South Africa in England

[Animator!]

I reckon Shah could be a revelation up the order. He's a fantastic player and has been long overdue a chance up the order, especially considering how good a finisher of an innings Bopara is.

The whole Harmison thing will go one way or the other, he'll either come back and bowl like he used to in ODI's. Or will be able to have Anderson and whoever else open the bowling with Harmison coming on first change could really put sides under the kosh if we had Harmy and Flintoff on as first change.

 

[Vcassano]

Prior opening? Sigh. I like the guy but we have been here before and it wasn't pretty.

 

[angryangy]

If not Prior then you might be running out of choices. There certainly aren't any pretty choices.

 

[King Pietersen]

Prior opening? Sigh. I like the guy but we have been here before and it wasn't pretty.

Prior wasn't in great OD form when he opened against West Indies. He's been brilliant for Sussex this season. He has 432 runs at 54 for Sussex in OD games this year, most of those coming in the FP Trophy, which is mainly a bowler dominated competition in the early stages. He has a great strike rate at 92.5, has a big hundred under his belt and 3 fifties. He's a good option, I think him and Bell have the potential to build a really good partnership at the top of the order. Would love to see them click and finally have another Knight and Trescothick-esque partnership at the top of the order.

Could be a big series for Owais Shah also, if he performs at number 3 he could send a further signal to the Test Selectors that he deserves a place in the test side. That means we have Bopara to finish the innings, and we've seen in the Pro40 this year how good he is at doing that. A lower order of Bopara, Flintoff, Wright and Swann offers real runs, all 4 bowl very useful overs as well. I think the England ODi team is starting to find shape. We've got 2 quality opening bowlers in Anderson and Broad. They're followed by Flintoff and Harmison as first change, then Swann provides spin option. You then have Wright and Bopara to fill in any possible overs if one of the bowlers gets carted. Both have proven their bowling credentials in FC cricket, especially Bopara in the Pro40.

We need to play well in this series, just hope the series isn't too rain effected.

 

[Cricketman]

Haha, I love it when Bob does that. He seriously doesn't know where he should be looking when he's talking on screen, and keeps switching his head from the presenter to the camera. He's not only scary, but always sounds and looks incredibly pissed.

What would be everyone's team for tommorow then ? Mine would be:

Bell
Prior
Shah
Pietersen (wants to bat at 4 apparently, even if he would be better off at 3)
Bopara
Flintoff
Wright
Swann
Broad
Harmison
Anderson

I reckon that will be the XI aswell, be surprised if there are any changes to that. The only one I think could happen would be Samit Patel or Alastair Cook coming in for Graeme Swann or Luke Wright respectively. I'd go for the team above though personally.

Lower order batting looks a tad weak to me with Flintoff coming in a six. I've heard great things about Samit Patel, maybe he can be in for Luke Wright?

 

[The_gas]

I like the team that England have gone with, looks strong to me.

 

[angryangy]

Patel at 7, Wright at 8. Swann left out. Patel seems the sensible gamble, they know their batting is not all glory to the Hypnotoad so they've bolstered the lineup with a player who might be extremely handy.

 

[King Pietersen]

They've left Swann out . Swann's a ledge, suppose having Patel in gives us better balance though. Still would like Swann in the team. I'd have Bopara ahead of Freddie as well, not sure Freddie will be as effective as Bopara at finishing the innings.

Good start thus far, hope Prior can make the most of a few early mistakes that he's gotten away with. Lovely cover drive for four, Bell's leg glance was a peach also. Not seen Bell using his feet yet though, will come soon I imagine.

 

[Collingwood50]

Prior just been dropped - worse drop i've seen in a long while

 

[Simbazz]

Thats probably the best ODi squad i've seen from England since way back. I'd actually like to swap Shah for Bell, i just don't think Bell's type of playing style suits an opener. At three of four he'll be able to steady the ship, Shah is much more attacking inclined, and is a players with emmense head strength, so he won't do much wrong as far as giving his wicket away.

Patel/Swann, i'd have gone for Swann, and he's unlucky to miss out. But every player in CC deserves a try out for England if they've proved themselves! So again, its a selection which some won't be happy with (Like picking and unknown Aussie) but I think its right. I reckon Monty will one day secure a place in ODi, and i think an offspinning allrounder will be needed. As two SLA's wont really work.

 

[Collingwood50]

yeah i agree, i thought we would open with shah seeing as he did for the lions

 

[Simbazz]

He's such a solid player. I believe how England have handled him has been mostly good! He's had a few solid experiences in tough places like India, and now they're properly saying, "you preform, and you'll get the prize." I think Shah could be a proper test match number 3. He has the patience to play off the new ball (as its inevitable that Strauss won't stay in long in the 1st innings) and has the know how to send the ball out of the ground against the spinners.

Bopara, i'm stuck really, in the test side, unless Bell really fails i see no position for him. Which is unfortunate BUT we all can see how more CC experience helps if you secure a place in the test side.

The bowlers, glad to see we bat all the way down to number 9! Harmison needs to prove he has the control, and Broad needs to prove he has the instinct. Nothing wrong with Jimmy, he's pretty much solid.

 

[angryangy]

If Patel's batting is up to scratch at this level, then there's really no contest. Swann should only be contending for a spot with no. 8-11. Considering the number of pace bowlers, Swann is probably still unlucky on that count.

 

[Collingwood50]

I cant beleive we arnet playing swann, i think hes proved himself

:happy200th

 

[Simbazz]

Swann has the grit to stay in with the likes of Flintoff upwards. He's proved that, he may not be the worlds best allrounder but he is an allrounder all the same. Obviously i'm only rooting for Swann as i've not seen much of Patel.