England One Day Side

[Trescothick's Footwork]

I can't see any reason for the removal of Mascahrenas and Shah after both having proved they can score quickly. It's what we need in one day cricket, England's problem has been consistently failing to set/chase big targets. I know nothing about Mustard and why his stock has risen so much on this board, perhaps someone could enlighten me. Anyone actually seen him play or is he purely a stat selection? Until then, i'll keep with Chris Read. Plenty of runs in the team anyhow. I know Pietersen has been out of form, but he's still our best one day batsman by a mile, and should be batting at number 3.

My team :-

Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Shah
Collingwood
Flintoff
Mascahrenas
Read
Broad
Anderson
Panesar

Bopara and Wright would be close to the team obviously. I feel the above team gives us the best of both worlds, batting and bowling - and keeping, in fact! I have been impressed by Cook and Bell, and freely admit I wouldn't have had them opening together after the world cup. They've done enough to change my mind.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Trescothick's Footwork

I know nothing about Mustard and why his stock has risen so much on this board, perhaps someone could enlighten me. Anyone actually seen him play or is he purely a stat selection?

Probably comments like this have got him noticed..

Originally Posted by Shane Warne

To me he is just a class act - the best wicket-keeper/batsman in England

[Rachael]

I first started taking notice of Mustard a year or two back because I heard his glovework was promising... or at least more natural than that of most other county wicket-keepers. Since then he's also swung the willow a bit and now he's getting talked about for all the wrong reasons.

I've not heard much more about his glovework this past few months... and whilst some will know more I doubt that the majority of those now singing his praises so unequivocally could actually pass judgement with any confidence on his merits as a gloveman in comparison with (for example) Russell (my idea of a minimum standard for international cricket).

In truth.. I'm not even sure that most of his advocates really have that much idea when it comes to his batting potential either: we all know he has a decent eye for the ball and that on his day he can clobber balls all around the park... but my suspicion remains that Foster would (at present) be a superior Test batsman... and that Read would be a better ODI batsman.

I'm not disputing that Mustard is a bright prospect with the bat and gloves as I'm keen to see more of him: I just think the hype is excessive (as it was with repect to Davies a couple of years ago).

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Rachael

... and that Read would be a better ODI batsman.

Do you really mean that?

England are crying out for an explosive opener and Mustard can be that person. He has batted very well all season in the FP and pro40 when opening the batting. His keeping has been fine too, there have been no reports of simple chances going down and he's happy to stand up when the need arises. Granted i doubt he will make a test keeper.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

Do you really mean that?

I think that was a fair comment - Read for all the hype over G O Jones was in the end the better batsman of the two, and the same goes for Prior - would it be possibe for Read to do worse.

England need a batsman/keeper (if that's the road they are going down) that is experienced, and who also is a class act like Stewart was - with the bat.

In Test cricket Read has been kept out of the England side due to the failing of the batting, and in the belief that some other keeper will emerge to save the side when in trouble - this aint going to happen IMO.