Odi X1

[Mike_Hock]

Good batting performaces from Bell and Pietersen have given Fletcher & Vaughan some selection headaches ahead of Sundays first ODI. Who would make your X1?

Personally I'd like to see the following side -

Trescothick, Strauss, Bell, Vaughan, Pietersen, Collingwood, G Jones+, Giles, Ali, Gough, S Jones

4 front line bowlers with the fith bowlers allocation being made up by Bell, Collingwood, Vaughan & Pietersen.

I'd play Jones ahead of Hoggard because I think his line and length has improved a hell of a lot lately. Also he adds a bit of depth to the batting and he has a great arm in the deep.

[Notts Exile]

I pretty much agree with that line up Mike. Solanki has done nothing to make me think he's any better than Bell or KP. The only question might be whether Hoggy should play at The Wanderers as we know how much he enjoys bowling there!

When Freddie returns who gets left out ? Being a KP fan (yes, even now he's left Notts!) I'd have him in the side every time. Collingwood would be my choice for twelth man duties, poor guy.

[cantplaycantalk]

Once Flintoff is fit again I would look to drop one of the bowlers and stick with 4 + bits

My ODI team for next summer if all fit would be..
Trescothic
Strauss
Bell
*Vaughan
Pieterson
Collingwood
Flintoff
+G Jones
Giles
Jones
Harmison (if his form comes back) or Hoggy/Ali/Gough/...

Bell Pieterson and Collingwood can compete for a place in the Test squad (preferably ahead of Key)

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I think Collingwood has to stay in the team, he got great potential as ODI specialist. But then again so is peitersen.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

I think Collingwood has to stay in the team, he got great potential as ODI specialist. But then again so is peitersen.

I don't understand why Pietersen should be regarded as a ODI specialist. Should Thorpe fail this summer against the Aussies then I would have both Bell and Pietersen in the Test side to face Pakistan and India next winter. A top order of Tresco, Strauss, Bell, Vaughan and Pietersen would be very good to watch. Also in terms of attacking intent it would be similar to the Aussies much vaunted batting line up.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I guess because he bashes it about. Collingwood I beleive definatly is a ODI

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

I don't understand why Pietersen should be regarded as a ODI specialist. Should Thorpe fail this summer against the Aussies then I would have both Bell and Pietersen in the Test side to face Pakistan and India next winter

I feel that Bell and Piterson may be competing for Thorpe's slot next winter, but it is likely to be because Thorpe has retired from test cricket. I really can't see Thorpe carrying on after the Ashes - I think Thorpe is mainly carrying on now to have one last go at the Aussies. I'd be amazed if he tours Pakistan and India this winter, even if he has a cracking summer.

However, depending on the Key/Butcher sitution, it also isn't impossible that both Bell and Pieterson would be in the side next winter - a year is a long time in cricket, after all!! And I agree, there is no reason why Pieterson should be labelled as a one day specialist - it annoys me when players get labelled as such (poor old Neil Fairbrother was very hard done by because of this).

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Problem was Kirsty, fairbrother was an excellent odi player and not great in tests, just like Bevan was (best ODI in his generation ?) and arguably collingwood is going down that path. Peitersen is a big hitter, and they'll always get labled ODI specialists now. Mind you a middle order of freddie,jones,and pietersen would excite me in a ODI and worry the pants of me in a test mactch.

[Notts Exile]

Just because someone is capable of hitting a ball very hard and a long way doesn't mean they don't have the ability to bat sensibly when needed. Notice yesterday KP wasn't biffing the ball from ball one. He took nearly as long to get to fifty as Bell did, then he went ballistic after that. He is far more capable of playing the percentages game than Freddie and Jones (and Freddie has proved he can sometimes do it).

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

Problem was Kirsty, fairbrother was an excellent odi player and not great in tests, just like Bevan was (best ODI in his generation ?) and arguably collingwood is going down that path. Peitersen is a big hitter, and they'll always get labled ODI specialists now. Mind you a middle order of freddie,jones,and pietersen would excite me in a ODI and worry the pants of me in a test mactch.

Hmmm...IMO Fairbrother didn't get much of a go in test cricket - only played a handful of times I think. He was a good county batsmen. Same could be said of Collingwood. I wouldn't rate him as highly as Fairbrother, but if they have no intention of using him as anything more than a specialist replacment fielder then I think England should just select him for the ODI squads, not the test squad. Poor sod never gets a game!!!

I'd like to think Pieterson will get a go in the test arena - although we probably don't need another big hitter at the moment.