Ramps tipped for recall...

[feverpitch]

To my mind if he helps us win/draw one Test we would otherwise have lost then it's worth it!

[greg]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Um... Broad and Bopara still have a lot to prove.

Not as much as Ramprakash,at least Broad and bopara have the temperament needed for international cricket.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

and FF Vaughan can be put back up the order when his form returns, he has done very little since 2005.

Yes quite right he has done very little...

Now what was his average during the summer after his return from injury?

Cricinfo - Statsguru - MP Vaughan - Tests - Innings by innings list

54.6.... 2 hundreds.... well I am defiantly looking forward to a return to form then!!

If Ramps was 28 rather than 38, I would be on here appealing for a recall, his age is a big issue. Look at the ODI side that has just won a first ODI series in Sri Lanka, just one player above 30.. if they can do that now, how much more will they be able to do with 3-4 years under their belts??

And yes, Sidebottom, Swann and Shah have all done well... but they are still all the right side of 30... I have nothing against brining in County players (all the team do play for a County!!!) but I do struggle with recalling a guy who is at the end of his career as a short term measure.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by greg

Not as much as Ramprakash,at least Broad and Bopara have the temperament needed for international cricket.

Right.

Sure, Broad and Bopara aren't the complete finish yet, but I'm sorry I find little point in getting a batsman who's right at the end of his career.


Broad has improved in such little time from the 20/20 World Cup. He has taken wickets in every match against Sri Lanka, and has finished this last ODI with good figures of 3-36.

Bopara, yes, like Broad needs more experience in international cricket but the last time I checked the only way to get experience in international cricket is to pad up and get out in the middle.

Edit: Watching the England bowling performance just against Sri Lanka. Bopara has bowled excellently, considering he is a real part time medium pacer and has basically done Collingwood's job in that department.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

54.6.... 2 hundreds.... well I am defiantly looking forward to a return to form then!!

FF with respect what conclusion can we get from just six matches?, he wnet through one of the longest spells of poor form than most of the rest of the team.

It will take more than six matches to convince me and I suspect others that he is anywhere near back to his best.
Cook has not yet reached his peak, he will I am sure be long term for England, but ODI's have got him into a poor run of form, I will be interested to see if that has damaged his test form.
Bell has inmproved, but is not consistent.
The keeper spot is a joke on both keeping and batting.
Bopara has a long was to go, he is very inexperienced.
Pietersen is not in the best of form at the moment.
Flintoff in good form with the ball when fit, is out of form with the bat (for not as long as Vaughan), and is prone to injury.
The bowling is depleted, with Harmison out of form, Flintoff injured and Simon Jones not likely to return.

So with Trescothick being absent - what possible harm can happen if England was to give Ramp's a couple of years.
The though of Hoggard and Sidebotton in the same team make it essential that the England batting is above par, the two players are to alike.

Originally Posted by flanflinger

And yes, Sidebottom, Swann and Shah have all done well... but they are still all the right side of 30.

Fair comment - but England need to do a job in 2009, and as it stands they don't have the players to do that job.
Sidebottom was as poor as Ramp's when he first played for England, but has surprised us all with how he has improved, if England don't give Ramp's a go - we will always wonder what if if England are defeated in 2009.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Sidebottom was as poor as Ramp's when he first played for England, but has surprised us all with how he has improved, if England don't give Ramp's a go - we will always wonder what if if England are defeated in 2009.

The difference is Sidebottom only had one Test, Ramps had 50+!! I really can't see Ramps playing(and succeeding) in 2009. He has played well at County level, but he always did.. Ramps' problem was the step up to the next level. He couldn't do it.

His chance has gone, no matter how well he is now playing.

As for Vaughan 54.6 in 6 tests including 2 hundreds is ok by me, the fact is that you said he has shown no form since 2005, he had been out for most of the games since then (with injury), and when he does come back he averages 50+ so I really don't see your point..

[Mike]

I think Owais Shah is ready for Test cricket and will be hugely disappointed not to be given an opportunity in Sri Lanka if Strauss is not selected. Having said that, I believe you need players with good technique to succeed in the sub-continent. Ramprakash would be an asset in that regard. If he has the desire to score more Test runs then I can't see why he shouldn't be considered for selection. Australia always pick their best available players for Test matches. I think that's a good policy even if a player is picked for just one series.

[Rachael]

If the guys on the fringes were piling on the pressure as Hussey and Hodge did for a while for Austrlai (and as Rogers has been more recently), or if you have a prodigious talent like Clarke looking like an absolutely certain success... then Ramps wouldn't stand a chance - but aside from Shah there's.. well... um... Sales.

I've no objection to youngsters like Hildreth and Carberry... but they ain't really piling the pressure on the established batsmen.

[Speedboy Salesman]

It's fair enough saying England aren't prepared now to face Australia....but we have 2 years before that happens, in which the likes of Broad, Shah, Bopara, Sidebottom et al will improve.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

It's fair enough saying England aren't prepared now to face Australia....but we have 2 years before that happens...

Exactly, England have 2 years to build a team for the future....

Why do people assume that Ramps will be a success, all the evidence points to failure.