New Blood For England

[dezz]

it seems by centrally contracting paul collingwood, if thorpe gets injured they will be forced to play collingwood when a better batsman would be key with his 'rich vein of form'

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by dezz

it seems by centrally contracting paul collingwood, if thorpe gets injured they will be forced to play collingwood when a better batsman would be key with his 'rich vein of form'

dezz

I dont think we have actually got to play Collingwood,as long as he is paid,like a conracted player now,if he was playing badly,he would be dropped,conract or no contact,conracts always have get out clauses in them anyway.

Its a good point though,it would make them look stupid,going over the head of a contracted player,doubt they would at the start.

Ernest

[yubeingfunny]

i'd rather see Strauss, Pietersen (when qualified obviously), M. Powell (glam), Collingwood or Ian Bell before i'd even think about recalling Rob Key.

Judging by the general census of this board i realise this may be a slightly unpopular opinion but i just cannot bring myself to view Rob Key as a test player.

Now i have no arguments that he clearly has a good technique and is a superb county batsman but when he got into the team first time round he didnt seem to have that extra something that all the top players seem to show - he (by his own admisson) was overawed by the atmosphere - now its always been my opinion that the best players feel instantly that they belong at that level - best example in recent times that spring to mind (botham, thorpe, trescothick) Key's attitude seems to be more akin to Hick and Ramps (although i've always rated Hick - which kind of contradicts myself but never mind)

Added to that he brings nothing to the side other than his batting. Which in the modern game is not enough, the players i mentioned at the top are all good fielders and/or capable of part time bowling. Key is too tubby and if we are talking about replacements for Nasser (a very good fielder) we cannot really afford to weaken the fielding department. On top of which i seem to remember reading somewhere that Key didnt really fit into the England team spirit - was too shy and found it hard to impose himself - so i cannot see it as anymore than a backwards step to pick him.

[R W S]

Originally Posted by ernest

Its a good point though,it would make them look stupid,going over the head of a contracted player,doubt they would at the start.

It figures.

That highlights a problem with so few centrally contracted players. It's like the captain's picks in the ryder cup. If you ony have two substitutes in the squad it's a gamble. You've got to throw some money at this problem and have a larger squad of quality individuals to choose from. There must me lessons from rugby & football where national squads are at least twice the size of the team.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by R W S

It figures.

That highlights a problem with so few centrally contracted players. It's like the captain's picks in the ryder cup. If you ony have two substitutes in the squad it's a gamble. You've got to throw some money at this problem and have a larger squad of quality individuals to choose from. There must me lessons from rugby & football where national squads are at least twice the size of the team.

To be fair R W,has the ECB not said it was extending the number of contracts,yes you have to throw some money at it,or play a wild card.

[dezz]

since we're bringing aesthetics into this i'd say that key has a big manly voice and for that he deserves a place over the premature dropping of butcher. i think butcher has not got long. his done well by being in form for 3 years whereas you's back thorpe to get runs all the time.
cheers' butch

[kriss]

Originally Posted by dezz

since we're bringing aesthetics into this i'd say that key has a big manly voice and for that he deserves a place over the premature dropping of butcher......

Key reminds me a bit of Colin Milburn (ultra attacking brilliant batsmen in the 1960's) If Key holds his form, I think the selectors would have to give him a go at the fast but slightly wayward west indian attack.

[high_on_linseed]

The main point of Collingwood contract is to tie him to the ODIs surely. The test prospect is just a bonus if it comes.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by high_on_linseed

The main point of Collingwood contract is to tie him to the ODIs surely. The test prospect is just a bonus if it comes.

You are right,he was selected for the one day team

[Whips_off_the_bails]

Originally Posted by yubeingfunny

now its always been my opinion that the best players feel instantly that they belong at that level.

You mean like Nasser Hussain (succeeded for England on third run in the side?) Or Andy Caddick (never felt at home and underachieved under Atherton, not even picked under Stewart)? Or Graham Gooch (bagged a pair in his first test match)?