Giles: This is probably the end!

[Ernest]

I wondered why Giles was doing some commentating on TMS, I thought that's normaly what 'ex players' do.

Well I think he has played his last game for England,

England spinner Ashley Giles admits his cricketing future is in the balance as he fights to regain fitness after a third hip operation.

Well Giles is 34, so is his hip is so dodgy that it has needed three operations, then I don't think he will be foolish enough to risk being a cripple.

I think England have missed Giles, Panesar has taken wickets, but Giles was Mr Dependable, and he saved Englands blushes a few years ago in India - also he was a GOOD lower order batsman, and will be missed for that role.

Anyone else think's he is finished?, and if so does Panesar fill his boots?, and if so which England player will make up for the shortfall that has been obvious of his batting.

Link: click here

[Vrock]

I don't think he'd be selected for the test side now; with his extremely dodgy hip his more of a liability than Vaughan and Giles doesn't have the captaincy factor to keep him in, just his dependable batting.

Panesar is best kept in the side so that he can continue to grow in confidence (also improving his batting and fielding) and be secure in his place that he is not having to worry about being dropped as soon as Ashley hops off the operating table.

[Rachael]

The interesting predicament comes towards the end of the summer: selecting 3 spinners for the winter tour. Panesar is certain to travel. The second spot is surely Giles' if he's fit and Dalrymple's if he's not. The third will presumably go to Adil Rashid.

A lot depends on what potentially-rewarding 'A' tour / Academy tour is lined up: Rashid might benefit more from a lower level tour where he's top dog rather than from being the junior player on a Test tour.

[Navdeep]

Giles for me is over.

If they have to pick 3 spinners, Panesar is no.1, then you have someone like Dalrymple who has time before then to improve his bowling more, or Yardy. Also, don't see the harm in taking someone like Keedy Takes wickets, and would start the tour as 3rd choice spinner, and if needed to play, im sure he wouldnt do that bad.

[darksideofthemoon]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I think England have missed Giles, Panesar has taken wickets, but Giles was Mr Dependable, and he saved Englands blushes a few years ago in India - also he was a GOOD lower order batsman, and will be missed for that role.

Panesar to 40 wickets in his first year. Giles has never taken 40 wickets in any year. Panesar took more wickets against the West Indies than any other of our bowlers and is England's leading wicket taker so far in 2007.

When Giles first started in Tests he wasn't getting many runs but developed his batting and Panesar can do the same. He should really bat above Hoggard so he has more time to bat as a batsman and not as a number 11.

[Ernest]

Giles did take part in vital partnerships with Flintoff and G O Jones amongst others in a way that Panesar has not seemed capable, not just the number of runs he scored, but the amount of time he could occupy the crease.
Also Giles may not have taken as many wickets as Panesar in a season, but Giles took wickets against the best sides - one of the most underestimated cricketers IMO.

I don't think Panesar need worry Vrock - I think Giles is finished, can't see him making a comeback after three operations on his hip.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Rachael

. Panesar is certain to travel. The second spot is surely Giles' if he's fit and Dalrymple's if he's not.

Please say you are joking ! Dalrymple isnt the 10th best spinner in the country never mind second. His batting is not too far away from Panesars either. With Moores in charge i (thankfully) cant see Dalrymple anywhere near the teat team. The ODI team yes though, once he recovers his from.

As for Rashid that would aslo be a foolish and desperate pick. He's only learning his craft and after the first few games of the season has hardly taken a wicket for Yorks. Give the guy at least 2 years of county cricket and time at the acadamy. Dont elevate him too early!

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

Please say you are joking ! Dalrymple isnt the 10th best spinner in the country never mind second. His batting is not too far away from Panesars either.

I agree - he should be discarded, from Test cricket at least.

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

As for Rashid that would aslo be a foolish and desperate pick. He's only learning his craft

Spot on p_c - it's to early to include Rashid - England should learn the lesson of Schofield, who was brought into the England side - at least 2 years to soon, from which he never recovered.

[greg]

I hope Giles retires before he causes himself serious long term harm,though i would understand it if he tried to come back.We have Panesar now so an England recall is unlikely and by the time he gets fit we may be contemplating picking Rashid,though i hope we don't pick him too soon.

Thanks for the memories Ashley but please retire and save your body the stress.