Wrist Spin vs Finger Spin-in England..>

[Ernest]

Well I would say England have the better bowlers for the coming Ashes series.
At his best Harmison is world no 1.
Flintoff is more pacy, and just as accurate as any Australian bowler.
Hoggard improved still young.

The battle lies between Giles and Warne, had anyone said Giles would be more effective than Warne this summer, I would have thought they where potty, ga ga or whatever.

But lets look at the facts, Giles is one of the most improved cricketers in the world over the last 12 to 18 months, and look at his early season form.

So what about Warne, I have always admired him, but what has he got going for him on a normal English summers pitch, not a lot, he needs bounce, not even a lot of that at the Oval these days, he needs pace in the wicket to attack, not as much of that as there was at the Oval even these days.
So on an average English summers day, on an average Engish pitch, who will be most effective, the wrist spin of Warne, or the finger spin of Giles, I think it is close, maybe the edge to Giles.
Could be one of the new hot English summers though, who knows.

[Kirsty Harris]

Yes, it's fair to say that Gilo's early season form has set the cat amongst the pigeons, Ernest.

Of course, regaurdless of the pitches he has played on in England over the years in the Ashes, Warne has always come out on top, but it seems clear that the battle of the spinners is going to be rather more closly contested than would have seemes likely even a couple of months ago...

[Ernest]

If you remember when Scott was on the board,and we used to discuss him, I never liked Giles, but he has proved to me that a player can improve with a lot of effort and a build up of confidence.
He played well in India, he bowled over the wicket (to orders), and to good effect, but the press got at him for bowling negative, that's was what was needed.
So his confidence went, but then is batting improved, and he bowled in tandem with Flintoff a lot, and his bowling improved, he can tie up an end, and the Aussies will attack him I reckon, at their peril if he is over the wicket.
As much regard as I have for Warne, I think after his good confidence building start to the season, I would not be surprised if he took more wickets than Warne.

[Kirsty Harris]

Well, I did place a small bet on that sometime ago, and got good odds (I can't remember what they were, but very favourable), and it's looking like a decent wager now...

[Teatime FatCat]

I'm sorry Ern, I'd love to share your optimism, but Warne can turn an Orange on the M6, and will end up with more wickets than Giles and at a better average.

If Harmison fires, he will be the best bowler on both sides, but at the same time the most mentally fragile. Freddy will be an inspration and is probably a match for Kaspa. However, Hoggy and Jones had better move up the learning curve pretty sharpish to support them!

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Teatime FatCat

If Harmison fires, he will be the best bowler on both sides

Whether he fires or not, I doubt he will have a better summer than McGrath. Harmison at his best is probably a match for a slightly below-par Glenn; but if McGrath is at or near his best, as he has been most winter, there is no question about who will be the leading wicket taker of the summer.

The rest of your post I do agree with, and can purr in agreement.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Teatime FatCat

I'm sorry Ern, I'd love to share your optimism, but Warne can turn an Orange on the M6, and will end up with more wickets than Giles and at a better average.

Yes but I am assuming here Teatime,that Giles will frustrate the Austraian strokemakers into making miskakes, like bowling wide of leg stump, being a club captain yourself after a good weekend, I think you may agree you can set a field for such a ploy, when the batsmen are likely to go after him.
I wondered what that funny mark was, on my way to Brum.

[Teatime FatCat]

Yes, but Warne will take wickets by frustrating batsmen with attacking ploys that they cannot hit!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

But TTFC, how pleased would you be if Gilo DID end up with more wickets at a better average ???

[Teatime FatCat]

Oooh my goodness, I'd be turning cartwheels in my litter tray - what a hoot!