England's tour of Sri Lanka - November/December 2014

What about Roy? But I like the look of that possible side

Roy is someone who could be added. I'm slightly dubious about how his technique would stand up at international level however I very much enjoyed how much confidence he showed on his t20i debut. Not many batsmen get off the mark in international cricket with a reverse sweep for starters.
 
I think a key to England doing well in the future is the IPL we need more players in there and more one day specialists. The sweep shot England's answer to international spin its painful to watch they need to advance and get the feet moving. I suppose I was more concerned about Robson's technique but I would agree with your theory about Roy.
 
I think England Batsman have a floor in general that they are backfoot players so forcing them on the front foot will just cause problems in itself so maybe its a grass roots problem that needs to be addressed. If you look at the current legends all front foot in technique and the fact that KP is front footed maybe showed that not many people can see the problem because he came to play for England but didn't learn his trade here. Just a theory of mine
 
I think England Batsman have a floor in general that they are backfoot players so forcing them on the front foot will just cause problems in itself so maybe its a grass roots problem that needs to be addressed. If you look at the current legends all front foot in technique and the fact that KP is front footed maybe showed that not many people can see the problem because he came to play for England but didn't learn his trade here. Just a theory of mine

It's a good theory tbh, having played a lot of cricket in England, obviously not at an exceptional high level but for school and club, because of the way pitches are here, the back foot is very important. I developed a front foot method simply because in the early days I played a lot on damp astro turf where you really have to get out there to hit the ball. But it really isn't any excuse, an international level batsman has to be able to adapt to multiple conditions.

Anyway, a lot of negativity here for Cook and sadly, I have to agree for once. I'm a massive Cook fan and his comeback to ODI cricket was a good one but he has really tapered off. Maybe the pressure is too much, who knows. Ali on the other hand has been the most impressive player for England in the last couple months, period. Now I don't know what's going on with Jimmy and Broad, haven't h ad a chance to follow cricket as much with uni and exams but are they injured? Rested? Which would be stupid considering the WC is round the corner.

Edit: just read up that Jimmy is injured...mmmm WC doubts?

Looking at the current squad and keeping in mind Cook's suspension, I think the most realistic team is probably:

1. Hales
2. Ali
3. Bell
4. Root
5. Morgan
6. Bopara
7. Buttler
8. Stokes
9. Woakes
10. Tredwell
11. Finn

That bowling line up is just weak, no other words for it.
 
However, if I had my way and could pick from a selection of fully fit players, for a team I'd feel was going to be competitive in the WC in Aus/NZ, this is what I'd go for:

1. Ali
2. Hales
3. Bell
4. Root
5. Morgan
6. Bopara
7. Buttler WK
8. Woakes
9. Broad C
10. Jordan
11. Anderson

Ali is the only spinner in there but in those conditions, the experience of Jimmy and Broad will have to shoulder the weight. I'm not too convinced with Woakes or Stokes so it's really a toss up. Bell may be replaced by Taylor or a move up the order for Morgan so he has to play for his position. But it's a balanced side, with experience, skill and youth.
 
I think a key to England doing well in the future is the IPL we need more players in there and more one day specialists. The sweep shot England's answer to international spin its painful to watch they need to advance and get the feet moving.
You mean like Moeen Ali does? He didn't learn that in the IPL by the way.

As a Country we seem to have this mental block that we don't have players who are capable unless they play in the IPL or have already played for England. I'll say what I've been saying for a while, there is plenty of talent in County Cricket, the England selectors just need to give them a chance rather than going back to the same old players. You just look at the likes of Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler. A couple of years ago, many England fans would have said that we don't have players who are capable of doing what they do. But we did, because they'd been doing it for a while already, they just needed the opportunity.

This is part of why I'd much rather see James Taylor being given a chance ahead of Ian Bell, because at least there is potential there to be brilliant, which is deserving of a chance. For example, I'm not a fan of Jason Roy, I think he has a poor technique, but if he's sticking up the numbers domestically, then he should get a chance in the England side. We're not going to win the World Cup, so where's the point in playing the likes of Cook and Bell, when we could be giving exciting, younger players the opportunity to perform at that level. It's the same reason that I'd rather see Ben Stokes in the side rather than Samit Patel. Let's give these talented players a chance.
 
Has there ever been another time when the vast majority of a nation's fans were pleased that their captain was banned?
 
You mean like Moeen Ali does? He didn't learn that in the IPL by the way.

As a Country we seem to have this mental block that we don't have players who are capable unless they play in the IPL or have already played for England. I'll say what I've been saying for a while, there is plenty of talent in County Cricket, the England selectors just need to give them a chance rather than going back to the same old players. You just look at the likes of Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler. A couple of years ago, many England fans would have said that we don't have players who are capable of doing what they do. But we did, because they'd been doing it for a while already, they just needed the opportunity.

This is part of why I'd much rather see James Taylor being given a chance ahead of Ian Bell, because at least there is potential there to be brilliant, which is deserving of a chance. For example, I'm not a fan of Jason Roy, I think he has a poor technique, but if he's sticking up the numbers domestically, then he should get a chance in the England side. We're not going to win the World Cup, so where's the point in playing the likes of Cook and Bell, when we could be giving exciting, younger players the opportunity to perform at that level. It's the same reason that I'd rather see Ben Stokes in the side rather than Samit Patel. Let's give these talented players a chance.
The IPL would be a great learning curve to master skills and improve on technique it doesn't mean if you haven't played in it that your not a good player I think it would help. We do have the talent in this country and maybe its the selectors who don't know what a cricket ball is and listen to wrong people. I would drop Bell and tell him to go play for his county and to come back when he has more hunger to play because like the England football team its always the same faces and you know what the line up is. I think to be a good one day team look at Australia and what they do we could learn so much from them. I don't think England one day cricket has changed and adapted.
 
It's a good theory tbh, having played a lot of cricket in England, obviously not at an exceptional high level but for school and club, because of the way pitches are here, the back foot is very important. I developed a front foot method simply because in the early days I played a lot on damp astro turf where you really have to get out there to hit the ball. But it really isn't any excuse, an international level batsman has to be able to adapt to multiple conditions.

Anyway, a lot of negativity here for Cook and sadly, I have to agree for once. I'm a massive Cook fan and his comeback to ODI cricket was a good one but he has really tapered off. Maybe the pressure is too much, who knows. Ali on the other hand has been the most impressive player for England in the last couple months, period. Now I don't know what's going on with Jimmy and Broad, haven't h ad a chance to follow cricket as much with uni and exams but are they injured? Rested? Which would be stupid considering the WC is round the corner.

Edit: just read up that Jimmy is injured...mmmm WC doubts?

Looking at the current squad and keeping in mind Cook's suspension, I think the most realistic team is probably:

1. Hales
2. Ali
3. Bell
4. Root
5. Morgan
6. Bopara
7. Buttler
8. Stokes
9. Woakes
10. Tredwell
11. Finn

That bowling line up is just weak, no other words for it.
I think the core of the England team are still in shock. By that we had a system and a way doing things and Flower at the helm Now they don't seem to be reading all from the same page they are more individuals than pulling together as a team. Anderson and Broad it might be the bullying claims that has rocked the confidence. It could be that we have a certain captain who doesn't install confidence and is tactically poor. I think if we don't choose the correct bowlers it will prove to be a very short WC.
 
However, if I had my way and could pick from a selection of fully fit players, for a team I'd feel was going to be competitive in the WC in Aus/NZ, this is what I'd go for:

1. Ali
2. Hales
3. Bell
4. Root
5. Morgan
6. Bopara
7. Buttler WK
8. Woakes
9. Broad C
10. Jordan
11. Anderson

Ali is the only spinner in there but in those conditions, the experience of Jimmy and Broad will have to shoulder the weight. I'm not too convinced with Woakes or Stokes so it's really a toss up. Bell may be replaced by Taylor or a move up the order for Morgan so he has to play for his position. But it's a balanced side, with experience, skill and youth.
I would like a second spinner if the ball is not doing much and with the conditions they face over there. Ali can be sloppy and I don't think he has the discipline yet of a main spinner. I would keep Root and Bell for test cricket I think there more conservative batsman and wouldn't be dynamic enough maybe Taylor and take a big gamble on Roy.
 
That is practically my world cup lineup right there to be honest except possibly Morgan to captain I think and dependent on conditions Tredwell in for Jordan.

Tomorrow I expect Taylor to come in for Cook hopefully. Assume Hales will move up to open, and Taylor will either simply slot in at 3 or Morgan (good chance to gain some form up the order as bumble said) or Root will push up into that position and Taylor will come in at 4.
 
I'm not sure Stokes can go to the WC in this form. Bresnan or Plunkett may be in with a chance.
 
I think the core of the England team are still in shock. By that we had a system and a way doing things and Flower at the helm Now they don't seem to be reading all from the same page they are more individuals than pulling together as a team. Anderson and Broad it might be the bullying claims that has rocked the confidence. It could be that we have a certain captain who doesn't install confidence and is tactically poor. I think if we don't choose the correct bowlers it will prove to be a very short WC.

I do agree that there is a certain sense of disharmony and if what we've heard of senior players being less than welcoming of the younger guys then it really can harm a team. However, it's not just the psychological edge that England lack, they also lack truly match winning players. Ali seems to be developing into one of those, Jimmy at his best is definitely one but with Cook at the helm, I'm not sure how far the ODI squad can go.

Like I said, I used to be a huge backer of the Cook captaincy but with Australia, KP-gate and his own lack of confidence, I think his time is up. He seems mroe disruptive than calming.

I would like a second spinner if the ball is not doing much and with the conditions they face over there. Ali can be sloppy and I don't think he has the discipline yet of a main spinner. I would keep Root and Bell for test cricket I think there more conservative batsman and wouldn't be dynamic enough maybe Taylor and take a big gamble on Roy.

Let's discuss Ali first, he averages around 45 with 3 50s and a century to his name, without a doubt the best England batsman in that period, along with that he's taken a wicket in almost every game BUT yes, he isn't as good as a front line spinner but in Australia I'm not sure that's what we need if I'm being honest. We need good pace bowlers who will pick up wickets with some spinners that can restrain the run rate AND get through some quick overs. Morgan bowls a bit as does Bell, is that enough to fill in the gaps when needed? I've already got 6 bowlers including Ali and Bopara.

The only other spin option is maybe Tredwell or possibly an addition of Borthwick? Rashid? But in a tournament of this magnitude? I don't know. It's a tough call in terms of spinners and including a full time spinner needs a batsman will have to go?

In terms of Bell and Root...especially in case of the latter, you have got it wrong. The guy has 2 centuries, an average of almost 40 and a pretty good strike rate. He's already had two decent scores in the series and has never been slow. In terms of Bell, he is way too inconsistent but he has shown intent and a real eagerness to try and hit out and score as fast as possible. That's the mentality England need and he should be given a shot but there's no reason why he can't be rotated with Taylor who shoed a little spark today.
 
Can't help but feel that Stokes has been hung out to dry by the England selections. We're essentially telling him that we don't think he's good enough to bat in the top 7, or good enough to be one of the first 6 bowling options. So as well as it being pointless picking him for that role, we've destroyed any confidence he might have had to begin with. Tredwell must also be having the time of his life watching Joe Root bowling plenty of overs instead of him.[DOUBLEPOST=1417954212][/DOUBLEPOST]Oh and major shock that someone (Taylor) has come out of County Cricket and performed well. The talent is there.
 

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