Discussion
Anyway - back to the Ashes.
Compton looks to be dropped - Root to open with Cook.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/internati...
Compton looks to be dropped - Root to open with Cook.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/internati...
DJRC said:
Whilst I think John goes a bit far at times, Ive got some sympathy with the notions of expecting fans to be happy with you hiring a coach from one of your arch rivals. I wouldnt be bloody happy at all with an Aussie coaching England, esp heading into the Ashes. I know we've had bowling coaches who were Aussies etc and hired Donald as a bowling coach, but the head job? No. Fletcher and Flower? Bit of a mixed call, there is a long long tradition of Zim's turning out for England, I can square that one away. A full on Bok coach of England...Id be a bit annoyed about that.
Rodney Marsh coached a lot of England's players as director of the national academy from 2001-2005....i.e. when we won the Ashes for the first time in a lllloooooooonnnnnnggg time.But looking forward, if Root is as good an opener as he is as a middle order batsmen England have a very solid looking batting line up. Only concern is Bell and Bairstow at 5 and 6....Bell's not looked in great form and Bairstow has got the ability but the pressure will be massive. Trott looks to be in fantastic form which will be key for England, you have to believe Cook and KP will also score some decent runs.
DJRC said:
Wtf are CA playing at? Sacking the coach at this point is the kind of thing you would expect from an England team back in the day. If they wanted to sack him then surely you do it before you leave Aus?
More blind panic measures from the Aussies.
Michael Clarke standing down as a selector adds an extra dynamic within the crims camp. Just hope thay don't go out for a bonding drink, in case any one gets hurt.More blind panic measures from the Aussies.
Bridgewaterfalls said:
DJRC said:
Wtf are CA playing at? Sacking the coach at this point is the kind of thing you would expect from an England team back in the day. If they wanted to sack him then surely you do it before you leave Aus?
More blind panic measures from the Aussies.
Michael Clarke standing down as a selector adds an extra dynamic within the crims camp. Just hope thay don't go out for a bonding drink, in case any one gets hurt.More blind panic measures from the Aussies.
I think it is a smart move from England. Compton will play against the Aussies in the County Game, whilst England get a look a Root in the openers slot.
Come the first day of the Test though I expect
Cook (Skip)
Root
Trott
KP
Bell
Bairstow
Prior (Wckt)
Broad
Swann
Finn
Jimmy
Possibly you could argue Bairstow could miss out, but I think he played well in the NZ tests, and he lifts some of the workload off Prior.
Solid team, can't see Onions getting a look in.
Harsh on Finn there John, he offers something very few other bowlers in the world do...90mph pace from 6ft 5 or something silly. He will only get better aswell...so long as he can remain injury free...but at the moment he looks very good. He has a lot more natural control than Broad in my humble and a better attitude. Agreed about Broad that he can go missing for most of a series, but pull out a match winning performance in one test. Anderson and Swann can win any given test, esp when you have a left handed top order...oh, oops... I think you might be looking at 20 wickets each for Jimmy and Swanny.
I think you might be looking at 20 wickets each for Jimmy and Swanny.Gargamel said:
Not sure why Bell makes the list of performing Batsman, but Root doesn't.
Anyway with KP back = Win.
Doesn't matter if we pick five pie throwers, Genius is that good, he could probably win on his own. I reckon he might get five wickets this series too !
Bell has played a substantial number of tests.Anyway with KP back = Win.
Doesn't matter if we pick five pie throwers, Genius is that good, he could probably win on his own. I reckon he might get five wickets this series too !
As good a start Root has had, he is unproven at the top level.
DJRC re: FInn - he should be bloody good. But yet to fulfil that promise.
Either way, I think your batting is a lot stronger.
Gargamel said:
Come the first day of the Test though I expect
Cook (Skip)
Root
Trott
KP
Bell
Bairstow
Prior (Wckt)
Broad
Swann
Finn
Jimmy
I think Bresnan will get the nod over Finn at least in the first test, we're talking about England here who are conservative in everything they do. They'll want Bresnan to bowl dry as first change whilst they wait for the ball to reverse. With four bowlers you need one work horse and Bresnan's it I think. They will also be thinking the Aussies biggest strength is their bowling so Bresnan brings a bit more to the batting.Cook (Skip)
Root
Trott
KP
Bell
Bairstow
Prior (Wckt)
Broad
Swann
Finn
Jimmy
Not saying it's the right thing but that's what I think they'll do. Also looks like Tremlett's test career is shot which is a shame as I think he was an unsung hero in the previous Ashes series in particular. I know f
k all about Rankin...If Root takes to opening in test match cricket as well as he has performed in every other form of the game that has the potential to be one hell of a Top 4.
DJRC said:
Is Guns completely injury wrecked? That would be a shame, I liked the variety he brought and the menace he could summon. Id like to see Onions back for England again some time, I think he has more variety in his bowling than Timbo.
So far he has had Hip and knee surgery, Spinal surgery on a bulging disc, extensive hamstring injuries plus various other niggles. His last Surgery was Feb 2012 - I think it is fair to say he isn't coming back. Body just can't handle the wear of a top line fast bowler.
However we should pick him as twelth man just for the bar fights with the Aussies. Buy him a black dinner suit and have him follow Joe Root around, in case he is needed to rip lippy ockers limb from limb.
Tremlett's been playing in the county championship and been bowling okay by the look of it.
Compton's pretty much the same age Trott was when he came into the side. Root's too good to leave out and nobody else is going to open. Hopefully Compron will make some big runs and ask serious questions of the selectors. Nothing wrong with competition.
Over the last few years England have tended to have five front line batsmen and nobody has claimed that No 6 spot. Be good to have seven batsmen competing for six places. With Root able to bat pretty much anywhere in the order nobody is safe!
Compton's pretty much the same age Trott was when he came into the side. Root's too good to leave out and nobody else is going to open. Hopefully Compron will make some big runs and ask serious questions of the selectors. Nothing wrong with competition.
Over the last few years England have tended to have five front line batsmen and nobody has claimed that No 6 spot. Be good to have seven batsmen competing for six places. With Root able to bat pretty much anywhere in the order nobody is safe!
My understand was that Tremlett was down on pace and off a shorter run up. But I could be wrong. Quite a gap between good county and test class.
Don't get me wrong I would be delighted to see him fit and firing again for England, great lad and always good visuals when he stands next to some 5ft Aussie batsman...
Gargamel said:
Compton has hit a half century (so far) against the Aussies at Somerset.
I think it is his age as much as any other thing. (he is 30) Root hasn't started shaving and sits his GCSE's next week.
IMHO I dont think they've mind their minds up yet. I'd guess Root opening against Essex is to see how he goes with Cook. If Root does well, then maybe Compton will be dropped and Bairstow brought in, but TBH Jonny doesn't inspire me with much confidence at Test level yet either. Having 2 Priors in the middle order might a bit extravagant, especially when neither Swann or Broad like to hang around. Personally, if Compton performs (75 n/o atm), Id keep him opening for the first 2 Tests at least, but move Root above Bell in the order.I think it is his age as much as any other thing. (he is 30) Root hasn't started shaving and sits his GCSE's next week.
djstevec said:
IMHO I dont think they've mind their minds up yet. I'd guess Root opening against Essex is to see how he goes with Cook. If Root does well, then maybe Compton will be dropped and Bairstow brought in, but TBH Jonny doesn't inspire me with much confidence at Test level yet either. Having 2 Priors in the middle order might a bit extravagant, especially when neither Swann or Broad like to hang around. Personally, if Compton performs (75 n/o atm), Id keep him opening for the first 2 Tests at least, but move Root above Bell in the order.
They have 100% made their minds up about Root. Geoff Miller said they've decided Root is the best man to open with Cook, injury aside Root will be opening. Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff