Pietersen pulled out of A-Tour

[Mike_Hock]

http://www.ecb.co.uk/england/essex-batsman-gains-opportunity.html

Looks like the selectors can see him playing a part this summer.

[Kirsty Harris]

Yes, that could be a telling move...

Looks like the end of the road for Butcher then.

[Mike_Hock]

I think its a positive move.

I do feel sorry for Butcher though - Horrible luck.

[Kirsty Harris]

I've seen it coming, over the past twelve months, with his poor form against NZ, followed by his injury woes...


But it's a real shame, becuase he was a good player for England and it's always sad when a player like that doesn't get the chance to choose when to go.

Oh, this is my 1,000th post - cool!!

[Ernest]

Congrats on your 100th post .

Peterson has not just to dislodge Butcher, but also the likes of Key, who has just as good a domestic form.

Is an inexperienced player like Kevin Pieterson, ready to play no 3 in a majot Test series like the Ashes?,I would doubt it, no 3 is a specialist possition, and a hard hitting stroke maker like Pieterson is mor like a no 5.
Even players the like of David Gower, could not hack the England no 3 spot, it has been a problem for decades.

The best no 3 was Butcher when vaughan opened with Trescothick, there will soon be a place for Pieterson, but when, and in what possition.
Could be he has not been sent on the A tour, in case Flintoff is not fit, they may have kept him back as cover for Flintoff, as a batsman.

[Milo]

Evey man and his dog could see Gower was a class number 3. In fact, he actually averged 50 at number 3 with 8 hundreds and 10 50s in 50 odd innings. I don't know where you got that from Ern. Another example of you just liking to argue for the sake of it. Where Gower failed was at number 4.

Opening 3 1 0 0 36 73 36.50
No. 3 56 3 10 8 215 2619 49.42
No. 4 91 7 20 3 *173 3223 38.37
No. 5 49 6 8 7 *200 2131 49.56
No. 6 3 0 0 0 44 69 23.00
No. 7 2 1 1 0 *98 116 116.00
Overall 204 18 39 18 215 8231 44.25

The natural number 3 for England is Vaughan. Nobody is suggesting Pietersen should bat at 3, in fact, the teams suggested today (which I totally agree with) have Thorpe at 4 and Pietersen at 5.

[Kirsty Harris]

Ernest

I share your concerns about Pieterson - it's one thing to make runs in oDI, but test matches against the Aussies will be another thing altogether. We shall see what happens...because even if Vaughan is promoted to three and Pieterson is in the middle-order, many of the same issues remain.

Thanks for your congrats , but I am but a beginer in comparison to a master poster like yourself

[Mike_Hock]

I'd even consider Pietersen at 4. This would take a bit of pressure of Kev knowing that an experienced old head like Thorpe is waiting to come in after him.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

They should but wont flexible on a batting order. vaughan, in theory should be a good no.3. 4,5,6 should come in dependant on how the game is.ie 30-3 thorpe, 230-3 peitersen

[Essex Eagle]

All this ooooh how will Pietersen cope with test cricket....is complete rubbish in my opinion.

His first class average is 54!!
Thats not over just 1 season but 4......
as has been mentioned, he plays the longer form of the game differently.

If you expect him to start walking outside off to flick everything legside, you are stoopid!

Its about time England grasped the nettle like the aussies do....... Butch has done ok for england, Rob key is no great shakes in my opinion but when something better comes along .......get him in the side!!