England in Sri Lanka

[dikon]

Same reason as Swann and Sidebottom. Because he has improved.

But them two didn't get a fair crack (they both had a game each correct me if i'm wrong)Ramps has more than enough time to solidify him self in that line up but he failed.I'm a fan of Ramps but he's had his chances and it's time to go to the future.

 

[Dare]

Good to see England win this series. Sri Lanka looked absolutely horrible all series. Usually they have a huge advantage at home. Goes to show that without Murili they're actually pretty average.

yea missing murali is obivously huge but to me it was their batting that failed more than their bowling. Fernando, Maharoof and Vaas all played good Malinga was average at best but still Sri Lankas batting was waaay off. Jayausriya and Tharanga played horrible and didnt do much at all, Sangakkara and Jayawardene also played well bellow their ability.

on a side note im really suprised that Dilshan has been droped for the 2 test series against Australia, he is a briliant fielder and a good batsman plus he can bowl some off-spin.

 

[CoolzEng45]

i read newspaper on telegraph , mark ramparakash and tim ambrose maybe go tour sri lanka test. So what you think abt tim ambrose ? i know he had brilliant season with warwickshire and been score 200 in one match but i want matt prior go to sri lanka i will given him one chance he will prove he is good enough.

(p.s my language not good, sorry)

 

[Sureshot]

Swann
Sidebottom
Anderson
Panesar

But hang on, Hoggard's fit again yes? If so, Hoggard for Swann.

And for the record, England were hardly convincing winners throughout this series. If Sri Lanka had Murali then i'm 99.99% sure we'd have seen a reversal of the series outcome. We were woeful in both games we lost.

In Sri Lanka conditions I think 2 spinners is the best way to go about it.

And, we were very good in the games we won, your theory makes no sense.

We may have lost two battles, but we won three.

Oh and Ramps?

I'd love it, he's a much better batsman now. Anyone other than Strauss, he's just a pointless selection now, has far too many problems. (Pulling, full balls, spinners).

 

[Animator!]

Ramps would be a decent horses for courses pick, ala Sidebottom. He's one of the best players of spin in England, his footwork is fantastic as shown on TV, Strictly come dancing, and he is in the form of his life.

 

[manee]

He's 38. Even if he played out of skin, he's probably gonna retire in 2 years. What would be the point in that? Just close the door on him. The ship has sailed. Huge step backward if we call up a pensioner.

This is test cricket; there is no world cup in test cricket, it is about winning on a series to series basis. Sidebottom and Swann have proved that domestic cricket does well at grooming talents and they do not necessarily need international experience to prosper, using this logic, Ramprakash is doing no harm to the future.

 

[evertonfan]

It's about builing for the future. There's no point picking players who won't be around the year after. Say he comes in and does really well, only to retire straight after. Would be a pointless wouldn't it? If he does well then fine, put a sock in my mouth, but picking a 38 year old is just not the way to go. I'd much rather we were consistent and picked Shah, Bopara, or whomever.

 

[manee]

It's about builing for the future. There's no point picking players who won't be around the year after. Say he comes in and does really well, only to retire straight after. Would be a pointless wouldn't it? If he does well then fine, put a sock in my mouth, but picking a 38 year old is just not the way to go. I'd much rather we were consistent and picked Shah, Bopara, or whomever.

You make good points but scoring 1,000 runs for damn near every single domestic season for about 10 years has to be rewarded surely.

 

[evertonfan]

But let's not forget that he's also had the chance during those years to replicate it at Test cricket as well. Which he failed to do. I know for sure that if I was Owais Shah and some out of the blue selection comes on and took my place i'd be gutted.

 

[manee]

But let's not forget that he's also had the chance during those years to replicate it at Test cricket as well. Which he failed to do. I know for sure that if I was Owais Shah and some out of the blue selection comes on and took my place i'd be gutted.

English selectors aren't like India though, Shah will rest assured that his time will come sooner rather than later.

As I said earlier, he did have some difficult attacks to contend with and his Ashes record is very good, averaging over 42. He seems to have got better over time too.

 

[Animator!]

His international average still didn't at any point get ove 28. I'd rather go with Shah or Bopara, they're probably better players of spin, in all actuality.

 

[.Mob]

Yeah, he is miles better now than when he represented England earlier.


But I agree with evertonfan that it would only a step back if they choose him, but then again, it wouldn't be fair that all thsoe domestic season go unnoticed.

It would be interesting to see if he can do it at Test level as he has done in the domestic league for the last __ years.

 

[Sureshot]

Surely it comes to a point where on tours (this is one of the toughest around) where you have to pick your best players? I think Ramps would be excellent in Sri Lanka, not to mention the help he could teach Cook, Bell, etc.

 

[RoboRocks]

I think we need to aim forward and give it to Shah and Bopara.
Ramps has enjoyed his seasons over the past 2 years so I would let carry on playing FC cricket.

 

[Sureshot]

Well we couldn't stop him playing FC cricket anyway.

Would I chose him? I honestly don't know. If it's the difference between a series win or defeat? Without a doubt.

The test team is going to be interesting. We need an opener because picking Strauss would be suicidal, he's out of form and is suited to sub-continent pitches like a duck to ice. Could Ramps open? Rob Key? He's an opener, in form, good presence on the field. I quite like that idea actually, or of course we have Vaughan who could bat 3.

I'd go....

Cook
Key
Vaughan
KP
Colly
Bell
Prior
Swann
Sidebottom
Anderson
Panesar