Pakistan in England/Scotland 2006

[Nightwatchman]

He retired from Test cricket 3 years ago didnt he?
The selectors havnt been picking him for the ODIs cos they wanted to look to the future, but oh how that backfired against Sri Lanka

 

[nightprowler10]

Clarke this season in One day cricket:

Batting: 156 runs at 19.50, highest score 40.
Bowling: 3 wickets at 76.00, best bowling 1/26.

And that's good enough to play for England? Don't make me laugh.

But he's so young!

 

[evertonfan]

He retired from Test cricket 3 years ago didnt he?
The selectors havnt been picking him for the ODIs cos they wanted to look to the future, but oh how that backfired against Sri Lanka

He only retired from Test cricket, he never got picked for the ODI's because the selectors still weren't happy with his decision to dance instead of tour Pakistan I reckon. Because we performed so poorly against Sri Lanka, the selectors have decided to bring him back.

 

[nightprowler10]

He only retired from Test cricket, he never got picked for the ODI's because the selectors still weren't happy with his decision to dance instead of tour Pakistan I reckon.

Did he voilate his contract by doing so?

 

[evertonfan]

Did he voilate his contract by doing so?

Well techinically no, but telling the selctors that you needed to spend some time with your family and then appearing on Strictly Come Dancing isn't going to put you in such a good light with the selectors is it?

 

[nightprowler10]

Well techinically no, but telling the selctors that you needed to spend some time with your family and then appearing on Strictly Come Dancing isn't going to put you in such a good light with the selectors is it?

Fair point. But I wonder if that is a good enough reason to keep him out of the ODI side when he's obviously better than what England's got right now.

 

[evertonfan]

Fair point. But I wonder if that is a good enough reason to keep him out of the ODI side when he's obviously better than what England's got right now.

I think it was a pride thing; The selectors wanted to show their authority. Now they've realised that we are a rubbish ODI side without him.

 

[nightprowler10]

I think it was a pride thing; The selectors wanted to show their authority. Now they've realised that we are a rubbish ODI side without him.

Yeah I guess the point would've gone across better if England actually did well without him, like us winning tests and ODIs without Akhtar seems to have made him more of a team man.

 

[A_Whitey]

I think it's a step back myself, we need to get more young players who are ODI standard. Who is Clark - I recognise the name, but not enough to know the player.

 

[nightprowler10]

I think it's a step back myself, we need to get more young players who are ODI standard.

That worked out great against Sri Lanka didn't it?

 

[evertonfan]

I think it's a step back myself, we need to get more young players who are ODI standard. Who is Clark - I recognise the name, but not enough to know the player.

He's an over-rated 'all-rounder' who I don't think warrants a place in either batting side for either his batting, bowling or his all-round credibility.

 

[Skater]

I think it's a step back myself, we need to get more young players who are ODI standard. Who is Clark - I recognise the name, but not enough to know the player.

Rikki Clarke of Surrey, played in the England team before, once tipped as the new Flintoff.

 

[Sureshot]

I'm not saying that Clarke is the best allrounder available. He's the best top six batsman who can bowl. None of the guys you've mentioned have consistently played in the top order which is where we have a gap too.

Bopara has. He may not be as fast as Clarke but he's more effective.

I think he's normally at 9 at the highest in the CC team, sometimes sent in higher in the One Dayers. Doesn't seem to take wickets or keep the economy down though, which is a major problem. I'd rather see Richard Johnson back again. :P

He bats lower in the OD games because we have such a long batting line up.

Our bowling attack is normally in OD cricket.

Arafat, Kirtley, Martin-Jenkins, Yardy and Wright.

Wright bats low because Arafat is used as a pinch hitter and RMJ is a very good batsman. Who should've played for England before now.

Wright is a good potential youngster. Better bowler than Clarke. Maybe not as good with the bat.

I'm willing to give Clarke another go, but he won't be good enough with the ball. 2 spinners could work I think.

His bowling figures aren't that great for this season, but better than Clarkes.

 

[A_Whitey]

Rikki Clarke of Surrey, played in the England team before, once tipped as the new Flintoff.

I just remembered, minds going I think.

I'm not sure how he will fare, he'd bowl well and be a decent all-rounder I think. Good luck to him, if he gets a game.

 

[BigCrickNan]

Rikki Clarke of Surrey, played in the England team before, once tipped as the new Flintoff.

Lol, Clarke is more like the old Flintoff from 98-99.