Team for first Test vs. NZ

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by R W S

I heard the squad announcement from Chair Graveney this morning on t'radio and my interpretation is that we'll start with the usual suspects come Thursday.Sporting Life reckon Anderson will replace S Jones but thats not the impression I got.

Are they having a movie double bill before the test match on Thursday? In that case, I recommend Reserviour Dogs to follow The Usual Suspects....

Sorry that is a very bad joke - slap wrist!!

Well, Gravney did kind of hedge his bets a bit with Giles 'he's played well for us abroad but english pitches don't tend to suit him' or something like that. I have a gut feeling Anderson will get the nod over Jones.

[R W S]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

Are they having a movie double bill before the test match on Thursday? In that case, I recommend Reserviour Dogs to follow The Usual Suspects....

Sorry that is a very bad joke - slap wrist!!

Well, Gravney did kind of hedge his bets a bit with Giles 'he's played well for us abroad but english pitches don't tend to suit him' or something like that. I have a gut feeling Anderson will get the nod over Jones.

That scene in the line up at the police station is fantastic, with them all reading the line 'Hand-me-the-keys, you-****ing-****-sucker' - hilarious..
Get the full usual suspects script here

Thanks for the recap K - it was a bit early! Did you listen to the discussion between Gower, Graveney and the sports writer Henry Winter about Hussien and Zim?

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by R W S

That scene in the line up at the police station is fantastic, with them all reading the line 'Hand-me-the-keys, you-****ing-****-sucker' - hilarious..
Get the full usual suspects scipt here

Thanks for the recap K - it was a bit early! Did you listen to the discussion between Gower, Graveney and the sports writer Henry Winter about Hussien and Zim?

I heard what Gower had to say about the selection of Hussain - seems to think he shouldn't be around much longer!! But had to go shopping after that.

That scene is one of my three fav movie scenes ever! (along with the 'hole in the wall' moment in The Shawshank Redemption and 'the battle of wits' from the Princess Bride - bet you've never heard of that one!! Bet you don't really want to know anyway!!! Tough - after cricket, movies are my favorite thing!!!!)

Apparently it was originally meant to be straight-faced, but because they all kept cracking up, they decided to keep it like that!

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

No surprises there then, although why they've selected Collingwood ahead of Strauss is a mysetery... Graveny did hint at Giles not playing, and suggested Hussain would be in the side (form allowing) for the time being.

Kirsty

No surprises at all, but then were we expecting any? Collingwood pressing for Giles's place and Anderson for Jones's.

As Graveney said - the weather will play a part, if it looks likely the ball will swing - Anderson will get the nod over Jones and if it looks likely to suit spin Giles over Collingwood.

Graveney also, interestingly, talked about the one area of the team they're looking to strengthen/fix/sort out much along the lines we discussed yesterday - Giles's spinner slot. As we discussed yesterday, in the longer term I think they want an attacking spinner who can take wickets, not bowl defensively to keep runs down. The inclusion of this spinner does depend on them strengthening the lower order batting - hence G Jones.

I also don't understand why people are surprised Collingwood is getting the nod over Strauss. Collingwood is the heir apparent to Hussains slot when he retires and in my mind Strauss is there to put pressure on Trescothick. Why can't people see Strauss is there to push for Tresco's place? Trescothick isn't untouchable, and if he fails again in this series, I beleive that'll be his lot.

Scott

[sostenurter]

Morning all,

Anyone else slightly heartened by the poor showing of the Kiwis in the warm-up games? I realise that they are only warm-ups, not the be-all and end-all, but to see the Kiwis struggle gives me some hope for the Tests.

And on the subject of warm-up matches, what about Rob Key? Along with most of this board, I was glad the Test sdie had seen the back of him, but scoring centuries in successive innings against an international side is no mean feat. Then again, it could just be Graeme Hick syndrome...does well against the tourists in warm-ups but fails on the big stage.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by sostenurter

And on the subject of warm-up matches, what about Rob Key? Along with most of this board, I was glad the Test sdie had seen the back of him, but scoring centuries in successive innings against an international side is no mean feat. Then again, it could just be Graeme Hick syndrome...does well against the tourists in warm-ups but fails on the big stage.

Afternoon sostenurter,

I think the Kiwis are in for a ling hard summer,i would like to see key back in nassa's place,things cpold well be different with vaughan as captain.

Giles in again,we must have no other spinner

Ernest

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Kirsty

No surprises at all, but then were we expecting any?

As Graveney said - the weather will play a part, if it looks likely the ball will swing - Anderson will get the nod over Jones and if it looks likely to suit spin Giles over Collingwood.

Graveney also, interestingly, talked about the one area of the team they're looking to strengthen/fix/sort out much along the lines we discussed yesterday - Giles's spinner slot. As we discussed yesterday, in the longer term I think they want an attacking spinner who can take wickets, not bowl defensively to keep runs down. The inclusion of this spinner does depend on them strengthening the lower order batting - hence G Jones.

I also don't understand why people are surprised Collingwood is getting the nod over Strauss. Collingwood is the heir apparent to Hussains slot when he retires and in my mind Strauss is there to put pressure on Trescothick. Why can't people see Strauss is there to push for Tresco's place? Trescothick isn't untouchable, and if he fails again in this series, I beleive that'll be his lot.

Scott

Nope, not surprised by the team at all! I agree with the principle of Giles only playing if the situation is right - but, as I've said, if Giles doesn't play, I'd rather play the extra seamer if the conditions are right. Of course they won't do that (a bit of a gamble, I suppose).

As for the Collingwood/Strauss issue - I'm not SURPRISED at his selection, just puzzled. I think Strauss could quite easily adapt to batting in Hussains postion. He's going to be waiting a long time to get Tres's place!!! I've nothing against Collingwood, decent enough player, but I see Strauss as having more class about him, is all!

Overall, I am really excited about the series ahead...and I'm going to watch it two days! Lovely!!

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

Nope, not surprised by the team at all! I agree with the principle of Giles only playing if the situation is right - but, as I've said, if Giles doesn't play, I'd rather play the extra seamer if the conditions are right. Of course they won't do that (a bit of a gamble, I suppose).

Kirsty

No they won't do that - it's too aggressive and as you say - a bit of a gamble and I'm not sure the batting is strong enough yet to to allow that. It's what I would do, as I've said, but not what they will do.

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

As for the Collingwood/Strauss issue - I'm not SURPRISED at his selection, just puzzled. I think Strauss could quite easily adapt to batting in Hussains postion. He's going to be waiting a long time to get Tres's place!!! I've nothing against Collingwood, decent enough player, but I see Strauss as having more class about him, is all!

I don't think he'll be waiting a long time at all Kirsty. Trescothick is on notice, if he fails to make any runs in the NZ series, I'm pretty sure Strauss will play against the West Indies. They're not going to allow Trescothick to continue to fail much longer. I just hope its conclusive. I either want to see Trescothick do well and confim his place, or fail miserably and allow Strauss a chance. What I don't want to see is a couple of scratchy 50's surrounded by failures which does just enough to keep him in the side, which he seems to have a habit of doing.

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

Overall, I am really excited about the series ahead...and I'm going to watch it two days! Lovely!!

Lucky you!

I shall be watching it on Sky!

Scott

[sostenurter]

There is the possibility that Strauss could open, and Tres move down to No.6. I would prefer to see that happen before Tres is dropped - I think Trescothick could make a very good No.6.

Unless there is a big downpour before Thursday, it looks like Giles will play, and we'll go with the same team that was in the Windies, minus Read for G Jones, and with the possibilty of Anderson for S Jones. I have no problem with Anderson replacing S Jones - I think they are both good bowlers and I think whoever plays on thursday will take the wickets needed. However, I'd like to reinforce the point Glamorgan Wanderer (I think) made - that when Anderson takes 3-20 at lords and jones bowls later in the season and takes 2-60, let's remember that Anderson was given the better conditions.

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by sostenurter

There is the possibility that Strauss could open, and Tres move down to No.6. I would prefer to see that happen before Tres is dropped - I think Trescothick could make a very good No.6.

sostenurter

I don't buy this 'view'.

There's plenty of evidence that suggests that Tresco is a bit of a 'flat track bully'. He prospers on flat tracks, but struggles when the ball is moving about off the seam or swinging. I don't see how dropping him down the order is going to help with this. If the ball is doing a bit, how will it help him batting down the order? I accept he won't have to deal with the new ball, that does the most when its hard and shiny, but it'll still be moving about by the time Tresco comes in.

All the evidence points to the series against the Kiwi's being played on bowler friendly pitches, which is why I'm tipping Tresco to fail again. I hope I'm wrong - I just don't think I will be.

Scott