Strauss in? Whose Out?

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Captain Applehead

So, I guess, the selectors need to work out what 'type' of man Strauss is, in terms of temperament/confidence etc. I don't know enough about him to comment. But if he is as talented, yet as weak minded as Hick, I'd rather wait until the WI tests. However, if he has the strength of mind to be take a few disappointments, then give him a go.

Captain

From the limited experience I have of seeing Strauss play, he's mentally strong enough to go in against NZ. He's a natural opener - he opens for Middlesex, and has a sound technique.

I tend to go wide eyed when I see people singing Hick's praises, of most of the England batsman I've seen tried in the past, in my mind Hick was the biggest flop - he just did not have what it takes mentally to be a Test Batsman and he failed time and time again. Quite why he was given such a long run in the side is quite beyond my comprehension, he simply did not have what it takes to perform at that level.

Scott

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

Scott

I think either option is viable. The main reason I suggested the Tresco/Strauss swap would be that it maintains the left/right-handed combo at the top of the order and means that the top 3 batsmen aren't all lefties.

Captain A

If a player doesn't have the strength of mind to cope with the pressure and the inevitable disappointments which are associated with top level sport he isn't good enough to play at that level (for example Maynard, Hick, Ramprakash et al).

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Glamorgan Wanderer

I think either option is viable. The main reason I suggested the Tresco/Strauss swap would be that it maintains the left/right-handed combo at the top of the order and means that the top 3 batsmen aren't all lefties.

GW

Certainly agree on maintaining the Right/Left combination, it really does make life that much more difficult for bowlers having to keep adjusting their line all the time - it paid dividends against the WI Quicks.

Scott

[Mark Kidger]

We are talking about this guy on the basis of two innings in ODIs - a 3 v Sri Lanka in a rout and 29 v West Indies in a shortened match. Certainly it would make life a lot easier if he could actually get onto the field and play a decent innings. Duncan Fletcher has said as much - all the plans to find out about players like Strauss this winter have come to nothing.

In general though, if you can improve a winning side, do it, but don't change things unnecessarilly! We're just about all agreed that Strauss should be tried against New Zealand. The most unnecessary player in the team at the moment is Giles and it takes a brave man to say that he'll play a significant part in the Tests against New Zealand. Let's have a straight swap of Strauss for Giles and then IF he does well, think about the long term at the end of the series when Hussain's place will be under real question for the Tests against the Windies.

[high_on_linseed]

Tres will move down the order, not Vaughan, and then Strauss may get his chance as opener. Theyll play six batsmen and drop Giles if they have the balls.