WAT England 2006 - hopes and aspirations

[Rachael]

Well... the 2005 side is now signed off... but before we finally forget this matter for 12 months... I thought I'd start a thread on who to watch for 2006. Any thoughts on who you'd be most keen to see staking a bigger claim for 2006?

Of the current side.... the great prospects I'd like to see further their claims in a huge way might be Cook, Tremlett and (especially, in view of England's requirements) Panesar. I'd also like to think that Shah, Joyce and Foster will continue to enhance their claims (and that Collingwood will finally get enough senior games to cement a senior spot).

Whilst it would cheer me immensely to see Davies blow away all the competition for a third season in a row (a full, injury free season and top of the wicket-taking league would be good) I guess the other obvious bowlers to watch would be Plunkett and perhaps Bresnan... though I'd also be very enthusiastic if Loudon could just nail his batting and become a credible second spinner.

If Jefferson would just get his act together again we could have the following as a line-up:

1. Cook
2. Jefferson
3. Newman
4. Joyce
5. Shah
6. Loudon
7. Foster+
8. Tremlett
9. Plunkett
10. Panesar
11. Bresnan / Davies

Now THAT little lot all deserving a place in a competitive field would be cause for cheer :-)

ps. Let's hope that by next year... this lot can eclipse even a strong run by Swann and Sidebottom... making the case for generational change unanswerable.

[The Phantom Ram]

I woud like to see Hildreth added to that side, he has shown great promisebut I think he suffered from second season syndrome this year. I can really see him pushing on for an A-team spot next year.

[Greeny]

My three to watch would be Hildreth, Prior and Joyce.

Also, Dalrymple deserves a chance to show how good an all rounder he can be.

[greg]

I think the whole country is waiting for Hildreth to develop because he has had a similar amount of hype as Bell did in his teens and as yet we have only seen glimpses of the talent.Next year is a big one for the lad if he is going to be as good as they reckon.Joyce should be breathing down the necks of the Test side next season if he does as well as this year.

On a Yorkshire level i hope young Lawson comes through as Yorkshire and England are crying out for a quality spinner and with him being a leggie it would be an added bonus.

[Collyisamackem]

I think Gordon Muchall at Durham is improving rapidly, and is only 24. Luke Sutton could come into it, having had a good year in a struggling team. Plunkett is my main man, although he could be a lot more involved with England by time selection comes round next year.

*Raises bat for his treble-ton*

[The Phantom Ram]

Originally Posted by Collyisamackem

Luke Sutton could come into it

As a Derbyshire fan that would be disapointing. It would basically say that he was good enough while he was with us but he didn't play for a good enough team. Is he still rumoured for Lancashire?

[Collyisamackem]

I don't know - I haven't been keeping too close any eye on it. I didn't pick him in my team but Sutton was certainly in my thinking as a aselector this time. It was only based on one season but what I saw was a young captain who did his best and has a lot of talent. Also, there were others ahead of Luke in the queue - Foster and Prior obviously, but he was definitely in contention for my team.

[cantplaycantalk]

For me I want to keep an eye on Broad at Leics, and on Muchall at Durham.

The others I know about but these two have yet to really make a name for themselves and what I have seen and heard about both of them is very promising.