Team for first Test vs. NZ

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

I have faith in Tres..he was coming back into form towards the end of the test series, and I think he can carry his good ODI form into the tests! Tres is a very good player, and will shortly remind every one of this fact! Here's hoping it's on Friday or Sunday so I can enjoy it in person!!

Kirsty

I hope you're right.

But I must point out that Tresco's 'back into form' was played on flat, good batting wickets. These early seaming/swinging English wickets will find him out once and for all. In your words he's 'got back into form' and he's had time to work in the nets, work on his game, work on his technique, get his mental concentration sorted out.

So there should be no reason for any failures against the Kiwi's right? He's in form, had time to get his game together.

Lets see what happens.

Scott

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by sostenurter

I don't know that Trescothick is the flat-track bully you make out - I think you're right when you say he has a weakness against when the ball is moving about off the seam or swinging. But he's actually an exceptionally good player of spin - people forget this when they go on and on about his footwork etc.

sostenurter

Well I said 'a bit of a flat track bully'! He does seem to prosper against seamers on flat tracks and as you said against the spinners, but flounders against the seaming/swinging ball. This is exactly why I'm very concerned about him opening in the next Test series which are being played on wickets that will produce exactly the kind of 'moving ball' he struggles against. This is basically why I've been pushing for Strauss to open with Vaughan.

As I've said - I hope I'm wrong, but one thing I will be annoyed about, is if I'm proved right.

Scott

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Kirsty

I hope you're right.

But I must point out that Tresco's 'back into form' was played on flat, good batting wickets. These early seaming/swinging English wickets will find him out once and for all. In your words he's 'got back into form' and he's had time to work in the nets, work on his game, work on his technique, get his mental concentration sorted out.

So there should be no reason for any failures against the Kiwi's right? He's in form, had time to get his game together.

Lets see what happens.

Scott

Like I said, Scott, I have confidence in Tres!! You don't have a test match average of 40 by accident or only being able to bat on flat, good wickets. Tres is a class player who has been in a bad trot, but he will come through it. I agree if he doesn't make runs in this series, questions should be asked, but I think he will be fine.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Kirsty

Oh dear! I'ts back to Mark Nicholas interspersed with Horse racing is it? Arghhhh!

For future reference, I've seen you refer to Hollioakes before and I've never been able to figure out what Ben Hollioake has anything to do with Channel 4! I've now figured it out - you mean Hollyoaks !

Scott

That's proof that I really have got cricket on my brain!! I always think of Hollyoaks being Hollioakes!!! Useually I'm too lazy to correct myself!!

[Richard Jenkins]

I'd leave Hussain out now, and bring in another batsman. Perhaps a completely new player, or maybe an old hand

Old hands suggestions: Ramprakash (Yes I know ) Hick (double yes I know)


new hands :Strauss

My team
tresco , Vaughan, Butcher, an other, Thorpe, Flintoff, Jones, Giles, Hoggard, Jones, Harmison

But having said all that I'm not sure that a change is really needed. I can't justify why I'd leave out hussain , he's not that bad.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Richard Jenkins

I'd leave Hussain out now, and bring in another batsman. Perhaps a completely new player, or maybe an old hand

Old hands suggestions: Ramprakash (Yes I know ) Hick (double yes I know)


new hands :Strauss

My team
tresco , Vaughan, Butcher, an other, Thorpe, Flintoff, Jones, Giles, Hoggard, Jones, Harmison

But having said all that I'm not sure that a change is really needed. I can't justify why I'd leave out hussain , he's not that bad.

Richard, I can just about understand why people think we have to think about easing Hussain out of the picture (even if I don't really agree, at this point), but I can't see the logic of doing so just to bring back an 'old hand'. It's not exactly building for the future! I do like the look of Strauss...his time will come, I'm sure.

I knew someone would suggest bringing back Hick after his double ton! It was only a matter of time! I wish I could have got a bet on it...

Lovely day!!!

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Richard Jenkins

I'd leave Hussain out now, and bring in another batsman. Perhaps a completely new player, or maybe an old hand

Old hands suggestions: Ramprakash (Yes I know ) Hick (double yes I know)

There is only one good reason to remove Hussain, that is to get a young player into the team, into an established and experinced team. Which is what Australia do. I will not see any point in removing Hussain and replacing with Hick, who is older and Ramprakash, who is a similar age.

Having said that Hussain's figures are in decline, I would say that this is his last Season for England, I can't see him travelling to Zimbabwe, and I guess then you draw a line under his career, and get Strauss in.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Richard Jenkins

My team
tresco , Vaughan, Butcher, an other, Thorpe, Flintoff, Jones, Giles, Hoggard, Jones, Harmison

But having said all that I'm not sure that a change is really needed. I can't justify why I'd leave out hussain , he's not that bad.

I=Hi richaed
I can justify leaving ot Hussain,we have to look forward to Autralie 2005.

My Team...Tresco, Vaughan, butcher, Thorpe, key, Flintoff, Read, Keedy, Harmison, Anderson, Jones...

12 th man Hoggard,in caseits overcast.

key could well play different under Vaughan,he woukd get a decent run,and not keep having to look over his shoulder,time Giles started chewing the cud,in pastures new.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

So people, is fletcher going to play giles ? I think he might. For all the hype about our english early season green top tracks, all sorts off spinners taking a few wickets. Having said I notice collingwood took a few wickets yesterday.

[sostenurter]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

So people, is fletcher going to play giles ? I think he might. For all the hype about our english early season green top tracks, all sorts off spinners taking a few wickets. Having said I notice collingwood took a few wickets yesterday.

Early season Englsih conditions suit our part-time bowlers - Butcher took a four-for at this stage last year, Anthony Mcgrath took three and Collingwood and Trescothick would probably do OK. If any of these are called upon, I don't think they'd let the side down. But I don't think they will need to be called upon 'cos I think the four frontline seamers will polish the Kiwis off.

Do we play Giles? Hmmm...weather has been pretty good here in London...there might be a bit in it for Giles...barring any downpours between now and Thursday, I think he'll play. The off-spinner Rob Ferley at Kent, who used to be in the England U-19 side, took a couple of wickets against NZ.