Back to the Future

[high_on_linseed]

A lot is talked about giving chances to new ("raw") talent like Bell, Carberry, Mahmood, etc. Just out of interest, I wondered what people think of giving new chances to players who have talent, have been tried in the past, but for some reason have been dropped. Leaving out Hick and Ramps. Im talking about tests AND ODIs. What about, in no particular order: Afzaal, Key, Solanki, Shah, Salisbury(!), Tudor, Silverwood, Ryan Sidebottom, James Ormond. Add to the list others if you feel, but lets set an arbitrary age cap of 34 on batsmen, and 30 on bowlers.

Those are the obvious ones. Crawley is already being discussed on another thread.

I have my own opinions about all these guys...Im just curious to know what other people think.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating change for changes sake, and feel by and large Englands present selection policy is right and correct. I am just wondering if anyone thinks any of the above still have an England career.

[cantplaycantalk]

Thats what we need A team tours for.

[Richard Jenkins]

i'm all for giving bods a go, but give em a proper go and do it when their ready; I remember too many lads picked for england who batted once/ a few times(less than five let's say) and got a low scores. Give 'em a run of say ten tests or a tour.
Alan Wells and Neil Williams really stick in my mind as guys who should have had a decent go.

[Whips_off_the_bails]

I'd say a resounding "No" to all of those names that you mention, except maybe Owais Shah, simply because I cant remember him.

[cantplaycantalk]

Originally Posted by Richard Jenkins

i'm all for giving bods a go, but give em a proper go and do it when their ready; I remember too many lads picked for england who batted once/ a few times(less than five let's say) and got a low scores. Give 'em a run of say ten tests or a tour.
Alan Wells and Neil Williams really stick in my mind as guys who should have had a decent go.

Didn't Alan Wells do the 100m for Scotland? Disn't realise he played cricket as well, but I suppose it would be a bit much to ask for him to get a Long run in the tests...

[high_on_linseed]

I think Solanki is worth looking at for the one-dayers, and indeed is still in the selectors minds. But he is just too loose for test cricket.

Afzaal and Key I dont really rate as test players. Silverwood was a good option until Harmison found his form and Jones his fitness. Sidebottom, though not a great candidate for test stardom, could do as good a job as anyone in the one-dayers.

I feel James Ormond could still be an asset to the England set-up. He can swing the ball, bowls a decent line and length, and tries hard to get wickets even when conditions are tough. For these reasons, I think hed be a useful stand-in if Hoggard got injured.

[Richard Jenkins]

Alan wels did indeed run the 100 M

lol!
Glad to see some sillyness

[Kirsty Harris]

Please..not Robert Key! He had plenty of chances to make his mark!!! And Sailsbury...good lord, people give Giles a lot of stick but compared to Sailsbury he's right up there with Warne!!! But Solanki and Ormand..maybe they do deserve another go!!

[high_on_linseed]

As I say, i think Ormond could be the perfect back up to Hoggard. People may rubbish Salisbury, and hes been dire for England in the past, but surely hes a MUCH better bowler now than he was when he started out in test cricket all those years ago. hes only 33...7 years left, if he can get it together. i always thought nerves were the problem. if he can combat that, on a turning track, he might prove to be as much a hadful as anyone.

[Kirsty Harris]

Sailsbury is a competent bowler at county level, but he is not, by any stretch of the imagination, test class - never was, never will be. Frankly, regaurdless of Giles limitations he is much more of a team player, and also knows and aknowledges his limits. I feel Sailsbury always over-rated himself, and that was a big factor in his dire test record - he will always try to bowl above what he is capable off. Sorry...