India in England/Ireland/Scotland

[Adarsh]

It generally is for the England team. Most of our players our blooded in the shorter format first.

Harmison made his debut in Tests, so did Monty. Hoggard certainly did. Come to think of it, so did Flintoff. Simon Jones too.

Basically, all the best bowlers made their debut in tests, because they're test specialists (apart from Flintoff). It's no surprise, therefore, that those who come on the strength of the ODI game only, aren't as successful.

And that's why I suggest don't pick Anderson just because his OD performances have been good.

 

[evertonfan]

It's not just his OD performances, he's been constantly taking wickets for Lancs in his FC games as well. He got 5 on an absolute deadpan last week. Broad or Onions just aren't ready for cricket yet.

 

[Adarsh]

Ok. But part of your arguement was that OD performances should be given significant value.

 

[evertonfan]

Yeah I suppose so. Strictly speaking though, I was using it to say that he is on form and you should pick players who are on form no matter what form of the game it's in. I realise i'm contradicting myself as Onions himself is on form, but I still don't think he should be picked as he's not ready yet.

 

[rabeta]

It's not just his OD performances, he's been constantly taking wickets for Lancs in his FC games as well. He got 5 on an absolute deadpan last week. Broad or Onions just aren't ready for cricket yet.

Agreed. Shorter match performances should count. He showed in the ODI series, and in the FC match the other day, that he is accurate and has a wicket-taking ability that he used to lack. His attitude seems to have changed, and he seems to want to be patient in getting wickets, no alaways looking for an amzingly delivery. He is the most sensible choice, and the most productive choice imo, well unless Saj was fit. I am being serious, I like saj

 

[evertonfan]

The one thing Anderson always has is a knack of taking wickets. Even when he's getting carted around the ground he will take wickets that break a partnership. How many times have England not had enough penetration when a big partnership is racking up in the past few years? Anderson can break them. He has a 'golden arm'. I would be very disappointed if he didn't play on Thursday.

 

[SaiSrini]

India should be thankful to Sachin for putting them in this position where they are just less than 80 runs behind the England Lions score. It was a classy innings. Was following on Cricinfo but could feel the type of innings Sachin was playing today.

It seems he had made some changes to the way he bats. Cricinfo said that Sachin was standing more upright which helped him not play across and his left shoulder was leaning nicely into the drives. Hope he goes on like this in the tests. Tendulkar in this form, England will be crying at the end of the series (well, not literally!).

Yuvraj played a decent knock today, but I think they might still go with Dhoni who is also doing well here this time.

 

[evertonfan]

I'm not too worried about Tendulkar batting like this. It's all well and good hammering our reserves to all parts when the pressure is off, his real test is whether or not he can do it when the pressure is on against our proper team.

Of course I know i'm going to regret saying these words after he scores 300 at Lords, but hey ho.

 

[Adarsh]

Hmm. India have got a mighty problem about the No.7 position. Laxman failed today, but played well in the last game. Yuvraj was excellent in the last ODI series ...but that's OD, Dhoni has played well today.

I'd be gutted if Jaffar gets through. Perhaps play Yuvraj instead of Jaffer and make him open ? But I suppose that'll just be harsh on Gambhir who's in the team as an opener.

It's all well and good hammering our reserves to all parts when the pressure is off, his real test is whether or not he can do it when the pressure is on against our proper team.

Ah, but there was pressure. He came in at a horrible situation, and India may even have been forced to follow on. It's not Test match pressure, yes, but there was pressure nonetheless.

 

[evertonfan]

I look forward to Sachin vs Monty. It will be one of the duels of the summer and I think that Monty will be up to the task. Has anyone seen the promo on Sky for the England vs India series? So cheesy but you still gotta love Monty.

 

[Animator!]

Yeah! That promo is horrific, but hilarious.

 

[evertonfan]

It's the way he says, "I'll put them in a spin" and then fake laughs. Monty might be a terrific spinner, but leave the acting to someone else Monty mate.

 

[Animator!]

You can tell he wants to die a little inside when he's doing it.
Takes the gloss off really.

 

[prarara]

What's the promo like?

 

[evertonfan]

They should have got Pietersen to do it. He'd relish it. It'd be funny if Harmison did it though, he shakes with nerves whenever he's doing an interview so imagine what he'd be like doing that?

Staying on topic though, it really would be lovely for Monty to get the wood on Tendulkar (giggle) this series.