| well, if india continue the sensible option of squad rotation and play what was effectively the indian ladies under 12's third XI like they did in the previous match, then i can see england again just managing to scrap a victory. It's all rather pointless though, England can't beat a proper Indian team and can only just beat the reserves so yet again we've wasted a odi series and learnt nothing.
So, as there's little of value in the game to discuss, what are peoples views on India's "extreme" rotation policy? Personally I think it's entirely sensible, it gives the top players a rest and gives a chance for some of the youngsters to break through. Especially against a team like England, if they were playing Australia or Pakistan then personally i feel that the morale effect of crushing the opposition to a 6-0 series defeat would be worth more than the resting of players, but as it's only England, who aren't a serious challange, it makes no difference to them if it's 6-0 or 4-2 so may aswell use the games for practice.
So, what of the England team selection, are we to go for another Fletcher special where we play a load of pointless players in the wrong positions and the inspired decision to play 2 wicket keepers per game but only use one (the man's a genius), or will we choose a proper batting line up again and only have one keeper? I don't want Flintoff to play again, he should rest and if anything should be allowed to go home and have a few extra days with his new baby.
My England team (although i'm limited by the squad we have, this would not be my actual England team) would be:
Strauss
Bell
Pietersen
Solanki
Collingwood
Blackwell
G.Jones
Batty/Ali (depending on the pitch)
Plunkett
Anderson
Mahmood
Prior doesn't really seem any better or worse than Jones so i'd stick with Jones as at least he has experience, and considering none of his innings last for much more 10 minutes i'm not entirely sure why he needs to be resting. In the absence of S.Jones, Harmison and Flintoff the seamers pick themselves (Hoggard doesn't appear to cope as a odi bowler), Blackwell has been a bit of a find with his odi spin so deserves the 'giles slot', his batting is as good as Flintoff on the county scene and it took flintoff a good 3 or 4 years to turn that into international ability so we should stick with blackwell in place of giles, at least he's getting himself out, which is something anyone can improve on. |