South Africa in England

[RoboRocks]

Assuming that Harmison undergoes an amazing mental overhaul and is in a fit state to play in India then i'd be a happy with a bowling attack of Anderson, Harmison, Panesar, Jones and maybe Tremlett if we're playing a fifth.

It was great listening to TMS before when they were talking about Panesar underperforming. His place in the side is a certainty because there's no other spinner to challenge him(anyone who even mentions Rashid needs a punch in the face) and as a result he's resting on his laurels somewhat.

He took 7 wickets the other day.

Nah I agree. Monty is still the best spinner in the country although we need to decide soon who is number 2 since the second spinner will be important in India since I don't think you can just rely on Jones for reverse swing, although he is good at it. I would say Swann because of his experience and that he didn't get his opportunity in Sri Lanka when he should have.

 

[barmyarmy]

Can't see the point in playing two specialist spinners with our seam attack particularly when KP can turn his arm over too.

 

[RoboRocks]

Well, in previous sub-continental tours the seamers have been ineffective so you feel we need a second spinner. India will play the two spinners in all three matches and we need someone else apart from Monty who will exploit the conditions. KP can be effective but I don't think we can trust him with the responsibility as a second specialist spinner.

 

[barmyarmy]

As I said I wouldn't play one. I'd take Swann or Rashid on tour in case Monty got injured but neither are good enough to dislodge one of the seamers imo - even on a spinners pitch.

 

[RoboRocks]

As I said I wouldn't play one. I'd take Swann or Rashid on tour in case Monty got injured but neither are good enough to dislodge one of the seamers imo - even on a spinners pitch.

Although either of them are outstanding spinners, they can both do a job and pick up a few wickets. There is certainly no point in having just one spinner on flat pitches in the sub-continent, that where we failed in previous years. The test England won against India in 2005-2006 Shaun Udal took 4 wickets in the innings and apart from that we haved won a test in the sub-continent since before the successful 2005 Ashes.

 

[Themer]

I don't see why we need a second spinner, someone said that our seam attack has looked ineffective in the subcontinent but look at last time our spinners weren't very good. Remembering Udal getting hit around:

 

[Stephen Bailey]

I don't see why we need a second spinner, someone said that our seam attack has looked ineffective in the subcontinent but look at last time our spinners weren't very good. Remembering Udal getting hit around:

And Blackwell. *shudders*

 

[barmyarmy]

Here's an amusing stat I just discovered. Stuart Broad has scored more runs that Andrew Strauss in this series in half as many innings!

 

[Simbazz]

And Blackwell. *shudders*

Nothing wrong with Blackwell, he's one of my favourite cricketers Which automatically makes him good.

Seriously though, we do need an allround spinning option IMO, Blackwell isn't cut out for the International stage, but there are a few England could try out including the likes of Tredwell, even though he isn't overly brilliant. He might just find the conditions out there to his tastes.

 

[evertonfan]

I think we could be seeing a bit more of Ollie Raynor in the coming years. He's German born but he qualifies for England I think?

So Cook and Strauss have ended the series as they started it; with a 100 opening stand.

 

[Simbazz]

Ollie Raynor, by Sureshots rants, is an up and coming player who will fit the mold as the off-spinner England need. Which would be perfect with Monty, Ollie Raynor is apperently huge as well, and we all know tall spinners are trickier than the short-arsed ones!

 

[Skater]

I think we could be seeing a bit more of Ollie Raynor in the coming years. He's German born but he qualifies for England I think?

I remember Ollie Rayner being talked about when Sussex were televised against Lancashire at the end of June. They said he was born in Germany (searching his name says he was born in Fallingbostel) but because he was born in a British army base, or something like that, he is technically English. He is certainly eligible to play for England.

 

[DPRA]

Now why the heck haven't we been able to do this all summer? :

We managed to take all 20 wickets, and now the batting is brilliant!

The weird thing about England. They can play when they want to. :

Still glad to see us winning at the moment!

 

[barmyarmy]

123/0 to 147/3

I'm sure someone on the commentary team said something about good to see England being so clinical and confident in a run-chase...

 

[evertonfan]

Trust England to turn what should have been a comprehensive run chase into a squeeky bum time affair. Ian Bell just can't perform under pressure.