West Indies in England

[kenni_greg]

At the minute I think it'd be dangerous to go in with the strategy we've used for the last few years, ie , 4 specialist bowlers and Flintoff. Mainly because at the moment I don't think Flintoff is playing like a batsman that could get you enough runs batting at no. 6. Then when you add in the factor of an untried 'keeper batting at 7, it makes our tail (especially with no recognisable bowler that can bat at no.8) look especially long.

I'd also like to point to the last Test series we won (vs Pakistan) when we played 6 specialist batsman. In each of the first 3 tests, Ian Bell scored consecutive hundreds batting at no.6. These were a major factor as to why we won that series so convincingly. Now I'm not saying we'd have lost that series if Flintoff was at 6 but I'd wager that he wouldn't have got the runs that Bell did.

Now, my line up for the West Indies tour:

1. Strauss, Proven quality Test opener.
2. Vaughan*, He should never have moved into the middle order. Proven quality opener, brilliant captain.
3. Cook, Let him learn the ropes batting at 3, then move him up when he's ready.
4. Pietersen, World Class player's need to bat in the top 4.
5. Bell, Looked shakey batting at 3 but he has undoubted ability, let him flourish at 5.
6. Collingwood, A real fighter, lacks the ability of some of his peers but makes up for it with his desire.
7. Flintoff, hopefully moving him down to 7 will ease the pressure on him and enable him to hit some form.
8. New WK, I'd bet on it being Prior what with the new coach's Sussex connections. However I feel that any of the candidates could do a job batting at no.8.
9. Harmison, With his attributes he should be amongst the best seamers in the world. Hopefully he's sorted himself out.
10. Panesar, A genuine wicket taking spinner, did well in home conditions last year.
11. Hoggard, Reliable wicket taker. I'm actually suprised if he doesn't get at least one wicket with the new ball.



I'd keep Trescothick out until he can commit 100%. I wouldn't consider Simon Jones until at least the India series, he needs at least 6/7 Championship games.

I'd also keep some of the hotly tipped young prospects away for a bit. Broad, Davies, Rashid, Compton, etc. I think it'd be better if they all played more first class cricket.

 

[Sureshot]

But against a mediocre Lara-less Windies do we need to play 6 batsman and Flintoff?

 

[Simbazz]

But against a mediocre Lara-less Windies do we need to play 6 batsman and Flintoff?

I fear Bell will be for the chop, Collingwood is a massive player for England as it has proved with bat, ball and field, Bell is the same, but unfortunatly less...So in your question id say no.

My team would be...

Strauss
Trescothick
Vaughan
Collingwood
Pietersen
Flintoff
Nixon
Harmison
Hoggard
Simon Jones(If injury does hit once again i'd go Jimbobaroo)
Monty Panesar

 

[Sureshot]

If Tres can't tour, I don't see the point in him playing. He may be good but if he can't tour then his career is over.

 

[aussie_ben91]

I'd like to see Pietersen at 3. His wasted any lower down the order. Give him the chance to flourish and give him a chance to get a score of 200-250. He'll take the West Indies apart.

 

[evertonfan]

I think KP is fine at 4. He's too aggressive to come in if we lose an early wicket.

Flintoff is fine as our 6th batsman; He has a solid record against the Windies in all fields and he loves playing against them. All he needs is a flat track and a bit of luck and we'll see the Flintoff of old carting the West Indies bowling around. Hopefully...

 

[BigCrickNan]

I fear Bell will be for the chop, Collingwood is a massive player for England as it has proved with bat, ball and field, Bell is the same, but unfortunatly less...So in your question id say no.

My team would be...

Strauss
Trescothick
Vaughan
Collingwood
Pietersen
Flintoff
Nixon
Harmison
Hoggard
Simon Jones(If injury does hit once again i'd go Jimbobaroo)
Monty Panesar

What about Cook? IMO you would be nuts to drop him.

 

[King Pietersen]

Cook cannot be left out, he is too valuable and on too good form, I do think he should be dropped to 3 though with Vaughan at the top of the order with strauss, because frankly tresco isnt fit to play. Yet. KP cannot come in any higher or lower than 4 i dont think, 4 is his favourite position and its the position he is best at imo. Keep him there.

 

[Leicester Fox]

IMO we really need Tres back,I'm not sure he's ready but one of the problems in the ashes was that Australia always got on top from the start when we were batting as Strauss and Cook weren't positive enough. Someone needs to take the attack to the bowlers rather than just letting them build up pressure. It won't be as big an issue against the Windies but when we come up against a quality attack,which will probably be when we go to Sri Lanka because Indias new ball bowlers aren't the most fearsome sight either, we could struggle.

 

[PhilD123]

It leaves a bit of a selection problem as far as the order goes. Strauss, Cook, Vaughan, Trescothick and KP would usually play in the top 4. Does KP drop down to 5? So this is an idea....

Trescothick
Strauss
Cook
Vaughan
KP
Bell
Flintoff
Prior (Although I wouldn't begrudge Nixon a go)
Hoggard
Harmison/Jones
Panesar

 

[Sureshot]

I really can't see the selectors picking Trescothick. If he can't tour he shouldn't be in the team.

Jones has declared himself unavailable for Glamorgans CC game, so he doesn't bring himself back in too quickly. I think following that he won't be playing in the 1st test.

 

[rocklara]

Guys you all are english supporters, please!!! This is a lackluster windies, ungrateful side you will be up against. Why not put your tailenders to open? u guys will whitewash them hands down!! No worries over the team lineups etc, or what order should KP come in blah blah blah...

 

[aussie_ben91]

It leaves a bit of a selection problem as far as the order goes. Strauss, Cook, Vaughan, Trescothick and KP would usually play in the top 4. Does KP drop down to 5? So this is an idea....

Drop Vaughan down to 5. You can't put Pietersen any lower then 4 as you are just wasting the 2nd best batsman in the world. I don't think Vaughan should be playing in the top 4 as his consistency has gone out the window but I still feel he can come in and play a vital knock in Test Cricket when it's required, hence if England lose acouple of early wickets.

If you don't bat Pietersen in the top 4 then you've just got a mix of 4 defensive batsman, especially if Trescothick isn't playing. The reason I suggested Pietersen to come in at 3 is to get the innings on a positive manner. If Pietersen bats like he did in the Ashes then he'd be good at the number 3 slot. I'd keep him at 4 if Trescothick's playing though.

 

[BigCrickNan]

Drop Vaughan down to 5.

When he is a far better batsmen when he opens? Without Tres he's the only option, Cook is better at 3.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Well I'm saying if Trescothick plays then you should drop Vaughan down to 5.