posted Jun 11, 2007

The dropping of Plunkett to make way for Hoggard was a "no-brainer".

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posted Jun 11, 2007

Yes Bell has scored most of his centuries at No. 6 I believe. But he is a far better bat than Collingwood technically - a class above probably - and in the longer term, he should score more runs. However Collingwood is good at marshalling the tail and improvising his game as he has shown repeatedly in the one day game. He also rides his luck better than Bell!! But - eventually -Bell should make the No.3 spot his own - hopefully a bit like Ponting. For the avoidance of any doubt I am not a Warwickshire supporter!

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posted Jun 11, 2007

I think the feeling with keeping Strauss at least for the next test is that he has proven he can play at the top level, whereas Plunkett has only ever shown glimpses and nothing on a consistent basis.

I think unless he finds his form in the next test Strauss should sit out completely the ODI and go back to Middlesex and try and get some runs there.

I'd like to see Hildreth, Bopara and Benning (if fit) get a chance in the one dayers. I think one of Bell or Vaughan should be dropped from the one day side because I think those two + Collingwood is too many nurdlers in the team. One opening and one in the middle order is more than enough.

My squad for the ODI would be:
Vaughan
Benning
Bopara
Pietersen
Hildreth
Collingwood
Prior
Broad (if he finds some form)
Anderson
Onions
Panesar
Bell (squad player)
Schreck (squad player)
Sidebottom (squad player)
Shah (squad player)

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posted Jun 11, 2007

I fully accept that hoggard was going to replace plunkett in the team, but in the squad?

Surley if Plunkett was playing why wasnt Anderson dropped from the squad?

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posted Jun 11, 2007

Mahmood? I understand that he has just had an operation so is unlikely to be available anyway.

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posted Jun 11, 2007

Looking at the squad it seems that James Andersen will sit out - but why pick Strauss again? We all know he's a quality player but out of form. Why make him struggle through another test when he could be rebuilding his confidence at county level?
And with the series won Moores has missed a great chance to have a good look at Shah or Bopara at this level!

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posted Jun 12, 2007

I have just read Boyks comments with interest. Yes, I think that Strauss should have been dropped particularly considering it is not the best bowling attack in the world that keeps getting him out cheaply. It is all very well hoping he will come good in the next test but if he does n't then we may have to go into the opening test with India with an untested line up. I would be interested to see 1) who would come in and 2) where they would come in. I think that with the bowling that we've got and the fact that Hoggard has only recently returned from injury I would be tempted to promote Bell to 3 and have Bopara at 6.

I think Bell can be a world class no.3 and has the patience to estatblish an innings. Bopara can bat steadily and with the tail and although his bowling is not going to scare anyone it will be consistant and useful.

Oh by the way for the ODI - why not look at someone like Mal Loye for the top of the order as it is not such a problem having Vaughan nurdling if you have an explosive batsman at the other end. My first pick would be Tresco if he's available.

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posted Jun 12, 2007

Oh and one thing I forgot - don't critisise Bell as a ODI player he was one of the most consistent in the CB series and I see him as being able to fufil the Hussey role for England in an ODI

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posted Jun 12, 2007

where do you look if you need a world class player|??yyyorkshire!! thats a goood side that if hoggard was fully fit and flintoff instead of anderson. its fairly balanced with a good set of batsmen and a good selection of bowling. right arm fast, right arm away swing, left arm fast medium and left arm spin. almost perfect right?

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posted Jun 12, 2007

i think plunkett hasnt played that bad but hoggard needs to be in squad because he is class i think that strauss does deserve another chance but if he fails to get a decent score then he should be dropped like a bad habit we need a solid partner for cook

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