"Foreign" English Players. So What?

[high_on_linseed]

If it helps us win the Ashes, yes there is a very good point because...guess what? We will need ALL the help we can get.

His motivation - to prove he could have made it at test level. And to rub it in the faces of the very selectors who overlooked all those years. Plenty of motivation there I would say.

[Teatime FatCat]

So he'd effectively be playing for England for purely selfish reasons and personal gain? Not really gonna fit in with the 'Team England' ethos is it? Also, should give additional motivation to the Aussie bowlers to humiliate him and would take all press focus away from anything decent that the English side achieve.


When is the next Ashes series, and how old will he be then?

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Thats not what "team england" is about though is it. I'm leaning towards the train of thought that we should model ourselves on, of all teams, NZ ie the team being far greater than the sum of its parts. Stuart Law wouldnt help things gell.

[James M]

Imagine if Aus were far greater than the sum of its parts. I'd play Law

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Originally Posted by James M

Imagine if Aus were far greater than the sum of its parts. I'd play Law

Instead of who ?

[high_on_linseed]

Basically yes. And the next Ashes series is summer 2005 if Im not mistaken.

Cricket has always been a game that balances the individual performance with the team. But if the individual is giving his best for whatever reason, it naturally tends to benefit the team.

The Team England ethos is all well and good. And hopefully it will continue long after Law has been and played his little cameo. But, lets not forget, sometimes its moments of individual brilliance that make the difference. Harmisons seven-for. Flintoffs batting at the Oval. Devon Malcolms nine for. Beefys batting at Headingley.

WHATEVER it takes to help us win the Ashes, England should do it, because it is vital for the future of English cricket. that we break the psychological stranglehold Australia have over us ASAP. To you and I, every little step forward or back the England team make is of vital importance. But ALL the average, casual observer cares about is whether we beat the Aussies. The rest is seen as just padding. So, to make the game popular again, we need to somehow, someway do the seeming impossible and beat the Aussies. If it is with the help of an Aussie, so be it. Read my initial post for the reasons why.

And in reply to another post, yes, I would love to see Vaughan tossing the ball to Heath Streak. What we are really missing (no dis to Harmy, Hoggy etc) is a bowler of his consistent class and experience.

[James M]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

Instead of who ?

Oops I've myself a hole haven't I! Well, I suppose just for one series he could come in to help us for the Ashes. If he's still scoring runs, why not? Nas is standing down this year so why not instead of Nas>?

[Essex Eagle]

the moment we play law, who has never regarded himself as English or dedicated his career to England.... then we will have lost all self respect for ourselves.

we will just give the aussies another stick with which to beat us, plus what does it do to the young english kids trying to get in the team if they are ousted by a 37 year old Aussie..nonsense

Pietersen is a different case, inlike Law he is 21, has never played representative cricket for SA and has dedicated himself to our team.

[James M]

It's now 37 ... and rising! Soon enough he'll be 45!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Originally Posted by James M

Oops I've myself a hole haven't I! Well, I suppose just for one series he could come in to help us for the Ashes. If he's still scoring runs, why not? Nas is standing down this year so why not instead of Nas>?

What about the centrally contracted collingwood or strauss. IGHOL has mentioned beating the aussies at al costs. When do we next play them ? Will law make himself available ? Will he be in any kind of form then ? I cant see Laws inclusion as anything else but a large step backward.