Jonathan Batty

[barmyarmy]

I mentioned this in passing in the Ashes thread but everyone studiously ignored me. I neglected to mention Jonathan Batty in my recent England keepers article and now I think it might have been an oversight.
He has averaged 60 over the last 2 seasons (I think!) opening the batting for Surrey and, whilst he's 32, would still be younger in 2009 than Gilchrist is now. It's clear that neither Read or Jones (or Prior or Foster etcetera) are good enough so why not go for the guy mentored by Alec Stewart.
Experienced, can bat against the new ball, England don't have enough Surrey players. How many more reasons could we want?
Anyhow until more sane people here bring me to my senses he's going into my sig...

 

[nightprowler10]

His stats sure seem impressive, and he certainly gave me a few whoppings in Cricket Coach. But if Fletcher stays as England's coach I don't see him getting a chance given big Dunc's history. I'm pretty sure I remember reading that Graveney has shown fondness towards him, so who knows, he might get a chance in the near future.

 

[RoboRocks]

Steven Davies should be the one thought of.
Should be back u keeper in the ODI side instead of Nixon who is 36.

 

[puddleduck]

I think it is definately a case of England almost treading water regarding their keepers until Davies comes of age, if he has a good start to next season they may even chuck him in then.

 

[MUFC1987]

Bstty is a journey-man really. Sure he gets a few big scores, but then with the pitches that Surrey play on, you'd expect it.

 

[aussie1st]

Still another 2 years for either Prior or Foster to come through, just stick with Read in the mean time and see if he comes good if not then hope one of the up and comers have stepped up.

 

[puddleduck]

Seems some of the Aussies were pretty impressed by Read, got given an 8 out of 10 by one of their newspapers end of series ratings. Was our highest ranked player which perhaps makes it a little dubious to take it particularly seriously as KP was our best player by a country mile.

Still, they clearly appreciated his glovework which was absolutely superb throughout the series even if his batting did struggle. To be fair to him though it must have been pretty tough being told you are not going to play any of the tests, get next to no match practice, and then be thrust into a side that has already lost the Ashes and keeps collapsing and leaving him with the tail.

 

[Sureshot]

I mentioned this in passing in the Ashes thread but everyone studiously ignored me. I neglected to mention Jonathan Batty in my recent England keepers article and now I think it might have been an oversight.
He has averaged 60 over the last 2 seasons (I think!) opening the batting for Surrey and, whilst he's 32, would still be younger in 2009 than Gilchrist is now. It's clear that neither Read or Jones (or Prior or Foster etcetera) are good enough so why not go for the guy mentored by Alec Stewart.
Experienced, can bat against the new ball, England don't have enough Surrey players. How many more reasons could we want?
Anyhow until more sane people here bring me to my senses he's going into my sig...

Can't really judge Prior as he's not played in a test yet.

As for Foster, he's a great keeper and has improved, he didn't average that badly for us either, considering the current bunch.

We need a fresh start though that's for sure. Batty? Why not.

 

[plympilgrim]

i think we need a keeper who can get vital runs, the thing about batty is he opens the batting. personally i think strauss and bell are solid at the top. He would be quite good to get in as people are saying he gets runs, what about his keeping??

If he was selected where would he bat at?

 

[Sureshot]

Like most English keepers his keeping is good (barring Jones).

 

[woodywiss sa sa]

He would have to Bat 7, If only because our bowlers batting ability.
And Aye, I could see Batty being involved, But Foster is by far and away the best keeper and the most improved Batsman, in both forms of the game and imo he should be the number 1. And just for Keeping youth interested it would be silly not to have Davies as his number 2, for pure being involved in the set up purposes.