New England Vice-Captain?

[cantplaycantalk]

Being captain or even vice captain isn't just about being able to handle the media and having self confidence, it also involves a lot of work.

Collingwood bases his entire game on his work ethic, he is a grafter, yep he lost form after the double century. He went away and analysed it himself and decided that he had stopped playing like paul collingwood and started to try to play shots that he would not normally play. He knows that isn't his game. One thing you can be sure of with Colly is that having made that error once he won't be making it again in the near future. One of the things about him is that he learns from his mistakes, and he thinks about cricket. He does not pretend to be the worlds most gifted player, or the games most brilliant thinker, but he just may be the games hardest worker. Also if you hadn't noticed Paul Collingwood is now writting columns for the BBC, and being called on increasingly for media duty. You want someone who can deal with the media, well Collingwood is part of the media, a man who gets plaudits for his hard work. He is not some primadonna who gets noticed for his drinking exploits, girlfriends and daft haircuts.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Well if I am on your list of returning to he Illingworth years, nothing could be further from the truth.

I'm glad there then!

There have been a few posts on here where people seem to advocate a return to the revolving door selection policies of old and picking batsman because they have scored a hundred against the combined universities.

Yes, we had injuries to senior players out in OZ, but we compounded that loss by selecting 3 unfit bowlers (Harmy, Giles and Anderson). To be honest on aussie pitches I couldnt see Kirtley even doing as well as Harmison or Anderson.

Regarding the captaincy is it that much of a big deal?? Part of me says just follow the Aussies and pick your best player, but the other half says a good captain (i.e Vaughan in 05) can make a differance.

There are merits for both sides of the argument, but I'm not sure either way.

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by cantplaycantalk

Being captain or even vice captain isn't just about being able to handle the media and having self confidence, it also involves a lot of work.

Collingwood bases his entire game on his work ethic. One thing you can be sure of with Colly is that having made that error once he won't be making it again in the near future. One of the things about him is that he learns from his mistakes, and he thinks about cricket. He does not pretend to be the worlds most gifted player, or the games most brilliant thinker, but he just may be the games hardest worker. He is not some primadonna who gets noticed for his drinking exploits, girlfriends and daft haircuts.

Well said. That sums up the man and his suitability for captaincy of England. Really, that is all that's required; even the media bits can be handled with the help of others; after all, Fleming is not exactly a media maverick. But dedication to the game's ethics and abilty to make the best use of available resources is what makes a brilliant Captain and I think Collingwood can be just that.

[bellum_851]

I always thought Strauss should have beed captain instead of Fllintoff when Vaughan was injured, Flintoff is an amazing player, but no way a captain. I don't think he has what it needs.

[EllN]

I belive everone is agreed that strauss is the best back up man for the job and lifts his preformances as captain but just isnt oin the team and cannot be considered, if vaughan was injured then he would be an instant replacement but strauss could not rally the team if he has not been part of it, but i hope this rest could do him the world of good, it could really kick start his carerre again, but his test place could be under srcuttany as well with micheal vaughn returning, him and bell being the only ones not to make a hundred, so they will be fighting and the new season clould br vital

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by EllN

I belive everone is agreed that strauss is the best back up man for the job and lifts his preformances as captain

Hmm er no! - I still believe Flintoff is the best man for the job, unless of course Flintoff was captain.
Alas - seems Flintoff has missed the boat.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Hmm er no! - I still believe Flintoff is the best man for the job, unless of course Flintoff was captain.

I do agree with you Ern.. but his has burnt his bridges with the management...