Bothan says,Hussain out Colly,or Strauss in

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Statto

This was my piont earlier, that we are too dependant on making the slow bowlers bat, but never seem to be looking for a seamer who can bat

Statto

Well they've got a seamer who can bat - Rikki Clarke. But he's not really ready for Test Match Cricket yet - his batting could arguably be good enough, but his bowling certainly isn't. Perhaps in a couple of years, but he's not ready yet.

Scott

[Statto]

scott,
i didnt mean someone like rikki clarke, i mean a proper bowler who can bat 8

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

Forgive me if I'm wrong scott, but in the fourth test wasnt it A: played on a batting paradise and B: didnt half the team leave the field with a case of the ****s ?

RBLC

I think you got that one about right! Just goes to show the risks you take only playing 3 specialist seamers and an allrounder doesn't it! And it's no surprise that Batty bowled the most overs in that game either!

But yes it was a good batting wicket, even so, *important point this pay attention* it didn't stop the West Indian bowlers taking wickets though did it? And if you say - thats because England were mentally tired from spending too long out in the field, Ill reply with that's balderdash poppycock!! The fact is - England struggled to take 5 wickets in that game and the West Indies nearly bowled England out twice. You can draw whatever conclusions you want from that, but in my mind a lot had to do with the fact that England were weak on the bowler front, and of course it didnt help that Hoggard went of with a case of Montezuma's revenge as you rightly point out!

Scott

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Statto

scott,
i didnt mean someone like rikki clarke, i mean a proper bowler who can bat 8

Well he's a batsman who can bowl - what's wrong with that

I know what you mean, you won't find many world class seam bowlers who can also bat, and if they can - they're allrounders aren't they!

[Statto]

we already have a batsman who can bowl - Freddie. We need to have 4 quality bowlers as well, at least one of which needs to bat as well

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

But scott, doesnt it also point out our batting was too weak so we need an extra bat !?!?!!? In one respect rikki clarke (in the future )could fill the gap but he's not really going to offer much more than that is already on offer. But we're back to bits and pieces again......

[Essex Eagle]

This is my point.....

If Freddie isnt 4th seamer, then sorry but you cant call him an 'allrounder'

He would have to be a batsman who can bowl a bit!!!


Our bowling was perfectly ok with just 4 seamers in the Windies, Giles didnt participate at all

Im one of those who thinks that unless we start getting 400's we wont be able to put our seam attack in the positions we would like.

look at this winter .....we didnt hit 400 until the last test on a belter

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Lets look to the aussies on this one, god knows we are always trying to base oursleves on them for everything else. They have 3 seamers and a (world class )spinner. The seamers are a bit fragile and two can barely hold a bat. warne can bat a bit but probably no better than giles. The rest of the overs are filled with the likes lehman, martyn, and previoulsy the waugh twins. Are they great bowlers ? Of course not. but they'll offer a bit of variety and relive the strike bowlers. As soon as we find our spinner that should be our model.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

I'd like to see him in the same commentry box as gatting !!!

I'd prefer if Gatting was not in it. Last summer on TMS he hardly paused to draw breath.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Mike

Death by a thousand cuts? Don't think so. Let's treat Nas with some respect please (not aiming that at you, but the selectors) and set a date for him to retire, up to which time he needs to retain his place in the side.

You either accept the premise that Nas currently isn't good enough to be in the side and you replace him, or you allow him to continue playing till he retires, voluntarily. I think it would be grossly unfair to one of England's premier Captains and batsman to suddenly drop him.

Nas has stated his desire to continue playing till he reaches his 100 Test Cap's which I believe will be in 5 Tests time. In my mind they should allow him to reach his 100 Test Caps (ala Stewart) and then let him step down with the respect and admiration he deserves from the excellent service he has given to his Country.

I think Botham is being a little mean spirited calling for Nas's replacement now, he knows full well that Nas will be retiring soon and is trying to 'force the issue', hopefully the selectors will see sense and allow him the courtesy of playing out his last 5 Tests till he wants to retire.

A little bit sentimental I suppose but I've got a lot of respect for Hussain and what he's done for English Cricket and I think it would be wrong to just discard him to the scrap heap as soon as he's no longer wanted or needed - let's have some respect for the man and for what he's done in the past.

Scott

Hear,hear! Nasser didn't have a bad test series in the Windies either. Keep him on.