He's done it! Nasser HUSSAIN!!!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I dont think Scott wants butcher dropped because he didnt bat well (at least I dont think so - correct me if I'm worng Scott) its more a case that strauss was fantastic and we want him in the team (I'd open with him) and who can we move to accommodate him. Giles would be the answer but if its still dry headingly may take his kind of "spin".

What a great position to be in !

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Whips_off_the_bails

I love this man. Spectacular catches, a brilliant run-out, 36 and 106 not out! Take that Mike Gatting, you fat, disloyal rand-chasing oaf! Take that, you lot in the press box! Take that, Clive Wilshin, for even thinking that maybe he should be dropped to squeeze Strauss in (but only because he might be retiring soon anyway - if Nasser agrees to tour next winter, he should be allowed to). This is his best innings since Christchurch in 2001.

Hin WOTB

Who gives way to who ,Nasa don brill,Giles done best for yonks,Thorpe got more in his 50 than Butcher in the match,under pressure,popular thing is yo say Giles,not so sure selectors will agree,Good suff to good for the selectors

[Pete]

Nas been talking on sky about retiring after today. Says he doesn't want to hold younger guys like Strauss back.

[Kirsty Harris]

I'm still trying to get my emotions under control after witnesing Nassers wonderful innings today...to come in at 35-2, and lead us to victory (bar minor hickup of running Strauss out!) was just vintage Hussain.

During the afternoon session my friends and I were fondly reflecting on the highlights of Hussains career, and it is amazing how much the man has done for this country when you get to thinking about...

Anyway, there he is on 98 and hits the four...the whole of Lords is on it's feet for at least three minutes...and Hussain is happier than I've ever seen him. At this moment, while wildly applading, it suddenly hit me: this is it - the last time Hussain will bat for England. When I saw the way he turned a raised his arms to the crowd before exiting the field of play, it popped into my head again.

When I heard what he had to say at the press conference just now, I knew it was true.

Hussain is just the kind of player who would make a decision like that in this mannor - he could play a couple more games and get his 100 caps, but what could be more perfect than this moment today to end on?

I feel very sad but proud of Hussain - a brave warrior and mighty diplomate for England over the years. He will be greatly missed by the side...and I think some people don't yet realise by how much..

Of course, he may decide to carry on, but in my heart I don't belive it..

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by high_on_linseed

You are NOT serious are you Scot?

HOL

Don't shoot the piano player!

It wasn't my view, that was Boyc's view. All I've said is - he's got a very good point.

Everyone maintains you shouldn't drop Strauss after what he's done, and he's certainly done as much as anyone could do on his Test debut. Nasser has one again proved his class, his experience, his determination to excel at the highest level of the game, under pressure - not just his Century knock, his superb catches and runout - drop him at your peril. Vaughan WILL come back, so who do you drop?

I tend to agree it would be knee jerk and a little foolish to drop Butcher - but if you want to play Strauss - someone has to go. If you want my opinion - I'm happy to give it.

I think we need to realise, first and foremost that Strauss came in the side as cover for Vaughan, he's not a regular selection and was used purely as cover for an opening batsman, it's true he's done exceedingly well, but he is still only cover for an injury and that does not guarantee him a place in the next Test Match. Having said that, I beleive that the opening partnership with Tresco worked exceedingly well, and could well be a longer term solution to the opening pairing.

One of the biggest problems with England's batting recently has been the failures of the openers in the Carribean, and I beleive strongly that Vaughan will bat better down the order than he will as an opener - and I'd like to see this tested, the inclusion of Strauss could well be a good time to test it out. If you play Strauss as an opener with Tresco, and drop Vaughan down the order - someone has to go from the middle order and sadly on recent form - thats going to be Butcher.

Lets not forget that this dropping of Butcher is only going to be temporary, at least until Nas retires after he's got his 100 caps which I fully expect him to do. It's not as if Butch is being dropped permanently...

In my mind the line up of Tresco, Strauss, Vaughan, Hussain, Thorpe is stronger at the moment than Tresco, Vaughan, Butcher, Hussain, Thorpe. You really do have to play your strongest side. I fully expect that line up in the future to read Tresco, Strauss, Butcher, Vaughan, Thorpe.

Having said all of that I feel the selectors will select - Tresco, Vaughan, Butcher, Hussain, Thorpe!

What I don't think the selectors should do is include Strauss, but not play him as an opener.

Scott

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

I'm still trying to get my emotions under control after witnesing Nassers wonderful innings today...to come in at 35-2, and lead us to victory (bar minor hickup of running Strauss out!) was just vintage Hussain.

Come on Kirsty ! That wasn't Hussain's fault. The replays clearly show Strauss was at fault, he was caught napping, should have been backing up, wasn't, should have run when the call was made - didn't, ran, hesistated, stopped midway and then realised he was f*cked! All credit to him though, he realised he was at fault and purposely ran himself out to ensure Nas was ok - that said more about him to me as a person and a man than anything he could have done with the bat and I think a lot more highly of him now for that.

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

Of course, he may decide to carry on, but in my heart I don't belive it..

You may well be right about this, it's the kind of thing he'd do. I don't have enough praise for Nasser Hussain, so I'm not even going to try, suffice to say that he's done more for English Cricket in the last 10 years than anyone else. I have the greatest amount of respect for him as a person, a cricketer and amabassador for the game. I just hope the media see's some sense and snaps him up as a Commentator, so we can still enjoy his input.

All I can say is, if someone said to me, you can have one, one hours conversation with any current member of the English Cricket Team - without hesitation it would be with Hussain.

Scott

[Scott-Wozniak]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

I dont think Scott wants butcher dropped because he didnt bat well (at least I dont think so - correct me if I'm worng Scott) its more a case that strauss was fantastic and we want him in the team (I'd open with him) and who can we move to accommodate him. Giles would be the answer but if its still dry headingly may take his kind of "spin".

RBLC

I just think England should play their strongest side, if that means Butch stepping out for a couple of Tests then sobeit. Although it looks like Gentleman Hussain may well make all this academic - by retiring before the next game, typical of him - always putting others first. It makes his Century and him hitting the winning runs so much sweeter...

Scott

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

I tend to agree it would be knee jerk and a little foolish to drop Butcher - but if you want to play Strauss - someone has to go. If you want my opinion - I'm happy to give it.

I think we need to realise, first and foremost that Strauss came in the side as cover for Vaughan, he's not a regular selection.

One of the biggest problems with England's batting recently has been the failures of the openers in the Carribean, and I beleive strongly that Vaughan will bat better down the order than he will as an opener - and I'd like to see this tested, the inclusion of Strauss could well be a good time to test it out. If you play Strauss as an opener with Tresco, and drop Vaughan down the order - someone has to go from the middle order and sadly on recent form - thats going to be Butcher.

Lets not forget that this dropping of Butcher is only going to be temporary, at least until Nas retires after he's got his 100 caps which I fully expect him to do. It's not as if Butch is being dropped permanently...


What I don't think the selectors should do is include Strauss, but not play him as an opener.

Scott

Evening Scott,
Thorny one this,if you are going to play Strauss it will have to be as an opener,to be honest he looks a better opener,than Vaughan and Tresco,on the one game I have seen,that is the problem,he has had two high scores in his first game.
Two things I think you are correct on Scott,Vaughan would be better down the order,and you are right someone would have to give way.logic says Butcher ,HOL thinks drop Giles,ok i can live with that,but it leaves us a bowler short,HOL says Headingly takes seam we dont need spinner,even if this is so,we need another bowler,so we are left with the same problem,who do we leave out?if we do it HOLs way the bowling will be light.

I disagree with one point you made Scott,if they drop Butch,he will never get back in the side,we have to many contenders.

Look what happened to Crawley,he was as good as anyone else,he was injured never to be seen again.

My opinion for what it is worth,the selectors will go ckicken ****,and drop Giles,crap or not he gives our seam bowlers a spell.

congrats on your World record

Ernest

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Scott-Wozniak

Come on Kirsty ! That wasn't Hussain's fault. The replays clearly show Strauss was at fault, he was caught napping, should have been backing up, wasn't, should have run when the call was made - didn't, ran, hesistated, stopped midway and then realised he was f*cked! All credit to him though, he realised he was at fault and purposely ran himself out to ensure Nas was ok - that said more about him to me as a person and a man than anything he could have done with the bat and I think a lot more highly of him now for that.



You may well be right about this, it's the kind of thing he'd do. I don't have enough praise for Nasser Hussain, so I'm not even going to try, suffice to say that he's done more for English Cricket in the last 10 years than anyone else. I have the greatest amount of respect for him as a person, a cricketer and amabassador for the game. I just hope the media see's some sense and snaps him up as a Commentator, so we can still enjoy his input.

All I can say is, if someone said to me, you can have one, one hours conversation with any current member of the English Cricket Team - without hesitation it would be with Hussain.

Scott

That's intersting, Scott - I only saw the replay on the big screen once, and the general view was that it was down to Hussain calling for a run that wasn't there. It seems the genral view of Aggars and Stewert just now on Radio 5. I'll have to watch the highlights to see for myself.... my initial feeling WAS the same as yours, but I assumed I was wrong!!

It won't be the same watching England without Hussain..he'll leave a big hole! Stewert seems to think Hussain will rethink it in a couple of days, but I can't see it...he's made up his time but wants to talk it over with his family first.

I also think Hussain would be a great person to chat too...he seems very deep and thoughtful.

I'll miss him, but if it is is last game, he has gone out in style!

[R W S]

Difficult to deduce what the plans are - and when we do see them it should reveal the overall stategy. But in the meantime we can have some fun second guessing!

Some points to take into consideration:

I heard on TMS that chair DG has asked Middx not to play Strauss in the county match this week.
I'd read into this that we will play Strauss at Leeds in some capacity.

The NZs had a problem with our left/right combinations - especially Vettori.
we must balance the order with this in mind

Headingley is a seamers pitch and low scoring
Yorks are pony but in CC2 this season Hants/Essex have put up 400 or high 300s - so no 5 seamers

Giles is back to his best form (doesnt say much!) and ExEngland star Udal got 3 for 8 in a 1st innings in Leeds
The England management are married to the idea of having a batting spinner - so Giles will play