England game - Pietersen

[Milo]

Is this board boycotting the one day games in Zimbabwe? Or, is it irrelvant because Flintoff is not playing?

I think we have seen the future England number 4 in Pietersen. There is a lot of debate on this board about him being a poor all-rounder, batting him at 7/8 for England - he is a genuine batsman, his form in India last year confirmed that and he appears to have a head on his shoulders. Time to change the tour squad and get him on the plane for South Africa (for the one day series).

[Zainub]

Various board regulars are showing a reluctance to discuss the tour. No harm in taking Peiterson along with the touring party in SA.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Pietersen is doing a decent job out there as is Jones the gloves. Bell misfired again otherwise I'd drop Solanki for him to open with tresco but at the moment I'm still not sure he's ready yet.

I hope peitersen gets a bowl - might give a second spin option in ODIs (or maybe tests one day) is the pitches suit.

[Notts Exile]

Sanity check please. I've been on the beeb boards and they're making out that Jones getting a few runs against Zimbo (insert County Second XI) proves why he's in the team ahead of Read. I need a reasoned audience. Any muppet will score runs against that lot every now an then, and today is the Papua New Guinean muppets day.

The only things worth noting on this tour are failures, anyone with too many proves they aren't up to it. Those who succeed just get the chance to try out against the big boys.

[Teatime FatCat]

There's some strong (and perfectly acceptable) attitudes towards the tour and ignoring it because of what the host country stands for. Personally I abhorr what's going on in Zim, and don't think they should be touring, but they are there, and if nothing else they are giving some benefit to the young and inexperienced players they are playing against.

I'm a fan of Bell and Pieterson and not so much of Key so I'd like to see both in the test and one day sides. However, I don't think Thorpe or Butcher are finished yet, give them first choice for the SA tour and leave Bell and Pieterson straining at the leash!

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Those who succeed just get the chance to try out against the big boys.

That's essentially what I said. Pietersen hasn't been given this chance.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Milo

That's essentially what I said. Pietersen hasn't been given this chance.

Sorry Milo, didn't want to just repeat what you said. Was too busy on my anti-Jones rant!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

well he hasnt had the oppotunity to has he as he hasnt been qualified !!!!! What are going to do - set a ODI against the Aussies to give Kev a run out ??!?!?! I guessing by your post he isnt in the ODI squad for SA. Hardly a surprise either. The only places that should be up for grabs is the perinial second seamer issue or a replacement for the under performing solanki and vaughan, one of which cant be dropped anyway, the other dropped for bell.

[Milo]

No problem NE. Pietersen's a sore point with me. His performances in India (3/4 centuries if I remember correctly) appeared to count for nothing when they came to picking the squads this year. They should have found a place for him.

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

The only places that should be up for grabs is the perinial second seamer issue or a replacement for the under performing solanki and vaughan, one of which cant be dropped anyway, the other dropped for bell.

Can't agree here. Why did we take 8 main line bowlers (if you include Flintoff) in the squad. This doesn't even include Collingwood who may turn his arm over when selected. If players like Batty and Kabir Ali are going to be shipped over to South Africa without much of a chance of featuring Pietersen should have at the very least been given the trip. Personally I think he is a must for the ODI team - better than Bell, Strauss and Vaughan (and definitely Solanki).

Anyway, the selectors decided to put Collingwood in the test squad so I shouldn't be too surprised.