NatWest Challenge 2005/1st match-Headingley Thursday 7th July.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Trescothick

I wouldn't say EASY for England today. People are forgetting the struggle Strauss and Tresco had to put up with and they pushed on and made some big scores and really settled down.

Fair dues, your right it wasn't easy to start with, but it was a very, very comfortable win, at the end of the day.

Another point - Paul Collingwood - is he now forever type-cast as a One Day player, or is there a chance he may still, at some point get another shot at test match cricket?

[Moss]

Congratulations Banger on your 10th ODI century.

One in the eye for the critics.

Australia looked quite ordinary today. And what's happened to Gillespie???

Cut that hair mate, you'll be able to see yer line and length better!

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

Another point - Paul Collingwood - is he now forever type-cast as a One Day player, or is there a chance he may still, at some point get another shot at test match cricket?

I think in the post Botham and pre-Flintoff era Collingwood would have easily played a majot role in the Test team.

The only reservation is that Collingwood had perfect conditions for his style of bowling today, I think on a true flat surface he may be a little bit more like cannon-fodder.

For me he is not an all-rounder but a batsmen who can turn his arm over, the problem is that for years players like him - Ealham, Irani etc. would have have been seen as all-rounders and snaked into the team. Collinwood is a much better batsmen than either of those two, but bowls to about the same level. Neither of thos etype of players were good enough Collingwood is, but he has Freddy Flintoff to compete with!!

[Trescothick]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

Fair dues, your right it wasn't easy to start with, but it was a very, very comfortable win, at the end of the day.

Another point - Paul Collingwood - is he now forever type-cast as a One Day player, or is there a chance he may still, at some point get another shot at test match cricket?

True, it was comfortable! Thats undenaible.. Collingwood seems a very good prospect and i'd like to see him get some chances.. But we shall see!

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

For me he is not an all-rounder but a batsmen who can turn his arm over, the problem is that for years players like him - Ealham, Irani etc. would have have been seen as all-rounders and snaked into the team. Collinwood is a much better batsmen than either of those two, but bowls to about the same level. Neither of thos etype of players were good enough Collingwood is, but he has Freddy Flintoff to compete with!!

Fair comment, one can't help but sympathise with him. He is, IMO very close to being a test class batsmen, just not quite there. In years gone by, he would have got in as a kind of 'allrounder' even though he isn't quite one really. Still, he may get an opportunity at some stage, if injury's hit the side.

I think it's nice he is getting a bit of recognition lately for the role he plays in the One Day side. He has been rather overlooked prior to this summer, in terms of getting credit.

[Lemming]

I didn't know all that much about Collingwood before these recent series'. He now - in my mind - can claim a place in the the team to be his and his alone. So good is his fielding, as well as being able to do a great job with the bat and a decent one with the ball, that he is really important to our ODI side.

[cantplaycantalk]

I would play Collingwood ONLY in conditions that are not likely to favour spin. I would play him as a 5th seamer batting ahead of Flintoff and Jones. (For the freddy fans a Q who is more likely to throw it away Fred or Colly?)
I would use him instead of Giles.

Awaiting the Giles and Freddy fans to go off on one...

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by cantplaycantalk

Awaiting the Giles and Freddy fans to go off on one...

Go off on one...who? Me! That would soooooooo undignified.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by cantplaycantalk

(For the freddy fans a Q who is more likely to throw it away Fred or Colly?)

But who would be more likely to score 150, in 100 minutes?.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Ernest

But who would be more likely to score 150, in 100 minutes?.

I love Flintoff, as you well know Ern, but right at this minute is just might be Colly!!

I'm sure Flintoff will get his batting mojo back again soon, so no worries!!