Bopara or Dalrymple?

[pie_chucker]

Due to Dalrymples continuing struggle for form, should we replace him with Bopara for the next match?

Such a move would strengthen the batting and would allow Collingwood and Bopara to fill the 5th bowler slot easily. Hopfully this would also mean that we are not playing with 10 men .

[darksideofthemoon]

Bopara came in ahead of Dalrymple in the batting and was brought on to bowl before him. I would think Bopara might have taken Dalrymple's place. He looks good at the crease, very wristy, fast between the wickets and actually took a couple of wickets and also a good fielder. He will be used to winning one day games at Essex.

[greg]

Bopara should play.If Flintoff is to return then he should take Dalrymple's place and bat at 7.

[Nostromo]

Nominating Bopara after one match against a weak country seems like a knee-jerk reaction. I did not like the look of Bopara's bowling in yesterday's Canada match. I don't think he can be successful as a competitive bowler against major teams. Although on paper he is a better batsman than Dalrymple, England's bigger problem is bowling at present. I cannot see Bopara coming to England's rescue with the bat to reverse those middle-order collapses. That is more to to the team's collective mind state. A limited batsman like Nixon is making a few runs by simply being positive and that is what England need at present.

[greg]

I think Dalrymple is going backwards.When he first came in to the side he was batting well and bowling tidily,now the runs have dried up and he hardly bowls so you can make a case for a different option in Bopara who is a better bat and could bowl the few overs Dalrymple has been.

[flanflinger]

At the start of the tournament I would have shelved this idea, but Dalrymple hasn't looked like scoring a run or taking a wicket.

It is good that Bopara is in the squad, as he is a genuine batsman, and can bowl a bit, on these wickets which suit him.

I would stick with Dalrymple for Kenya, but if he fails again, then Bopara can come in..

[greatbear]

The spinners are not playing that much of a role in this World Cup as I had expected to. And, so, better a good bat like Bopara than Dalrymple - for if Dalrymple is not going to choke up one end by his bowling in the middle overs, then I think that the England team can surely dispense with him.

[darksideofthemoon]

If Dalrymple is the number one spinner and Panesar the number two then Bopara taking Dalrymples place should elevate Panesar to the number one spinner unless of course that goes to Pietersen.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

I would stick with Dalrymple for Kenya, but if he fails again, then Bopara can come in..

I would stick with Bopara, I was shocked when he was dropped in the final match in Australia.

Dalrymple is to spin bowling/batting - what D Pringle was to seam bowling/batting.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Dalrymple is to spin bowling/batting - what D Pringle was to seam bowling/batting.

Like it.

Dalrymple has had a serious loss of form recently. It would do him good to spend some time out of the team to get his game back in order.