Harmison and Plunkett in SA

[engssmoothcriminal]

Not a particularly glorious start for the Durham boys on their Lions and Dolphins debuts but it's valueable overs under the belt for both of them particularly Harmison.

Dolphin Plunkett 14-2-62-1
Lion Harmison 14-2-57-2 (though more worryingly in his quest for form and rhythm ahead of Sri Lanka a grand total of 5 no balls and 8 wides)

[greg]

Sounds like his radar was up to its usual standard,the figures look good as the batsmen probably couldn't reach half his deliveries.

The sooner Broad proves to be a match winner the better then we can discard Harmison.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by greg

The sooner Broad proves to be a match winner the better then we can discard Harmison.

I doubt Broad will ever be a match winner. A decent third seamer maybe but he lacks 2 yards of pace against the best.

I wouldnt worry about Harmy yet..... Thats his first serious bowl for over 4 months and he's a notoriously slow starter. My main worry is that he's only going to play 2 games and to me that 2 too few.

As for Plunkett they are very typical figures. If you look at his performances for Durham he either goes at 5-6 an over or goes for 2 an over and takes loads of wickets.

[darksideofthemoon]

Plunkett is only 22. He is capable of bowling at 90mph and if he didn't have to change his action he would be more consistent. It's Harmison at 29 I would be more worried about. He must have been bowling for over 10 years and shouldn't still need a coach.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by darksideofthemoon

Plunkett is only 22. He is capable of bowling at 90mph and if he didn't have to change his action he would be more consistent. It's Harmison at 29 I would be more worried about. He must have been bowling for over 10 years and shouldn't still need a coach.

Agreed, DSOTM, Harmison should know the score by know. He's almost 30 and can't bowl straight. Plunkett has time on his side. Harmison's doesn't. I still think Harmison will play, just in short spells. Not with the new ball either hopefully.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

I doubt Broad will ever be a match winner. A decent third seamer maybe but he lacks 2 yards of pace against the best.

That lack of pace really hampered McGrath didn't it? And Stuart Clark reeally suffers, too. Pace isn't everything, Harmlessone shows us that regularly!

[first change]

Harmison's wide total now up to 13. I've been a great fan, but these figures do rather suggest he's getting his wickets by surprising batsmen with the odd decent ball. I entirely agree - three or four games would have been better. But I do worry that the home sickness might kick in. A few weeks in SA with people he doesn't know followed by a stint in SL. I genuinely sympathise with him - he's got three (or four?) young kids and he obviously misses them and his family terribly. On the flip side, he gets paid a fantastic salary for doing a job most of us could only dream of. The tour to Sri Lanka should be last chance saloon - perform or move on.

[flanflinger]

Blimey you boys are harsh!!

The point of Harmison being out there is TO FIND HIS RHYTHM, and prove his fitness, after four months out of the game. He is a slow starter, hence why the management have taken this step. They know that two three day warm up games are not enough, and they have made him a special case.

Why make a special case of Harmy, because we know what he has the potential to do, if he can get it right!! This is for me a good sign, and much better than Fletcher's "two mickey mouse games will get the boys ready to face the best team in the world" preparations.

So if Harmison can find some form, that can only be good for England.

As for Broad, this time last year he was still growing! He is still a boy, and if he can get it right his natural height will enable him to cause major problems with bounce, and if he can fill out a little and add a bit of muscle, he will get faster.

For me Harmison is the guy who can still cause problems, and Broad is his successor. The key at the moment is not to right off Harmison, and not to bring Broad in before he is ready.

[first change]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Why make a special case of Harmy, because we know what he has the potential to do, if he can get it right!! This is for me a good sign, and much better than Fletcher's "two mickey mouse games will get the boys ready to face the best team in the world" preparations.

So if Harmison can find some form, that can only be good for England.

I agree, it's not time to forget about Harmison, but I do feel this winter should be a watershed for him. We all know how destructive he can be, but the fact is that he hasn't performed consistently for England for a couple of years. The odd fantastic spell here and there, granted. I think it's fantastic that he's in South Africa, but I do find it worrying that he's bowling SO many wides - first game for a while or not. Fingers crossed he'll find some real rythmn there and be a threat for us in Sri Lanka - but does he start the first test? two spinners are likely, which leaves (probably I guess) two front line seamers and Bopara (?). How well does Harmison fit in - Anderson, Sidebottom and Hoggard are surely above him in the pecking order right now?

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by first change

How well does Harmison fit in - Anderson, Sidebottom and Hoggard are surely above him in the pecking order right now?

The thing I find interesting is that Hoggard has been out with an injury longer than Harmy. Yet he is not in South Africa "proving his fitness" why is this? I believe it is because the management know he can find his line and length much quicker than Harmy.

To me this demonstrates that Harmison is having special treatment, because he is so vital. If he is that vital, for me the pecking order goes out the window.

Harmison and Hoggard are the first choice attack, and I feel that is the route that England will go down, regardless of how well their deputies have done.