England V Wi 1st Test

[flanflinger]

I am loving this Key innings, it is awesome,

Why is that England Batsmen like Jones, Key and Struass are finding it much easier to come into the side and score hundreds.

I think there are three factors (other than some very ordinary bowlers in this team and the Kiwi team)

One - Age

Key, Jones and Struass are all in there Mid-twenties 25+ I feel that any younger and there is too much mental pressure

Two - Bowling Attack

In previous years there has been a lot more pressure on the batsmen to score runs due to the fact that the bowling attack was so poor, now they can play attacking shots, not fearful that a false shot will cause big problems for the team

Three - Experinced batting around them

Trescothick, Vaughan, Flintoff are all now mature Test match players, and Thorpe has been around for years. So there is a greater balance in the attack.

Finally, if you take into account a selection policy that does not create one-test wonders, and allows you to grow into your role, I think it has really helped us see these three players blossom.

The next big question is Butcher - will he get back in?

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

I am loving this Key innings, it is awesome,

The next big question is Butcher - will he get back in?

I've asked the question several times today...How many does Rob Key need to score to displace him?

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Nas helped sidestep this question with strauss by retiring. Expect Butch (if recalled) to hold on to catches and suddenly offer to turn his arm over a bit more readily. Key maybe recalled to let freddie have a rest IF we win this test and the next.

[Ernest]

I agree only for one thing Rich,our bowling is a bit thin without Flintoff.

The problem is,what if Flintoff is fit to bowl next Test,and Butcher is fit.

Butcher has done nothing wrong,except he can't catch,Tresothick has failed again,who goes???????

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

You couldnt get rid of butch AND tresco even if you wanted to. Both can offer at a pinch a bit of bits n pieces bowling to quicken an over rate and add a bit of variety.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Rob Key - Centurian, Hero, Athlete

[R W S]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

I think there are three factors (other than some very ordinary bowlers in this team and the Kiwi team)

Good points here o flinger of flan. Another factor may be that the new players are not mentally scared by the painful experiences of the older players. Nasser did a fantastic job in making us hard to beat and now vaughan has that legacy and a steely determination to go about winning.

Confidence is a wonderful thing (i'm sure the Aussies win a lot of tests before they start because of their demeanour) and these new players are receiving a 'no fear' mandate from the England management team.

Building our confidence with convincing displays against teams ranked 7 and 8 is a good platform for the harder challenges ahead.

[Kirsty Harris]

And so it came to pass that The Key finally was able to prove his worth to England... about time too!!

Bloody good innings it's been too - I may not be a fan of Key's, but what an effort!!! Lovely partnership between Key and Strauss. I just wish I could have watched more of it...bloody work

I think Butcher, at least in the short term, may be out of the side. I think it's pretty unlikely Key is going to be dropped in favour of a player who didn't even make 167 in the whole SERIES against New Zealand!

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by ernest

Butcher has done nothing wrong,except he can't catch,Tresothick has failed again,who goes???????

Sorry Ernest, but wasn't Tres the leading scorer for England against New Zealand? Didn't Butcher play with all the skill of a pre-schooler in the same series? No contest there, mate - looks like Butcher's out for the time being - but I firmly belive that Butcher will force his way back into the side eventually - he's a good player in bad form

[Ernest]

Evening Kirsty,
Yes but someone will have to make way now,Butcher is gritty,Tresco not in the best of nick,mind you you cant tell in one dayers.

I suppose we could get rid of Freddy Ha HA,I think this is the hardest selection problem the selectors have had for ages,I like the RHB,in the top 5 though

On the spot Kirsty,wicked arnn't I,you say Butcher will force his way back in,at the expence of who?