England Team Discussion

[cricket_icon]

Noway a guy who the coach has never, EVER seen play should get a shot. That's quite ridiculous imo.

I can understand Vince and Roy getting the nod but I just feel England have wasted Wright and Bopara over the years and have only just started to get their act together with Finn. To add to all that, Wright and Bopara have just had terrific runs in the UAE with the PSL and would have been heading into India familiar not only with the conditions and some of the players but in the forms and confidence of their lives.

It's an opportunity missed but let's hope England can stick it out there and this group don't let them down. I know Root and Stokes are looking great and I'm sure Ali and Rashid will do well (Except against India and Pakistan lol).

 

[bigred]

I don't get it. We had the likes of Duncan Fletcher and then to a similar extent Andy Flower, who just kept on recycling the same players over and over and as fans, we all complained about it. We've now got a set up that gives good County players a go and people are still moaning about it! Personally, to me, Dawson just looks like a Michael Yardy type of player at International level. But, he's obviously done well enough in County cricket to play for the Lions, where he did well, so he deserves a shot. I'm excited to see what new players like Roy, Billings, Dawson, Topley etc have got, rather than going back to the players that have already had plenty of chances.

I think the general consensus amongst England fans in this thread is that we are happy with the current side as it is. That's certainly the feeling I get reading the majority of posts. I'm certainly one who's happy with the t20 squad. However, I don't think people are totally against the idea of bringing an old player back. Players from England seem to be playing in a lot of domestic t20 leagues at the moment, and I definitely think that will have made players like Luke Wright better than they would've been 2 or 3 years ago.

A lot of my Aussie mates can't understand why Wright isn't in the England team. Obviously they didn't follow his early career like I did, but they certainly appreciate the player he is now.[DOUBLEPOST=1456006999][/DOUBLEPOST]Another factor that might count against Wright is that he's big pals with Kevin Pietersen.

 

[_Sam_]

Noway a guy who the coach has never, EVER seen play should get a shot. That's quite ridiculous imo.

I'm pretty much dead certain Farbrace (who seems to have a big influence and practically be as big as big a part of a setup as Bayliss) would have seen a decent bit of Dawson whilst Bayliss has witnessed him in the nets and it's unlikely they wouldn't have consulted on the opinion of the coaches that were out in the UAE with Dawson which included the likes of Kirsten, Vettori and Jayawerdene.

 

[bigred]

Yeah, apparently Graham Thorpe (who is the lions batting coach, and full England ODI batting coach) recommended Dawson to Bayliss. Don't forget that Whittaker and Fraser watch a lot of county cricket, and although Bayliss will have a big say, Whittaker gets the final vote.

 

[cricket_icon]

Ok, fair enough, there obviously seems to be a committee decision with regards to Dawson but he has to be really exceptional to be in the team without the coach seeing him play. I'm curious to see how he does and hope I don't have to say "ha, I told you so".

 

[bigred]

Ok, fair enough, there obviously seems to be a committee decision with regards to Dawson but he has to be really exceptional to be in the team without the coach seeing him play. I'm curious to see how he does and hope I don't have to say "ha, I told you so".

In all likelihood, he'll just be a sub fielder, unless Ali or Rashid get injured. I've never really seen him field, but if he's as good as people are saying, that might be an inspired selection as the 12th man seems to be on the field permanently these days.

 

[_Sam_]

Finn out of the WT20 then unfortunately. A shame but Plunkett gets the recall he deserves to be honest, hopefully he can replicate what he did in the UAE.

 

[bigred]

Finn out of the WT20 then unfortunately. A shame but Plunkett gets the recall he deserves to be honest, hopefully he can replicate what he did in the UAE.

Bad news that. I'm pleased they've brought in Finn but I'm quite surprised. Thought they'd have gone for Woakes. Think his face fits more than Plunkett's.

 

[_Sam_]

Bad news that. I'm pleased they've brought in Finn but I'm quite surprised. Thought they'd have gone for Woakes. Think his face fits more than Plunkett's.

Quite odd actually, Woakes was preferred over Plunkett in both the ODI (and Broad) and T20I squad in South Africa but they've gone back to Plunkett for this.

 

[dp458]

Quite odd actually, Woakes was preferred over Plunkett in both the ODI (and Broad) and T20I squad in South Africa but they've gone back to Plunkett for this.

More of a like for like, woakes has been dropped for Dawson as a extra all rounder. Although he should have been picked over Jordon

 

[bigred]

More of a like for like, woakes has been dropped for Dawson as a extra all rounder. Although he should have been picked over Jordon

Not sure about that. I would say that the plan all along was to pick 3 spinners and for one of those to be Stephen Parry. Therefore, I think Parry has been dropped for Dawson.

In the UAE, Woakes, Topley, Jordan, Plunkett and Willey were the 5 seamers. Essentially, Stokes has come back and so there's only room for the 4 of them.

 

[dp458]

Not sure about that. I would say that the plan all along was to pick 3 spinners and for one of those to be Stephen Parry. Therefore, I think Parry has been dropped for Dawson.

In the UAE, Woakes, Topley, Jordan, Plunkett and Willey were the 5 seamers. Essentially, Stokes has come back and so there's only room for the 4 of them.

Good point, Wokaes is more similar to what they already had rather than Plunkett who is more like Finn
Jordan is just shite and ill keep saying it

 

[bigred]

I'm excited that England might have found quite a well rounded bowling attack for t20 cricket.

Rashid- his job is to give it air in the middle overs. He did this unsuccessfully yesterday, but I think that's the right way to go. On another day, two or three go straight up in the air and he takes a couple of crucial wickets.

Ali- plays more of a holding role. Yesterday he didn't bowl well. He couldn't certainly mix his pace up and go around the wicket to right handers. But to be honest, that's the first time I've seen him hammered in a t20 game. He's usually very tidy.

Willey- there are very few bowlers who swing the white ball these days, so he's a real asset. It might be worth him bowling three or even his full four straight as he's a wicket threat with the new ball.

Plunkett- England's quickest bowler. He does brilliantly in the middle overs when batters are looking to just work the ball for 2s and 3s. Taking wickets is the best way to bring the run rate down. He reminds me a bit of Steve Harmison when he was at his best in one day cricket. He'd come on after 20 overs and break partnerships when there was a lull.

Stokes- I think he's the most adaptable bowler in the lineup. He's always been able to move the ball, so might be the best option to open the bowling with Willey. He also hits the deck hard so can do a job in the middle overs. It now seems that he's really been practising his yorkers for the death, and we saw evidence of that yesterday. Basically, he's just a quality cricketer.

Jordan- a joke player for a while, but fair play to the selectors. They've obviously been planning for him to bowl the death overs for quite some time, and he's repaying their faith now. I wouldn't let him go anywhere near the new ball. Should come on from the 13th over onwards. Play to his strengths.

Reece Topley's confidence has been dented since that fielding mistake in SA, but I've still got a lot of time for him, and I reckon he'll be a great opening bowler for England. Don't forget that Steve Finn will come back soon, so things are starting to look up in the bowling department.

Also, look out for Tymal Mills, Jamie Overton and Tom Curran is this year's Blast.

 

[cricket_icon]

I believe England have put together the most modern of modern cricket teams, especially for the T20 format. They have a batting line up that realistically bats all the way down to 9 (there are some centurions down there too). On top of that, they have an offy and a leggy, a good pace bowler and a host of solid medium fasts who can really mix it up in the shortest format. Add to that a whole collection of innovative and powerful batsmen.

Not to mention world class fielding and players who all look like athletes.

Now, can a team this well oiled work against the most street smart cricketers going today in New Zealand or the brash arrogance and spice of India? Not to mention the swagger and brute strength of the Windies?

 

[bigred]

I believe England have put together the most modern of modern cricket teams, especially for the T20 format. They have a batting line up that realistically bats all the way down to 9 (there are some centurions down there too). On top of that, they have an offy and a leggy, a good pace bowler and a host of solid medium fasts who can really mix it up in the shortest format. Add to that a whole collection of innovative and powerful batsmen.

Not to mention world class fielding and players who all look like athletes.

Now, can a team this well oiled work against the most street smart cricketers going today in New Zealand or the brash arrogance and spice of India? Not to mention the swagger and brute strength of the Windies?

I think they're still the weakest of the semi finalist because of their inexperience, but fast forward 3 or 4 years and it's a different story.

I actually think England bat to 11. Plunkett has to be the best number 11 to have played international t20s.