Strauss Dropped

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Have to agree, Hoggard and Sidebottom are just too similar in terms of pace and what they are trying to do.

And then, if Harmison bowls absolute rubbish in the 1st Test, then I would have to re-think...I think I would just pick Broad over Sidebottom, because Hoggard and Sidebottom are just too similiar.

[Notts Exile]

Sidebottom is a left armer and Hoggard a right armer. They are different.

I wouldn't pick Harmison unless he does something spectacular before the Test Series (to be honest I woudn't have selected him anyway, I never would for a Test abroad!).

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Sidebottom is a left armer and Hoggard a right armer. They are different.

This is obviously significant in terms of point of delivery (as there's no way that Hoggard going around the wicket is going to generate the same line as Sidebottom bowling over it)... but given that they both bowl the outswinger as their stock ball (with Sidebottom also swinging it back in)... they both pose very different questions with the new ball, irrespective of crease position.

Looking later in the innings... Hoggard's cutter is likely to be relied upon very heavily (as it was to such sensational effect on the lifeless Adelaide pitch in the 2007 Ashes)... but Sidebottom's developed his own range of variations as well:

Originally Posted by Scyld Berry following Sidebottom's man of the series performance in England's ODI victory over SL

Sidebottom responded with what can be hailed in all the circumstances as the best one-day bowling by an England bowler overseas, with Flintoff passim a close rival.

To set up England's next three wins Sidebottom bowled 28.1 overs and took eight wickets for 69 runs on lifeless pitches. Sanath Jayasuriya is past his prime but he still smacked Australia in April's World Cup final: and off the 30 balls Sidebottom bowled at Jayasuriya in those three games, Sidebottom conceded five runs and took his wicket twice. He bowled straight, varied his pace, cut the ball and mixed in yorkers, fast bouncers and slow bouncers, this new delivery which he first saw bowled by James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood earlier this year.

This same article implies that we might also see Sidebottom getting some reverse swing witht the old ball.

To my mind, they are the two most outstanding seamers in the squad and should be guaranteed a start in each game... especially as Panesar and Swann should each be good for 30-40 overs per day!!!

See Ryan Sidebottom makes most of his chance - Telegraph

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Sidebottom's earnt a run ahead of Harmison and Broad: he should, at the very least, start the first Test.

I agree with all your post bar this bit, Sidebottom was only keeping Hoggard's place warm, and don't forget Harmison was only out due to injury.

I might have gone further in supporting your team in full, had it not been for the fact that Flintoff is missing - so England need Harmison to try and give England a cutting edge.

the problem is it seems England have to have both Swann and Panesar, so to have Hoggard and Sidebottem as well would be a disaster IMO.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by Ernest

the problem is it seems England have to have both Swann and Panesar, so to have Hoggard and Sidebottem as well would be a disaster IMO.

Agreed, it's fair enough saying that "Sidebottom is left handed and Hoggard is right handed" but they are too similar in terms of pace. Mid-80 mph at best, it won't trouble the likes of Jayasuriya, Sangakkara and Jayawardene. Spin will be a big part, but expect Swann and to a lesser extent, Panesar to go for a few runs, because Sri Lankan batsman play spin usually quite well, so we need that quick pace (late 80/early 90mph) of Harmison to, at the very least, a bit of difference in the English bowling attack.

Personally, if I had another decent pace option, I would send Harmison packing back to Durham, I find that Harmison needs a serious re-think about his cricket career, he complains when he's away from home playing Tests, and has given up one day cricket..... Harmison you're an international cricketer! If I had a decent alternative to Harmison, say if Flintoff was fully fit, I would use Flintoff as the pace option in place of Harmison.....but if wishes were fishes....

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

.. so we need that quick pace (late 80/early 90mph) of Harmison to, at the very least, a bit of difference in the English bowling attack...

Exaxtly SS we need that bit of extra pace in our attack. Its been well reported that the SL are keeping a close eye on Harmison. They arent keen on batting against him even on subcontinental wickets.

Vaughan has learned the lesson that Gooch never did, in international cricket you need pace in your attack.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Rachael

The other thing mentioned was that Rashid will be on the sub-continent and on call in the event of illness / injury to Swann or Panesar.

I've just noticed that and I hope someone in the press is having a laugh!

At the moment Rashid is far from being anywhere near a test bowler. Do the selectors realise if he played he would get hammered at that would be a massive set back in his career. If Rashid was going to the subcontinent to gain experience (with no chance of playing), that would make perfect sense but even considering playing him

[darksideofthemoon]

Last time in Pakistan Harmison was bowling 80-85mph. Sri Lanka will be even hotter and more humid. I can't see Harmison running in at 90mph especially after coming back from an injury. Sidebottom causes problems for the batsmen with a different angle and his accuracy.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by darksideofthemoon

Last time in Pakistan Harmison was bowling 80-85mph.

As was Flintoff... I suspect the pitches and the speedgun will have been the cause of that.

I recall Yusuf stating that some of Harmisons bowling was the best fast bowling he'd faced on Pakistani pitches.

[darksideofthemoon]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

As was Flintoff... I suspect the pitches and the speedgun will have been the cause of that.

I recall Yusuf stating that some of Harmisons bowling was the best fast bowling he'd faced on Pakistani pitches.

I imagine they used the same speedgun for Akhtar who was bowling at 90mph and slipping in a few slower balls that surprised our batsmen.