England v West Indies T20 series, Sep 2011

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Here is the squad:

Graeme Swann (capt), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Scott Borthwick, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Samit Patel, Ben Stokes.

Broad being out will be a real big blow, as he could handle himself with both bat and ball. Swann is respected enough to make a good captain. Sticking with Patel is an uninspired choice but what has really got me confused is the inclusion of Briggs and Borthwick. Both are decent spinners and an argument can be made for the inclusion of Briggs but if England really wanted to include another spinner, in particular a leggie than there can no longer be any justification for keeping Rashid out of the side unless he is injured. I know he hasn't has the best of seasons but his overall record is far better than that of Borthwick, he is a decent batsman and has useful international experience. Every time teh question is asked of the selectors or people in and around teh England side, they claim that Rashid is being developed under the tutelage of Mushy, but how long will that last. I'm sure, against the WI where a number of young players are being given a chance, it was the perfect opportunity to play Rashid.
Your thoughts.

 

[6ry4nj]

For me, the inclusion of Bairstow and Borthwick take this beyond the realms of "courageous selection" (which I like a lot) and into the realms of "Second team is good enough for them" (which I really don't like at all). I realize you sometimes put people in a squad that you're never going to put in the team, but I don't see the point of that. And even so, I think those two are a couple of last straws too far.

I suppose there were several others I could've "picked on". What I'm trying to say is, there's two too many left-field selections. I've just picked two who seemed the most extreme, out of 7 or 8 candidates.

 

[Haarithan]

Leave alone Rashid and Borthwick for the time being. Can anyone justify Anderson's presence in the squad? Averages 30+ with the ball in Twenty20s at a rather mediocre E/R off 8.35! Do they realize that he is insanely dreadful at the death?! But for him, I'm pretty much happy with the squad, though the batting lineup looks a bit flimsy for my liking - lacks something. I'm guessing they'll go with this XI:

Hales
Kieswetter
Bopara
Stokes/Bairstow
Patel
Buttler
Bresnan
Swann
Anderson
Dernbach
Briggs/Borthwick

----------

* Either of Anderson and Finn for the #9 spot, especially given the latter averages 28 at 7.63 runs an over.

 

[Owzat]

It is only the lowest form of life cricket, inclusions of the likes of Bairstow and Borthwick might be for the future, random, or maybe to avoid tiring Test players further - don't forget, thanks to an inanely stupid selection policy some of our players went on the Ashes, then played an ODI series in Australia, then played at the World Cup, then played Sri Lanka in Tests and ODIs, then played India in Tests, are playing India in ODIs..................... get the picture? They'll (ECB/England) be the first to point to fatigue and schedules, they're the ones picking the players though.



re Anderson, I think he is over-rated but do we have a stand out seamer who is that good? England tactically are too wooden, and maybe need to emulate the mancs at football where they know they can win games by using a squad and not just the same XI week in, week out. England resting KP might be the start of a sensible policy, although one rested per series won't make much difference. As England have maybe 6-8 bowlers of about the same ability they might as well use them, rest them, keep them fresh. After all we've got Anderson, Broad, Onions, Finn, Bresnan and Tremlett plus any others on the fringes.

Swann could probably do with a rest, while spinners may not exert as much energy in run-ups, fingers do take wear and tear from bowling so many overs and spinners tend to be bowled in longer spells/through. Batsmen might not need so much rest, but a break every now and then wouldn't make much difference.

 

[sifter132]

Well Bairstow showed some potential last night - maybe not such a bad call.

As for Anderson - there's 3 choices: 1) just tell him to forget T20Is - use it as a proving ground for the younger fast bowlers, 2) play him in T20 as much as possible to try and improve his skills, or 3) sidestep that decision and just give the guy a rest after a long summer.

 

[angryangy]

If you think England are deferring to the 2nd XI, then get a load of this

West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Christopher Barnwell, Miles Bascombe, Devendra Bishoo, Nkruma Bonner, Johnson Charles, Derwin Christian (wk), Fidel Edwards, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Dwayne Smith

 

[westindies2007]

If you think England are deferring to the 2nd XI, then get a load of this

West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Christopher Barnwell, Miles Bascombe, Devendra Bishoo, Nkruma Bonner, Johnson Charles, Derwin Christian (wk), Fidel Edwards, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Dwayne Smith

West Indies 3rd Strings team
I wish we had young Bravo, Simmon and Brath in this Team, unfortunately they are playing for Trinidad in CL 2011, wish them all de best.

 

[War]

Explosive Jonny Bairstow can show his Twenty20 vision as West Indies take on England | Mail Online

 

[ferg512]

Is this possibly the most meaningless international cricket series ever?? Maybe alongside every other twenty20 international played..

 

[angryangy]

it has great meaning. to fulfil an agreement with a broadcaster.

 

[westindies2007]

Is this possibly the most meaningless international cricket series ever?? Maybe alongside every other twenty20 international played..

Yep, i dont know what up between West Indies Cricket and England Cricket.
first after West Indies won against England in tha 1-0 in the west indies, and than a few month later England call West indies to England where Wi were beaten very bad. and now this So call T20. whats a series with Only 2 T20, at least they should of added 2 Test and 3 OD would be good.

 

[Sureshot]

If only you'd read the post above yours...

I think this series is a great opportunity for some players to make a name for themselves and get some ticks put against their name.

 

[Owzat]

So England B vs West Indies B is the tagline? Silly to even force the event, was this the big money 'series' that fell apart because the man fronting the money was a fraudster?

ECB need to review this daft home series policy, we're into September and nearly October and trying to play cricket. Is it a surprise the ODI series was so badly affected by rain?!?! August is late enough, September is a joke. And trying to play it at night with little wiggle room if it does rain, I suggest the whole schedule needs rethinking or perhaps scratching and start again. England have been made to look like world beaters by the touring sides, I know noone could have predicted how badly the Indians would perform, but it's just made for one long drag trying to fit in way too many Tests, ODIs and piddling T20s.

If they're going to play two T20s against everyone then make one at 10am and the second at 4pm on the same day.

 

[Sureshot]

This isn't the big money series, it's a compromise between ECB and Sky in fulfilling contractual obligations., The actual series that would have taken place had Stanford not been proven to be a fraudster of immense proportions, would have been much bigger and would have been a tri-series iirc.

Perfectly fine weather down here in Sussex in September!

 

[Ollie_H]

This isn't the big money series, it's a compromise between ECB and Sky in fulfilling contractual obligations., The actual series that would have taken place had Stanford not been proven to be a fraudster of immense proportions, would have been much bigger and would have been a tri-series iirc.

Quadrangular series or something. Wasn't it like a week of friendlies and then the two big games between an England XI and a Stanford Superstars team with the winners of the 2 respective domestic tournaments also going for a mini pay day.

I really enjoyed the first one and it had promise, just a shame he was done for fraud. Read a good article on cricinfo during the week, where Richards and someone else were saying Stanford was actually doing something really good for West Indies cricket and the West Indies itself before he was done for fraud.

Anyway, from watching one farce (CLT20) to another! I have to say though, I'm fairly excited, I really like the look of the young players in this line up! And it looks a pretty good side, so it should be good fun.