Vaughan's bold statement

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by eng fan

Did u hear what Jack Russell said recently? that he found G Joens easier to work with and more enthusiastic than Chris Read?

That was reported in the Torygraph I think: Jones is apparently concerned that he ain't up to standing in a line that includes Taylor, Knott and Russell... and just 'clicked" with Russell - not THAT surprising really, especially as (unlike Read, who has been converted to the modern, Rod Marsh approach) Jones is actually coached in Russell's own style of 'keeping (old-fashioned English way).

That Jones came across as more enthusiastic is hardly surprising either: Read comes across, even on TV, as relatively quiet and his own man.. where Jones comes across as a fairly bolshy Aussie "Team" man.

[Teatime FatCat]

Good point 'The Erninator'. Out of many players who were dropped as much for their lack of temprament as much as their ability, how many forced their way back into contention through sheer hard work, and weight of runs and wickets?

Whither Habib, Afzaal, Lathwell, McCague, Min Patel, Sidebottom, Clarke when they were dropped?

Key's done well to force the issue, as did Ramps when he was first dropped. I don't go with the idea that Smith hasn't the talent to play for England, I think it's a temprament issue, which has to come from him, rather than him being put off by a bigger boy in the changing room telling him he smells!

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by eng fan

Yeah, I think this board is the perfect example of this, it's a bit of a clique and no-one responds to your messages unless you've posted 1000 times...

Afternood EF, bit quiet anyway,I have just seen your point about what Jack Russel said,well "he" may have found that,but that is only one opinion.
ThinK about it EF,Read can't get a look in under vaughan or Flecher,wonder why,they have gone to great lengths to keep Read out,and I detect a small drop in IO jones form.

[Rachael]

I don't doubt that Smith wil be genuine England material soon even if he is not already (and that given a run like Fintoff had to settle down, he'd prove his case) but the same goes for Bell (who is looking astonishingly good right now)... but once Butcher is back... both will have to clamber over the pie-man to get close to selection.

It's an interesting time batting wise: from having virtually no-one but Thorpe who really cut the mustard we've now got a plethora of quality options.

A few months back we were on Vaughan, Tresco, Hussain, Butcher, Thorpe... and if need be we could field an equally credible (and perhaps even stronger) alternative top 5 of Strauss, Bell, Key, Smith and Ramprakash: I can't think of a single time in the past 2 decades when we could have said that was possible.

[Pabs]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I don't doubt that Smith wil be genuine England material soon even if he is not already

Why? The man's 27, hardly a thrusting young turk! Ed Smith has always had a weakness against the moving ball, identified back in his student days - and Fenners is the sort of track which has a tendency to make stylish batsmen look like world-beaters. Kent fans will tell you that Key is by far the better prospect.

[Goatman]

Originally Posted by Pabs

Why? The man's 27, hardly a thrusting young turk! Ed Smith has always had a weakness against the moving ball, identified back in his student days - and Fenners is the sort of track which has a tendency to make stylish batsmen look like world-beaters. Kent fans will tell you that Key is by far the better prospect.

Odd. Smith looks to have much better technique than Key, whose bat tends to slide accross in fornt of his front pad. Amybe its style over substance in Smith that makes people pay attention. There certainly no lack of substance to Rob Key anyway!

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I don't doubt that Smith wil be genuine England material soon even if he is not already (and that given a run like Fintoff had to settle down, he'd prove his case) but the same goes for Bell (who is looking astonishingly good right now)... but once Butcher is back... both will have to clamber over the pie-man to get close to selection.

It's an interesting time batting wise: from having virtually no-one but Thorpe who really cut the mustard we've now got a plethora of quality options.

The difference between ed smith and Flintoff is,Flintoff always had 3 strings to his bow,batting -bowling and a great fielder.
Now I think Ed Smith should have been given longer,there was something about him I liked.

Talking of chances Rachael,I think you will find that player such as Hick,and Ramprakash,wher given even more chances than Flintoff.
Now to be fair,they played in times,not like we have now,they may have flourished knowing thier place was not under threat every game,and I must agree,we have never had so much riches.

How do you think Rachael,injury appart,Butcher is going to dislodge the pie man.

[Goatman]

Originally Posted by ernest

How do you think Rachael,injury appart,Butcher is going to dislodge the pie man.

A combination of a crowbar, 6 striking Heathrow baggage handlers and a warm cheese and ham puff.

[Goatman]

Oh the joy of having a soft target! I haven't enjoyed this since, I think, CMJ, commentating before start of play as a Headingley test match, said:-

"Someone appears to be moving the sightscreen round to the right. Going back to the left now. Sorry, my mistake:- its Gat doing shuttle runs during his warmup".

[eng fan]

Originally Posted by ernest

Afternood EF, bit quiet anyway,I have just seen your point about what Jack Russel said,well "he" may have found that,but that is only one opinion.
ThinK about it EF,Read can't get a look in under vaughan or Flecher,wonder why,they have gone to great lengths to keep Read out,and I detect a small drop in IO jones form.

all i'm saying is that Jack Russell is a great keeper who obviously knows a thing or two abt the art, so his opinion counts for a lot. I ws surprised to hear him say this abt Jones and Read, bcos I thought he wld have liked the better keeper of the 2, who is Read. But if you read all of Russell's comments, he seems to suggest that Jones has more potential than Read and that Jones is moer willing to learn and more willing to take advice. Read sounded a bit arrogant, tbh.