Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak  I don't have a problem with Prior, he fits the right 'profile' for an International Keeper [...] Moores is the one I have the biggest problem with, his results so far are lame and in no way vindicates or justifies the ousting of Fletcher who was simply one of the best coaches this country has ever had. |
I never thought much of Fletcher when the results went his way... and never thought worse of him when things went against him: I haven't turned on him as he has always struck me as having been a pernicious influence on the game and I've long wanted England to be rid of him.
His favouritism and ousting of players whose face didn't fit was shocking: Ramps and Crawley should never have been axed (not ahead of Hussain and Butcher, and not in favour of the assorted players who Fletcher tried in their place); Flintoff should never have been played (ever) in the top 6, and shouldn't have been selected at all prior to 2004; Stewart should never (once) have kept wicket (especially ahead of Russell and Piper); Jones should never (once) have taken the gloves ahead of Read; Collingwood shouldn't have been able to force his way into the side until VERY recently; Shah should never have been marked down for backing himself to play spin instead of adopting the Fletcher-forward press approach; Caddick should have been kept involved for longer; Sidebottom should have been involved for as long as Hoggard; Mahmood, Plunkett and others should never have even been considered let alone played - the list could go on endlessly.
Moores is by and large a welcome change. I particularly applaud his far better attitude to county cricketers and his break with the Fletcher-era obsession with pace. Another thing I applaud is the way he's backed players to take on spinners: Vaughan's playing differently... and the selection of Bopara (in the XI) and Shah (in the party) is a welcome step in the right direction.
I accept that question marks must remain: the selection of Prior was ludicrous given the availability of Read, Foster and Ambrose; the failure to play Swann as well as Panesar is also discouraging. That said... I fear both decisions might have a lot to do with Vaughan's outlook - we simply don't know how much is the captain and how much is the coach.
Moores needs time because he's got a strong background and is doing good things; Prior doesn't because nothing in his background suggested he was even remotely ready to be an heir to Taylor and Russell... and he's been living down to expectations.