India vs England, Official Fourth ODI Match Thread

[Teatime FatCat]

Well aren't we just covering ourselves in glory yet again! This is just ridiculous! Not only to we mange to finish off a struggling innings, before it's time, with 2 run outs.

But now, our seamers are getting carted all around the ground, and giving away extras! It's a sad indictment on the quality of our back-up one day players.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Teatime FatCat

But now, our seamers are getting carted all around the ground, and giving away extras! It's a sad indictment on the quality of our back-up one day players.

As Rob pointed out these aren't necessarily back up bowlers. Harmison and Jones are hardly consistent performers in ODI cricket and Giles wouldn't necessarily have bowled any better than Blackwell. The discipline that some of the bowlers showed in the final Test - Hoggy and Anderson I'm thinking of here - seems to have disappeared.

Still, we played two keepers again!

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Still, we played two keepers again!

The good news is surely that both look increasingly credible as ODI options: Jones is starting to deliver with the bat... and there's been nothing on the keeping front, so far, to suggest that Prior is an inadequate reserve.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Rachael

The good news is surely that both look increasingly credible as ODI options:

But not in the same side! Neither appear good enough to play purely as a batsman. Bell is 12th man again. I wonder what the point in him being there is?

[Rob.]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

But not in the same side! Neither appear good enough to play purely as a batsman. Bell is 12th man again. I wonder what the point in him being there is?

GoJo has kept well in this series, in fact all ODI's for as long as I can remember and has made some good contributions in his last two innings.

[Rachael]

Thing is... Fletcher has Vaughan and Tresco pencilled in as first XI top order bats... along with Strauss, Pietersen and Collingwood... and has in Solanki a ready made first reserve. He has Giles as first spinner with Blackwell as first reserve. He's got Flintoff as his side-balancing all-rounder. He's got Jones as 'keeper with Prior as first reserve. He's then got Simon Jones, Harmison and Anderson as seamers (though the discussion on TMS suggested his uncertainty was over Anderson OR Harmison)... and will also want two bowlers who can bat from Tremlett, Plunkett, Kabir Ali, Batty, etc

In short.. there's no space in the world cup squad for an extra batsman.. and if injuries leave the wrld cup squad light on batting... the reserve wicket-keeper will have to step in - so it makes sense to give him experience!

[TopperHarley]

Bearing in mind he is now injured, looks like GoJo's tour may well be over.

I'm backing the man to bounce back in style this summer with some big runs and some good displays behind the stumps. I think he is now looking a lot more settled in the side, and not letting the anti-Jones sections (i.e Bob Willis) get to him as much.

Chance for Prior to display his unique take on wicket-keeping as well.

Think the time really has come for Ian bell to get a shot in the remaining dead rubber games. I'm not his biggest fan, but we need some solidity, despite him being a "good nicker" early on.

Disappointed in Hoggy today. Wides and no-balls deserve a good spanking for the culprit....although there may well be plenty of volunteers....

[Teatime FatCat]

But is there any surprise in Hoggy bowling poorly here? He hasn't ever bowled well in ODI's has he?

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Rob.

GoJo has kept well in this series, in fact all ODI's for as long as I can remember and has made some good contributions in his last two innings.

Agree with you that GoJo does seem to keep well with the white ball. Did miss stumping Raina on Monday though. Batted better today, wonder if he shouldn't bat injured all of the time!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Again blackwell bowled OK, out bowling, economy wise everyone bar freddie. Wonder why he didnt click in hte tests ? And why did he get out out to a part timer in sehwag when that was the chance he had to show what he can do with the bat ? 7-0 is looking a very real possibility.