Bothan says,Hussain out Colly,or Strauss in

[Ernest]

Ian Botham wants Hussain dropped,according to the BBC sport news Full story here http://news.bbc.co,uk/sport/hi/crick...3702753.stm,or http://www.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ENG/ click on botham,I knoe the 2nd link works.

HE goes on to say hat Nasa should step down,and a youngster would find it easier to play alongside Mark Butcher,or Graham Thorpe.

Besides quoting Hussains statistics, for
the spring tour of the West Indies: 6 innings scoring scoring just 197,averaging 32.83.

has he got a point?is it to soon. He says he would like to see Andrew Strauss,or Paul Collingwood,picked in Hussains place.

According to Botham,we should be looking forward to the ashes series against the Ausrailian`s.

He goes on to say we should adopt the Australian way,and say to Hussain.Thanks a lot Mas ,but we have to go forward.

Have we got the right payers at the moment,to fill the shoes off Hussain?Is Strauss,or Collingwood,the men England need in the long tem?to fill his boots,to play Australia in 2005?

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

In one respect, Botham is right. Nass isnt going to be around in 5 years time, so with a "mature" middle order it might be better if one did go and nass being oldest, and lets be honest not as good as the other two, perhaps he should go. I know the aussies have binned players who we'd kill to have ie slater and bevan but it just seems a bit odd that its us thinking like this. I think he'll play the firs t test. if he does well he'll continue if he doesnt he may well jump before he is pushed. I'd like to see him in the same commentry box as gatting !!!

[Mike_Hock]

I think he will be in the team for the first test also. He may be judged on a test by test basis.

[DaveGillespie]

Botham is a widely acknowledged fool when it comes to general selection issues (with the notable exception of Harmison). The advantages of playing Hussain for (at the very least) the NZ series to give his replacement an easier time of it starting out on flatter mid-season tracks have been well documented on this board, and I for one agree.

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Mike_Hock

I think he will be in the team for the first test also. He may be judged on a test by test basis.

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

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by DaveGillespie

Botham is a widely acknowledged fool when it comes to general selection issues (with the notable exception of Harmison). The advantages of playing Hussain for (at the very least) the NZ series to give his replacement an easier time of it starting out on flatter mid-season tracks have been well documented on this board, and I for one agree.

Well Botham does have some intelligent things to say on Cricket issues, but he's not always right. I think this is a good case in point. He's right in one sense - Hussain does need to be replaced - we all know that, no one disputes that Hussain is in the twighlight of his career and his replacement is imminent - just let the guy play out his last 5 Tests and let him retire voluntarily - don't force him out - that would be mean.

Scott

[Mike_Hock]

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.

Scott

I actually agree, but I feel that if Hussain fails in the first test he will not be required to play for England again.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I think we made a rod for our own back when we let stewie choose his own retirement date ( I say this with the benifit of hindsight - I was a big fan and thought he was still better than the competition). It may have been better to blood read or jones a little earlier. As we are more than likely to be dropping giles, a nass-replacemnt will be blooded anyway wont they ?

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

On another note, I find it incredible that botham of all people has the nerve to say "thanks alot nass we need to move forward" when botham was still being picked for at least two years when he was total ****e, and was being picked on his name alone.

[Essex Eagle]

Good point .....Botham was an embarrasing porker against the Aussies in 93'

infact if you look at his last 20 tests i think he averaged 40 with the ball and 20 with the bat



Surely Giles wont play (im trying to convince myself) so why not play either Colly or Strauss instead anyway??

They are both keeping Pietersens spot warm anyhow