Next Bothams

[Oliver]

Following the Anthony McGrath thread, I was just wondering how many "next Bothams" England have picked for Test matches since the great man first hit the headlines.

I'll start us off with a few of the guys who have been picked as all-rounders. With a star against those misfortunately and probably unreasonably tagged (nB*).

Obviously I'd be interested to see any further additions...

So in no particular order:

Ian Grieg
Phillip de Freitas *
Darren Gough *
Chris Lewis *
Dominic Cork
Graham Stevenson
Chris Cowdrey
Richard Ellison
Andrew Flintoff *
Rikki Clarke
Anthony McGrath
Derek Pringle
Owais Shah
Gavin Hamilton

There's a few to be getting on with. I find myself at a loss to suggest who was the least worthy of selection.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Chris cowdry, what possible point did he have. Didnt he captain for a series ?

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

Was Shah picked as an all rounder?

You could also include Ronnie Irani, Mark Ealham, Adam Hollioke, Ben Hollioke* and Craig White to that list.

[Notts Exile]

Craig White so very nearly did it, too. And Ben Hollioake never got the chance to prove his undoubted talent.

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

With all due respect to Freddie's performances in recent times, the White of 2000/2001 was IMHO the best of those listed above as an all-rounder.

I don't think BH would have made it as an all-rounder at the highest level (ODIs being a different matter altogether) and eventually I think he would have become a "batsman who bowls a bit" like Collingwood.

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by Glamorgan Wanderer

Was Shah picked as an all rounder?

You could also include Ronnie Irani, Mark Ealham, Adam Hollioke, Ben Hollioke* and Craig White to that list.

Quite right, quite right. Ronnie Irani, I struggle to remember that he actually did play three Tests (was it?) in the late nineties.

And you're dead right, that was a wrong memory Shah was not picked as an all rounder.

Craig White in England v. West Indies last time was probably the closest we've had. Interesting to consider that Michael Slater remembered Craig White turning up at the Australian Academy primarily as a wicket keeper. Perhaps we should consider him for that spot ahead of Read and Jones.

Mark Ealham super fielder and very effective in Brian Lara Cricket.
Hollioakes hmm Adam hmmm, but yes Ben was promising and underused by England.

[Kirsty Harris]

Ben Hollioake was a wonderful batsmen, and a decent bowler....

I really enjoyed watching him play, and still feel saddened by his death.

BUT he was always much better with the bat than the ball, IMO.

Still, he should have played a heck of a lot more for England than he did, and it almost seems that it took his tragic death to make people realise this.

Wow, that's a pretty intense post for me!

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

Chris cowdry, what possible point did he have. Didnt he captain for a series ?

Around the time of Cowdrey's inclusion, Gatting had just been sacked for some sex scandal on tour. He'd just captained a couple of home Tests and the selectors picked John Emburey as captain and then Chris Cowdrey. Then England went off to India and gave it back to David Gower. I think that's right....could be wrong.

In one of the broadsheets reporters were talking up the chances of the then uncapped Jack Russell and Kim Barnett who was already a fairly successful county captain and occasional adequate leg-spin bowler.

These reporters were completely baffled by Cowdrey's inclusion in the Test side and distraught at his instant elevation to the captaincy (Mark Nicholas wanted it too).

Somebody remarked (I can't remember who) that Kim Barnett was really the man for the job, but he didn't have the right name...perhaps if he'd been called Cowdrey or Compton or something, he'd've got the job.

[Kirsty Harris]

Will there ever be another Bothem? He was kind of a unique player...

Many decent England players have broken their backs trying to bear the weight of expectation placed upon - White, Lewis, Ealham - all decent players, who after ever good perforance were hailed as the 'new Bothem', only to be ripped apart when they couldn't consistantly match this level.

Freddie seems to be managing well with the pressure now, as he is gradually becoming liked and respected for HIMSELF and his own achievements, but it was certainly a factor in the past...

It also is worth bearing in mind that even Bothem had his bad days, when nothing worked for him!!

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Oliver

Quite right, quite right. Ronnie Irani, I struggle to remember that he actually did play three Tests (was it?) in the late nineties.

And you're dead right, that was a wrong memory Shah was not picked as an all rounder.

Craig White in England v. West Indies last time was probably the closest we've had. Interesting to consider that Michael Slater remembered Craig White turning up at the Australian Academy primarily as a wicket keeper. Perhaps we should consider him for that spot ahead of Read and Jones.

Mark Ealham super fielder and very effective in Brian Lara Cricket.
Hollioakes hmm Adam hmmm, but yes Ben was promising and underused by England.

I didn't realise that White was a keeper. If I remember rightly didn't he change from being an offie to bowling seam up?

Mark Ealham is the only bowler I have ever seen take a caught and bowled on Brian Lara Cricket!