South Africa in England

[lancashire666]

KP is a decent part timer, but so was vaughan back in the day, and he just seemed top give it up, hope KP does put a little work in as he can be useful

 

[Sureshot]

Once his knees went to jelly he was very reluctant to use himself.

 

[King Pietersen]

With the poor middle order performances against New Zealand could it be time for a change ? Personally I think so, I would replace Bell, Collingwood and Ambrose. As for the replacements, seem pretty obvious ones for me, Bopara for Bell, Flintoff for Collingwood and Prior for Ambrose. My team would then look like this:

Strauss
Cook
Vaughan
Pietersen
Bopara
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Sidebottom
Anderson/Jones
Panesar

Prior has to come in, he's been blowing the county attacks away this season, but i'm not sure if his keeping has seen much improvement, i'm sure Sureshot will be able to inform us. Bopara has also been in immense form, and wasn't given a sufficient chance when he did come into the test side, and with Collingwood's recent poor form and shoulder problems he has to go. Flintoff, if fit would then come in for him, with Ambrose keeping his place if Freddie's still injured and staying at 7 and keeping wicket.

I'd also consider swapping Anderson with Simon Jones. He has been racking up the 5fers this season and averages 11 in the CC this season I think. If Anderson starts the series poorly, or bowls badly in the ODi series, then I'd give Jones a go. Then if we have Sidebottom, Broad, Panesar, Flintoff and Bopara in the side we still have 4 bowlers if either Flintoff or Jones get an injury. Looks an incredibly solid team to me, and although I am a big fan of Anderson, I think he could be taken apart by Smith, Kallis and co.

 

[A_Whitey]

Yes, ripping our team apart will do them the world of good.

But I believe Bell should go. Mentally feeble.

 

[Kev]

Absolutely no way should Prior come in for Ambrose. Ambrose has done nothing wrong and No, Prior's keeping hasn't improved.

 

[Highlander999]

Dan are you smoking something? What has Ambrose done wrong?

I'd say keep the same team but if Colly performs badly in the ODI's against NZ and then in the next few county matches drop him and replace him with Shah

 

[King Pietersen]

Ambrose has done nothing wrong, but if Flintoff is going to come in, then Ambrose isn't a good enough batsman to bat at 6. Prior's good enough to bat in the top 5 for any team, and therefore it would make sense for him to come in at 6 with Flintoff at 7, just to maintain the balance of batting in the side. Having Prior at 7 would be a waste, and having Flintoff coming in before Ambrose offers no batting whatsoever. South Africa aren't going to bowl short and wide at Ambrose, and I can see him really struggling. Yeh, he's not done anything wrong, but he's hardly been amazing, Prior would keep the best balance of the team for me.

 

[manee]

Absolutely no way should Prior come in for Ambrose. Ambrose has done nothing wrong and No, Prior's keeping hasn't improved.

Is Prior in contention to come in, as a batsman, if Collingwood goes for shoulder surgery?

 

[King Pietersen]

He has to be. He's on hot form in the County game and I'm sure he'd come in and play as a specialist batsman if needed, he's certainly the best option we have at the current time, and he already has a test hundred to his name.

 

[Kev]

Is Prior in contention to come in, as a batsman, if Collingwood goes for shoulder surgery?

Not for me he isn't no. He's a pretty decent batsman but then there are quite a few decent specialist batsmen just on the outside of the team that are in good form too. If you want a batsman, pick a batsman. Yes Prior could come in and do a decent job, but there are other specialist batsman who could (or rather should) do a better job.

 

[Will_NA]

So Owais Shah doesn't get a mention? If anyone should replace Colly, it's Shah. It's high time he got a chance.

 

[King Pietersen]

Not for me he isn't no. He's a pretty decent batsman but then there are quite a few decent specialist batsmen just on the outside of the team that are in good form too. If you want a batsman, pick a batsman. Yes Prior could come in and do a decent job, but there are other specialist batsman who could (or rather should) do a better job.

How come Prior's outscoring all of these specialist batsmen in the County Championship then ? He's played the same amount of innings as Bopara and has scored more runs at a higher average with a better 50-100 conversion rate. Prior's been the best player in the CC so far this season, and deserves a test place more than anyone.

 

[Kev]

When will people here learn that averages mean stuff all.

Do the selectors sit at home all day watching cricinfo updates or do they go and see players? (Ok, sometimes I think its the former too!)

 

[King Pietersen]

I like that. You ignore the 2 other stats, being more runs and better conversion rate and focus on the stat that isn't always the detirmining factor on a players quality (look at Jamie How). You cannot doubt the fact that Prior is the most deserving player judging by FC form. He's all but carried the Sussex team in the long form of the game and has a great record in both forms, he also scores hundreds, has more than both Shah and Bopara, and hundreds are something that the England team as a whole have lacked. I cannot see a valid argument for Prior not being included as the fore-runner for the next test spot, if one becomes available. What more does the lad have to do ?

 

[Kev]

Ever been an actually watched him bat Dan?