WAT England A 2006 selectors wanted

[Vrock]

Originally Posted by Rachael

ps. I trust we are all agreed that Mascarenhas HAS done everthing that could be asked of him

As far as a career goes, yes. As far as being able to make runs with the bat, yes.

However, with your bowling line-up you would surely open with Tremlett and Shreck? Tremlett can use hit height to extract any bounce to trouble the batsmen and Shreck's record this season surely deserves the new ball over Mascerenhas would in the same position.

Going back to my post (paragraph 5) I made the point about Mascerenhas struggling when he wasn't opening the bowling. However, Broad, even in his most recent match is taking wickets on a flat deck in the middle overs. This suggests to me that if Broad isn't given the new ball ball he will perform better than Mascerenhas.

Originally Posted by Collyisamackem

I won't go for Mahmood because he is already in the frame and likely to go to Australia and play more tests. He's gone beyond A team level, whether or not he's ready for it I don't know yet.

I think you make a good point Colly, Mahmood is clearly being given opportunity ahead of other players in the set up and has gone beyond the level of players on the verge of selection. Therefore I think we should allow Mahmood to bypass selection because he is going to Australia ahead of any players that we choose.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Collyisamackem

I won't go for Mahmood because he is already in the frame and likely to go to Australia and play more tests. He's gone beyond A team level, whether or not he's ready for it I don't know yet.

Originally Posted by Vrock

I think you make a good point Colly, Mahmood is clearly being given opportunity ahead of other players in the set up and has gone beyond the level of players on the verge of selection. Therefore I think we should allow Mahmood to bypass selection because he is going to Australia ahead of any players that we choose.

I disagree. We might as well scrap the rule that players can be included in the WAT team having played as much as 5 Test matches. Being selected in the WAT team is also about recognizing a player's accomplishments in the past 12 months. In 2005/06, Mahmood played 7 Eng A matches in the West Indies, 7 ODIs, 5 Test matches and 4 FC county matches. This is his breakout year and that should be reflected in selection for the WAT team as it was for Collingwood last year who had already played 3 Test matches and numerous ODIs when he was selected.

[Vrock]

Originally Posted by admin

This is his breakout year and that should be reflected in selection for the WAT team as it was for Collingwood last year who had already played 3 Test matches and numerous ODIs when he was selected.

In fairness, though, with Collingwood. He played two of those matches in 2003 and his part in the final test was as a defensive selection (with Tremlett missing out).

Originally Posted by Mahmood

Being selected in the WAT team is also about recognizing a player's accomplishments in the past 12 months.

I'd say that Mahmood has gone beyond A team recognition in the past twelve months. He might not have performed supremely consistently in his five tests but he's produced spells that any test class bowler would be proud to have in their back pocket.

If we cannot agree on that then a short poll would work. I won't argue if other members feel Mahmood should be contested for a place in this side.

An interesting note, had Mahmood not been dropped for the final test at Trent Bridge against Sri Lanka instead of Jon Lewis (why they just didn't play him at Lord's!) he would have played six matches and been out of consideration.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Vrock

An interesting note, had Mahmood not been dropped for the final test at Trent Bridge against Sri Lanka instead of Jon Lewis (why they just didn't play him at Lord's!) he would have played six matches and been out of consideration.

Would Mahmood have played any Test matches if Jones was not injured? When Jones comes back will Mahmood get a game? I think Mahmood will struggle to hold his place when Jones comes back. I think he will become another Anderson in the short term. Getting picked on many squads but carrying the drinks. Eventually, he'll have to go back to County cricket to get match practice. Since he is still basically a fringe player I think it's appropriate that he get selected for upcoming England A matches and this years WAT team.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by admin

I think Mahmood will struggle to hold his place when Jones comes back.

Mahmood should strugle to make the development squad once everyone is fit: Flintoff, Hoggard, Jones and Hoggard should end up contesting three specialist bowling slots (i.e. with Bell at 6 and Flintoff at 7, one will become a "reserve"). The second reserve will once again be Anderson (whose performances the last time he was fit were excellent). That's enough bowlers for a tour... leaving "development" places... and top of that list, right now, should be Tremlett, with Mahmood fighting it out alongside Plunkett and (the longer term prospect) Broad (none of whom, to my mind, have done enough to warrant comparison with Lewis or Sidebottom).

I'd like to see what Notts Exile has to say on this matter: I'm sure he's well up on Shreck AND Mahmood and I'd like to know which bowler HE thinks has had the better season.

[Vrock]

Originally Posted by admin

Would Mahmood have played any Test matches if Jones was not injured? When Jones comes back will Mahmood get a game? I think Mahmood will struggle to hold his place when Jones comes back.

That's a fair point if Jones actually comes back. Although I'd even rate Anderson and Liam Plunkett ahead of Mahmood right now.

He's right at the top of the fringe players but he's in the test side now. The selectors, effectively, rate him as a good long-term prospect and the best one that is available right now.

I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one, I'm still up for a vote on the situation.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I'd like to see what Notts Exile has to say on this matter: I'm sure he's well up on Shreck AND Mahmood and I'd like to know which bowler HE thinks has had the better season.

You better PM him because he hasn't registered any interest in participating in this years selection process. He may not even have read this thread.

[greg]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Mahmood should strugle to make the development squad once everyone is fit:

So why do you want Mascharenhas then as he would be off the first page on a list?Mahmood is a reasonable selection for our A Team in my opinion.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by greg

So why do you want Mascharenhas then

First up, don't get me confused with someone who has a huge amount of enthusiasm for Mascarenhas: last season, Mike wanted Mascarenhas in the side and I was vigorously opposed... arguing for Tremlett at 8 because I didn't want to see a lesser bowler picked because he could "bat a bit".

Then, to answer your question: Mascarenhas has gone away and worked his socks off.... and whilst perhaps having less long term promise he's now the "finished article" in a way that the likes of Plunkett, Mahmood and Broad are not.

Principles of Justice should always trump "instinct" and "enthusiasm"... and whilst I can't get enthusastic about Mascarenhas it strikes me that we have an obligation to recognise that he's more deserving of the reward of a WaT place than any of the longer-term prospects.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Fand whilst perhaps having less long term promise he's now the "finished article" in a way that the likes of Plunkett, Mahmood and Broad are not.

I agree that Plunkett, Mahmood and Broad need development, but that is why you have an A team. To help bridge the gap.