English Domestic Cricket

[Dr. Pepper]

Lol, there was a lose weight ad on his page.

 

[Themer]

I've been calling for Patel to be in the test team for quite a while, I have no idea why his weight makes such a diffference some of the greats were slighly overweight so to put it, people like Inzamam Ul Haq and even Shane Warne was slightly too big during periods.

It annoys me that they'd rather have Bopara, who incedentally does deserve a chance, who averages nearly 10 less with the bat and 10 more with the ball.

 

[King Pietersen]

The game has changed since Inzamam and Warne were in their primes. Samit's clearly not fit enough, and has been advised 2 or 3 times to get fitter and lose weight, but has ignored the advise of the ECB. For me, it's not a matter of his weight alone, but the fact he's just ignored the advise given, and not improved his fitness or his weight. If he's not got the detirmination to lose weight, then I don't want him in the side. Simple.

Bopara's overall record may be 10 runs down on Patel, but averages of 60 and 56 in the last 2 seasons just can't be ignored.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Bopara's overall record may be 10 runs down on Patel, but averages of 60 and 56 in the last 2 seasons just can't be ignored.

Form is temporary, class is permanant.

Overall career records > Records of the past 2 years

 

[Themer]

He has decent fitness he's been the same size throughout his county career thus far and has averaged over 50. I also disagree with the game changing, if you're good enough regardless of weight you should play. As shown by Jesse Ryder who has had a great start to his career.

Patel has averaged over 50 for the past two seasons aswell and has averaged 30 with the ball.

 

[King Pietersen]

Ryder's clearly fit enough though, Patel isn't. As I said, it's not Patel's size that's worrying, but the fact he's been given advice to lose weight from the ECB and Notts, and ignored them. He's even been publicly blasted by his Notts coach. Until he pulls his finger out and gets fit, he shouldn't be in the team, and won't be picked.

Cricinfo - Patel should be embarrassed, says coach

 

[Themer]

Patels fit enough for me if he can average higher in first class cricket than anyone in the England team barring Pietersen.

 

[Mercules]

He could put on 5 more stone and I'd still rather have him than Batty.

 

[Kev]

Just back from Chelmsford. Great result for Kent. The game looked dead and buried at lunch, Kent just seemed to be content to bat forever for a draw. Declaration came 3 overs after lunch and Enter Robbie Joseph and Wayne Parnell. Wrapped up the win with just under 3 overs to go in the day's play.

 

[leftarmlegspin]

Parnell made a huge difference. Bowling attack looks quite weak this year. Any news on how long he's at the club for? I read it was an initial six weeks, how and when are they going to decide to extend that?

 

[Kev]

He'll be off to a South African bowling camp so he won't be extending his stay. Although I did hear somewhere that he might be coming back in the future.

Bowing is weak at the moment. Stefan Jones isn't really doing anything and I'd rather he went back to Somerset. Don't know how far away Simon Cook is from fitness, or Mahmood for that matter. But I'd prefer we give one of the young lads a go over someone on loan who isn't taking many wickets.

Edit: Looks like both Mahmood and Cook will travel to Southgate for the FPT match tomorrow.

 

[King Pietersen]

Middlesex bowled out for 133 against Kent. First time that Hughes has faced a remotely decent bowling attack, and he fails, making just 23 from 36, he was 2nd top scorer though to be fair. 6/27 from 10 overs for James Tredwell, proving that it should have been him, not Gareth Batty in the West Indies over the winter.

Essex have made 297 in their game against Glamorgan. Graham Napier smashed 42 from 18 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes to accelerate the run rate near the end. 99 from Chopra as well, plus an unbeaten 27* from James Foster, continuing his good score. Hopefully we'll be able to pull off a victory. Napier certainly seems to have strengthened the side. Napier, Masters, Kaneria and Tendo should do the damage with the ball!

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Good start to the season for Chopra, will be interesting to see how he does. He definitely has talent, I hope he does well because he could be a real star.

Pyrah bowled very well for Yorkshire but still a big target to chase. Rashid was very expensive but still got two wickets. Hopefully the batsmen can do well now.

 

[King Pietersen]

Yeh, he's started well in OD cricket this season. Scores of 76 and 99 in his 2 games so far shows talent. just needs to improve his FC record, and he's not started too well this season, with just 2 half centuries in 8 innings and an average of 24.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Yeah I was referring to OD cricket. His FC record isn't very good. But he does have the ability to become good in the longer game as well though.