Provisional Squad for Champions Trophy

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Unfortunately that's true, too. However, I believe that was still far better than anything we saw during the Sri Lanka series

Very true. I'd much rather have Gough than Onions, Ali, Bresnan and that lot.

I'm surprised that Chad Keegan isn't in ahead of someone who's complte and utter ***** like Bresnan.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Wheres it going to held this year ?

[greg]

Good to see Broad in the provisional squad.Hopefully Bresnan will go.

As far as i am concerned they should either use all the ashes squad and get them ready for the battle so nobody is going in undercooked or rest the whole ashes squad so they don't burn out.Depending on what the selectors think is needed after a long summer.

Do we actually care if we lose in the 1st round?

[Whips_off_the_bails]

Like the last ICC Trophy, which was held in England, this one holds one interest only: as a test of strength against Australia ahead of the Ashes. Although England lost in the final in the last tournament, no one really cared, because we had given the Aussies a sound whipping, and that was evidence that we could stand toe to toe with them and that our successes of 2004 were not a mirage. Likewise, this tournament will only be about laying down a marker and reacquainting the Aussies with the habit of losing to England.

[Collyisamackem]

Originally Posted by Pete

Very true. I'd much rather have Gough than Onions, Ali, Bresnan and that lot.

Bit unfair on Onions, he's had an excellent season and probably has a far better attitude than "everyone can see I'm amazing (how?)" Gough, who has spat his dummy on more occasions than a stroppy two-year old since being left out. Gough really surprised me, although I know he's a proud man I thought he would be thankful for the long career he has had and would acknowledge that it is a long time since he produced the good for England, ready for the new guys to come through.

I'm disappointed to see Gough in there, he is not the future and is a stop gap, as is Mal Loye at 37 although he has had a phenomenal year again. The problem is more in the coaching set up for the ODIs rather than the personnel, though the players were largely woeful against Sri Lanka, clearly. Despite trying different players every series since who knows when, we still get the same results, which means (to me anyway, please do correct me if I'm wrong) that it's something inherent in the coaching of the game both at national team and county level.

[Vrock]

The one-day side really is nowhere at the moment. We have now lost all sense of direction in how to play one-day matches and the only the way we can compete is if KP/Tresco make a good score.

I don't see the point in naming the older players if they aren't going to get into the final squad, may as well just name younger players and give them a little confidence boost that they are reckoning for the future and in the selectors' minds.

Would we really risk fielding the same bowlers as we did in the series against Sri Lanka?

[Mr Hutt]

Well im just shocked, Monty is not in the squad of 30 players that england has nominated for the champions trophy. The reason being given is that he should focus on tests... does not make any sense to me at all... the key thing required in ODIS is usually control over runs given and line and Monty displayed both, to me he is the best spinner in England right now and a damn fine bowler, what is the point in not playing him? Your take on this?

[flanflinger]

I think it is a very good decision. I don't think Monty getting mauled by someone like Shewag, Gayle, Gilchrist in a one day bash, with field limitations and an opportunity to take risks, will do him any good what-so-ever.

Let him learn his trade in the Test match arena, and then as he gets more experience, let him move on to the Pyjama game.

[Mr Hutt]

well i do not think it is a good decision at all... you can play gough who is a grandfather by now but not monty who would be brilliant in field restrictions even, did you see the last day of the third test.. there were 4 fielders clustered around the bat... ODIS neverh ave that.. sure the pressure was on Pak and England was going for the kill but his control was superb, Inzimam could not hit out at him that says something for this man, england will surely feel his loss in the side, but as you correctly put it england doesnt give two hoots for what you guys call the pj game! i ask the much repeated question why play it then?

[flanflinger]

Because we have too..

The Champions Trophy is a joke! Why play it this year when the World Cup is just round the corner. What is the point?

But if we don't go there, the ICC will fine us. It's all about the money with the ICC, they don't seem to have learnt the lesson from the corruption investigation that too many pointless tournaments will lead to more opportunities for the bookies, and they don't seem to care two hoots about player burn out.

To be honest, I would have preferred if we had chosen 30 club players to play this tournament. For me the Ashes and the World Cup are the important fixtures this winter, the "Champions Trophy" is just a big waste of space.