The Ashes 2006-07: The Build-up

[Collyisamackem]

I would think so, though I personally like Nicholas' style - to each their own I guess.

Just a note on Cricinfo's promotional burning stumps" collage, as is now tradition it seems, this year's effort presents Freddie as the cheeky schoolboy type I think:

http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/66100/66145.jpg

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Alison

but why you think he'll have a specific problem with Lee but think he'll play Warne well

Bell looked out of his depth against Australia in 2005, in fact I think it fair to say he was out of his depth.

He on the other hand has played as well as anyone this winter, being able to play when there was no pace on the ball, not that easy.
So on what I have seen I think on fast and bouncy wickets in Australia he will without doubt struggle, on the other hand he will play Warne better than Lee IMO.

Originally Posted by Alison

Of course you do, we all have prejudices/preconceptions about everything - it's part of being human,

No I don't have predjudices against players, I don't want to see Bell play in the England side in Australia, but that because I have a PRECONCEPTION that he is not good enough,(based on recent history) I would soon change my tune if he proved me wrong.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Ernest

He on the other hand has played as well as anyone this winter, being able to play when there was no pace on the ball

No pace on the ball? Such as when Shoaib Akhtar is bowling at an average speed of 90-95mph, you mean?

[Collyisamackem]

Bell wasn't troubled predominantly by pace, nor was Collingwood (as is suggested of him sometimes), in Pakistan. I may sound a bit Rachael-esque here, though I appreciate that pace gives batsmen less time to think and therefore less of a comfort zone, but is where the ball was directed that caused Bell trouble during the Ashes. McGrath routinely had him bowled or caught behind by doing what he does best - bowling in the channel/"corridor of uncertainty" on or just a shade wide of off stump. In that case Bell was not entirely sure where his off stump was either, which was his undoing. However, during the Pakistan series Bell has shown increased awareness and solidity in that very area, which has led to his multiple hundreds and phenomenal form. His lesson was taught to him by McGrath, and has been learned as far as I see things.

[greg]

The thing with Bell is that we were all slightly concerned that last years ashes may have come too soon for him and so it proved.since then he has shown he has learnt from his troubles last summer and thoroughly deserves his place in the team this winter.

Who would you pick instead then Ern? and for gods sake don't say Key as he is technically flawed and a very average player.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Maranello

No pace on the ball? Such as when Shoaib Akhtar is bowling at an average speed of 90-95mph, you mean?

I meant pace of the pitch .slower in Pakistan and India.

Originally Posted by greg 112249

The thing with Bell is that we were all slightly concerned that last years ashes may have come too soon for him and so it proved.since then he has shown he has learnt from his troubles last summer and thoroughly deserves his place in the team this winter.

He might deserve a place in the side on the strength of what he did in India/Pakistan - but then again many county players have deserved places and fell flat on their faces when selected to play for England.

Originally Posted by greg

Who would you pick instead then Ern? and for gods sake don't say Key as he is technically flawed and a very average player.

Key-Ed Smith-Collingwood-Loye-Anthony McGrath ( on some of this years form, lets be fair).

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I meant pace of the pitch .slower in Pakistan and India.

The reports are that the pitches in Australia aren't as fast as they used to be.

[Alison]

Originally Posted by Ernest

No I don't have predjudices against players, I don't want to see Bell play in the England side in Australia, but that because I have a PRECONCEPTION that he is not good enough,(based on recent history) I would soon change my tune if he proved me wrong.

I really need to explain myself better

I wasn't precisely talking about either prejudices or preconceptions, what I meant was somewhere in between the two, which is why I used both words as I couldn't think of one word which properl described what I meant.

I was also actually referring to a different (more general) preconception of yours - you have made it fairly clear in a large number of different posts on different subjects that you think that pace is the thing which troubles most batsmen the most and I don't think that is correct in this instance. Where I was suggesting your preconceptions were colouring your opinion here wasn't in whether Bell would struggle against Australia this winter (I refuse to make any predictions as to how well anyone will play in any series), but in which bowler he is likely to have most problems with.

[Mr Hutt]

earth to ern :

Bell and Andrew Strauss are the best batsmen in yr side.

KP implodes
Cook cant play spin
Collingwood gets muddled up in the start
Chris read prefers the inside edge to the cover drive

dropping bell would be equivilant to australia dropping ponting from their batting lineup

he saved englands skin on a number of occassions in this last series againt pakistan alone.

if anything we should be discussing subs for bowlers... hoggard, harmison and flintoff for none of these three will last beyond the first test in the ashes.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Alison

I really need to explain myself better

You explained yourself well both times :-)