Which wicketkeeper should play in the upcoming ashes?

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

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.

No as I recall tour selectors have no rights as to the permanent dropping of players.

It is a fact that Fletcher/Vaughan said Jones will get the same amount of time as Read to prove himself.

Neither Fletcher or Vaughan had the authority to drop a player from other than the series the tour selectors are in charge of.

Vaughan was brought to book soon after the tour ended, I suppose he thought it was worth it.

Originally Posted by Pete

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?

Pete what does it matter if Flintoff is chums with jones or not?, others are sayong Giles will get in the side because he is matey with Flintoff.
My point was that it's not up to Flintoff - Fletcher is the coach.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

My point was that it's not up to Flintoff - Fletcher is the coach.

But Ern, Fletcher was quite clear, he had a meeting with Flintoff and they decided. Personally I feel Fletcher should not have mentioned Flintoff, but that was what was said...Don't belive us..

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Fred and myself had a good meeting and we decided we're going to go into the Test with Jones

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

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

But Ern, Fletcher was quite clear, he had a meeting with Flintoff and they decided. Personally I feel Fletcher should not have mentioned Flintoff, but that was what was said...Don't belive us..

Maybe Fletcher and Flintoff did have a meet on who to pick for the first Test - Read or Jones, the same last time a meeting between Vaughan and Fletcher.

I would imagine that Fletcher wanted Jones (like he always has) and Flintoff had more or less to agree - that's IMO, it sure was not because Flintoff and Jones were mates.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Did anyone really think that Read would play in the first test? even if he'd knocked off 3 centuries against pakistan he still would have been dropped in favour of Jones. Fletcher doesn't rate Read at all so he'll never get to play unless Jones gets injured again, it's clear for all to see in his various statements on the matter, the fact he's allowed to pick the touring team on his own was just the opportunity he needed.

I hope for England's sake that Jones catchs everything and averages over a hundred in the series but i can't see it happening.

[TopperHarley]

I think it's a bit harsh all these people coming out saying that Fletcher is a disgrace, has to go, has no idea about test cricket etc. when he has been the man in charge of the renaissance of english cricket, winning a fair few series and establishing a good team spirit.

Personality-wise, Jones is not an extrovert, he is apparently very laid-back but full of encouragement to his bowlers.

Read has been very unlucky, but it must be nice for Jones to know he has such backing from England cricket fans. I am a Jones fan, but am always quick to get behind whoever gets in the team.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by TopperHarley

I think it's a bit harsh [...] Fletcher [...] has been the man in charge of the renaissance of english cricket, winning a fair few series and establishing a good team spirit.

I think it's fair to credit Fletcher with finding a way of competing in both Hussain's era and Vaughan's era... but to my mind the success has come at too high a price: it's been an era for the hard nosed, mentally resillient hardmen... and for those whose face fits... and whilst Caddick was briefly tolerated... and Harmison's mates have been able to save his bacon... it's NOT been an era of England picking their most talented players and getting the most out of them, but of picking the players who can get the most out of themselves.

The Fletcher reign was never going to get the best from Ramps... but Bicknell, Lewis, Keedy and others have found the times equally unsatisfying... Russell preceded Read in the overlooked column... Strauss only got his chance because Fletcher was outvoted (he was for Collingwood at the time).... and the jury remains out on whether the coach can get the best from Bell.

As a side note... what success HAS materialised would appear to have been bowler-led rather than batsman-led... and to co-incide with the Troy Cooley years more than with Fletcher's reign: you could make a case that TC was the real architect of the fabulous 2004 season and of the Ashes victories... and if you look at the bowling performances since he left.... well, they speak for themselves.

[Moss]

I agree. Losing Troy Cooley was a bitter blow. Harmison has looked totally ordinary since he left, one good match against Pakistan aside. In fact, I can safely say I bowl better than Harmison at the moments, and I'm 5 months pregnant.

Harmison, in his current form, is a liability. He sends down ludicrous wides, and is so affected by poor form, his concentration just goes. Our bowling attack looks fairly fragile at the moment, what with Giles being preferred to Monty, and Mahmood in the Harmison inconsistency bracket.

We will certainly miss Jones. Simon that is, not Geraint...

[TopperHarley]

Mike Atherton addressed this issue in his Telegraph column today.

He offers the opinion, that, being a pragmatist, he is firmly in the Jones camp. his argument perhaps is not too balanced, but its always interesting reading.

[Notts Exile]

Most in the Jones camp are there because of what he "could" offer. What he eventually turns out is often less than it should be.

Does anyone remember how when he first came into the side we were told he was capable of getting a place in the side on his batting alone?!!

[Collyisamackem]

Notts, commiserations about Read - I have stated elsewhere that I expected him to keep and was surprised at the decision, but as I have also stated many a time I have faith in Jones. Congratulations on your 2000 also. *Applause*