MCC vs Sussex

[pie_chucker]

To be honest I've never seen Kirtley as being anywhere near international class. On the dry flat wickets we tend to play on nowadays he would be a "pie chucker" . He lacks the pace to trouble good batsman on flat decks. Also his action still isnt the greatest.

If we were to play all our matches on a damp may morning on an overcast old fashioned Headingley wicket then yes, I'd advocate his selection.

We are going back to the county stalwarts again. Why not recall Adams, Kirtley, Ramps, Caddick...... and then lose both series this summer that we are very likely to win comfortably.

I would only advocate these backward selections if they are better than anything that we have and Kirtley would be at least 10th on the list of pace bowlers.

[adamberry]

That's why we're not England selectors then, isn't it!

Personally, I would rather see "county stalwarts" selected ahead of youngsters who are not ready for International cricket - the likes of Mahmood, Broad et al. At least the stalwarts are less likely to get smacked for six an over than the youngsters.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by adamberry

Personally, I would rather see "county stalwarts" selected ahead of youngsters who are not ready for International cricket - the likes of Mahmood, Broad et al. At least the stalwarts are less likely to get smacked for six an over than the youngsters.

There is some merit in that statement. I feel strongly that the likes of Broad should be no where near an international match for at least a year and a half. Although he has talent he's lacking a yard of pace and like Mahmood still bowls a four ball every over.

I've no problem with picking "stalwarts" just not the ones who either arent good enough or are past it.

Life would be very boring if we all agreed on everything and this discussion forum would be very quiet .

[darksideofthemoon]

Kirtley
11 ODI matches 9 wickets at 53.44 econ 5.25 s/r 61.00

[pie_chucker]

Its good to see Harmison looking better. Apparently he bowled with good pace and bounce and was economical too, shame he didnt take a couple more wickets.

If you've got a fit Harmison do you need a Kirtley .

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by adamberry

Personally, I would rather see "county stalwarts" selected ahead of youngsters who are not ready for International cricket - the likes of Mahmood, Broad et al.

Or at least play with them,

kirtley as DOTM has pointed out has only taken 9 wickets in 11 one day outings, but still he has bags of experience - and would not get carted on good pitches.

[pie_chucker]

But would you play Kirtley ahead of Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff, Jones, Plunkett, Mahmood, Anderson, Onions, Tremlett, Broad......

Granted IMO the last 3 are certainly nowhere near ready and Anderson, Mahmood and Plunkett could do with a good bowl in the CC.

Still Harmisons starting to get his from back http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engla...ry/290468.html

If this continues and Jones continues his rehabilitation the "fab four" will be reunited and all this talk of Kirtley will be irrelevant and also Plunkett, Mahmood, Anderson, Onions, Tremlett and Broad should get the overs they need under their belts in the CC.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

But would you play Kirtley ahead of Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff, Jones, Plunkett, Mahmood, Anderson, Onions, Tremlett, Broad.

I would play Kirtley in front of Harmison who has retired from one day cricket, also before Onions - Tremlett - Broad and Hoggard ( who does not play one day cricket.

The reason is - Flintoff picks himself, Mahmood is in some form, Anderson has been in from the start- and Kirtley would finish the attack off - if only playing 4 bowlers, Anderson would have to make way.

Broad - Plunkett - Onions - Tremlett nothing wrong as far as I can tell, but a lack of cricket would keep them out of this World Cup.

Originally Posted by pie-chucker

If this continues and Jones continues his rehabilitation the "fab four" will be reunited

Yes well save the best for Test Cricket - which really matters.

[darksideofthemoon]

If they didn't have Harmison, Hoggard and Jones then Mahmood seems to be the current favourite although I think Plunkett is the better bowler. Anderson who can't bat has no chance with Hoggard and Panesar in the team which is a good thing as Lancs are looking to win the CC and we can do with him back. In the days of Gough and Caddick there were hardly any bowlers around apart from Cork and Tudor. These days we have so many.
Harmison, Hoggard, Jones, Plunkett, Mahmood, Broad, Anderson, Tremlett, Lewis, Onions, Smith, Khan.

In ODIs alone we have the following combinations - (Fletcher is unable to decide who his opening bowlers should be -

2006
Anderson and Ali and Plunkett
Anderson and Plunkett
Anderson and Hoggard
Anderson, Hoggard, Plunkett and Mahmood
Anderson, Ali, Plunkett and Mahmood
Harmison, Chapple, Plunkett and Mahmood
Harmison, Plunkett, Mahmood and Bresnan
Harmison, Plunkett, Mahmood
Harmison, Plunkett, Bresnan
Harmison, Plunkett, Ali, Bresnan
Gough, Broad, Mahmood
Gough, Broad
Gough, Lewis, Broad
Broad, Lewis, Mahmood
Anderson, Harmison, Mahmood
Anderson, Lewis, Mahmood
2007
Flintoff, Anderson, Lewis
Anderson, Lewis
Anderson, Lewis, Tremlett
Anderson, Lewis
Plunkett, Tremlett
Plunkett, Mahmood
Anderson, Plunkett
Anderson, Mahmood

[Ninjaman]

Is Kirtley still chucking though??