Thank you Joe Denly!!

[flanflinger]

Big thanks to Joe Denly for a cracking start to the season, and a first class average of 57.61. I now have my England team of the future:-

Compton
Denly
Cook (Cpt)
Pietersen
Bell
Bopara/Rashid
Davies (Keeper)
Broad
Plunkett
Panesar
Anderson

All under 30, most under 25 and the majority already have International experience... The future is bright the future is England!!

[adamberry]

Bear in mind that Denly's average is boosted by twin centuries against Cambridge University, but I quite agree that Denly is a good batsman. His century against Hampshire the other day, where no other batsman got past 25 on that first day, proved his quality.

I'm just wondering - would that team be good enough for us to ditch one of Anderson and Plunkett, and play both Bopara and Rashid? If all played to their capabilities then that would be a heck of a line up.

[pie_chucker]

If it was a turning wicket then Anderson for Rashid, providing he progresses would be a fair swap IMO.

The only problem with that line up is we are missing a genuine quicky. Still I would back it against anyone but the Aussies.

Provided these young players get a chance to learn their trades then I can see only good things for English Cricket.

[darksideofthemoon]

Can we fit Godleman in that team somewhere with his average of 58.71.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by darksideofthemoon

Can we fit Godleman in that team somewhere with his average of 58.71.

Oh yes, another quality youngster coming through, I have not heard much about him, but from his stats and profile he looks good.

I genuinely feel we have a huge pool of talent coming through, and that England, if they can be nurtured properly we will be serious contenders for No 1 in the world.

[flanflinger]

Two other names to add

Future allrounder from Glamorgan - 17 years old

James Harris
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/co...er/212739.html

The first 17 year old to take seven wickets in the Championship and follows that up with an unbeaten 87

And of course

Joe Sayers - 23 years old
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/yorks...yer/21001.html

Just hit his fourth hundred of the season

I repeat again the future for England is very bright..

[greg]

Not forgetting James Hildreth who scored his 4th ton of the season today and was hyped up a few years ago.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

All under 30, most under 25 and the majority already have International experience... The future is bright the future is England!!

The future could be bright - but youngsters alone won't work as was shown in Australia 2007.

Lets take an extreme "Mahmood", he was wayward but got wickets, but was made to look bad because he was a main bowler.

Simon Jones
Fred Flintoff
Matt Hoggard
Saj Mahmood
Panesar/Giles

This would be a formidable attack, because Flintoff, Hoggard and the spinner would take the heat of Mahmood, or Plunkett for that matter.

The batting is the same.

Cook - who is now experienced.
Compton
Pietersen (C)
Collingwood or Bell - no way both - better still Key.
Bopara
Flintoff - also with the bowlers
Prior

Some power IMO in that side, youth is fine-if tempered with experience.

England do have the players, they just don't get picked.

[flanflinger]

By Ern I am talking about the Future, not the present!!

I am looking at the team to play for England beyond 2009...

So banging on about current players like Flintoff, Hoggard, Collingwood, Giles and Key () just doesn't make sense, as some of those guys may not be playing at all.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

By Ern I am talking about the Future, not the present!!

Fair enough FF - but remember future players are conditioned by results now, or in the near future.

I think winning becomes a culture, but having said that - looking to the future there are players in the present England set up under 30, who will play and guide any future team.