Time to go.

[cantplaycantalk]

Mr Vaughan and Mr Fletcher, time to call it a day please.

[Occasional Fan]

They might be at the head of the queue, but there should be many more lined up behind them.

[Ernest]

I think "central contracts" should be abolished, it is ruining the England side.

It would mean that none of this Ashes/World Cup squad would be England players unless selected.

[Occasional Fan]

I'm honestly not sure after today that any of them should be selected.

[Ernest]

Exactly - England players should be selected in part on county form, like they used to be.

[pie_chucker]

After another WC debacle we seriously need to look at the way we play ODI's. Our team selection, tactics and performances have been well below par.

Our batsman are unable to bat dynamically and dominate the bowling, they also have a tendancy to get our when set.

Our bowlers are incapable of bowling maidens or taking wickets. In all we dont have a clue how to play the shorter game yet we play loads of limited overs stuff domestically.

I suspect our players lack of nous is due to central contracts and the fact that our "elite" players dont seem to play as much of the shorter game as they perhaps should.

[sambino239]

Selectors are a lot to blame no balls.
Vaughan should have been mothballed till the Windies Test Series. Strauss should have captained in Aus and Worldcup. Monty should have played in all ashes tests as should Chris Read. Harmison should have been axed earlier, theres no fear if your chummy with the coach you do ok if not your out should be none of that.
Vaughan has to be kept as captain this summer but he should bat at 6 in odis and get 2 new openers for the one day side unless Tres is fit enough to play

[adamberry]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I think "central contracts" should be abolished, it is ruining the England side.

I quite agree with you there Ern. The entire selection of the England team is a fiasco, and various quotes from this year Wisden shows just what we all know:

Re: The Ashes

The chairman of selectors was there on a private visit, yet Graveney was not party to the decisions[...]The team was evidently picked by Fletcher and his tyro captain. There may have been some input from the "tour committee" (Strauss, Collingwood, G. Jones) though it is hard to imagine what: "Who do you think should keep wicket, Geraint?"

I think it would be fair to say that Fletcher carries far too much power over selection and how often "his" players play domestically. Even if he stays on beyond Friday (and I sincerely hope he doesn't), this has to change. Same for his successor should he go.

Originally Posted by Sambino239

Vaughan has to be kept as captain this summer

Why? To me, during this World Cup his field placings have been uninspired and, quite frankly, rubbish. Surely that is the only thing (supposedly) keeping him in the side?!

[pie_chucker]

I have a suspicion that both Fletch and Vaughan will fall on their swords after the WC.

I think that some form of central contracting is essential, otherwise the counties will run their star players into the ground as has happened in the past and will happen again if the counties are given a chance. However the structure of it needs to be radically changed in that you dont have a list of players, but you (the ECB) can withdraw England players from domestic matches if need be and then the counties can get suitably compensated.

This helps look after the players but enables them to get games under their belt, stops them getting complacent and allows the selectors to freely pick a team, because at the moment their hands are tied - they pretty much have to selected the players on a central contract.

[Quagmire]

Ok realistically England did very well considering their ranking, keep your head up England.