If somehow Broad and Swann can get South Africa five down by the time they reach 100 then there is a glimmer of hope. IF ONLY England had seen Yardy for what he is about 10+ ODIs ago then maybe they'd have tried someone else and we'd have a second spinner worthy of the name and capable of playing.
Couple that with Anderson not being the be all and end all, maybe we could have taken/played someone like Panesar and with Swann, Broad and Bresnan all able to bat a bit then they'd be looking for a fifth bowler who could be a spinner OR a seamer.
And of course England did so little preparation leading up to the World Cup, seven ODIs but not using Tredwell or Pietersen as bowling options It's not even as if we won the series, we got our asses tanned bigtime. Where was the preparation? Should have been finalising the squad about a year ago having spent the previous three years establishing our best XI, even now there is little clarity on that.
As for any excuse of fatigue, England could EASILY have left several of the Test players out of the ODIs for the past 12-18 months. Leave out Swann and tried a spinner, it is not as if this World Cup VENUE was a secret Maybe play 2 out of Pietersen, Strauss, Bell and Trott, one out of Broad and Bresnan and basically rest the rest, alternating those rested while trying back-up and potentials for first XI duties. But oh no, England try to win every match and persist with rubbish until it is too late. I'm guessing Yardy will be discarded after this World Cup, a little too little a little too late
Couple that with Anderson not being the be all and end all, maybe we could have taken/played someone like Panesar and with Swann, Broad and Bresnan all able to bat a bit then they'd be looking for a fifth bowler who could be a spinner OR a seamer.
And of course England did so little preparation leading up to the World Cup, seven ODIs but not using Tredwell or Pietersen as bowling options It's not even as if we won the series, we got our asses tanned bigtime. Where was the preparation? Should have been finalising the squad about a year ago having spent the previous three years establishing our best XI, even now there is little clarity on that.
As for any excuse of fatigue, England could EASILY have left several of the Test players out of the ODIs for the past 12-18 months. Leave out Swann and tried a spinner, it is not as if this World Cup VENUE was a secret Maybe play 2 out of Pietersen, Strauss, Bell and Trott, one out of Broad and Bresnan and basically rest the rest, alternating those rested while trying back-up and potentials for first XI duties. But oh no, England try to win every match and persist with rubbish until it is too late. I'm guessing Yardy will be discarded after this World Cup, a little too little a little too late