Group B - 9th Match Netherslands v Pakistan

[The_gas]

Dunno. He's talented, but I'm not convinced he should be picked as a pure bowler ahead of the likes of Anderson, Broad, Sidebottom and Swann. As an all-rounder he should definitely be in though. His hitting may be inconsistent, but if he gets going he'll smash bowling attacks around. I don't agree with you saying that Lee's batting line-up wouldn't get more than 140 either. There may be quite a few all-rounders in there, but no-one in that line-up is a dud with the bat except Jimmy. It'd certainly be a stronger batting line-up than the one that played against Netherlands.

What would be your x11 for this game Dan?

 

[King Pietersen]

But after Wright and Napier (Napes wouldn't be at 3 in my line-up anyway, I said that), you'd have Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Mascheranas, Foster, Rashid, Broad and Swann. They should be capable of getting more than 140 between them. They're all decent batsmen, Swann's actually in very good batting form.

Gas, mine would be:

1. Ravi Bopara
2. Luke Wright
3. Kevin Pietersen *
4. Graham Napier
5. Paul Collingwood
6. Dimitri Mascheranas
7. James Foster +
8. Graeme Swann
9. Adil Rashid
10. Stuart Broad
11. James Anderson/Ryan Sidebottom

Pietersen should be captain, but that's not going to happen. If he's not fit, then we're basically screwed, but I'd bat Morgan at 3 if he is injured. Man we need Trott in the T20 and ODi sides.

 

[The_gas]

But after Wright and Napier (Napes wouldn't be at 3 in my line-up anyway, I said that), you'd have Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Mascheranas, Foster, Rashid, Broad and Swann. They should be capable of getting more than 140 between them. They're all decent batsmen, Swann's actually in very good batting form.

Gas, mine would be:

1. Ravi Bopara
2. Luke Wright
3. Kevin Pietersen *
4. Graham Napier
5. Paul Collingwood
6. Dimitri Mascheranas
7. James Foster +
8. Graeme Swann
9. Adil Rashid
10. Stuart Broad
11. James Anderson/Ryan Sidebottom

Pietersen should be captain, but that's not going to happen. If he's not fit, then we're basically screwed, but I'd bat Morgan at 3 if he is injured. Man we need Trott in the T20 and ODi sides.

Well Dan, it pains me to say it but i'd say you were more or less spot on there.

+1 for Pietersen as captain. Its obvious to everyone it seems.

I would prefer someone else over Siddy though, but don't ask me who, Bresnan maybe? He can slog right?

 

[AndyRAC]

After the victory against West Indies i got a false sense of security about the England team.

Then came the Netherlands game, and now i think we're bull plop.

We really lack some quality hitters. I know Dimi can hit the the ball, and he should be in the side but most other sides seem to have people that can smash sixes almost all the way through the line up. We seem terribly mediocre without Fred and Kp. I know very little about Napier, but it seems we need him in the side, lets hope he can help us clear the ropes.

Every time i have predicted an England win, we lose. So, i predict a comfortable victory for Pakistan.

England seem to be stuck in a time-warp. It appears thry are still playing 1980's ODI's - which was when they were good. The game has moved on, all the other teams come up with new innovations - England don't, and don't always follow what the rest do.
The lack of 6's is quite incredible.
I'd drop a bowler and play both Mascaranhas and Napier - we have too many players who just 'nurdle' 1's & 2's. That isn't good enough - 4's & 6's are needed.

 

[Howsie]

But after Wright and Napier (Napes wouldn't be at 3 in my line-up anyway, I said that), you'd have Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Mascheranas, Foster, Rashid, Broad and Swann. They should be capable of getting more than 140 between them. They're all decent batsmen, Swann's actually in very good batting form.

Gas, mine would be:

1. Ravi Bopara
2. Luke Wright
3. Kevin Pietersen *
4. Graham Napier
5. Paul Collingwood
6. Dimitri Mascheranas
7. James Foster +
8. Graeme Swann
9. Adil Rashid
10. Stuart Broad
11. James Anderson/Ryan Sidebottom

Pietersen should be captain, but that's not going to happen. If he's not fit, then we're basically screwed, but I'd bat Morgan at 3 if he is injured. Man we need Trott in the T20 and ODi sides.

Foster is such a waste in this team, England should of gone for a keeper that can clear the ropes. Who are some of the players that didn't make the 15 man squad that you guys would of picked, Trott is one of them I gather.

 

[King Pietersen]

Well Dan, it pains me to say it but i'd say you were more or less spot on there.

+1 for Pietersen as captain. Its obvious to everyone it seems.

I would prefer someone else over Siddy though, but don't ask me who, Bresnan maybe? He can slog right?

Can't say I agree about Sidey anymore. A few months back (when he was playing with injuries) I'd have agreed, but he's been incredibly impressive in the first couple of games. Bowling at decent pace, and been very good at the death. Hard to drop Jimmy though tbh, so Sidey would probably be left out. Hard to pick a side that's strong on batting and bowling, but we need as much batting as we can get, so Sidey has to go unfortunately.

 

[Mercules]

I'd go:

1. Ravi Bopara
2. Luke Wright
3. Kevin Pietersen
4. Owais Shah
5. Graham Napier
6. Dimitri Mascarenhas (c)
7. Graeme Swann
8. James Foster (wk)
9. Stuart Broad
10. Ryan Sidebottom
11. James Anderson

but I can't see it so Collingwood for a seamer, not sure who I'd drop though.

 

[barmyarmy]

Going to watch this one. Hope England can put in a half-decent display...

 

[The_gas]

Going to watch this one. Hope England can put in a half-decent display...

Colin, you're a man with a plan, predictions?

Wicked, England have Swann and the legendary Rashid in the side, Wicked!

 

[King Pietersen]

Foster is such a waste in this team, England should of gone for a keeper that can clear the ropes. Who are some of the players that didn't make the 15 man squad that you guys would of picked, Trott is one of them I gather.

Foster's the best T20 Keeper in England. Not sure why you don't rate him.

Not sure who else I'd have wanted in the side, bar Trescothick, but he's retired from International cricket, so that wasn't going to happen.

KP's fit

Wright
Bopara
Pietersen
Shah
Collingwood
Mascheranas
Foster +
Rashid
Swann
Broad
Anderson

Is the side for today. I'd forgotten about Shah tbh.

 

[Mercules]

Colin, you're a man with a plan, predictions?

Wicked, England have Swann and the legendary Rashid in the side, Wicked!

so legendary he's got tonked by Scotland & Netherlands :

He'll go for many more runs than Sidebottom would even if he is a greater wicket threat

 

[King Pietersen]

Batting first. That's bad. All out for 130. We'll be out with a whimper today.

 

[Howsie]

TBH I haven't seen that much of him, but having a keeper bat at seven is such a waste if your top six isn't that great. He may be the best keeper in England, but saving a few runs a innings isn't that great in 20/20 cricket.

 

[The_gas]

so legendary he's got tonked by Scotland & Netherlands :

He'll go for many more runs than Sidebottom would even if he is a greater wicket threat

Heh, he's legendary in my eyes. Sure he's gone for runs, but as Bumble says a leg spinner in T20 will go for runs, but get you wickets. I'm happy to agree with Bumble, who is far more knowledgeable than me.

Also, as Dan or someone said, in reality its a rather meaningless tournament and it will be good experience for him.

Long live the Rashid.

I can feel a Rashid fan base member group coming on.

Hmmmm.

 

[Ollie_H]

Foster is such a waste in this team, England should of gone for a keeper that can clear the ropes. Who are some of the players that didn't make the 15 man squad that you guys would of picked, Trott is one of them I gather.

Completely disagree! Foster really has earnt his place in the side! He is probably the best keeper in the country and I think what you haven't seen fo him is he actually can hit these boundaries. In this case I think we do need a real keeper but Prior could have played just for his batting. I think it might be just about worth it.