Owais Shah - Why the ENG ODI & T20 team must recall him.

[War]

As England prepare to name their ODI and T20 squads for the current series vs PAK, obviously coming off the back of two disheartening experiences vs spin bowling during the ODI series in India and the just concluded test series - it is obvious ENG have big problems playing spin.

With the T20 WC title to defend if they don't adequately fix these problems in the shorter format especially, they will get throttled in Sri Lanka later this year.

Regardless of the test teams recent struggles I have allot of faith in the formula of the test set-up to be able to recover from this setback, but the limited overs team are a totally different kettle of fish and the batting line-up needs a experienced head to negotiate spin bowling IMO far more than an infusion of youngsters such a Buttler, Hales or Bairstow.

While running through this Gayle Phenomenon article - Chris Gayle in Twenty20 matches since 2011:A phenomenon in the shortest form | Cricket Features | Big Bash League | ESPN Cricinfo, it was surprised (if not totally) to see that controversially discarded Owais Shah has been one of the top 5 T20 run-scorers world wide since 2011.

His form continued in just concluded Big Bash with him being amongst the top 4 run-scorers Cricket Records | Big Bash League, 2011/12 | Records | Most runs | ESPN Cricinfo.

While late last year he was named South Africa T20 player of the year for helping Cape Cobras win that domestic title. South Africa news: Jacques Kallis is South Africa's Cricketer of the Year | South Africa Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo

Looking away from the flimsy running between the wickets reasoning that the selectors axing him from the ODI side in 2009, leagues around the world keep picking him and his stats speak for itself.

One of his great strengths was always his ability to play spin, so ENG selectors would be wise to recall him to ODI and T20 set-ups (especially) - not doing so would be a massive fail.

 

[sifter132]

I don't mind that idea.

One thing I discovered the other day: the last time England won a Test in Asia (vs a non-Bangladesh team) was vs India, Mumbai, 2006. A Mr Owais Shah made 88 in the first innings and 38 in the 2nd Other things of interest: Ian Bell opened with Strauss, while Shaun Udal and Monty were the spin twins. And James Anderson took 6 wkts back when he was considered crap on flat wickets.

 

[aussie1st]

Shah struggled early in the BBL and the Hobart fans were wondering what they had signed but he really came good in the end. I don't know the other options England have but it's hard to ignore his stats.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

it will be a big ask for england which has traditionally preferred to add new players when they're young with the intention of grooming them for international cricket.

however, more and more teams are having success by pulling older, more street wise, players into the fold either by recall or just out of the blue. even though england usually prefer to pick young players they've unarguably built their recent success to a large extent on two players in this mould in trott and swann (and to lesser extent tremlett) so yeah, I can see it being worthwhile, even if it is just in the short term surely it's worth trying shah with the t20 world championship round the corner.

 

[Ahmad94]

He is my favourite english player no idea why but love his style and very composed player. England need him in a hard situation like this. Better to bring someone like him in instead of debutants

 

[Owzat]

Reminds me of Edwin Starr.

Shah, what is he good fah, absolutely nothing, say it again now.

 

[angryangy]

He could be a dodgy runner, but he did play in a dodgy team. England still tend to over strategise their one day side rather than taking what they've got and working with it (see also Trott's fault).

 

[War]

Well the selectors have missed the trick by leaving out.

With Pietersen opening now, it leaves a bit of a hole in the middle-order and this is where Shah's experience would be key.

Hopefully the selectors see the light soon.

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He could be a dodgy runner, but he did play in a dodgy team. England still tend to over strategise their one day side rather than taking what they've got and working with it (see also Trott's fault).

Ye exactly, the selectors took a long time to pick Trott in the ODI team and although you can still be critical about his scoring at times in ODIs - he is still the best ENG can do for an ODI middle-order batsman and so is Shah.

 

[Owzat]

England need to avoid doing a Ramprakash with players, recall, drop, recall, drop, recall, drop.

But at the moment some seem unable to do anything wrong (in the eyes of the selectors) even when they're doing diddly squat.

Mixed feelings on Shah, I think a bigger problem is us taking wickets and the number seven spot rather than specifics about which batsman ie balance not personnel. Hard to make a case for T20 recall since England are doing fine in that format, for what it's worth (as a format)

 

[Sureshot]

I've always felt Shah was more talented than his performances, but he's had his chances and his international career is over, I see no way back in for him.

 

[MUFC1987]

With Pietersen opening now, it leaves a bit of a hole in the middle-order and this is where Shah's experience would be key.

Trott averaging 51 and Morgan averaging 40 in an England shirt isn't that big a hole, in my opinion(!)

On Shah though, I felt it was harsh dropping him at the time, but I think his time has come and gone now. Very good player on his day, especially in an aggressive sense, but there's just not a space for him in the side at the moment. Even in the T20 setup, I think we'd be better off giving Buttler and Bairstow experience, as they'll be mainstays for years to come.

 

[War]

I've always felt Shah was more talented than his performances, but he's had his chances and his international career is over, I see no way back in for him.

He had his chances and was stupidly dropped for exaggerated concerns about his running between the wickets ability. Yet T20 leagues around the world in which such an problem could certainly deter buyers constantly seek his surface and he has produced top performances.

After he was a fringe player who no one really rated between 2001-2006.

He finally got a full run in the side from 2007 home series vs Windies - 2009 ICC Champions trophy in which he averaged 35.

Not amazing numbers, but it was amongst the top three averages for an ENG batsman ATT, given KP was in decline and Collingwood was having a good run.

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Trott averaging 51 and Morgan averaging 40 in an England shirt isn't that big a hole, in my opinion(!)

It is with KP opening, since you have in the middle-order other than those two - Bopara who is yet to fully establish himself and Buttler/Bairstow unproven although talented.

Plus Cook still has long term question marks about his viability in the ODI team and if he is dropped ahead, Trott may have to open or another talented/unproven youngster in Hales will have to come in.

Which would mean in a potential ENG ODI top 7, you only have 3 quality ODI player in KP, Trott, Morgan - which wont be ideal.

but there's just not a space for him in the side at the moment. Even in the T20 setup, I think we'd be better off giving Buttler and Bairstow experience, as they'll be mainstays for years to come.

As aforementioned Buttler and Bairstow and unproven although talented. We already saw how Bairstow struggled in India vs the spin after his exciting debut, another poor showing in UAE he could be sent to scrap heap.

Buttler too although i love what i see in him, still has to show it at intentional level.

A world cup is all about experience, Australia just recalled Bragg Hogg at age 40 to bolster their spin attack, since they realized they need a solid experienced spinner in Sri Lankan conditions come the world cup, instead of depending solely on youngsters like Doherty, Smith and O'Keefe.

With Shah being one the top 5 T20 batsmen in the world over the past 12+ months, he is certainly worth a place in ENGs T20 plans looking ahead to the world cup.

 

[MUFC1987]

Let's face facts here, with regards to 50 over cricket, the only games that England really worry about, are the World Cups. The next one is in 2015, by which time Shah will be what, 36? Something like that. So essentially, he's not going to make it. Now's the time to try the 'unproven' players to see what they do have, to see which will be the best players for the assault on the World Cup.

T20 is obviously slightly different, due to the timing of the next world Cup. Perhaps there is a spot that he could fill at 4, between KP and Morgan, but I just don't think the selectors will go for it. And in a way, I'd rather see guys like Buttler and Bairstow being backed, rather than going back to the someone like Shah. Our World T20 success showed that we can compete and we still do well in most T20 matches, with that Nucleus of Kieswetter, KP and Morgan in the top 5. There's no need for Shah to return for me, as simply put, we're not desperate for him in that format. I like the guy, but his England days are behind him.

 

[Owzat]

Let's face facts here, with regards to 50 over cricket, the only games that England really worry about, are the World Cups. The next one is in 2015, by which time Shah will be what, 36? Something like that. So essentially, he's not going to make it. Now's the time to try the 'unproven' players to see what they do have, to see which will be the best players for the assault on the World Cup.

T20 is obviously slightly different, due to the timing of the next world Cup. Perhaps there is a spot that he could fill at 4, between KP and Morgan, but I just don't think the selectors will go for it. And in a way, I'd rather see guys like Buttler and Bairstow being backed, rather than going back to the someone like Shah. Our World T20 success showed that we can compete and we still do well in most T20 matches, with that Nucleus of Kieswetter, KP and Morgan in the top 5. There's no need for Shah to return for me, as simply put, we're not desperate for him in that format. I like the guy, but his England days are behind him.

I agree entirely, but then campaigns such as this to recall one player who was at best average and maybe a bit hard done by a few years ago, are daft. It would have been like recalling gRamps a few years ago, no long term point and no guarantee he'd do anything short term either.

 

[War]

Let's face facts here, with regards to 50 over cricket, the only games that England really worry about, are the World Cups. The next one is in 2015, by which time Shah will be what, 36? Something like that. So essentially, he's not going to make it. Now's the time to try the 'unproven' players to see what they do have, to see which will be the best players for the assault on the World Cup.

That approach is why England have had such a terribly patchy record in ODI cricket since the 1992 world cup. Not having a proper series by series plan like what successful ODI teams like Australia have had, means ENG would always go into world-cups in bad shape.

I would dispute heavily that just because he is 36, he won't be able to make the 2015 WC Squad. If he is good enough - age won't be an issue - and he will make the team. AUS 2007 WC winning squad have 3-4 guys who were around that age.

I don't know how long you have followed English cricket, but after the 1999/00 ODI series in S Africa, the then ENG selectors dropped Alec Stewart in "planning and testing unproven players" in preparation for the 2003 world cup. Yet come WC 2003 - Stewart was a key member of that squad.

T20 is obviously slightly different, due to the timing of the next world Cup. Perhaps there is a spot that he could fill at 4, between KP and Morgan, but I just don't think the selectors will go for it. And in a way, I'd rather see guys like Buttler and Bairstow being backed, rather than going back to the someone like Shah. Our World T20 success showed that we can compete and we still do well in most T20 matches, with that Nucleus of Kieswetter, KP and Morgan in the top 5. There's no need for Shah to return for me, as simply put, we're not desperate for him in that format. I like the guy, but his England days are behind him.

Having him back in the T20 team for the world-cup wouldn't be a sign of desperation - but rather a simple case of accepting that Shah would strengthen the T20 squad.

Surely a man who is amongst the top 5 T20 run-scorers in the world can make the world-cup squad which is just six months away.

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I agree entirely, but then campaigns such as this to recall one player who was at best average and maybe a bit hard done by a few years ago, are daft. It would have been like recalling gRamps a few years ago, no long term point and no guarantee he'd do anything short term either.

Australia have currently recalled Dave Hussey to their ODI squad in the last year due to similar circumstances of him being dropped earlier in his career by slightly rough selection and now he is invaluable part of the ODI set-up.

Dussey unlike Shah didn't have the domestic performances banging down the door to earn his recall, the selectors just saw a player who could be extremely useful if he clicks and in the last year their hunch has played off.

ENG have a player who has the performances in premier T20 leagues worldwide. Its inconceivable that he can't be in the squad ATM.