West Indies in England

[Vcassano]

Something just occurred to me: Sidebottom wasn't in the Performance squad for the summer yet was picked. Why? This is exactly the sort of thing Fletcher was criticised for and I understand he needs some leeway as he is new to the job but really what is the point?

 

[Griffo]

good point but they did say that the performance squad didnt rule out any players outside. what are sidebottoms first class stats this season?

 

[Sureshot]

Not that impressive. Performance squad doesn't really mean too much, basically those 25 players are the ones that are mainly being watched (Ie more than the others). No problem in looking outside the squad, it's not as though Sidebottom is a bad bowler. Considering Fletch would've gone for Mahmood or someone who doesn't know their game.

 

[Vcassano]

Not that impressive. Performance squad doesn't really mean too much, basically those 25 players are the ones that are mainly being watched (Ie more than the others). No problem in looking outside the squad, it's not as though Sidebottom is a bad bowler. Considering Fletch would've gone for Mahmood or someone who doesn't know their game.

I appreciate that the performance squad isn't the be-all and end-all of selections but the selection of Sidebottom does undermine it somewhat. Also I feel you are being a tad harsh towards Fletcher. He may well have picked Mahmood, but his Test average is not too dissimilar to Plunkett's but Plunkett's selection doesn't draw the same malice as Mahmood's does.

 

[Will_NA]

Plunkett has more control than Mahmood. I know he seems expensive and wayward too often but he has shown he is capable of spells of brilliant line and length bowling e.g. against Sri Lanka last year and the second innings of the first test against WI to an extent. As for the sidebottom issue, I reckon he is a good selection. He can swing the ball at a decent pace and has control.

 

[Dalek]

He has got to dare to be different, and hes doing that bringing the new players in

He must mean Flintoff, Dalek has a habit in his short time of mixing up names....


So basically then Anderson, Sidebottom and *sigh* dare I say Panesar are vying for two places.

Probably more likely a straight shootout between Anderson and Sidebottom. I may be alone but I reckon that Sidebottom should play. We need some consistency in our attack, plus he gives good variety. He's 29 btw, as I'm sure people think he's mid 30s.

Le Sureshot = correct o mundo.

 

[Sureshot]

I appreciate that the performance squad isn't the be-all and end-all of selections but the selection of Sidebottom does undermine it somewhat. Also I feel you are being a tad harsh towards Fletcher. He may well have picked Mahmood, but his Test average is not too dissimilar to Plunkett's but Plunkett's selection doesn't draw the same malice as Mahmood's does.

Fair point, I think both Saj and Plunkett are fairly talented, the problem I have with Mahmood was that he would mix it up too much if nothing was going for him, a sign in my book of a bowler not knowing quite what to do. Accuracy wise there isn't much between them but Plunkett at least tries the same deliveries - just gets it wrong. The biggest problem with the selections over the last 18 months or so - particularly in the bowling department - is that we'd go into a match with almost the whole attack being inexperienced and not knowing what they were doing. We had no old head at the front of the pack. His hands were tied alot, especially with injuries to Jones, etc.

Looking forward to tomorrow, all accounts suggest bat first at Headingley - pitch and weather conditions pending - so hopefully we win the toss.

As for the team, well if Fletch was still coach I am sure Sidebottom would miss out, maybe Moores/Vaughan will want the reliability of the Left Armer though. I personally think we have to have him. We need more than just Monty to give us control if say Gayle went into hyper-Gayle mode.

 

[madmusician]

Who chose the Performance Squad? Was it Fletcher before he left or was it Moores? Just thinking that if it was Fletcher who chose it, then that would be why there has been an inconsistent selection.

 

[Sureshot]

Pretty sure it was under Moores. Remember though the coach is only 1 selector, there are 5 in total.

Is 5 right? Andrew?

 

[irottev]

Plunkett is a good bowler. He's still young. He'll improve as the games go on. He looked the best pace bowler in the first test so he just needs to continue his form.

 

[RoboRocks]

Plunkett is a good bowler. He's still young. He'll improve as the games go on. He looked the best pace bowler in the first test so he just needs to continue his form.

He is young but way to wayward.
Its sad Broad is injured, we could use him as he has control and with develop pace as he grows.

 

[Griffo]

Broad should come straight into the side to bring England what they need - control even Hoggard has the ability to become wayward but that is mainly due to the tremendous swing he gets. Harmison has to be dropped as ssoon as all the bowlers are fit unless he does something to prove his worth in the rest of the series

 

[Leicester Fox]

Broad should come straight into the side to bring England what they need - control even Hoggard has the ability to become wayward but that is mainly due to the tremendous swing he gets. Harmison has to be dropped as ssoon as all the bowlers are fit unless he does something to prove his worth in the rest of the series

Broads injured but it would be nice to have someone who doesn't spray the ball around like Plunkett ad Saj

 

[Griffo]

i know Broad is injured but im saying that they need a bowler of his accuracyin the side

 

[Sureshot]

Looks like Jimmy will miss out.