One option would be to move collingwood to 3, bopara down to 4 and then bring in a number 5, rather than trying to bring somebody in at a higher pressure position. Bopara looks a bit to casual at 3, whilst collingwoods usual dogged determination and not giving his wicket away is ideal at 3.
Question is then, what number 5 do you bring in? It has to be somebody steady, hard to get out, who will score you a few runs.
Jees please stop talking about Rob Key. He has had his day. If you don't pick Bell, who is the natural choice, then there are plenty other batsmen out there that are scoring runs, namely Joyce, in both forms, Hopkinson (scored a ton against Australia already) Di Venuto or Denly. The only issue being the latter lack experience, except Joyce maybe.
No way is Collingwood technically good enough to bat at 3.
I've never been Bell's greatest fan but in interviews I've seen with him he looks hungry to play for England again and is certainly scoring runs at the moment.
I'm inclined to agree with BFR, this aussie attack certainly isn't what is was in 2005 and 2006/7. Bell will have a point to prove and will know that this is his last chance to save his international career. It could well be the making of him.
[cite]Posted By: Spanish[/cite]Jees please stop talking about Rob Key. He has had his day. If you don't pick Bell, who is the natural choice, then there are plenty other batsmen out there that are scoring runs, namely Joyce, in both forms, Hopkinson (scored a ton against Australia already) Di Venuto or Denly. The only issue being the latter lack experience, except Joyce maybe.
Had his day...what the hell you on about...take a look at the current county batting averages...had his day my arse!
[quote][cite]Posted By: Spanish[/cite]Jees please stop talking about Rob Key. He has had his day. If you don't pick Bell, who is the natural choice, then there are plenty other batsmen out there that are scoring runs, namely Joyce, in both forms, Hopkinson (scored a ton against Australia already) Di Venuto or Denly. The only issue being the latter lack experience, except Joyce maybe.[/quote]
I'm sure we'll miss his 30 runs per innings we've had from him so far this series. Time to bring Robert Key (270 not out) in and push Bopara down the order!
[cite]Posted By: bigstemarra[/cite]I reckon Rob Key is worth a go - he can't really do worse than Bopara!
he can and has proved so.
take out the double century against the windies key is averaging 23 in 25 test innings. (with the 221 his average is 31).
his 8 innings against australia have averaged 17.
bopara has only played 12 test innings and averages a shade under 40. i take on board bopara has scored his runs against a weak west indies side (they still beat us), but you can only score runs against what is put in front of you.
he is averaging just 20 against the aussies, but still higher than key, albeit not against warne and co.
CHG Wrote
Yeah, Freddie is not world Class I guess!?
Well not according to many top Cricket observers including Jack Bannister who watches England all round the world, he rates him as Very Good but not world class, in an interview he did the other day.
[cite]Posted By: bigstemarra[/cite]I reckon Rob Key is worth a go - he can't really do worse than Bopara!
he can and has proved so.
take out the double century against the windies key is averaging 23 in 25 test innings. (with the 221 his average is 31).
his 8 innings against australia have averaged 17.
bopara has only played 12 test innings and averages a shade under 40. i take on board bopara has scored his runs against a weak west indies side (they still beat us), but you can only score runs against what is put in front of you.
he is averaging just 20 against the aussies, but still higher than key, albeit not against warne and co.
You can't compare averages against australia, unless it's the same team playing. An australia with Johnson and Hauritz (sp?) is completely and utterly different to one with McGrath and Warne to make any comparison pointless.
Even if brett lee were to play, he's not the player he was 4 years ago, and I've never particularly rated him. Yes he's quick, but he hasn't the agression or control of a flintoff. He used to take wickets because McGrath was so hard to get away that batsmen would take a swing at brett and get themselves out. As the lords test showed, if you can generate pressure through accurate bowling then wickets will fall, if you can't then you'll lose. Hilfenhaus is the closest the aussies have to someone who can control their bowling to anything like the standard needed to be a top international team, with siddell being closer than any of their other options, including brett lee.
[cite]Posted By: Ketman[/cite]CHG Wrote
Yeah, Freddie is not world Class I guess!?
Well not according to many top Cricket observers including Jack Bannister who watches England all round the world, he rates him as Very Good but not world class, in an interview he did the other day.
Oh, do behave yourself. Flintoff is rated by no less than Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne as the best fast bowler in the world when he is fully fit. The Aussies, and I live here, are scared shitless of him because he can pull the whole team with him when he plays well. If he's not world-class then feck knows who is?
I think I'd be taking the opinion of legends like Gilly and Warne before Jack Bannister.
"Edgbaston test pitch like "jelly"...Groundsman Steve Rouse admits he faces a tough battle to prepare the pitch for next week's third Ashes Test between England and Australia." says BBC Sport.
Could be a sticky. Bring back Deadly.
Comments
Question is then, what number 5 do you bring in? It has to be somebody steady, hard to get out, who will score you a few runs.
I've never been Bell's greatest fan but in interviews I've seen with him he looks hungry to play for England again and is certainly scoring runs at the moment.
I'm inclined to agree with BFR, this aussie attack certainly isn't what is was in 2005 and 2006/7. Bell will have a point to prove and will know that this is his last chance to save his international career. It could well be the making of him.
Had his day...what the hell you on about...take a look at the current county batting averages...had his day my arse!
[quote][cite]Posted By: Spanish[/cite]Jees please stop talking about Rob Key. He has had his day. If you don't pick Bell, who is the natural choice, then there are plenty other batsmen out there that are scoring runs, namely Joyce, in both forms, Hopkinson (scored a ton against Australia already) Di Venuto or Denly. The only issue being the latter lack experience, except Joyce maybe.[/quote]
Key's figures do look good now. However prior to the Surrey match he had 132 runs in 8 innings ie an average of 16.5.
Amazing what 270 not out and 123 can do to transform a batting average!
And he's South African :)
Bell's average under each of his captains
Flintoff - 28.87
Pietersen - 15.40
Trescothick - 51.00
Vaughan - 41.90
... and, when Strauss is captain, Bell's average is ... 74.14
he can and has proved so.
take out the double century against the windies key is averaging 23 in 25 test innings. (with the 221 his average is 31).
his 8 innings against australia have averaged 17.
bopara has only played 12 test innings and averages a shade under 40. i take on board bopara has scored his runs against a weak west indies side (they still beat us), but you can only score runs against what is put in front of you.
he is averaging just 20 against the aussies, but still higher than key, albeit not against warne and co.
Yeah, Freddie is not world Class I guess!?
Well not according to many top Cricket observers including Jack Bannister who watches England all round the world, he rates him as Very Good but not world class, in an interview he did the other day.
Careful sunshine............. there are a lot of Kent fans around here ya know me being one of them!
There you go. Decision made.
You can't compare averages against australia, unless it's the same team playing. An australia with Johnson and Hauritz (sp?) is completely and utterly different to one with McGrath and Warne to make any comparison pointless.
Even if brett lee were to play, he's not the player he was 4 years ago, and I've never particularly rated him. Yes he's quick, but he hasn't the agression or control of a flintoff. He used to take wickets because McGrath was so hard to get away that batsmen would take a swing at brett and get themselves out. As the lords test showed, if you can generate pressure through accurate bowling then wickets will fall, if you can't then you'll lose. Hilfenhaus is the closest the aussies have to someone who can control their bowling to anything like the standard needed to be a top international team, with siddell being closer than any of their other options, including brett lee.
Oh, do behave yourself. Flintoff is rated by no less than Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne as the best fast bowler in the world when he is fully fit. The Aussies, and I live here, are scared shitless of him because he can pull the whole team with him when he plays well. If he's not world-class then feck knows who is?
I think I'd be taking the opinion of legends like Gilly and Warne before Jack Bannister.
Probably be Bell though with a bit of batting order change.
I doubt they'll go for somebody new and lacking experience now.
However if KP problems cotinue I can see one of the young lads being given a chance after the Ashes.
Careful sunshine............. there are a lot of Kent fans around here ya know me being one of them![/quote]
Blimey mate 2 crosses to bear !
At least I have Sussex to turn to !! Come on you Sharks !!
Could be a sticky. Bring back Deadly.