posted Aug 22, 2008

Fair point Hank, but I don't think we should dismiss the value of allowing young players to gain experience.

Jimmy Anderson has come through as a Test Match player purely because of success as a young, raw bowler in ODIs. He was given a shot and took it. Some others haven't, as you mentioned, Hank, but who know who might succeed given the shot.

Would it be so bad to have Glamorgan's young quick bowler, Harris I think it is, around the squad as an option? I know he's not the finished article but, even Harmison's staunchest supporters must acknowledge than neither is he.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

Maybe the South Africans isn't a good place to start? I guess ultimately, you play your best player. Southee did pretty well for the Kiwis. Though he was coming into a much better attack.

Bresnan is in the squad, so Harmi isn't in the team yet.

I guess Jimmy and Freddie will bowl the death overs. Sidebottom did well at the end of an innings in Sri Lanka, when he comes back.

I like an out and out attacking swing bowler to bowl as many as 8 overs at the start of an innings. Which is Anderson. But in this team, he will need to bowl quite a few at the end.

I guess Harmi and Broad will come on at the end of the powerplays.

Wonder how long my optimism will last.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

I don't mind Harmisson being in the squad but what about looking to the future? What are the chance of Harmison playing outside of England? He won't tour, unless it's worth enough money.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

I get the impression from reading around that our top ranked Test bowler (no6) Sidebottom, is being written out of the five day team. And our top ranked ODI bowler (no13) is being written out of the limited overs side.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

why do we as english allways knock people down and want them to fail ?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

I can't believe that one nationality is more likely to do that than another.

If we're talking about Harmi, then there are many on this thread who are backing Harmi and wishing him well. And the ones who aren't have plenty of evidence to back up their position of scepticism.

It's not reasonable to expect people to be uncritical cheerleaders. I'm sure that's true in any country. Maybe apart from China.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

why do we as english allways knock people down and want them to fail ?

Alot of people are knocking the selection of Harmy but not wanting him to fail. I would love hime to bowl well, pick up a shed load of wickets and England win the series.

The point is that it seems a step backwards when the chances are he wont be there long term, he is unlikely to tour so pick someone who is fully committed to cricket both home and on tour.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

You pick the best players available to you and then try to win the game.

Don't forget that the other players want Stanford's money too, and their best chance of getting it is by selecting the best players.

Harmison is available so he must be selected.

Simple really.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

hahahaha, and they say footballers are money grabbing idiots!

funny that, given that 1/2 million pound game has bought harmison out of retirement. mmmmmm, interesting

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Aug 22, 2008

Why are so many people saying he is using Stanford to return?
If he did, he would have returned WHEN THE DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED!
That BLOWS everyones suggestion out of the water doesnt it?
Surely he is back to help us, seeing as Sidebottom is injured and he looks like he is out for a while because of all these injuries.

add comment | complain about this comment