Strauss in? Whose Out?

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Mike_Hock

I find it a little strange that Vaughan will drop down the order and Tresco will continue to open though???

Mike

This discussion was debated at some length recently under the 'England changes...' thread.

To sumarise from that discussion, I think it was generally felt that Trescothick was too good an opener to suddenly drop, (not that I necessarily agreed with that, but pretty much accepted it) and that the milder less radical option was to drop Vaughan down the order and bring in someone like Strauss to open with Tresco, or if they didn't want to make any personnel changes - Butcher to maybe open with Tresco with Vaughan dropping down the order.

It seems Vaughan dropping down the order might well be the favoured option, which I certainly agree with and there are plenty of reasons why, if you want to read through some of the threads in that earlier discussion.

I'm just pleased that they're aware of where the problem area is and are making changes to deal with it.

Scott

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Teatime FatCat

we are a winning side - let's not jiggle the team around for the sake of it!

Teatime FatCat

No-ones 'jiggling' around the team for the sake of it. The England Management have correctly identified where the batting problem area is, and are doing something positive about it - by possibly making a change at the top of the order. I don't see how this can be seen as making changes for the sake of them.

The situation regarding both openers was discussed at some length on here recently and the changes that are being considered pretty much follow the conclusions that were made here. There are some extremely good reasons for dropping Vaughan down the order, it is not being done for the 'sake of it'.

Scott

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Scott

I agree, the "lets not change a winning team" doesnt make sense when we've got such problems at the top end. However even if you do leave it, its only a 3 test series, by the time we've realised it, we'd be one test down.

Changes need to be made and made now.

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I'd like to think that Strauss would be blooded in the WI series later in the summer when he's likely to find the introduction a bit easier and be under less pressure.... but Fletcher seems to oscillate between great man management and being downright evil - so who knows.

Rachael

Why is identifying the problem in the batting line up and doing something positive about it considered 'oscillating between great man management and being downright evil' ? Because Collingwood, being on a central contrct doesn't get to play? Thats considered being downright evil? Collingwood is a middle order batsman, and is being lined up to possibly replace Hussain in the longer term. The biggest problem with the England batting line up right now is in the openers, which has been discussed at some length on here. Strauss is the natural opener replacement - thats why he's possibly being brought in. I don't see how this will affect Collingwood's longer term chances, he'll get his chance when Nas retires.

All very sensible to me, I don't really understand your take on this one.

Scott

[Notts Exile]

Afternoon Scott,

If Nass doesn't retire until the end of the summer then is it likely that Pietersen may leapfrog Collingwood and into the middle-order? My belief being that he is a better player (by a fair way too), also offering plenty in the field.

What do you think?

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

i think rachael means we're throwing a guy in with no test experience and say "right- open, and open successfully"

Collingwood will obviously get his chance, but we're asking a bit of strauss. Having said that I think he'll deliver.

[Whips_off_the_bails]

I think Trescothick is the problem in the opening combo, not Vaughan.

Tresco keeps saying he needs time in the middle, but his poor form is costing England dear at the moment, even if the Windies didn't collect on the debt. I'm sure the Kiwis will. He should spend some time with Somerset rediscovering his form, not doing it at test level. The opening partnership dictates the course of the entire ininings, and if one of the openers has a problem that can't be corrected in the nets, as is the case with Trescothick, he shouldn't be carried as a passenger by the rest of the side.

I would drop Trescothick and replace him with Strauss, leaving the side otherwised unchanged for the NZ tests.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Would that mean leaving giles in clive ?

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Whips_off_the_bails

I think Trescothick is the problem in the opening combo, not Vaughan.

Clive

I couldn't agree with you more, my thoughts exactly! But Tresco seems untouchable at the moment, and bringing in Strauss and dropping Vaughan down the order is the next best answer. I really do feel though that unless Tresco comes up with the goods big time in the next two series, his place is going to be under some severe pressure.

Scott

[Whips_off_the_bails]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

Would that mean leaving giles in clive ?

Faute de mieux, yes.

Of course, he is likely to end up as 12th-man more often than not in English conditions. It depends on the pitches and what kind of summer we have.