England's XI - best available?

Flintoff would fulfill Broad's batting though if he replaced him. If Broad was picked over Anderson on current form, because of his batting we'd be asking for trouble. Broad's got massive potential, but isn't reaching that potential in Test Cricket yet, a bowling attack of Flintoff, Sidebottom, Panesar and Anderson would be far more threatening and offer the same, if not more batting.

Pietersen's been off the boil, compared with his usual skill levels, but in this very lean period for him he still averages 35 this season. Which is extremely respectable considering this is the worst period of his career so far. Putting him down to 5 would be a knock to his confidence, and would be suicide for England, as we'd have an out of form, boring batsman at 4, meaning the entire top 4 scores at snail pace, which doesn't exactly set a good tone for the innings. Pietersen's been improving in this current series aswell, with scores of 3, 26 and 42 in that order. He would have guided us home aswell if it wasn't for the run out, and all doubts about his position would have gone. He should never be put down the order in favour of Collingwood.
 
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I'm not talking about Flintoff though, as he's not available for the next Test. If Flintoff comes in and bats at 8, then I agree, you'd obviously go with the best bowler.

With KP though, I don't think he's the sort of bloke who lacks confidence to be honest. If anything it could free him to play his natural game. Sometimes you can't just have the best players in the top 4, it doesn't work that way. Like I said, if he was scoring consistently well, then it wouldn't be up for debate, but he's not. Something needs to change. You seem to want change, but not for certain people, which is strange. Our middle order hasn't performed for a while, so changing the order should be looked at.
 
When the top order is in form, I think it's generally safe to say a team can afford to carry its middle order for quite a distance. Pietersen certainly should be given every opportunity, while I'm not sure if there is a certain replacement for the other two. I guess Ramprakash is easily the best batsman at county level, while Sales is probably the next most in form. I wouldn't think Sales is a clear cut winner and at 39, it's fair to say Ramps has had his chances. I suppose Hildreth would be a handy and youthful player, but again, not totally convincing. If nothing else, Collingwood and Bell are effective in the field; it would be crucial that their replacements offer that as well.

I don't see the point of a revolving door for the gloves. Pick one and stand by the choice.

I don't love Jimmy Anderson, but I can see the appeal. The team could certainly put up with his chaff if they had three other effective bowlers. Sidebottom is effective, Panesar is effective and Anderson will occasionally spit out a flurry of bonus wickets. England are pretty spoilt for choice if they wanted to replace Broad. I'm sure they could even find someone who can also consistently bat for ten overs. If they wanted to, that is.
 
Why is everyone so keen on Andrew Strauss? I'll admit he has the skill, but his consistancy isn't good enough for me. He only gets knocks when the last nail is going into his coffin!

There are better openers out there, being a Hants supporter i'd obviously say Michael Carberry would be an obvious replacement :p
 
You're joking right ? 4 fifties in a row, 2 of those hundreds, both of those hundreds winning England the game. He's incredibly consistent when on form, as proven by his current form. He's got fantastic off-stump awareness, is brilliant off his pads, is a great driver of the ball, he's had a tough 12 months, but has finally hit his form again, and looks the most solid player in the England line-up at the moment. He's been the best batsman in the Eng-NZ series so far.
 
Well if the opposition bowlers were that bad, then all our batsmen would be averaging 76, but that's just not the fact. All our other batsmen are barely averaging 35, Strauss is in immense form at the moment.
 
You can only perform against the team you're facing.
 
King Pietersen said:
Well if the opposition bowlers were that bad, then all our batsmen would be averaging 76, but that's just not the fact. All our other batsmen are barely averaging 35, Strauss is in immense form at the moment.
Click to expand...

They are being complacent, Strauss knows he has to perform to stay in the side, the other batsman have more leeway.

Agreed, Will, you can only perform against the team you're facing. I still think the Saffers will destroy him in a few weeks, when they bring some world class bowlers with them.
 
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