Which wicketkeeper should play in the upcoming ashes?

[Moss]

I don't even think Read is down to play in the NSW match.
If you look at the ECB website, he's not in the team of 14, so he isn't even being tested.

I think Mrs Read is probably thinking "why the hell have they wasted 2 months of my husband's life out in Australia when he's going to be doing sod all?"

[Alison]

Originally Posted by Moss

I don't even think Read is down to play in the NSW match.
If you look at the ECB website, he's not in the team of 14, so he isn't even being tested.

He's not (at least not according to any of the scorecards I've seen) which I think is quite odd - I hadn't though Read had done badly enough to be dropped like that, or Jones had done anything in particular to warrant being recalled, so I was definitely expecting both of them to play in this game and the decision as to who would play in the Tests to be strongly influenced by how each of them performed.

[flanflinger]

To have been dropped even before you have had a chance to prove himself is disgraceful. I am shocked, stunned and annoyed. Read has done nothing to deserve this and to be not even given a chance is disgusting.

Worse still Fletcher can't even have the decency of claiming it was his choice, instead he drags Flintoff into the mix. Did he call Graveney or Miller? I doubt it, they picked the side and they named Read the keeper and yet the first chance Fletcher gets, Read is dumped.. I have defended Fletcher on many occasions, but I cannot defend him this time...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cric...nd/6140748.stm

[Pete]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Worse still Fletcher can't even have the decency of claiming it was his choice, instead he drags Flintoff into the mix.

How do we know it's soley his choice though? It wouldn't surprise me if Flintoff had something to do with it, i'm sure him and Geraint are pretty matey.

But i'm more worried about our bowling, than who keeps wicket.

[SixandOut]

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausve...ry/267552.html

I think it's a mistake. Notice that Fletcher doesn't once mention wicket keeping ability in his reasons. It's only on batting. Read is the better keeper. This could come back to haunt us.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Pete

How do we know it's soley his choice though? It wouldn't surprise me if Flintoff had something to do with it, i'm sure him and Geraint are pretty matey.

Oh so he gets the blame for that also - I am reading posts that say Flintoff will get Giles in the team because they are great pals.

I bet he is friends with most of the squad - by that logic we had better play 14 a side Test as well as the warm up games to accomodate all Flintoff's chums.

Hmm Was Flintoff in with Fletcher when he sacked Read in the West Indies?, no it was Vaughan and he got fined for overstepping his remit.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Ernest

he got fined for overstepping his remit.

Really? As I recall the only outcome of this debacle was Rod Marsh getting very ****** off. Graveney wandered around saying things about needing to ensure communications and remits were clearer in future but that was about it.

Sadly.. the wrong man ended up walking... which has been a major blow for the likes of Bell and Read.

ps. I note that Fletcher doesn't seem to think how players handle pressure is any of HIS business.... where Marsh always gave the impression that he saw the role of the coach as getting the technically accomplished players to shine.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Hmm Was Flintoff in with Fletcher when he sacked Read in the West Indies?, no it was Vaughan and he got fined for overstepping his remit.

What does that matter? Fletcher said it was him and Flintoff that decided to reinstate Jones. What evidence do we have to prove that it's wrong? None.

I'm more inclined to believe the word of the coach than come up with stupid conspiracy theories because it doesn't fit in with what I want to believe.

[Mr Hutt]

I dont believe you guys are seriously considering its all a plot by Flintoff and Fletcher to get their best mates to play are you??? Fletcher just wants to get as many of the last ashes winning team as he can to play IMO thats the reason for doing what he is doing, nothing else.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Mr Hutt

I dont believe you guys are seriously considering its all a plot by Flintoff and Fletcher to get their best mates to play are you???

That would be a bit daft.. and we should not assume the two are that matey themselves: the reports in the paper suggested Fletcher wanted Strauss as captain and was outvoted.

What DOES seem clear is that 'character' is being brought to the fore: I suspect the dressingroom is a pretty uncomfortable place for those who are not confident, outgoing, extroverts.... and that's completely defensible. I find it deeply offensive but if Fletcher and Flintoff feel this is the way to build the sort of team spirit needed to win the Ashes then it deserves recognition as a strategy rather than building up as some sort of conspiracy!