MCC vs Sussex

[Collyisamackem]

The season curtain-raiser is underway at Lords, with the MCC currently 84/1 from 25.1 overs against reigning CC champions Sussex. Alistair Cook and Owais Shah are unbeaten on 41 and 38 respectively after Nick Compton fell to James Kirtley for a duck.

Teams:

MCC: NRD Compton, AN Cook*, OA Shah, AGR Loudon, ZK Sharif, APR Gidman, SM Davies+, A Rashid, M Hoggard, G Onions, SJ Harmison.

Sussex: MH Yardy*, AJ Hodd, MJ Prior, CJ Liddle, RSC Martin-Jenkins, LJ Wright, RJ Kirtley, CD Hopkinson, MW Goodwin, OP Rayner, CD Nash.

[flanflinger]

Should be a very revelling game, for all the negative comments about England's potential, this MCC squad with Cook, Davies, Compton and Rashid demonstrates that there is a huge amount of talented players about there.

It's just a pity that Compton went so early, but sadly that is one of the downsides of being an opener.

[Collyisamackem]

161/2, Shah went to Kirtley for 47, Cook is on 91 and looking good for a hundred with Loudon on 17 at the other end.

[bellum_851]

Originally Posted by Collyisamackem

Cook is on 91 and looking good for a hundred with Loudon on 17 at the other end.

Good to see Cook doing well, I still can't understand why he's not in the caribbean, also I'm glad that Loudon is making an impression.

[adamberry]

Does anyone else think it's intriguing that Chris Adams isn't playing today, after his will-he won't-he winter?

Kirtley is bowling well today, getting both the wickets, but Cook and Loudon are fighting back well. Loudon has just got his fifty. I'll be interested to see how the Cambridge UCCE lad gets on, according to Cricinfo he's due in next.

[Collyisamackem]

Bellum, Cook isn't seen as a one-day player as he would score slowly and doesn't probably have the range of scoring shots required for a one-day player. I'd leave him until he has more List A experience, as Panesar has shown that his inexperience in any form of one-day cricket has meant that he hasn't scrubbed up in the World Cup. He might do better than Vaughan though!!!

It's good to see Cook has made such a good start to the season against a good bowling attack. Last time I checked he was 132 not out.

[darksideofthemoon]

From the two ODI games Cook played his strike rate is in the 80's and average in the 40s. I would have him in the team opening.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by adamberry

Does anyone else think it's intriguing that Chris Adams isn't playing today, after his will-he won't-he winter? [...]Kirtley is bowling well today, getting both the wickets,

I hope Adams is on his way to take over from Vaughan , just wish Kirtley was going with him.
I wonder why Kirtley has been overlooked by England?.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by darksideofthemoon

From the two ODI games Cook played his strike rate is in the 80's and average in the 40s. I would have him in the team opening.

Yes, and didnt Cook also smash a double ton in a day against the Aussies. Although I dont see Cook particulary as a ODI batter he couldnt have done any worse than the openers we have used and playing ODI's would improve his allround game.

[adamberry]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I wonder why Kirtley has been overlooked by England?.

Possibly the fact he's been reported for a dodgy action, maybe the last thing England would want is a repeat? I should hope not, as Kirtley did well in the one-day leagues last year. Then again, when have England selctions ever made sense...