South Africa in England

[evertonfan]

Allow me to point out that Simon Thomas is a legend. Sadly I don't remember too much of it myself, but it was something along the lines of how fragile our batting line-up looked and you then went on to mention our Ashes squad for next year which, if memory serves me correctly, read like this;

Cook
Strauss
Vaughan
Pietersen
Bell
Flintoff
Prior
Broad
Harmison
Anderson
Panesar
12th Man -Jones

I think that was it. And Simon Thomas and Ed Chamberlain both expressed their disbelief at you being yet another e-mailer who had not included Sidebottom.

 

[The_gas]

Swap broad for Jones and that was my squad. I also said that we should make drastic changes for the next match with south africa, and give them some chin music with our quicker strike bowlers.

 

[Collingwood50]

Am I, apart from Duncan Fletcher the only one still sining the praises of Geraint Jones?

The way England treated him was a disgrace, complained about his batting when he was keeping well, and vice versa. In my opinion, he worked very har at his keeping and improved dramaticaly in the last 6 months he was playing.

I know he isn't the best keeper, but he is brilliant to watch as a batsman, unlike Read, who is the best candidate gloveman wise.

England simply don't have a Gilchrist, and i dont understand why We cant grasp that concept. As we don't, we can either pick a mediovre keeper with good batting skills or vice versa (sorry for using that again)

I say, Give Jones another run in the side - on my head beit if he fails.

 

[Will_NA]

I think Broad has to go. He is a very good bowler but he's part ofthe probem of us not taking qickets since hes not taking any himself. Simply, he's a bowler who's batting has excelled but bowling has flopped. If we want runs, we might as well bring in a proper batsman like Collingwood or Shah.

If the next Test were at OT, I'd call for Tremlett to replace him but I reckon it should be Harmison since the selectors might not still be convinced about Simon Jones' fitness. Sidebottom, if fit will come in for Pattinson assuming he's fit. In all honesty, Vaughan should drop himself since he's not making runs but that won't happen.

My XI would look like this:

Strauss (c)
Cook
Shah
Pietersen
Bell
Flintoff
Ambrose
Sidebottom
Anderson
Harmison
Panesar

Tail looks a little long so we could bring in another batsman if Sidebottom's not fit.

 

[Cricketman]

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Vaughn
Collingwood
GoJo
Flintoff
Sidebottom (If fit) / Harmison
Anderson
Panesar

Is what i'd go with, but I'm not a guru of English cricket so don't be too harsh on me if its a terrible XI. I've played Flintoff as a pure bowler.

 

[evertonfan]

That's not a bad XI. I can safely tell you that we wont be seeing Geraint Jones again anytime soon. As much as I love the little fella.

 

[Will_NA]

Ironically, even though his keeping was poor it was his batting that got him dropped. I remember his last innings against Australia where he got stumped after attempting a sweep and didn't move his leg back after like 5 seconds.

 

[Howsie]

The problem with Stuart Broad is that he doesn't get any swing, and very little seam movement. And how tall is he, about 6'5 right and he must only weigh around 190-195 pounds. The England management should send him to a gym, and tell him to bulk up. Once he does that he should find another 5-10mph easily.

This would be my England XI

A.Strauss
A.Cook
M.Vaughn(C)
K.Pietersen
O.Shah
I.Bell
M.Prior
A.Flintoff
J.Anderson
R.Sidebottom
M.Panesar

I would bring in Sidebottom for Pattinson, and Prior would come in for Ambrose. If Sidebottom isn't fit I would bring in Simon Jones. And Shah would come in for Broad. And your tail doesn't look that weak either, Sidebottom can defend alright so you would bat down to 10.

 

[Arunava]

geraint jones has been englands best keeper stats wise, with 3.91 dismissals per test, only 2nd to Adam Gilchrist. don't know about his batting, but anyway englishmen are can't really rely on on wicket keeper to score a century or half -century to take them to a win. they just don't have it.

but they must make sure that top 6 batsmen fire well and finish their job, same for the four bowlers who have to be specialist to take wickets and not picked up for their batting skills. if they can bat, good but not important. .rather they should be able to pick up wickets regularly.

 

[angryangy]

Geraint Jones' Test career really isn't comparable with other post-Stewart keepers because they've not been afforded such good faith. Plus, his batting was not ever much to speak of, he was initially an average no. 7, but for the second half he was a glorified tailender.

 

[Themer]

I really don't see why you would want Geraint Jones back in the England team. His keeping was poor and his batting was poor.

 

[Sureshot]

His keeping was quite good in the latter half and many will now tell you he is a much accomplished keeper (That's Kev basically ).

Edgbaston is supposed to be a bit up and down according to Nick Knight. I would bring in Tremlett. He's a decent bat too. Got 2 50s this season iirc, but then again, Hants have needed runs from him!

As said though, I have a sneaking suspicion that Worcs rested Simon Jones at the behest of the ECB selectors. All shall be revealed tomorrow.

 

[Themer]

I also have a sneaking suspicion thats the reason why Simon Jones was rested. I hope he is back in the team or set-up atleast he clearly looks ready for the oppurtunity as reflected by his stats this year.

 

[Kiko_97]

Why are we all dropping Broad and Anderson!
My team
Broad
Anderson
Pietersen (C)
Bell
Collingwood
Cook
Strauss
Sutton
Flintoff
S. Jones
Panesar

 

[evertonfan]

Luke Sutton? Sod off, we need him at Lancs!