Can England ever be great??

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by gibbs_fan

Ernest, I think that you are underestimating McGrath. I remember before the ashes last year everyone said that McGrath is too old.

Well to be fair to all on WAT - it really was me and perhaps another one or so that said McGrath was to old.

He did well at Lords - so did Harmison for that matter, but look how easy he injured himself, I really do feel he won't be a major force this time - it will be Lee and Warne IMO - also I think England are resting their players and excuses could be being made - if I am right England should keep the Ashes IMO.

[south beds mikey]

I so hope you're right Ern but I must admit to being a bit worried. I think Englands best chance of dominating world test cricket will be when Warne and McGrath finally pack up. On the ODI side of things we will never top those ratings until we take one day cricket seriously. I think the vast majority of England supporters would far rather have success in the longer form of the game, I'm one of them, but the facts remains ODIs come a very poor second on our list of priorities.

[Ernest]

I myself don't like one day cricket - however to be fair to the Englans selectors they do take ODIs seriously IMO, it's just that they are so poor at picking a team.

If Pietersen fails, and Colly does not get many - then the England batting goes down like 9 pins, they need to take a couple of years to sort out a specialist one day side.

Back to the Test cricket being great is only relative to how you compare to all the other sides playing at a given time.

So if England are at full strength in Australia, I think we should retain the Ashes (quite possible trust me) then another year of success would see them as near a great team as can get.

To then go on and be a great team - being England mucked up in Pakistan in 2005 - they have to beat Pakistan - in Pakistan.

I think the players to worry about is Brett Lee coupled of course with Warne.

Australia have to worry about Flintoff and Harmison + Panesar is an unknown - a lot depends on Panesar.

On the batting front - England have to worry about Langer and Ponting - Hayden I think will be carrying to many scars.
Australia have to worry about Flintoff and Pietersen both could take the game away in a day, also Collingwood and Tresco (if fit) bell like Hayden will be carrying to many scars.

[butchering lee]

Originally Posted by Ernest

What I am saying is that if the missing England players make a recovery in time for the Ashs which I suspect most will do ...

..- but do wonder how so many England players managed to get injured before the Ashes series - I certainly do.

the hint at conspiracy suggests England are prepared to (let's say) "rest", "ill" players - thus drawing or losing test series - with the intention of saving them for the ashes.

this brings the thread full circle, but the question changes slightly - "how can england ever be great (with this mentality)?


edit - wrong quote.