Mark Butcher does not think his time is up..>

[Ernest]

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/cricket/...444509,00.html

Butcher primed to fight his corner.
Is Butchers Test career over?,well he wants to play.

At 32, though, Butcher is determined not to play the role of war veteran. Australia are coming this summer and he is desperate for a piece of the action. There is one nagging doubt: will he make the team?

Good question this, we keep hearing how McGrath is still going strong at 34, and he is a pace bowler.

Now Butcher has done no wrong, he was just not fit.

So the question is, should he ger his place back?,and also will he get his place back?, or will Key or one of the young pretenders Pietersen or bell keep him out?..

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Now Butcher has done no wrong, he was just not fit.

Not so sure if it's true that he didn't do wrong, he hasn't done alot right recently. He hasn't scored a hundred for ages, was poor against New Zealand and South Africa and he's one of the worst fielders we've got.

I don't think we should confine him to the scrap heap though. He needs to score consistantly for Surrey to get back into the team. I just don't think he should just come and walk back in to play against the Aussies based on that Headingley innings 4 years ago.

[Occasional Fan]

Given that the management keeps banging on about taking one game at a time, I think we are asking the wrong question here (and the press as well). The question should be "Who plays No 3 against Bangladesh?". Whoever that is, it should be clear that incumbency is not a guarantee of selection for The Ashes, and that the performances of the incumbent in the Bangladesh series and the other contenders in the first half of the domestic season will be taken into account in determining who fills the slot against Australia. During the SA tour, I was all for handing Butcher his cards, but I do think, with almost three months' cricket available in England before The Ashes series starts, all the contenders have time to make their case. There's no real need to make the decision now, is there? And is there any real benefit from doing so?

[Ernest]

Pete and OF,
I dont know wheather Butcher is finished or not, on form he is as good a no 3 as we have got, but will he recapture his form?.
On this one, I am glad I am not a selector, and thats the truth.

[Trescothick]

This is how i think it'll go....

If we select Key: 3-1 to Australia and they will dominate us...

If we select Butcher: 2-1 to Australia and they will dominate but we will battle back strongly in stages

If we select Pietersen: 3-2 to England and it will be hit and miss at times but the risk will pay-off


I may be overdoing the effect of Pietersen because its by no means a one man effort but he has that special thing that England NEED to turn over the Aussies and get the win..

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Trescothick

If we select Key: 3-1 to Australia and they will dominate us.

Even with Key, if Vaughan and Flintoff and Trescothick click, series to England.

Originally Posted by Trescothick

If we select Butcher: 2-1 to Australia and they will dominate but we will battle back strongly in stages

Will be very dour, who knows, 5 draws maybe if he is on his usual form.

Originally Posted by Trescothick

If we select Pietersen: 3-2 to England and it will be hit and miss at times but the risk will pay-off
I may be overdoing the effect of Pietersen because its by no means a one man effort but he has that special thing that England NEED to turn over the Aussies and get the win..

Ah the Botham factor!!, lots of iffs here.
If Pietersen was to click along with Trescothick and Flintoff, and Vaughan and Thorpe can hold an end up, we could bat Australia out of the game.
I have left Strauss in reserve.
It could happen!!

[Trescothick]

I agree Ernest... With those batsmen u mentioned along with Strauss click... It will work wonders

[Andy Mellon]

Yes! If all England's players play better than they have before and the Aussies don't turn up then we'll win 5-0!

Lets just keep our feet on the ground here. The Australians are best in the world by a long way; if England do win - and it is possible, then the English players will need to be on top of their game, and a nice bit of luck would be useful

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Andy, if its luck we're after do we need Butcher ??? He who fell out a loft, crashed his car, hurt huimself carrying a box and has "unluckily" dropped more catches than I've had hot dinners ? That luck we can do without !!

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon 42729

if England do win - and it is possible, then the English players will need to be on top of their game, and a nice bit of luck would be useful

I think all top teams need luck Andy, Australia had a fair share in India with the rain, could be Englands turn.

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child 43212

Andy, if its luck we're after do we need Butcher ??? He who fell out a loft, crashed his car, hurt huimself carrying a box and has "unluckily" dropped more catches than I've had hot dinners ? That luck we can do without !!

Yes aint this post the truth, Flintoff has taken the brunt.
Flintoff running in, Ponting edges to slip, Butchers a waiting, Flintoffs chin drops when he see's who the ball is going to, Butcher looks apolagetic, 'oh well better luck next time'.