England Team Discussion

[blockerdave]

I don't think you should have separate players for the test and one day squads. I don't think that's what Strauss is saying.

It's exactly what he said - he said a number of times yesterday he wanted more separation between the test and limited overs squads.

 

[swacker]

It's exactly what he said - he said a number of times yesterday he wanted more separation between the test and limited overs squads.

Strauss showing he does not have the leadership skills.

 

[Skater]

It's exactly what he said - he said a number of times yesterday he wanted more separation between the test and limited overs squads.

I think that's a good idea. Test cricket and limited overs cricket are very different, and England have been criticised so often in the past for playing an ODI like it was a Test. It would also mean that the majority of our Test team would be fitter and better rested.

Strauss probably won't last. He has the public against him, and did the worst thing he could possibly have done over the Pietersen saga. But the two things he has done so far - called for separation between the Test and limited overs squads and made Joe Root the vice captain - are good decisions for me.

 

[War]

the separation of test and limited overs sides is far from the positive move it's trying to be presented as.

it indicates firstly that the Strauss/Flower model of attritional test cricket, slow scoring rates and bowling dry is going to continue. the attacking, innovative play from T20 and ODI that others are bringing in to the test arena is not to be for us - we will be left behind. Alex Hales can forget a test future.

secondly, you've just seen a World Cup dominated by players that are generally stars in their country's Test side, and the Aussies won it with the majority of their test side. simply put - your best players are your best players, and can generally cross formats easily. the inference is that the ODI side will therefore be populated with the likes of Morgan, who could never cut it at Test level, and Hales, who England don't trust at Test Level.

it's a retrograde step showing that Strauss really doesn't have a clue. He's seen the power hitting in the World Cup, thinks he better push that way without realising the likes of Warner, Mccullum and De Villiers are proper players, not sloggers.

Interesting theory my friend, personally I don't get this impression at the moment - but I shall think about it for sure.

 

[_Sam_]

@blockerdave So you do want Cook and Bell to be solid features in our limited overs side...?

 

[War]

England: Bob Willis on Andrew Strauss' first press conference | Cricket News | Sky Sports

 

[blockerdave]

@blockerdave So you do want Cook and Bell to be solid features in our limited overs side...?

I'm going to do you the honour of assuming you're not a complete **** and answer that question reasonably.

Saying we shouldn't have separated sides is not the same as saying we should have identical sides.

The Aussie Workd Cup final sued probably had 8 players who will face us in the first test of the Ashes, whereas the NZ side had probably 6 or 7 of those we'll face in that series. They're not separate sides.

England should be playing more aggressively in all forms of the game.

The KP brouhaha masked the fact that yesterday Strauss may well have killed Alex Hales' Test Career before it even started.

 

[Skater]

I'm going to do you the honour of assuming you're not a complete **** and answer that question reasonably.

Saying we shouldn't have separated sides is not the same as saying we should have identical sides.

The Aussie Workd Cup final sued probably had 8 players who will face us in the first test of the Ashes, whereas the NZ side had probably 6 or 7 of those we'll face in that series. They're not separate sides.

England should be playing more aggressively in all forms of the game.

The KP brouhaha masked the fact that yesterday Strauss may well have killed Alex Hales' Test Career before it even started.

You really need to calm down. We are all capable here of having a proper discussion without getting angry or insulting each other. I know you are upset about the situation but let's have a civilised debate.

 

[blockerdave]

You really need to calm down. We are all capable here of having a proper discussion without getting angry or insulting each other. I know you are upset about the situation but let's have a civilised debate.

I'm not upset at any situation - I am reasonably certain he was wilfully misunderstanding me/ trying to wind me up (any one who has read any of my posts knows my opinion of Bell). On the very small off-chance he was genuine I explained the distinction.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I'm going to do you the honour of assuming you're not a complete **** and answer that question reasonably.

Saying we shouldn't have separated sides is not the same as saying we should have identical sides.

The Aussie Workd Cup final sued probably had 8 players who will face us in the first test of the Ashes, whereas the NZ side had probably 6 or 7 of those we'll face in that series. They're not separate sides.

England should be playing more aggressively in all forms of the game.

The KP brouhaha masked the fact that yesterday Strauss may well have killed Alex Hales' Test Career before it even started.

This.

Nailed it!

I said this during the World Cup as well, that if someone like Alex Hales was unearthed in India, he would well and truly have played 50 odd ODI's and at least had a trial and error in tests. You just look at someone like Jos Buttler from England. He has 100 tests and a very very productive limited overs career in front of him, provided he's managed properly. You look at the absolute outright match winners (in terms of batsmen all around the world and they're a triple threat in world cricket).

Brendon McCullum, AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, David Warner. These names instantly spring to mind. Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Misbah-ul-Haq, Chris Gayle, Shakib-Al-Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim from a little past it or slightly lower tier.

One name that comes to mind from England?

Only KP and now Jos Buttler.

England, need to be free. They need to drop these hogwash ideas and age old ideals. There's no harm in making someone like Bell play just tests. There's no harm if Buttler plays them all. Let everyone a bit free to discover and re-discover themselves. Isn't that life?

The first thing England really need to do, is stop appointing fools at the helm. It's a sport. Treat it like one. It isn't a boys hostel. But, the fact that they see their future in Strauss, says a lot.

Edit- I read an article recently that said that thank heavens a freak like AB wasn't born in England, because he might never have been picked in the first place considering he played so many sports and cricket became a priority quite late in his life!

It's just a pity that a nation BRIMMING with talent is so often the laughing stock of world cricket and it's not because of it's players or it's fans.

 

[Markkkkk]

I have a question. What is everyones opinion on Ajmal Shahzad. Seems decent and did well when he played for England...

 

[cooks1st100]

I liked the look of Shahzad a few years back, he was nippy and bowled with aggression. He's struggled since though as far as I know with injuries and form.

 

[Deleted member 149013]

I don’t watch England anymore I mean why what is the point they can’t even get a simple selection process right and then it’s a painful frustrating experience in all formats (If the ECB fail to pick a team then taking to field is already a disadvantage in international cricket). All the answers they need are right there in front of them, but are too blind to see it or stubborn.

Australia have Warner we have Hales but choose to waste talent and wonder where it goes wrong. Cook has clearly failed as a captain but yet still holds the job?? KP may well be full of himself but has a clear talent but kept out of ODI and T20. Taylor Seen as a one day player? Morgan why because he scored a few boundaries a few years ago well that must get him the captaincy but when he bats is wasteful and looks more a one hit wonder.

The England team is more played on paper with the idea of the player category he falls into. It’s pathetic the best way I can describe England cricket at present. It’s all negative and I suppose I could criticise them all day but this should not be the case.

 

[bigred]

I have a question. What is everyones opinion on Ajmal Shahzad. Seems decent and did well when he played for England...

He and James Harris have been the stand out bowlers in county cricket this year so far.

He definitely had potential a few years back. Bowled at decent pace and looked like he has a bit of fight about him. Hits big sixes also.

 

[Deleted member 149013]

Possible Test England team for summer 2015 -

Hales
Ali
KP
Root ©
Bell
Taylor
Buttler (wk)
Woakes
Broad
Anderson
Plunkett

Rotation and reserves

Lyth (Wouldn’t Play him in top 3 would place him about 5 or 6. Think you have to ease an uncapped player into international cricket)
Balance
Vince
Bopara (Has matured and played some sensible innings in ODI (batting order 5-7) + medium bowling option for recent dead English pitches)
Rashid (ideal second spinner to partner Ali)
Stokes