who should replace Giles..?

[Henners]

Giles is soon to retire, so what should england do when he does...

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Henners

Giles is soon to retire

Can we have a confirmed source for this breaking news? The last I heard he was fairly confident of overcoming his injury and continuing pretty indeinitely with his increasingly successful Test career.

Oh... and the England coach seems pretty set on encouraging that: see here.

It's obviously going to be England's interest to have alternatives in mind for any player in the side as availability and form can never be guaranteed... but for the forseeable future I see nothing wrong with Udal as the 1st reserve... which ain't THAT demanding a timescale for the gradual emergence of Panesar (preferably) or some such alternative (preferably NOT Louden... who inspires rather less than most and whose emergence as yet another batting all-rounder might set back the cause of specialist spin bowling another decade).

[Henners]

perhaps i said it wrong, i meant who should england consider as there main spinner once Giles retires...

[Ernest]

Taking it that you meant "When Giles Retires" I would say that we don't have a replacment at this time.

We have missed the boat with Keedy with Giles having to prop up the batting, and Panaser is a bit raw, and to put him in at the moment would risk another Schofield.

We should play a 5th seamer if Giles is not available, I am convinced watching Anderson in the one dayers in pakistan, he should have been in the place of Udal from the start.
I can't see Giles retiring in the near duture.

[Rachael]

Hmmm... Born March 19, 1973, Chertsey, Surrey... Current age 32 years 286 days... so (given that he's a spinner) estimated date of retirement... injuries permitting.... no earlier than 2010 and quite possibly nearer 2015. I'm fully agreed that someone might displace Giles in the next 10 years.. but he could conceivably still be England's senior spinnner at the age of 40...

Your question should perhaps be "who's likely to present the strongest case for Giles' place throughout the remainder of his career... and on that front I'd say it depends on who is coach: anyone with a commitment to playing great cricket and the answer is Panesar... but if it's the ever pragmatic Fletcher (obsessed with results) then the future challenge is far, far more likely to come from Loudon... and for his batting and attitude rather than for his bowling!

[Collyisamackem]

Looking like Panesar, unless Loudon improves a lot.

[greg]

Panesar,though Blackwell looked a decent prospect in the one day series in Pakistan and at least he can bat,which seems to be a must these days.

[Collyisamackem]

Blackwell looks more of an ODI player at present, he needs to prove he can bowl as well in four-day cricket. However, I'd certainly think of him as a contender because he genuinely turns the ball - he has done this well at Taunton which is normally a very flat wicket, and as you said he is a dangerous batsman when he gets going.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Rachael

but if it's the ever pragmatic Fletcher (obsessed with results) then the future challenge is far, far more likely to come from Loudon... and for his batting and attitude rather than for his bowling!

Wasn't his attitude poor during his recent trip to Pakistan? I can't remember where I heard it now, might have been Bob Willis talking in the studio.

[Holden]

What happened to Richard Dawson?

btw. Correct me if his retired, dont know much bout English cricket.