Cricket world cup squad
Discussion
England squad: Vaughan (capt), Joyce, Bell, Pietersen, Strauss, Collingwood, Flintoff, Bopara, Nixon, Dalrymple, Plunkett, Anderson, Mahmood, Lewis, Panesar.
No Loye, Broad (Unrep'll be happy), or Gough ...
With Vaughan having to be one of the 15, Loye was the obvious choice to go I'm afraid, he wasn't that athletic in the field and doesn't bowl, although I think it's a bit of a shame as he gave us something at the top of the order we need against the bigger teams.
Vaughan is a good player but his record isn't that great in ODIs but he was always going to be there (and play) if fit, so Loye wouldn't have played in any case, as he didn't in the match against NZ in the CB series in Aus.
I just thnk we've missed a trick here somehow, although glad they went for Bopara as against someone older who's had his day, Dominic Cork etc
I just think Loye needed one good innings of 50+ to probably stay in the squad - ala Joyce. Shame for the guy. Takes a decade to get in the side and then he gets dropped.
But then he was there for one reason only - to use the early Powerplays ... which he did pretty well for the most part.
What does everyone else think?
Edit: Graveney said: "Michael Vaughan, James Anderson and Jon Lewis are all still recovering from injuries at present and have been named in the squad subject to a further re-assessment prior to our departure for the Caribbean.
Is Vaughan still not fit then? I hope England can replace him if he doesn't come though - with Loye I hope.
No Loye, Broad (Unrep'll be happy), or Gough ...
With Vaughan having to be one of the 15, Loye was the obvious choice to go I'm afraid, he wasn't that athletic in the field and doesn't bowl, although I think it's a bit of a shame as he gave us something at the top of the order we need against the bigger teams.
Vaughan is a good player but his record isn't that great in ODIs but he was always going to be there (and play) if fit, so Loye wouldn't have played in any case, as he didn't in the match against NZ in the CB series in Aus.
I just thnk we've missed a trick here somehow, although glad they went for Bopara as against someone older who's had his day, Dominic Cork etc
I just think Loye needed one good innings of 50+ to probably stay in the squad - ala Joyce. Shame for the guy. Takes a decade to get in the side and then he gets dropped.
But then he was there for one reason only - to use the early Powerplays ... which he did pretty well for the most part.
What does everyone else think?
Edit: Graveney said: "Michael Vaughan, James Anderson and Jon Lewis are all still recovering from injuries at present and have been named in the squad subject to a further re-assessment prior to our departure for the Caribbean.
Is Vaughan still not fit then? I hope England can replace him if he doesn't come though - with Loye I hope.
Edited by MikeyT on Wednesday 14th February 11:17
Big mistake to leave Loye out IMO. I think he would have done well in the caribbean. They have instead gone for Bopara who is unproven and Strauss who is totally out of form as well as taking a huge risk with Vaughan who is a proven fitness nightmare. They have also included Lewis who I think will be cannon fodder out there instead of Broad. An attack of Flintoff and Panesar (both excellent) and then Plunkett (expensive) Mahmood (pie chucker) and Lewis (cafeteria bowler) does not inspire confidence. Lets hope Jimmy Anderson gets fit, although he can be expensive too. I'd much rather see Broad for Mahmood (he's as good a batsman, better fielder and better bowler IMO) and Hoggard for Lewis.
Anyway, we will see.
Anyway, we will see.
Leaving out Loye is a big mistake, he was just getting established with his last knock, 45 against the convicts was a sign of his intentions. England have missed a trick...again in excluding him as his game should be well suited to Carribean wickets and smaller boundries. I have seen Loye at Lancs put a match 'out of reach' very quickly with his whirlwind starts, which also helps the middle order no end.
Also I think we should have stuck with Reid, his keeping is far better than Nixon who hasn't exactly inspired with the bat.
Also I think we should have stuck with Reid, his keeping is far better than Nixon who hasn't exactly inspired with the bat.
cooky said:
Also I think we should have stuck with Reid, his keeping is far better than Nixon who hasn't exactly inspired with the bat.
I would have agreed with you before the past few weeks but I really think Nixon got right under the skin of the Aussies and at the same time was a very god motivator for England on the field. He's a decent keeper (miles better than Jones) and can bat, although his batting form was not great down under. I think he is an inspirational character who also pisses off the opposition and those are very useful traits in a keeper going into a competition like this.
I agree. For this WC Nixon was the man to go with.
His batting wasn't great but has played lots of good knocks over the years for Leics and Kent and is very experienced in knocking it around and giving the strike to the established batsman.
If Vaughan had been fit, Loye wouldn't have been there in Aus in any case as it was Joyce who came in for KP. Shame for Loye. Is that his international career over already? Will they pick him in the summer? I suppose it depends who is fit and how we go in the Caribbean.
He would have done well against the minnows on those short boundaries as well ...
It's going to be a good WC this as every match is a day/day match - so not run chases under lights which has made a big difference in past World Cups ...
If Anderson isn't fit - who will they pick in his place? Not Tremlett pleae.
We mustn't underestimate Kenya in the initial group stages - there's normally one big upset in these competitons - let's hope it's not us. Let's hope it's Kenya v NZ!
His batting wasn't great but has played lots of good knocks over the years for Leics and Kent and is very experienced in knocking it around and giving the strike to the established batsman.
If Vaughan had been fit, Loye wouldn't have been there in Aus in any case as it was Joyce who came in for KP. Shame for Loye. Is that his international career over already? Will they pick him in the summer? I suppose it depends who is fit and how we go in the Caribbean.
He would have done well against the minnows on those short boundaries as well ...
It's going to be a good WC this as every match is a day/day match - so not run chases under lights which has made a big difference in past World Cups ...
If Anderson isn't fit - who will they pick in his place? Not Tremlett pleae.
We mustn't underestimate Kenya in the initial group stages - there's normally one big upset in these competitons - let's hope it's not us. Let's hope it's Kenya v NZ!
mark r skinner said:
I'll send some pics back from the beach in Barbados !!
360stimo said:
mark r skinner said:
I'll send some pics back from the beach in Barbados !!
Lucky barsteward.
VETTE_1978 said:
360stimo said:
I'll send some pics back from the beach in Barbados !!
You're in Barbados? Which games are you getting there, SF, final? I'm heading to Antigua for the Super-8's so should get the Eng v Aus game, you little beauty!!
Mate booked our trip. Got a 3 bed house for 4 weeks for $60 us per night for all three of us. Flights, Accomodation and tickets with a seat and undercover for the games below in total was just under £1500. Two nights in Miami on the way over might cost us a bit though.
England vs India
Australia vs Pakistan
India vs Pakistan
South Africa vs England
India vs West Indies
England vs West Indies
Final (repeat of last game)
Loye would have been a good pick on the short boundaries and on what recently have been relatively slow wickets in the Caribbean, but he may still make the trip as IIRC, any player not achieving fitness from the 15 man squad can be replaced by someone from the initial 30 man squad..... so we may yet see Loye for Vaughan.
WRT Mahmood, Plunkett and Lewis.... The first two were starting to get their act together towards the end of the tri-series but were still very expensive, and Lewis should be able to bring some control with his experience.
Broad would have been a risky pick with his inexperience, but it is one that I would have taken and probably at the expense of Mahmood.
I'd imagine that given a fully fit squad, we will start with Flintoff, Anderson and Plunkett, along with Dalrymple, Panesar and Collingwood for the bowling atack.
WRT Mahmood, Plunkett and Lewis.... The first two were starting to get their act together towards the end of the tri-series but were still very expensive, and Lewis should be able to bring some control with his experience.
Broad would have been a risky pick with his inexperience, but it is one that I would have taken and probably at the expense of Mahmood.
I'd imagine that given a fully fit squad, we will start with Flintoff, Anderson and Plunkett, along with Dalrymple, Panesar and Collingwood for the bowling atack.
Edited by fozzi on Friday 16th February 04:14
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