WC2007: Super 8

[angryangy]

Yep, Nixons never going to appease his critics and tbh I still don't think he's quite suited (in Tests I just can't see it working) but he's done his job in ODIs and certainly done better than Jones and Read did, wouldn't you agree?

Really chuffed with how Bopara played too.

Yeah, they've been good. One or two good attacking batting recruits (ie, Cook) would really galvanise the top order, as well. I do still think the biggest change is that Read and Jones have been expected to play as batsmen; Nixon is being treated as a no. 8, which gives him a degree of freedom and he is excelling at it.

 

[BigCrickNan]

Yeah, they've been good. One or two good attacking batting recruits (ie, Cook)

I think Cook would of been a big gamble coming in too this world cup with a lot of players being critised for scoring slowly, and he is our slowest scorer in tests. He did play two good innings at a S/R of 90 against Sri Lanka last year though but was never thought of since.

 

[Vcassano]

Benning would be good, he is an aggressive opener and has scored a magnificent 189 not out. Even Loye would have been better than Joyce if only to unsettle the bowlers.

 

[Sureshot]

Cook is an a different class to Joyce, Vaughan and Bell, he should be in the team. How many would say Atherton couldn't play ODIs, yet was relatively successful. Cook is our second most talented batsman after KP imo, he'd be able to play ODI cricket.


Benning?

Well he's an option, very aggressive player, bit of an unknown though.

 

[angryangy]

I think Cook would of been a big gamble coming in too this world cup with a lot of players being critised for scoring slowly, and he is our slowest scorer in tests. He did play two good innings at a S/R of 90 against Sri Lanka last year though but was never thought of since.

Sometimes a bit of a risky assessment like that has to be made. Collingwood is a slow scorer in Test cricket, but can pick the field pretty well in ODIs and probably makes up for any lack of shots with good athleticism.

The thing with a young player like Cook, is you can pick him up now and build him into the kind of player you want. Hayden, Langer and Hussey were all criticised for not having enough shots early in their careers; great players can improve themselves. I tend to think the career internationals should be supported a lot, so they don't end up unfairly pigeonholed like Langer, who ended up being a fine one-day player for no reward.

A more viable ODI option might be that James Benning guy, he opens and seems very hungry for runs. T20 should make it easier to single out the useful ones and you would expect that is an advantage to England.

By and large, though, it seems like England's best one-day players never really make it into the side. A guy like Loye gets no time to prove himself, while a guy like Vaughan gets forever.

 

[irottev]

Yeah, where the hell is Cook? He can open aye?

Is there any news on Trescothick? England really used to depend on him at the top a lot.

 

[Sureshot]

Should be playing for Somerset in their warm up games....*toddles off to Somerset site*.


Well Somerset have played a pre season game but their site is one of those stupid premiumtv sites so I can't access the match report.

 

[Hooper]

I don't think Trescothick will ever play for England again after his last little episode.

 

[aussie1st]

I was surprised when Cook wasn't put in the ODI side for the CBS. He is a talent and has the temperament to score 100s as shown in his test career.

 

[Hooper]

But there is perception that he bats to slow.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Who says that wouldn't change if he was put in the ODI side?

 

[aussie1st]

But there is perception that he bats to slow.

SR of 86 in his 2 ODI games would say he is capable of scoring at a decent rate.

 

[irottev]

Good news that Treschothick is playing again. At least it's a start. He's probably my favourite England player. Can't say i'm a big Cook fan, but he is a pretty promicing young batsman.

 

[Vcassano]

Cook has a List A average of 22.11 and has scored no centuries, with a strike-rate of 68. That is probably why he is not in the team..

 

[evertonfan]

But there is perception that he bats to slow.

Collingwood bats slow in Test matches but look what he can do in the ODI format. What's to say Cook couldn't adapt in a similar fashion?