit again? Its between Bell Strauss or Cook...
Complain about this postits really unfortunate for freddie. he will be disappointed on two counts. when he was captain england were playing against australia down under. Now when england are playing much easier series against west indies, he is not captain. on the other hand Strauss was a complete flop as a batsman in the ashes and now he is awarded as a captain, for what reason? performing badly.
atleast freddie was started to get better in the common wealth series. Its unfair for england's best player Flintoff.
Complain about this postgood selection, altho bell still doesnt warrant a place in the team. I think that james benning should be given a chance. I cant wait for trescothick to start playing again. Hes a brill player and england badly miss him. Hes also prime candidate for captain.
Complain about this postGreat to see Plunkett back in the squad; he was criminally overlooked in the Ashes and the World Cup and has much more potential than Anderson (a poor mans' Hoggard) and Mahmood (who will improve in time.) Feel a bit sorry for Nixon who did nothing wrong but granted, he's not the future.
With Harmison seemingly back in his stride this looks like a strong squad and a glimpse of a post-Vaughan England.
Complain about this postI feel that Nixon has been hard done by, he had an excellent winter and as long as the player can do the job at least as well as, if not better than, any other, age should not be an impediment to him keeping his place.
Complain about this postFreddy's sin, if we can call it that, was the problem he and England faced with Freddy at the helm in Australia. Bat, bowl, field, captain, inspire...it's a big ask. England have made the decision they should have made before arriving in Australia: let Strauss display the responsibilty he appears to possess, and left Freddy tear into the opposition without the 'Jiminy Cricket' of captaincy perching on his broad shoulders. As it was, Strauss was asked to do too little and Freddy far too much.
Complain about this postSeema a fairly predictable selection with no real candidate other than Strauss to be selected as captain. One has to feel sorry for Nixon but age is against him. The fourth semar's spot is still up for grabs so Plunkett will have to make the most of this opportunity: the likes of Mahmoud, Anderson and Broad are waiting in the wings. If Simon Jones can make a successful comeback than a pace quartet of Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff and Jones will be a huge boost to English cricket.
Complain about this postmy view is that unless anyone has an absoultue disaster game in the top order that vaughan shouldt come back. i think he needs to prove he deserves his place back, as i think its likely to be cook or bell going and i dont think they will give up their place lightly.
Complain about this postOn present form the England batting tail starts at six. Three wickets down and we're in trouble
Complain about this postWho says Vaughan gets back in? One knock of 70 odd doesn't mean he's back in form. Maybe Moores will want to have a complete rejig?
Complain about this postIs the last position between Shah, Panesar and Plunky?
Predictable - Won't win you the Ashes but predictable. Need a leg spinner in there to be a considered the best team in the world. Is that not our objective?
Beat Windies 3-0, first test washed out!
Complain about this postSurely the performance of the bowlers will determine how the Vaughan issue is dealt with (and may provide an answer to the long tail). If Flintoff, Hoggard and Harmison stay fit and bowl well and Plunkett contributes little (as fourth seamers have done since Jones's injury) then are we not better to play an extra batsman with Flintoff at 7 and Prior at 8? Flintoff would probably hate the idea but it may spur him into an innings at last. It also takes pressure off Prior - if he can establish himself with the bat then he can move up the order in future. Fletcher was wedded to the five bowler line-up and his thinking became too rigid - ending up with lunatic situations such as Mahmood playing and only bowling 8 overs in a day. I there is another seamer whose form demands a place then of course he should play, but not just for the sake of a theory. Is it not time to try something different?
Complain about this postowais shah probably
Complain about this postgot to be cook. bell was one of the few players who played well in the world cup, despite not getting a big score. and surely the board won't drop strauss after naming him captain for the first test. but it's all down to their performances.
england to win?
Complain about this postJon:
Clearly even in the marginal decisions the selections have been made for the right reasons. There are one of two personal selections that I might have made (Matt Prior would nopt be my first pick), but the important thing is that the side is picked correctly and that the selected players go out and win, not that peoples' personal picks are in the side.
I'm delighted that Liam Plunkett is back. I am pleased that the selectors have resisted the somewhat silly hysterical calls to drop Steve Harmison and delighted that Andrew Strauss will play and as captain - in retrospect he should never have lost the captaincy in the first place.
Now the only decision is whether to play 5 bowlers or 6 batsmen and who misses out on Thursday. It's a strong side. Weather permitting we have a good chance of a series whitewash.
Complain about this postFair enough selection but Ian Bell has to prove this summer that he can produce when the pressure is on. His magnificent form last season was generally made when the team was going well; if he cannot take charge of an innings then we will have to find someone else for the number three slot (Vaughan would be the best bet when he is fit).
As to Prior I would personally like to have seen Nixon in the side as reward for a wholehearted effort in the winter, yet he is not a long term option so the choice is fair enough. Strauss as captain is a given; he should have been Ashes captain (you cannot make an allrounder captain, they just do too much). Strauss led us well against Pakistan in Flintoff's absence. Yet the key issue for this squad is whether the bowling can return to its former glories and start knocking sides over cheaply.
Complain about this postGood assessment by Aggers, personally I don't think they should ever be thinking about Flintoff as Captain, it puts too much pressure on his all round game and just because he's inspirational as a player doesn't mean he should be captain, he's still influential and inspirational through his performance, which suffers when he's captain. Strauss is the only logical choice in Vaughan's absence, and he's form improved when he captained the side last year.
Complain about this postIt seems strange,that strauss who did nothing in Australia suddenly finds himself captain and opening the batting. Vaughan,has still to find his fitness after doing nothing since 2005. If he comes back in the second Test who will lose their place and looking further ahead what happens if Tresco finds himself able to return. Similiarly with the bowlers. Harmison does not like, or seems incapable of touring . Are we really playing on an even playing field and looking for a settled side? Touring and playing at home.
Complain about this postAs has already been said the team is very predictable in its makeup, and Strauss, after his good summer and Freddie's bad winter, was always going to captain.
Personally I'd like to see Shah playing as one of six batsmen - probably at number 3, with Cook opening and Bell at 6 where he made all those runs against Pakistan. Hoggard, Hamison, Flintoff and Monty, with Colly's medium pace and Pietersen (or Vaughn)'s offspin should be enough bowlers to deal with most teams.
When (if?) Vaughn comes back he opens (like he used to) with Strauss, with Cook moving back to 3 at Shah's expense. If Trescothick ever gets over whatever problems he has - based on his current form its certainly not with his cricket! - he takes Strauss's place at the top of the order unless / until Strauss makes a lot of runs.
I think as far as wicketkeepers go they may as well have pulled names out of a hat; there's lots of interesting possibilities but no-one has really shown themselves to be *the* choice as a batsman / wickie. All I ask is that now they've made a choice they give Prior a reaonable shot at it.
Complain about this postThe future batting may look bright in one sense but with Vaughan captain and KP the best player being certs for selection if you fit in Cook and Bell as the most promising players, who fields in the slips? Matt Prior faces a big challenge having a shortage of specialist slippers by his side. At least his batting ability means he'll bat at six so we can still have five bowlers. Good overall.
Complain about this postThe tail only needs to begin at 6 if we play 5 bowlers if we only play 4 then we can go in the following order
Strauss
Complain about this postCook
Shah
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior
Flintoff
Hoggard
Harminson
Panasar / Plunkett depending on the wicket
i'm not sure you can class Read as having failed - dropped at every possible opportunity by Fletcher, despite being flawless with the gloves and making some decent scores against Pakistan last year?
It'll be interesting to see Prior with the gloves though, as he's clearly a better batsman than either Jones or Read. Lets hope he's tidy behind the stumps too.
Complain about this postMight be that Vaughan isn't needed if Strauss does well as captain!! And the batsmen score runs!!
Complain about this postFlintoff ?? Never mind captain, he should not even be in the team, his batting for the last zillion years has been shocking, to be fair his bowling is good but he needs to rebuild away from the team,Darren gough has been batting excellently for a while and should replace him
Complain about this postPlunket is the only weak link in this squad. How healthy it is to know that the Captain has to come back because he is total quality and unfortunately someone will have to miss out at the home of cricket at the end of the month.
Complain about this postWhen will the inane merry go round of wicketkeepers stop?
Complain about this postI feel you're being somewhat harsh towards Read in particular. While Geraint Jones was given plenty of support from Fletcher, Read basically had none.
To be honest, I'm not sure that Prior is actually a better gloveman than Jones, Read is definitely better, as too Foster. I also do not think that Prior has what it takes to perform at test level with the bat - and the few performances he's turned in in one day internationals only reinforce that argument.
Disregarding Flintoffs' indiscretions, I can only agree with the choice of Strauss. Flintoff has plenty of playing responsibility as it is and really doesn't need any more - irrespective of whether he thinks he can do it all or not.
Glad to see that Plunkett is getting another chance, as he's an awful lot less wayward than Mahmood, who I feel has been brought onto the scene far too early. Mahmood undoubtedly has test ability, what he doesn't have is test consistency.
Will someone please explain to me why Prior has been picked for his Test debut when he is so of of form with the bat?
Surely such a mistimed selection does nobody any good, most particularly Prior. Failures at Lords and Headingley and that could be it for him. More likely however he will go the way of Geraint Jones, with press comment about sub-standard wicketkeeping gradually eroding his confidence with the bat.
Prior is not the answer, but even his supporters should be despondent that he has been picked when on form he seems least able to give a good account of himself.
I am surprised this is not a bigger taking point.
Complain about this postThe sort of team I expected. I am slightly disappointed that they have gone for Prior. However, I hope he proves me wrong and plays well.
Unless Bell underperforms again then I don't think that anyone should be dropped for Vaughan.
I also hope that Plunkett takes his chance. He definitely deserves his place infront of Anderson and Mahmood.
Complain about this postOne question: Why is the best wicket batsman by MILES in the country continually ignored - Surrey's John Batty? Only scored 150 not out yesterday and opens the batting. Prior is a one day batsman and a very average keeper at best.
Moores - may as well have kept Fletcher looking at this side. Mind you anyone should beat the West Indies!
Complain about this postyou have to play shah he been in terrific form the team has to be
strauss
cook
bell
pieteren
shah
collingwood
prior
flintoff
hoggard
harmion
panesar
four main bowler collingwood,pieteren and shah can bowl to 6 batmen 1 weekper 4 bolers on of them a allrounder (af)
Complain about this postThe most interesting point about the make-up of this team is that it appears to be sending the signal that if you're not performing then you're not going to get a place.
I'm sure Anderson and Mahmood are disappointed, but their form has been variable, so quite rightly they are left out. This is a good thing, and contrasts with Duncan Fletcher's approach. I'm not advocating a return to the days when we were selecting almost 30 players for a series (remember the 1988 (I think that was the year) series against West Indies when we had three captains and all those players), but you have to balance selection to win a game and a series with an eye to the long term. The whole idea of central contracts is, as I understand it, to have a pool of players from whom you can select a team for all circumstances, so not being selected for one match does not necessarily mean that you are out in the cold, just that you are not deemed to be the right pick for that particular match. I think that is the way it should be.
Much has been said about Fletcher's favourites (Ashley Giles and Geraint Jones spring to mind) as well as those he wouldn't touch unless forced to (Chris Read and Owais Shah) so hopefully a new approach is being formed where if you're good enough you're in, and if you're not then you're out - but not for all time. Logic says that this approach should focus minds on performing well enough to stay in the team, without having players fearful of losing their place because of one poor performace and constantly looking over their shoulders - as we have seen in the past that is one extra pressure certain to undermine a player's confidence and form. At the same time, it discourages the complacency that follows from being assured of a place - there have been times in the past few months when Flintoff, for one, should really have been dropped for lack of penetration with both bat and ball. The same applies to Michael Vaughan.
As for the captaincy, Strauss more than proved himself in that role against Pakistan last year, and the responsibility also seemed to help his batting. In the current team he is the only candidate on the field.
Complain about this postNot sure about your comments on the keeping position, Aggers. I agree that Jones certainly failed, but Read also? He was only afforded a very brief opportunity, scoring enterprising runs and keeping well. He's still our best gloveman and, given that no-one else has scored enough runs to make a watertight case, I think Read should have been given the summer to prove himself.
Complain about this postSquad pretty much as expected. Not sure about Prior - I'd have preferred someone like Foster or even take a chance on one of the really young guys, such as Davies, but let's see what Prior does. He needs to be given the entire summer to settle in.
Given my comment about Prior, England must play 4 bowlers. Bell, KP and Collingwood should be used more, and I think that we should be looking at getting 10-15 overs from these 3. That leaves only 75-80 overs between the main 4, or 6-7 overs per session. That shouldn't be too taxing.
Include Shah for the first test at 3, and he will have to make way for Vaughan when he's ready. Bell at 6, where he has made his runs. Cook can drop to 3 when Vaughan comes back. Flintoff and Prior at 7 and 8 means that the tail has a chance to wag. We can't have Hoggard coming in at 8, let alone Freddie batting at 6 at the moment.
I have to say I really can't see Flintoff staying fit all summer, and as such we need to be ready to play with 4 bowlers. Playing 5 is only really an option if we have a proper all-rounder, and currently Flintoff doesn't fit that role, and there is no one else about to replace him.
Complain about this postI'm happy with the team selection there, I hope that Strauss gets a decent score because he hasn't had the best time over the last few months-and he is the right choice for Captain with Vaughan injured.
I reckon when Vaughan is fit next test, either Cook or Bell gets dropped whoever has done the worst with the bat. I cant see Collingwood getting dropped unless he gets a pair or something.
oh and i really wanna see Harmison bowl like we know he can!
Complain about this postwhy is everyone so taken with nixon?yes, he TRIED hard in the winter, but he hardly set the world alight...isn't that so English? he tried, hard so let's give him a go...no! Prior is a natural batsman and his batting and keeping have improved greatly over the past few years. he should not be passing over on recent form alone - test players should be relied upon to rise to the occassion. you wouldn't drop Pieterson just because he hadn't scored any in a few games.
Complain about this postInteresting Jonathan that you're 'chewing over' those key decisions. You don't seem convinced that this is a winning side. Where do you stand on the batting question? Are England going to continue to play just five specialist batsmen with Flintoff batting at 6 and a 4th seamer picking his nose at fine leg for long periods? Why not be truly radical and play Shah for Plunkett with Flintoff at 7 or even 8? Interesting also that you didn't mention Harmison and Hoggard's current form. Do we really need a 4th seamer at all unless his name's Collingwood?
Complain about this postDont get why plunkett was picked over the other two bowlers. He is no better, if worse than the other two anyway. Shah should be given a chance at least.
Complain about this postI don't think Vaughan should come back. Strauss as captain and then two youngsters at 2 and 3. We must look forward, Vaughan is like looking into the past.
Complain about this postLet Cook keep his place unless he plays really poor or Trescothick has such good county form that he is picked automatically.
Let Bell keep his place as he is the best Number 3 we have right now, dropping him for Vaughan would be a travesty.
For a time Jones looked to have the keepers spot all to himself. But he couldn't score runs consistently enough, and wasnt a good enough keeper. You have to do one of those at least. Read never has convinced with the bat in tests. Nixon is not a step into the future. Prior was next taxi off the rank, so is a fair enough pick.
Flintoff doesn't need the burden of captaincy on top of everyting else, and Strauss is a decent captain, won the series against Pakistan last year. So again fair enough.
Plunkett over Anderson is an interesting pick. But again for batting skill in an otherwise flimsy tail, a fair enough choice.
Shah deserves a run, I guess it will depend if Pieterson is fit, but I think Shah might well look more solid in the middle order if KP, for all his brilliance, is unfit. Lets not forget England won the CB series in Aus without KP, then flunked in the World Cup with him. I think one of the real challenges for England over the next 12 months is meshing a batting line up that maximises KP whilst finding a solid look in the middle order.
Complain about this posti think on the whole its a good selection to be honest. when vaughan comes back in i think colly will make way. are people forgetting just how good bell was last summer?? i don't think one series in australia where the whole squad was a shambles should mean he gets dropped. Also, england don't need a leg spinner to win matches. having a leg spinner doesn't automatically guarantee he will be like warney and win us matches on his own. england need batsman, however many, who can score 1000+ runs over two innings and 5 or so bowlers who can take 20 wickets regardless of what style they bowl
Complain about this postwhat warrants vaughan being in the squad let alone the team? he needs to go back to his county and get a run of good scores before being considered for the squad. there is no place in the team for someone who is only recognised because they are a good captain. good to see strauss getting the captaincy - he should do a good job. Harmison and Hoggard seem to be in good form at the moment and plunkett looks like he has a lot to offer.
Complain about this poston the issue of flintoff, he should never have been in contention for the captaincy. he needs to focus on batting and bowling and leave it at that. it is too much to ask him to captain as well.
At last a sensible selection of players in form,the right captain and a wicket keeper for the future.Good to see Plunkett in too.I would play Shah aheads of Bell until Bell gets some runs under his belt. I hope we let players participate in County games as much as poss! There are more Australians,S Africans,NZ test players,etc playing county cricket than England test players.Absolutely daft!!
Complain about this postFreddie needs to regroup,grow up and relight his claims as best allrounder.
MPV needs runs,buckets of them.Let him play county til he's really fit.
As I recall, most of Strauss's dismissals in Oz were later shown on replay to have been incorrect judgements by the umpires. He shows a calmer attitude than Freddie which may at times count for making sounder decisions.
However, whenever he speaks at post match interviews following a poor England performance his attempts at putting on a brave face, dishing out the "we'll take away many lessons from this game" line of spin make me cringe. I hope Moores encourages the spokemen in post match interviews to assess performances good and bad more frankly, like the Aussies do of themselves particularly when they (rarely) get beaten.
I thought that Moores was going to be starting off with a clean sheet, with each player having to earn their place in the new setup.... Seems that Fletcher's selections live on for now.
Vaughan definitely needs to earn his place with a lengthy period of consistent in-form batting before he should even be considered for an England place.
Let's leave Freddie's raw enthusiasm for what he does best (pacy and aggressive bowling) and if he gets runs as well consider it a bonus for the team. We shouldn't knock him so much about captaincy issues that his bowling form dips. With our current lack of consistent front line bowlers we are counting on him to bowl well.
Complain about this postAt last a sensible selection of players in form,the right captain and a wicket keeper for the future.Good to see Plunkett in too.I would play Shah aheads of Bell until Bell gets some runs under his belt. I hope we let players participate in County games as much as poss! There are more Australians,S Africans,NZ test players,etc playing county cricket than England test players.Absolutely daft!!
Complain about this postFreddie needs to regroup,grow up and relight his claims as best allrounder.
MPV needs runs,buckets of them.Let him play county til he's really fit.
I agree with most posters Vaughan shouldn't automatically come back into the 2nd test. He needs to prove himself again first, if he hadn't got his latest injury I'd have gone with this time but not in the ODIs.
But now he's injured yet again, he shouldn't come straight back. Who would drop anyway? most did well last summer including Bell (who made a few tons) who'd be favourite to go, and barely anyone performed in Australia with the exception of KP and Collingwood at the start of the Ashes.
Bowling I'd go with only 4 too (Flintoff, Hoggy, Monty and poss Harmeson), certainly no way should Flintoff be coming in at 6. He needs to find some proper form with the bat.
Wicketkeeper's a tough one, Read didn't let anyone down at tail of last year and in the Ashes, likewise Nixon performed in the WC.
Complain about this postI'd have probably gone with Nixon, teams should be picked for the present not looking to the future. That would then give a chance to with the form keeper for India series and winter tours if Nixon failed. Instead Prior's seems to be guaranteed WI and India series now purely on basis that his ex County boss is now England coach.
As regards Nixon, I think the best players should be picked (on performance) irrespective of age. England should be looking to win matches now, not at some indeterminate point in the future. Then players know what they have to do.
Complain about this postBy all means give another player a turn every now and then when it may not matter too much. But if they can't do better quickly, then they're out.
The team should set a standard, and then try and improve upon it, ruthlessly. That's what the Aussies do. Matthew Hayden is not the future, but he is the "now".
Vaughan is probably the best captain and tactician in world cricket but I think subscrbing to the Australian standpoint on picking your best eleven and then the captain carries a lot of weight. Ponting is a good captain but is also the first name on the teamsheet, is Michael Vaughan?
Complain about this postAlso, with such a glut of good 'keepers when you look around the counties, this is always going to be a contentious issue. Why not get behind Matt Prior and give him a chance to prove his quality?
Four dedicated bowlers, an all-rounder and a decent keeper/batsman seems to be a more balanced side, with room for part-timers as necessary, but can we really expect many wickets from them? This allows Freddie to be used as more of a strike bowler, as he was in 2005 to such good effect, reduces the burden on him and gives him licence to play.
Finally, history has pretty much proven time and again that the role of batsman makes captaincy less taxing, just let Flintoff play the game!
i also believe that nixon has been hard done by, but as aggers points out, his age makes him an unrealistic choice as we build towards the future.......on the bowling front i think that plunkett has the potential, but when simon jones is fully fit and firing on all cylinders he must take his place in our starting 11, he was a key bowler in the 2005 ashes, taking crucial wickets at crucial times, lets hope he can rediscover the form he showed bak then.......COME ON ENGLAND!!
Complain about this postNixon may not be England's best wicketkeeper, or batsman, capable of dashing off the occaisional 100 runs. But thanks to his experience, he is one of the best cricketers and while the England team generally mange one of three scenarios: Batting fails, bowling fails, both batting and bowling fail. Nixon was one of the very few who performed reliably during the World Cup.
During the World Cup his best score and average were very close, 42/39, which means he is consistent. far more so than say KP, who scored over 400 of his 440 in 5 games and may as well not bother turning up for the rest.
So while England's batting and bowling is so hit and miss, I think I would have prefered to see Moores go for Nixon's guaranteed 40 runs, than introduce another will he/won't he perform choice.
Nixon is not England's future, but, for this year at least, his age is not a problem. He is generally regarded as the fittest player in English cricket. And his inclusion would allow some of the young hopefuls another season to learn their craft properly.
Nixon earned his place in the Test side, if just for a summer. So I reckon he has a right to feel a little miffed
Complain about this postWhy not john batty as keeper?
Complain about this postcan anyone think of a rational reason?
A four man attack with Flintoff as part of it is not viable. Freddie's ankle is not capable of regularly bowling 20+ overs in a day. His role now is to bowl about 10 very fast overs each day and score a lot of runs. If he is not scoring runs he will need to be replaced by a batsman in the team.
Complain about this postThe choice of Prior as England wicket-keeper is bizarre. It smacks more of nepotism than coincidence or sound judgement. I wonder what the likes of Alan Knott thinks about it? Prior's keeping has never impressed me, but perhaps he can prove me wrong.
Complain about this postPonting is a good captain because his team has been so good - he wasn't up to it in the Ashes 2005 once the going got tough - remember the arguments on the pitch when it wasn't sure whether Shane Warne was the captain or whether it was Ponting?
Recent form cannot be the only reason for choosing this team or that - otherwise we're back to the hideous revolving door of the 1990s... never again thanks!
The captaincy is a very complex issue wich inv0lves man management at least as much as scoring runs. Mike Brearley was not brilliant with the bat at the time he was best as captain.
I also notice certain correspondents making a big thing about how sportsmen talk to the press - you may well find that brilliant performance to camera is not equated with brilliant performance on the field. The media (and the public educated by them) expect far too much of these players - far more than they expect of themselves, of course.
Having just revisited the ECBTV archive, my hope is that the wonderful triumvirate of Flintoff, Hoggard and Harmison will be re-created, and if earthly possible,the quadrumrivate of Jones, Flintoff, Hoggard and Harmison - absolute world beaters!!
Complain about this postI think James Foster of Essex is being overlooked in this wicketkeeper role for England. He has matured a lot since he last played for England and in recent seasons has put in great performances with the bat for Essex, digging us out of a hole on more than one occasion.
With Flower as assisstant coach I would not bet against Flower being involved in the near future if Prior's selection does not prove to be of any great benefit to the side.
Complain about this postAgnew,
Pls advise me if being borne in south Africa confers significant advantages in being selected for England.
Complain about this postThe team looks strong - especially the batting and Vaughan cannot or rather SHOULD NOT expect to be indulged indefinitely this summer if he does not score runs.
Complain about this postPlunkett has started the season well and seems to bowl well with Harmisson - he deserves the chance to make an impact against a weak West Indies team.
Hopefully, the cricket will be good this summer because I sense a lack of interest in the country since the World Cup and Ashes debacle. The ECB may rue the decision to pack a ridiculous amount of cricket into the summer which burns out both the players and the fans.
Matt Prior is the new Geraint Jones!!!
Good batsmen, but not the best keeper around! Liked to have seen Nixon continue, but if you are looking at the future then Foster, Davies or Ambrose would have been better choices!!!
Complain about this postAs others have said this is tough on Nixon. He showed drive, guts, determination and backbone. Qualities that are essential and influential in any team - and often seemed to be lacking by several players during England's time in Australia and the West Indies.
Complain about this postravi bopara you guy are dum he jut hit 101 off 101 with 12 4s and 2 6s play him at 3
Complain about this postIn my view, Flintoff needs to knuckle down after he embarressed himself in the boat incident in during the world cup. Bell definately warrents his place. Prior? hmmm only time will tell.
Complain about this postI think England will go for a 4-man bowling attack for the first test. Worked well against Pakistan last summer and with Flintoff/Prior at no. 8 the tails hardly short. Problem occurs though if one of the bowlers especially flintoff breaks down mid-match.
On an alternative note Vaughan in for Straus? and when should Trescothck come back?
Complain about this postWould also be nice to see broad getting a chance. Although when we have Harmison Jones Hoggard Flintoff firing he wouldn't be consider, i can't see Mahmood Plunkett etc being good enough to do well against top class International teams.
Complain about this postGood selection, although I'm not sure about the choice of Plunkett. Obviously if Jones proves his fitness during the WI tour, he will be in and Plunkett out.
Good choice of captaincy too. Let Flintoff proves that Big Botham's shoes are not too big for him. In batting, he needs to score runs and not being a flash in the pan. While bowling we need to see more 5W hauls in addition to economy. I'm sure he will do his best.
Complain about this postGood luck England.
Good work selectors, finally you've had some sense shocked into you.
Flintoff should never, ever be let anywhere NEAR the captaincy. Ever again -- and not with the pedalo thing either. The captaincy may be a swanky title, but like that really expensive antique Ming vase at the china shop, it would looks nice on the coffee table but come on folks...would you ever put flowers in it?
Does Freddie need a neat title that is a pain to maintain and have to be careful not to sully or shatter? Let the man do his bowling and batting and let Andy Strauss do the captaining...it'll be a win-win for all.
Complain about this postall the bad comments about prior are wrong this is why our players suffer lets knock him down before he is given a try must not be sussex supporters , he has been a rock in the champions side for the last couple of years and he averages 40 in the longer game , he must be given his chance ,
Complain about this postIt really is time for the supporters and particularly those of one particular player, to back the side rather than their own man. We've had more than two years of infighting over selection issues. The management team has now changed; personal vendetttas against players and stuborness are now no long valid criticisms of selection. The minority that has dedicated itself to sniping and undermining the team and individual players need to realise that they better serve the ends of the side by accepting who is picked and hoping that the XI does well.
Complain about this postWhat are people's problems with Ian Bell. No doubt he is not experienced enough to play at number 3 and should be pushed down the order, but he has been one of our most consistent batsmen in the last few years.
The criticism that he does not perform under pressure is ludicrous. Didn't he make an 80 odd against Australia in the world cup? As for the Ashes he was our best batsmen after Pietersen and being so quick to label him as someone who can't convert fifties into hundreds puts unwarranted pressure and doubt in his mind.
I think England expect someone to come straight in and average 50 from the word go. Well you just have to look at the likes of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and even |Steve Waugh to know that you have to stick with your talented players. I suppose the English comparison would be Graeme Hick and Mark Ramprakash.
Complain about this postWith Harmison back in form, Hoggard back in England where the ball will swing, Monty P and Freddie both proven wicket takers, I agree we don't need a 5th bowler. Colly/Pietersen can flll that gap. I think Shah should play and Plunket will sit this one out, with Fred dropping down to 7 or 8.
All this begs the question why pick Prior if he is only going to bat at 8, unless e want one man to play both Tests and pyjama cricket. Personally I'd have Read in there as he is the best keeper in the biz and will score runs.
Good to see Strauss back in charge. Stripping him of the captaincy cost him is form in the Ashes in my view (that and a catalogue of woeful decisons from the vicar) and also was a factor in handing the Urn back wihtout a whimper . If Strauss makes a good show of running the side at Lords, I can see no reason to hand the job back to Vaughan. Vaughan cannot get back in the side on batting form at the moment and he needs to prove us all wrong by staying fit and making a hatful for Yorks. By that time it may be too late for him though.
Complain about this postAfter reading the comments 1 through 20, why dont the selectors pick two squads of 18 `new` and `unused` county players and give them the chance to form separate full test and limited overs squads, using this current tour by the West Indies to try out the new squads. As going by what the old squad didnt achieve in the recent World Cup. The two new squads should not be any the less combatant than the old England squad, probably more so, and we would be able to see how good or bad the current stock of County/English batsmen & bowlers we have right NOW...
Complain about this postWell another summer of cricketing debate= at least my predictions of losing the Ashes and being hammered in the World Cup were correct- we should not underestimate the West Indies who are rebuilding post-Lara. Several points- Nixon was short term and should never have been picked in the summer squad anyway= i have seen Prior play one-day for England and he was out of this depth; the likes of Stephen Davies and Tim Ambrose should be closely monitored- i am so pleased for Strauss. His batting improved immensely as skipper last year but then he probably felt cheated when Flintoff was surprisingly made captain- and Strauss' form dipped- he is a class player- the squad is picked on current from and credit to Moores for not selecting Nixon! My ideal test side this summer would be-: STRAUSS, COOK, SHAH, PIETERSEN , COLLINGWOOD, FLINTOFF, AMBROSE, BOPARA, HARMISON , HOGGARD PANESAR( fringe players would be BROAD, BELL, S DAVIES;A RASHID;TROUGHTON and TRESCOTHICK if he stops messing the selectors about and agrees to tour- the same applies to Harmison) And No Vaughan- his form is sketchy, he is fragile physically and Moores needs to cut the mould and deadwood now from the past 12 months or so and look ahead!
Complain about this postAs usual aggers a very astute summary of the players. Flintoff's attitude will be as much under the scrutiny of the fans as his performances, i.e how he bats whether its in a responsible manner and the effort in his bowling although this as pect of his game has rarely been questioned.
Complain about this postI am usually in accord with your views aggers.
i feel moores has been biased towards matt prior he hasn't clearly got the keeping ability of chris read... and it seems chris read got dropped at the forst opportunity
Complain about this postThe wicket keeper thing is important. Jones, when his batting was inform was likely to get some important runs (70+ score) at least once a series. Thats not gonna happen with either Read or Nixon. You might get the odd score out of either of them, but not consistency. And its consistency that did for Jones in the end. But its a crucial place in this England team, at least in part because the tail is so fragile. Prior is an ok keeper, who worked closely with Moores (who was also a keeper at Sussex of course) and hopefully won't let anyone down there, even if he isn't as neat behind the stumps as Read say.
I think it is important in modern cricket to try and develop a keepr/batsman. In the 90s/00s England always looked a stronger team with Stewart wearing the gloves, rather than Russell, Rhodes or Hegg.
I think thats what we get wrong often in England. We pick the best 11 individuals and don't think how the team will fit together. I do worry about the middle order as long as KP is considered a shoo in. Yes he is the most talented, and yes he will get big runs quickly from time to time. But he will also get out quickly from time to time, and often that leaves England going from, say, 50-1 to 80-3 very quickly, and Collingwood can lead the fightback but often gets out cheaply as well, and with Flintoff in at 6 suddenly England might find themselves at 110-5 or 6 and in a hole. I'd like to see either Colly being more consistent (from his position I am more interested in someone you can bank on getting at least 30-40 more often than not, in a Graham Thorpe kind of way) or hoping Shah or someone else can fill that role.
Complain about this postThere are so many wicket-keepers of much the same overall ability that Prior's selection is not silly, and of course Peter Moores will know his man. I think that Jones is now a busted flush and Read's batting has never been up to snuff, so it's time to move on from these two, both anyway now associated with failure. As for the bowlers, neither Mahmood nor Anderson are remotely near the quality required of a no 8 batsman, so Plunkett almost picks himself at present, particularly given that he can actually take wickets in county cricket.
Complain about this postJames Anderson had seemed, to me, to be finding a little more consistency and I would have selected him rather than Plunkett who really is very inconsistent.
Strauss did even better with the bat when he was captain than when he was not and should have been captain for the winter ashes series. Flintoff has demonstrated that he is not suitable for the role. He lacks tactical nous during matches and had to keep going off the field in Australia to get advice from Duncan Fletcher. That is no way to captain a team.
I think Cook must be given a long and uninterrupted spell in the side. He is the future cornerstone of our batting and must be given his chance now when he is making progress rather than later when he may have lost momentum.
Prior should have been picked when Jones was. Had he been picked then the momentum of his development as a top class player would have been maintained. I hope it's not too late for him now.
Complain about this posthow can chris read be said to have failed? didn't he take a record number of catches in melbourne? or is the keeping part now redundant for wicketkeeper-batsmen? no wonder england keep losing.
Complain about this postengland have a good chance to take the 1st test, largely to the fact that west indies didnt get to play in the warm up that was scheduled, they will be on the back foot from the start of play. The match will be down to how well england perform and how will the west indies adapt to the conditions. if the west indies adpat well to the conditions then its anyones game.
I would of liked to of seen mark ramprakash in the side hes been amazing with the bat, hes playing better then i've ever seen him play its just a shame for england to over look such a great player, who can contribute so largely to team england.
Complain about this postI certainly think Strauss is the right option at this present time,Flintoff for me still has a long way to go to really say he is an established International cricketer,he has for sure been blessed with wonderful natural abilities to play the game but there is a bit more to it than that especially to match the 'Aussies' and their mental abillity to really apply a strong mindset as situations change during a game.
Complain about this postDespite age I think Nixon can feel a bit hard done by,Prior may be good but he is only 3 years younger it is not is if he is 6 or 7 years younger and you can really believe there is a long future ahead,Vaughan too I feel must do more to cement his place especially if the new regime is looking to the future,Bell it appears is not really playing well and no doubt be the fall guy when Vaughan comes back unless he can hit a double century in each innings,but at 24 he still has a few seasons left to mature and with luck make a solid contribution to the England set up.
I agree with a couple of the previous comments. Nixon has done nothing wrong, he never let England down with his keeping or his batting. In fact one could argue he was our only successful player in the World Cup. So why is then we drop the successful players because they are apparently too old. I'm mystified, it's change for the worse, and I hope not, but I wouldn't be surprised if Prior and anyone else who gets a chance, fail with the bat.
Complain about this postHello Aggers,
How are you?.As always,I hope you are very well.What I would like to know is your opinion of the Australian Government's decision to ban the Australian Tour of Zimbabwe later this year.Personally,I think it is the correct decision because can you imagine the propaganda Mugabe would get out of having the World Champions playing cricket in their country and if I were say,Adam Gilchrist,it would make me vomit at the thought of shaking the hands of an absolute nutcase and dictator(and his cronies),that has caused absolute ruin on Zimbabwe
Complain about this postFor heaven's sake select a wicketkeeper.
Does anyone disagree that Jack Russell is the best stumper of the last 20 years? Yet he was cast aside because others weren't scoring runs. A similar fate has befallen the less talented Read, who at least caught all his catches.
What is required is the best possible wicketkeeper, who knows how to bat at No. 8, which means protecting the tail and being not out at the end of the innings.
Prior - Average keeper, used to batting higher.
Nixon - Average keeper, good at No. 8.
Foster - Good keeper, could bat at No. 8.
Read - Good keeper, well suited at No. 8.
Note that I have projected forward, and put keeping before batting, because I can foresee a spin pairing of Panesar and Rashid in the not-too-distant future, which will make England a force to be reckoned with.
The message sent out to potential stumpers that your batting is more important will mean that we never produce another Evans, Knott, Taylor or Russell, men who made standing up to the wicket an art form.
Just imagine Geraint Jones trying to stand up to Shane Warne, and you will see how disastrous this policy of sticking batsmen behind the stumps can be. You drop one catch or miss a stumping, and it is unlikely you will score enough runs to compensate.
Complain about this postP.S. In heaven there are no batsman-wicketkeepers, only wicketkeeper-batsmen.
Terry Payne wrote:
'Despite age I think Nixon can feel a bit hard done by,Prior may be good but he is only 3 years younger it is not is if he is 6 or 7 years younger and you can really believe there is a long future ahead'
Think you might have the wrong person. Nixon is 36 and Prior is 25, so that is a good 11 years difference.
He was obviously going to be the choice. Better with the bat that Read and with both gloves and bat over Jones. Also, if we do eventually go for Rashid, Matt is an exceptionally fine keeper to legspin. Others may be there or there abouts but he was pretty much next in line whoever got the job after Fletcher.
For those that are championing Ambrose, he may have had a good start to this year but was nothing special in 2006 and was abysmal in both 2004 and 2005. A fine player on his day but would you really take a punt on him before he has proved he can play consistantly at county level?
Complain about this postBOB,
You might want to find a full stop, and a clue.
Complain about this postStrauss, Pieterson, Prior...as another S Africanin UK, I wonder if we could ask the England team to incorporate some green and gold in their kit to reflect the diversity in their side!
Complain about this postso basically one can conclude that it seems far better to be the no 3 keeper approaching the winter than the no 2. You get much more credit for going on the A tour and making a few runs rather than being on the main tour
"and Chris Read both failed" is an average of 26 and two 6 wicket innings really a failure Aggers (Esp when 2 tests against Aus are included)? And will prior be judged the same. why no comment on the fact that Read wasn't allowed a run that you yourself advocated.
Complain about this postI'm also surprised about the claims of 'Nixon did nothing wrong in the winter'. He indeed had a couple of good games and matured but after about the first 6 games in Oz he averaged 5 with the bat - Chris Read would have been evicted from the team for such a series of poor games early on. Read also 'let nobody down' in e.g. WI 2004 when he was MotM
People have short memories
Complain about this postJames Benning is in fabulous form - why isn't he in the squad?
Complain about this postAm I the only person who doubts England's strategy of continuing with long-standing out-of-form players?
I feel that Andrew Strauss has been unfairly treated as regards the England captainancy. On Radio 5 yesterday David Graveneny commented that Andrew had done well as captian last summer. Clearly not good enough to be captain in Australia.
The ECB and media seemed obsessed with Michael Vaugham being the England captain at any cost. The man has not been fully fit for almost two years, how long should his vacancy be held open.
In my opine Andrew Strauss should have been appointed for the series against the West Indies.
Complain about this postI have absolutely nothing against Matt Prior and wish him all the best for Lord's. But once again we see the selectors ignore the basic principle of picking players in form and therefore, presumably, giving them the best chance of success. Prior is normally a good batsman at county level scores so far this summer of 37, 47, 14, 3, 18, 17, 4 , 35 and 14 pale in comparison to those of other keepers around the circuit. All that said, I think the selectors should now confirm him as keeper for the entire Test series against West Indies. It will do him no favours if he thinks he is on trial for a place.
Complain about this postStrauss as captain is the right choice. It was the right choice for the Ashes in the winter. He had won a series against Pakistan, as was obviously building a good team spirit and had "momentum".
Complain about this postIf the rumours of Freddy's misdemeanours in the winter are true, then no wonder the team played so badly.
Freddy has blown his chance. It should be Andrew Strauss from now on, preparing him to become Micheal Vaughan's eventual successor
one simple question: why does michael vaughan - who has done absolutely nothing with the bat for a very long time - get a guaranteed place in the england 11?
if the selectors had any sense they would make him prove both his abilities and his fitness through a sustained period of country cricket.
Complain about this postyay! at last! sorry vaughny but let's move on.
strauss captained me for a season once can tell you that he is as wily, astute and competitive as anyone. i'm convinced he'll be an excellent captain for England....
if only the selectors...the ashes...[sigh].
harmison! why is he in there? as far as i'm concerned, the last good spell he bowled for England was 4 years ago! he's baggage and a liability and really bad in the dressing room. either anderson or mahmood should have played. gwan hoggy! it's up to you and freddy again!
why not open with bell and cook? left/right hand pairing. a very very gifted pair who posess complimentary styles. plus it'd take a little pressure off strauss.
yeah! for shah. crackin player. bring him in before collingwood, i reckon. colly's good at working stuff around with the tale and he bats well with flintoff (who should never again bat higher than 8!)
i hope prior does ok and gets a run. in the team, that is.
dear selectors! please please don't play tres or vaughny or harmison. play shah, bopara and chris broad! the future beckons!
it should blatantly be:
cook
bell
strauss (c)
pieterson
shah
collingwood
prior (w)
flintoff
broad
hoggard
panesar
Complain about this postThe wicket-keeper spot was always going to be the most interesting. But isn't rather predictable that as soon as the ex-Sussex coach is in charge a Sussex player gets the nod. I hope this isn't favouratism and that Matt Prior really is considered the best wicket-keeper batsman we've got.
Personally, I would have given Nixon the job for the time being (he deserves it) and then had a good look at all the other contenders over the first few months of the season before making a longer term choice.
Complain about this postGood decision getting prior in he has plenty of county experience and should settle in well with peter moores his ex sussex coach. Dissapointed not see tresco back as his form for somerset has been out standing. Good squad chosen by moores in general, should be a good series against weaker opposition. Think freddie will get bac in the runs aswel. Collingwood should have been made captain because of his never say die attitude. But strauss is still a good choice.
Complain about this postI agree that the selection of Matt prior may be a good thing, but wanted to pick up on one point made in the article - I don't believe that we can say Chris read 'failed'. He did as much as could be asked of him - he kept pretty well and as a batsmen looked gritty and determined, scored concistently while maybe not looking technically classy. His being dropped by Duncan Fletcher was unfair and showed up one of Fletcher's weaknesses, his favourtism for certain players who he gave much more rope that others. Chris read scored more runs that Geraint Jones and yet was still dropped, and can feel justifiably hard-done by.
Complain about this postIt really disappoints me over the last few years how age has come so much of a problem with selecting the England cricket team. Nixon was 1 of the players of tournament in the world cup yet we are talking about Prior. Lets remember that prior was tried opening the innings in 1 day cricket a numerous number of times and quite honestly was not up to standard. If your good enough why should we worry about age look at the Australian team how many of there side are under 30 years old not many a can tell you. Thorpe 1 of the best England batsman we had got replaced for a younger man years ago. Im not saying we should not bring younger players into the side but why take better players out just because there old. If there good enough there good enough. I mean look at Darren Maddy how many times do we have to overlook this guy what more does he have to do. He is scoring the runs yet cant get a chance. Lets stop giving people chances what have had them and go down a new road and pick people in form not because they play for a fashionable county. I mean it wont be long before we have half a team full of sussex players. There is more counties than Lancashire and surrey in this world. I just think the selection policy is a farce and it needs sorting out. Get Boycott Willis and Botham doing the selecting you wont have a farce then. This moores was a cheap option for me only time will tell but a think its gonna be like the England football team picked a yes man and you wont get results.
Complain about this postwicket keeper - two words
NIC POTHAS
Complain about this postA test captain has to be classified as an allrounder by being the captain and batsman. For a world class batsman/bowler to be captain as well is a job too far for anyone.The successful test teams have a captain, who is an outstanding batsman e.g. Ponting. Bowlers do not make good captains, they tend to bowl too much or too little. You cannot, however, fault a batsman who bats too much!
Complain about this postThis team should conquer just about everyone but Australia at home...but Harmies too homesick, Trescos too tremulous...and the tired old trundlers of the northern counties impotent just about anywhere south of Birmingham after the end of May...and Freddie appears more intent on proving his stupidity than ability...major away series will continue to be tricky unless the team broadens it's game considerably...The problem is this team lacks inspiration when Vaughan is missing...he appears to have that rare quality amongst sportsman...a brain...So for 2009 I would schedule 2 tests in April at Headingley and Chester-le-Street...then after the 3-month euro tri series 20/20...perhaps finish the Ashes in September in Scotland and Ireland? And even if Vaughan is in traction, have him lead the team remotely via TV, mobile phone or even through binoculars on one of those blimps...
Complain about this postWhen Vaughan comes back (albeit, I don't think he should unless he scores a hatful for Yorks in the interim), he comes in for Plunkett, simple as that. We don't need 4 frontline seamers in English conditions against the West Indies. If a trio of an in-form Harmison, Hoggard and Flintoff, with back-up from Collingwood and Bell if required is not enough, then we really are struggling. Monty will get through plenty of overs whatever the conditions, so we really only need 3 quicks. Flintoff should bat 7 where he belongs.
Complain about this postWicket keeper, two better words.
Jon Batty
Complain about this postNic Pothas = not yet qualified
Complain about this postJon Batty = batting average way too low
2 points of disagreement with England's chosen 12:
1. James Fraser of Essex should have been picked as wicketkeeper/batsman. Matt Prior's keeping is below Test standard and he has not been scoring too many runs this season.
2.Liam Plunkett has not so far impressed as 3rd or 4th seamer. Anderson would have been my own choice but if his lack of consistency is against him then it is time to try Stuart Broad.
Someone posed the question, which batsman is left out when Michael Vaughan is fit? My view: no-one. Leave Vaughan to justify himself in county cricket for the present.
Complain about this postRe Mimmer (post 93):
When did a Surrey player last get picked??? You want to get your facts right! If anything there is a bias against Surrey (Batty anyone?).
Complain about this postWhy is James Foster no longer considered a option of the England team? He has already displayed a solid display with England a few years ago and was only ousted when he broke a finger! He is a consistent performer for Essex. Rumours are that if he does not make the leap soon he will quit cricket... Can England as a cricket team afford to waste talent choosing people like Prior who admittedly has potential when there is another option who has been around before the G.JOnes era!
Complain about this postMarc in comment 3 wrote "altho bell still doesnt warrant a place in the team. I think that james benning should be given a chance."
How on earth can you say that Ian Bell does not warrant a place in the team? He has batted over 40 times in tests and has an average of over 43... James Benning doesn't get anywhere near this average in county cricket...?
Complain about this postFrom a series against the west indies not so long ago (source: cricinfo)
"But the wicket of Brian Lara belonged exclusively to Chris Read, whose wonderful full-stretch catch was just the latest of his two-fingered salutes to the management that so ruthlessly culled him from the Test team. Read's glovework, not to mention his pocket-battleship batting, suggest that he might have a long and fruitful stay as England's one-day keeper. "
Complain about this postI LOVE THIS GAME
Complain about this postGet rid of prior before he even plays.
he has a problem with keeping in that he switches of when a catch comes and it goes down. just like jones.
Get read back in becasue he is the only player who you can trust not to drop the catch.
Complain about this postand he is going to be able to smash the west ides bowlers becasue they are nothing good
"At 11:41 AM on 14 May 2007, RyFish wrote: Nic Pothas = not yet qualified
Jon Batty = batting average way too low"
Pothas has actually played 3 ODIs for South Africa. As far as I'm concerned that should rule him out permanently. If we鈥檙e going to consider him then we might as well select Stuart Law for a season or two.
However, ruling out Batty on the basis of his first class average alone is just plain ridiculous. I have seen him play often enough, and he has a very sound defence and solid technique.
For your information Ryfish, Jon Batty鈥檚 first class average is higher than either Trescothick鈥檚 or Flintoff鈥檚 when they made their test debuts. And surely Graham Hick, Mark Ramprakash and Jon Crawley are living proof that an outstanding first class average is no guarantee of Test success.
Complain about this postSurrey lets not go to mention all the players Surrey had in the England team over the years I can mention tons mate. I got the facts mate lets name them awful players to Ricky Clarke are we remembering him and lets not forgot Alistair Brown Surrey have had more players picked over the years than any county straight up. Im a Derbyshire fan mate and if any county gets overlooked it is us.
Complain about this postI don't get why Read is continually overlooked. When Jones was playing for England it was generally accepted that Read was the better keeper, but Jones better with the bat. Once Jones was dropped I thought that Read would get a decent run in the team, however he was given just 4 tests (2 of which were the last of the series drubbing in Australia) and scored a 50 plus couple of other useful knocks in the thirties (which is more than Jones had been doing). While I can understand that Moores has a parochial bias for Prior, I think that Read can feel extremely disgruntled that he is continually overlooked, especially considering when he has played for England he has barely put a foot wrong with the gloves (as it were).
Nixon is defintely the wrong move, despite his world cup efforts. I think there are however an exciting bunch of young keepers coming through including, Davies, Ambrose and even Somerset's Kieswetter could be one to look out for in a couple of years.
Complain about this post"At 01:39 PM on 14 May 2007, Nick wrote:
From a series against the west indies not so long ago (source: cricinfo)
"But the wicket of Brian Lara belonged exclusively to Chris Read, whose wonderful full-stretch catch was just the latest of his two-fingered salutes to the management that so ruthlessly culled him from the Test team. Read's glovework, not to mention his pocket-battleship batting, suggest that he might have a long and fruitful stay as England's one-day keeper. "
Nick,
Any idea which series this related to?
Complain about this postTo suggest that Chris Read failed is a trifle harsh given the run he had or rather didn't have (two tests under enormous pressure from the tour management) when he was played as an alternative to the reverred Geraint Jones. How dare he succeed where the latter had failed. Why can't we just face the fact that Adam Gilchrist doesn't exist outside of Australia. And there's only one there. Matt Prior is not Gilchrist and never will be so why don't we just go for the best gloveman (Read) and give him a reasonable run in the side to help him settle and help his confidence increase rather than knock him at every opportunity.
Complain about this postTheo
"Nick,
Any idea which series this related to?"
West Indies (away) March-May 2004. It was a report on the one day series following the test series in which Read was controversially dropped for Jones. When you look back at that series Read did at least, if not more good things, than Nixon has been praised for in the WC
Complain about this postErmmm Jon Batty?!!?
Complain about this postPICK HIM!!!
What Is It They Have Against Surrey Players?
James Benning for example should definately be given a shot, we need good batsmen and he is really in form this and last year! He can even turn his arm over if he wants
but so is jon batty he doesnt even get mentioned but yet his skill with both bat and gloves are excellent. Look at his present form he is hitting 6s and 4s everywhere with a lot of 50s and 100s recently!
Surrey shouldnt be over looked they have some brillaint players who should be goven a chance.
So now that Mr Flintoff is not in the running for the captaincy again and Mr Fletcher is no longer his guardian angel, it appears he has a more serious problem with his ankle than has been admitted previously........how surprising!!!
Complain about this postAnother excellent piece by JA.
Having Looked at the team sheet I have noticed that Strauss And Collingwood are both aged 30, with the rest of the squad being younger, and I note that 5 of them are 25 or younger ! This I feel bodes very well for the future of English cricket.
Also, a lot of the comment I have read are commenting on World Cup performances, which when taken in context, has very little to do with choosing the right individuals for a 5 day test.
Peter Moore has picked the best individuals for their roles (that are fit) as I see it, and to be honest, if most perform, as I feel they will, it will make it interesting to see who misses out for the 2nd test to make way for MV and KP.
The selction of Prior is a brave one, and lets hope it comes off. I would have gone for Paul Nixon as I just think his attitude on the field is outstanding and his "Australian" attitude of never say die, rubs off well with the team. That I feel has been lacking tremendously since the Ashes win of 2005.
Lets hope we can back to seeing that type of excitement this summer !
Complain about this postThis shud be da team:
Complain about this post1.Cook
2.Bell
3.Strauss(c)
4.Pieterson
5.Shah
6.Collingwood
7.Foster
8.Flintoff
9.Harmison
10.Hoggard
11.Panesar
1 Day team:
1.Bell
2.Benning
3.Pieterson
4.collingwood
5.Flintoff
6.Bopara
7.Shah
8.Foster
9.Plunkett
10.Panesar
11.Anderson
It is an absolute disgrace that Paul Nixon has been ditchd so unceremoniously. For yars we've had to put up with the stupid debate between useless Jones and worse Read when all along the man they needed was Nixon and he didn't get a look in. He has performed superbly since being selected; awesome, match winning performances. He makes all the other players better. He is currently the best English wicket keeper by a mile. So what do we do - ofcourse drop him, for one of the 'chaps'; Prior, Pothas, Ambrose, Davis, Jones, Read. The Aussies must wonder what sort of idiots run English cricket. It is sad because Nixon deserves better, and by rights should have 70/80 test match caps to his name by now.
Complain about this postWhy Prior? Jon Batty should be England 'keeper: he has performed consistently in county cricket over the last ten years and deserves a place in the England team. Anyone who saw him at the Oval on Friday or Saturday will agree. However, the Surrey supporter in me is pleased that he will still be available for the county side.
Complain about this postSeveral of the posts are emotional concerning Freddie, Vaughn, Straus, Bell etc etc.
What is required is the re-building of a strong team of performers. Each one told exactly what is expected of them, eg the batters have to score runs - lots. Bowlers have to take wickets -lots, it is that simple. Each batter needs 50+ and at least two 100+. It seems recently that the first 3/4 subside thinking Kevin and Freddie will sort it out. This is not the way it should work for the benefit of the team and the Country.
Boys you are fighting a war!
Successful teams are confident teams when everyone pulls their weight, they are all capable other wise they should never have been selected, and do what is expected of them, no if's no but's.
Australia are thoroughly professional, that is the difference. Summer 2005 England were more professional than Australia, what went wrong? It started with that disgusting ride round London and a boozed up Freddie. No excuse they are professional international sportsmen, representing their country in the media glare. Not pop stars! 'Celebrity is too easily dispensed currently.
Hopefully Peter Moores will exhibit the enthusiastic toughness and professionalism he is known for.
Freddie should never be captain, look at the mess Botham made of it! Strauss should be Captain long term, he has a lot to learn but doesn't get rattled, a little unadventurous, that is fear of mistakes and being a new boy. But he is cool.
Bell and Collinwood are 'rocks' and both can score reasonably quickly if they 'get in'. We need Tresco back, hopefully Moores can help him deal with his 'demons', likewise Harmisson.
Freddy & Kevin should be the icing on the cake, not the cake! The others are the cake, no disrespect. I mean they should be expected to do it regularly, Freddie and Kevin, released from pressure can show their natural unorthodox talents, only if the others do their jobs properly.
Prior seems to have all the attributes, he needs experience and the managements long term confidence. He has the capability of Gilchrist, keeps well and can score quickly, and open!
We need a team that will last 10 years, whilst blooding 'up and commings'. Create the structure and then get the people to fit it, The Academy ought to help with this by training youngsters for specific roles, based on their natural abilities.
Most of all they need managing, anyone out of line, letting others and their Country down then banned for a season or so many months. Central contracts are a good idea, but they should respect the special position they are in and not drunkenly fall off pedalos, or anything else!
Finally the management must have a long term plan and not keep 'fiddling', with things. Injuries are a problem, however it is dangerous to put young blood into too front line positions, they can get 'killed', or their confidence and enthusiasm blunted long term.
Complain about this postBest wishes to Peter Moores.
And Oh ECB please let the man do the job he was hired for?!
The wicketkeepers spot is always a controversial selection. But in the 1970s, when England were reasonably succesful, England went for Knott, a better batter, over Taylor, a better keeper. Throughout the 1990s England would play Jack Russell until the final test, when out of desperation etc. Stewart would come back in and hey presto England would win. At test level, playing a keeper who can score runs makes for a stronger team. It might be bad luck on many great wicketkeepers around the country, but it leads to a better England team.
Complain about this postHello,
Complain about this postTwo points: 1). Both teams have just finished the ICC World Cup so should benefit from the short rest. Shouldn't be complaining about lack of practice. 2). Surely they (the ICC) know it rains loads in May in this country, so why arrange tests so early.
Regards,
Will.
Theo,
I was showing the selectors' point of view, not necessarily my own. They're not going to pick Batty as they're already said they've chosen Prior because of his average. I guess we're lucky that we've got so many keepers in the frame, as it keeps everyone on their toes!
I agree with you about Pothas as I can't see them playing him any more than I can see them playing Saqlian Mushtaq. And Pothas is 33, so if they DO want to look to the future it's already too late for him.
Complain about this postTim Ambrose is your man. England have missed an opportunity here.
Complain about this postHe is a tough no-nonsense performer, exactly what England need. Ambrose has already scored 418 runs at 139.33 this season. He was instrumental in Sussex's inaugural Championship win in 2003, scoring 931 at 40.31. I seem to remember him rocking back and dispatching Shoaib Akhtar into the stands over mid wicket on a few occasions that year. Until now, his progress has been injury plagued. In a cruel twist, Prior only cemented a place at Sussex when Ambrose was injured.
I played representative cricket against Tim in Australia and I can assure you English folk that he never went missing when his team were under pressure. Just what you need to reverse a 5-0 Ashes defecit!
Why shouldn't you pick the best player in each position? Surely if you just wanted the best batsman to keep wicket, you would put in Pieterson/Bopara etc behind the stumps, and hope they can catch a few balls that come their way. At the end of the day (or even 5), you need to take 20 wickets to win, so pick the best wicket-keeper you can get your hands on, and rely on the 6 batsmen to score runs.
The best English keeper? - ask messrs Ponting, Warne, and anyone who commented on the Ashes last year! (I seem to remember a certain Chris Read being mentioned more than a few times.) Oh, and Ready had a good time of it when we toured the Windies last time, so he would be a great choice!
Not that I am biased of course...
Complain about this postIm sick and tired of all the big county sides saying we should have him in and all that. The fact of the matter is Surrey will get benning and Batty into the team at some point. Surrey have always been a big county side and to be quite honest how many times do players from Surrey and Lancashire dont make the grade. I can mention a lot over the years and Anderson and Mahmood are a couple to mention what just dont make the grade. The fact is look at the smaller counties Derbyshire and Kent they have good players but they dont get picked because they aint fashionable enough. The players at fashionable counties like Lancashire for example have far to many chances. Robert Key a mean how quick did he get dropped from England team he never really did anything wrong yet he gets put out to pasture. How many times are we gonna pick players from these counties and keep getting let down get looking at some of the smaller counties for once England. For example when players have been picked from a smaller county which is rarely we got some cracking players from them. Example been Dominic Cork when he was at Derbyshire and Simon Jones from Glamorgan. We should take risks now and again thats what im trying to say. Im not saying the lad Benning or Batty dont deserve a chance im just saying if they were at Derbyshire and not Surrey there names would never even be mentioned. Lets get behind the lads for the Test Series against west indies and get moving forward because I dont ever want us suffering like we did in that winter period again it was embarrasing torture.
Complain about this postAt the risk of being accused of being biased towards the selection of Matt Prior as wicketkeeper for England in this first Test against The West Indies, I think it is long overdue, he is a good keeper and also has a reputation for scoring a lot of runs, his selection, might look biased by some but I believe that given the chance he will propduce the results. YES ! I am a Sussex supporter, and have been for over 75 years, but others have had a chance, and where did Nixon come from ? I could also mention YARDY and LEWRY or KIRTLEY, ( ask Lancashire about him ! ).AGNEW is right, we need discipline amongst our players, they should not be commenting to journalists , that is not why they were selected, without discipline we will never succeed, I suspect the selection of NIXON was not so much for his batting ability but rather for his ability to "sledge" the opposition perhaps . The spirit of the game has been eroded, when Hussey allegedly said that he "does not walk" it shows that the very essence of good sportsmanship is missing, and all probably down to the decision to allow D.R.Jardine his head in the 1932 tour.
Complain about this postGood calls, although I wonder whether Pothas wouldn't have been a better pick behind the stumps... He's qualified now, isn't he?
Regardless: Prior needs a chance to shine. Not a few innings, he must be part and parcel of the squad. Also, the top order must perform, in order for the pressure to stop being ladled onto the lower order.
Can't wait to see Simon Jones bowling his first ball back! Go get 'em!
Complain about this postI'd like to see Davies as wicket keeper, he seems to have all the tools. Prior's wicket keeping is worse than Jones' so heaven knows what the press will think should he go out of form.
Complain about this postWhat about other wicket keepers, such as John Batty from Surrey and David Nash of Middlesex?
There are loads of wicket keepers stuck in country cricket that are good enough to play test match cricket. We have 2 years to go until the Ashes and we should use this time to go put each keeper through the paces and simply pick the best one in time for the Ashes. No need to be sly about it, it will be a great opportunity for the game and the players, it can only raise the profile of the game, make it more interesting! We need an Adam Gilchrist, someone who can at least match him if we are stand any chance of beating the Aussies. Even if we go through 15 wicket keepers up to 2009, the cream will surly rise to the top!
Complain about this postMark Wallace from Glamorgan deserves his chance behind the stumps. Ex captain of England under 19's. Can bat anywhere in the order and a born leader.
Complain about this post"I'd like to see Davies as wicket keeper, he seems to have all the tools. Prior's wicket keeping is worse than Jones' so heaven knows what the press will think should he go out of form." could you be specific in what you mean by 'all the tools'. Lots of people champion this guy but apart from one good game against Gloucestershire (?) last year he seems to have done very little in terms of decent batting - check out his average this year after moving up to Div 1
Complain about this postWhat a kick in the teeth for Paul Nixon. One of the few England players to get any credit in the World Cup. Also he seems to be averaging 30 or 40 so far this year. I also believe he was well up in the batting averages last year.
Perhaps when he is called on again when all the others have failed he will tell them where to stick their bails.
As for the captain, England, as in Beckham in the last Football World Cup, seem to want a captain who does nothing more than stand around in the field watching others do the work.
Complain about this postVaughan is simply not worth a place in the side.
Prior without doubt deserves his chance and people who are writing comments about his keeping abilities are talking nonsense, he is a much better keeper than Geraint Jones and will take the attack to the bowlers, he takes his stumpings as well as anyone and keeps behind the bowling of mushtaq ahmed who is a great spin bowler, there is no doubt he could become an Adam Gilchrist type player. Nixon has been fantastic but he is 37 and we need to look to the future. Prior has played a big part in Sussex winning two championships in four seasons and the friends provident trophy, at 25 years old it can only be a good thing, maybe if he played for yorkshire, durham of lancashire he would have been called up years ago!
Complain about this postPrior without doubt deserves his chance and people who are writing comments about his keeping abilities are talking nonsense, he is a much better keeper than Geraint Jones and will take the attack to the bowlers, he takes his stumpings as well as anyone and keeps behind the bowling of mushtaq ahmed who is a great spin bowler, there is no doubt he could become an Adam Gilchrist type player. Nixon has been fantastic but he is 37 and we need to look to the future. Prior has played a big part in Sussex winning two championships in four seasons and the friends provident trophy, at 25 years old it can only be a good thing, maybe if he played for yorkshire, durham of lancashire he would have been called up years ago!
Complain about this postbasically i want to comment on the wicketkeeping position for the England team. I believe that Chris Read is the best choice for England at the moment.I believe that he has not be given enough opportunities the way Garient Jones was. What would happen if Mathew Prior were toperfom badly in the upcoming series. Would the selectors drop him and look at either Chris or Paul. Chris read got his chance when England were really being outplayed by the Australians and it is unfair to judge him on such ground. He derseves another chance.
Complain about this postVery unfair comment on the Chris Read failed when he was never given a proper chance in the first place, Englands best wicket keeper hardly used at international standard, just have to look at Adam Gilchrist for Australia he is the best wicket keeper in Australia and he plays there might be better batters that wicket keep a bit but they went with the best glove man and look whats happened maybe something the England selectors should have looked at.
Complain about this postWithout being too theatrical in thought, i have been tolled by several people that there remains within the team a great dislike between Strauss and Flintoff. I the Ashes some believed Strauss had been first choice captain, but Flintoff gave an ultimatum to the selection committee, refusing to play if Strauss was made captain.
Perhaps the fact Flintoff is not to play the first test is evidence to back up this rumour.
All very Machiavellian and suspicious, but who knows it could be garbage.
Complain about this post