posted Jun 4, 2008

trevor barker, what you say about Ambrose being the best keeper for some time is ludacris, both Read and Foster are yards ahead of him keeping-wise

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posted Jun 4, 2008

I will try to explain whats wrong with your approach. On a simple analysis of facts and figures, you may be correct. But its like saying that a bad umpiring decision is responsible for a result. In the famous England win in Birmingham in the 2005 Ashes series, Kaspowich wasnt actually out when Australia were just a couple of runs short of a 2 nil lead in the series. The fact that he should have been given out earlier was irrelevant. What it demonstrates though is that cricket is unlike any other game in that to a large degree, a lot of the game is outside any one persons control. All you can do to manage this is select a team of techniquely gifted players that gel as a team and have the temperament and attitude to ride the waves as a game unfolds. Do the basics right every ball and wirk in line with the captains strategy at that particular moment and you have every chance of success. I honestly dont beleieve certain England players meet those requirements and playing as an effective team doesnt come as natuarally to England as it does to the Springboks or Aussies. Yes, they all have their moments but rarely is it maintained over a 5 day period.
I would always select your best team over your best eleven players. Ideally they should be one and the same but England cricketers arent that clever yet.

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posted Jun 4, 2008

I have tickets for Day 4, i just hope it lasts till then, or the blasted rain stays away. Can't wait to see the refurbished Trent Bridge

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posted Jun 4, 2008

TrevorBarker writes -
'I honestly dont beleieve certain England players meet those requirements and playing as an effective team doesnt come as natuarally to England as it does to the Springboks or Aussies.'

Um, yeah ok. Considering SA havent beaten Aus for 35 years and England won their last test series in SA that comment looks nothing more than generalizing.

You also say -
'In the famous England win in Birmingham in the 2005 Ashes series, Kaspowich wasnt actually out when Australia were just a couple of runs short of a 2 nil lead in the series.'

No, he was plumb lbw when Australia were still 50 runs out and it wasn't given!!

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posted Jun 4, 2008

TrevorBarker writes -
'Whatever you think, the current England side is not a great one.'

Yes Trevor - because that's what we all think isn't it?

Dear oh dear.

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posted Jun 4, 2008

Colly is a wally

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posted Jun 4, 2008

Wats an Englander??

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posted Jun 4, 2008

i think any player deserves a persistent selection provided they have deserved it, we gave it to Strauss and Vaughan, and its paying dividens now, and unless its detremental to the team there is no problem in keeping the player there as they will find form eventually. but he dpes still offer England their best fielder and extra in the bowling department which is very usefull, especially given we now miss some of our best fielders, e.g. Trescothick, and Flintoff!

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posted Jun 5, 2008

Dear madmadmadjackman,
Do us all a favour and read all the comments before making silly remarks, particularly in reference to Kaspowich.
Regarding SA efforts v Australia - how amusing that you use over 20 years of exclusion in your figures. That in itself makes a mockery of your argument.
As for whether England is a great team or not - are your seriously saying that they are as good as India or SA or even Sri Lanka for that matter. None of thoses sides were spanked 5 - nil last time they played the Aussies.
And just for the record, I am a neutral.

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posted Jun 5, 2008

Does anyone think KP, Bell and Colly are glad that Shane Bond isn't playing for the Kiwi's???

Not saying that NZ would win with him but it would definetly spice things up!?

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