Who is pushing for England places now?

[yubeingfunny]

Originally Posted by Mike_Hock

Powell and Harrison have had good starts for Glamorgan, however I wouldn't think that a call up would be around the corner.

Powell is a great call - he is a player who really looks to have what it takes to step up - its hard to put your finger on it but he seems to have that little something extra - his stats may not quite reflect it just yet but he is one of those players you never really feel he is going to fail when he's on his way to the crease - he has an air of confidence which seems to rub off on his teammates.

And hopefully Wallace gets a mention - his keeping is on a similar level to Read and his batting has potential which may or may not be realised with him opening the batting - we'll see.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Originally Posted by Tom Partis

i've been really surprised by all the support Rob Key has been getting in the last couple of days. the fat jibes about him seemed to be so widespread and vicious that i thought it would take a lot more than two back to back centuries to get him back into the international frame.

Thing is tom, most players will get stick if they're fat, unless they are botham. Key didnt look the part against the aussies (who did apart from vaughan?). He was then told to go away and improve, which he seems to have done.

[Tom Partis]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

Thing is tom, most players will get stick if they're fat, unless they are botham. Key didnt look the part against the aussies (who did apart from vaughan?). He was then told to go away and improve, which he seems to have done.

oh yeah i totally agree, i'm saying that i'm surprised that Key seems to have been so easily and swiftly forgiven, just because of a brace of centuries. i don't think he's ready for test cricket yet, and it would be cruel if he were to leapfrog Strauss and Collingwood. He's had his chance, he'll have to wait for another one. Meanwhile, we at Kent will quite happily enjoy his run scoring.

[Ernest]

No spinners I see linseed,one to ponder Keedy,cant think of any others.,Oh by the way keedy and jimmy,together took 19,out of them 29 Worstershire wickets to fall,just a thought.

[Linseed_on_willow]

Keedy is said to be class, but I have never personally seen him put in a good performance. Doesnt mean he hasnt or I dont think he has. Just that Ive never seen it. Funnily enough, my dad must have watched John Barnes play for Liverpool or England about a dozen times, and on every occassion he had a bad game. So to this day, he came away with the impression that John Barnes was a crap footballer.

Mainly, I omitted spinners, because I was talking about players who could step into the England team right now. And, I simply dont think spinners will play that big a part for us this summer. Now Ive said that, Gilo will play at Lords, and take ten for in the game, no doubt!

I also take back what I said about Newman. He looks good, but he has this habit of checking out once hes made 50. Doesnt seem to last for more than 100 balls often. not a good sign for a possible future test player. Obviously still undercooked.

And I take back what I said about Caddick! In fact, I take it all back ( ;

Afterthought: Many are saying Caddick is passed it. In baseball, Randy johnson just became only the 16th pitcher in the history of the majors to pictch a perfect innings. Age? 40 years and 8 months!

[Linseed_on_willow]

Bell seems to be playing a blinder for Warwicks today (against Sussex). Is it just my imagination, or is there actually quite a bit of healthy competition for batting places building up with Key, Afzaal, Strauss, Collingwood, Bell, Pieterson, all coming on stream (yeah, I know Pieterson aint qualifed yet).

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Linseed_on_willow

Mainly, I omitted spinners, because I was talking about players who could step into the England team right now. And, I simply dont think spinners will play that big a part for us this summer.

I had the same experience with Barnes,got it in the back of my mind he bagged onr in brazil.

I think Giles will play,only reason I picked Keedy he has done well on all tracks,in England,Giles likes the subcontinent.

Ryan Sydebottom Jmmm

ceefax page 124 interesting,bad refs brought up in parlement no less,think it was Sunderland said it cost them,need replays,for football.

I'd stick with your first post,with one exeption,and one addition....

[Teatime FatCat]

Who are all of the England players who's form is going to plummet to allow all of these hopefuls in. By the looks of all of the suggestions we have had, we've nearly got another XI (which is a good thing!).

we're looking to replace one batter (Hussain) and a spinner (guess who) and possibly a seamer who is injured or out of form (Jones) - I think the three likely lads (probably for SA) will be Pieterson, Keedy and Anderson.

also - Strauss to leapfrog Collywobbles in the reckoning for this test please!


From your suggestions, our likely A - Team XII would be - Strauss, Smith, Key, Pieterson, Collingwood, Prior, Read, Mascheraneous, Mahmood, Tremlett, Keedy, Anderson ?

[sostenurter]

Originally Posted by Linseed_on_willow

And I take back what I said about Caddick! In fact, I take it all back ( ;

Afterthought: Many are saying Caddick is passed it. In baseball, Randy johnson just became only the 16th pitcher in the history of the majors to pictch a perfect innings. Age? 40 years and 8 months!

I am a big fan of Caddick the bowler, but I don't want him back in the side because he keeps shooting his big mouth off, saying he's the best England seamer, Hoggard is just keeping his place warm, West Indies were a walkover and Boycott's mum would have got wickets against them, most pitches in the world are like the one in Antigua (so Caddick...who was bowling when Lara made his first world record at St John's?).

I wouldn't want to upset a settled, happy and successful pace attack for someone who is obviously a disruptive influence and who, in any case, has been injured for over a year.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Linseed_on_willow

Bell seems to be playing a blinder for Warwicks today (against Sussex). Is it just my imagination, or is there actually quite a bit of healthy competition for batting places building up with Key, Afzaal, Strauss, Collingwood, Bell, Pieterson, all coming on stream (yeah, I know Pieterson aint qualifed yet).

Yes there is,and I am glad you mentioned Key,i have no vested intrest,he dosn't play for my county,but I have a feeling in by bones about Key.Afzal hassent he been in the team before,he has promis,nice problam to have.

Have you give up on Ed Smith,dont know much about him,but when he came in the team he was highly recomended.
Hick is scoring a few isn't he/no i am not sa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!