WAT England 'A' 2007: build up thread.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I think Saj Mahmood should be up for selection again.

No way! He shouldn't ever have played ANY Tests... should never have made ANY WAT 'A' side and remains an appalling prospect.

The early frontrunners for the side might be as follows:

Joe Denly
Owais Shah
Ravi Bopara
Ed Joyce
Adil Rashid
Luke Wright
Stuart Broad
Chris Tremlett

That's eight players. Add in either Foster or Mustard as a 'keeper plus one good opening batsman and one decent specialist spinner... and that would be a solid XI.

There's time for others to press strong claims.. but all the above should figure prominently in the discussions.

[pie_chucker]

I know you rate Joyce but I'm not convinced.... His batting figures this year are worse than say, Rashids. By the way Rasids bowling figures this year are 35 wickets at 38, so lets not hype him too much too soon although Rasid should make the cut.

Joyce apart i wouldnt argue with any of your other picks.

As for Mahmood, the guy has potential, he has good pace and can reverse the ball. But, he has a lazy wrist action which can cause him to be very erractic. Although some quality time spent with AD should sort that and his mental approach out. In my opinion he should be considered because he is the only other genuinly quick bowler we have. As the senoir team against India have found out ,pace is important at the highest level

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

By the way Rasids bowling figures this year are 35 wickets at 38, so lets not hype him too much too soon although Rasid should make the cut

Have you been following his season with the bat? Let's not forget that he was first picked for Yorkshire as a specialist batsman, not as a bowler... that this season's weather has not exactly produced stacks of spin-friendly wickets... and that even as a kid, his batting average is higher than his bowling average.

I'd prefer a frontline spinner in the side with Rashid in as a no 6 batsman and genuine 5th bowler..

I take your point on Joyce's season being unspectacular.. but he's shown his class through time and not even Bopara and Shah have done THAT yet. I don't see anyone making a significantly stronger case right now.

My hope for the remainder of the season is that Nick Compton turns his season around and bags the other opener's spot. He had an excellent 'A' tour and started the domestic season as a near certainty for the WAT 'A' side... but seems to have been going backwards ever since.

[pie_chucker]

Rashid has had a good season with the bat, but to be honest we arent struggling for bats at the moment and I never want us to go down the bits and pieces route again - Dalrmple arrggghh!!

If Rashid is to have a future it will have to be as a leg spinning allrounder and at the moment his bowling isnt good enough though to be fair to him he has lots of time on his side and i personally think if he isnt promoted too soon he will make it.

RE: Nick Compton he's had a bad season but i think he has the class to succeed.l

[greg]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Add in either Foster or Mustard as a 'keeper

Why?

Tim Ambrose is just as good a gloveman and averages 50 with the bat this season.

As for Rashid he has to be picked but almost by default as we don't exactly have decent spinners lining up to be picked ahead of him.

For me Denly is the only certainty in the batting this summer and there are plenty of arguments we can have over the coming weeks as we discuss the options.

People who should be considered that haven't been mentioned are Samit Patel,Billy Godleman and James Harris.

If i was pushed now to select a side i would go with

Joe Denly
Billy Godleman
Owais Shah
Ravi Bopara
Samit Patel
James Hildreth
Tim Ambrose
Adil Rashid
Kabir Ali
Stuart Broad
Chris Tremlett

May be a little light on bowling and have too much batting for some but if 4 bowlers plus Bopara can't do it then who can?

Just seen Kabir Ali has over 50 wickets so he is a certainty for the bowling attack.

[Mike]

I haven't started my serious research yet for my 'A' team but Ravi Bopara is probably one of the first names I'd pencil in. He keeps improving and that's a good sign that he may make the transition to Test level. He must make sure he doesn't get the 'bits and pieces' tag. He'll have to make plenty of runs in the middle order when his opportunity comes. I think that opportunity may come sooner rather than later with Strauss' position looking shaky.

Another player who is getting a lot of attention is Phil Mustard. Warne backs Mustard for England The title of the article says it all and his credentials will have be to reviewed in the 'A' team selection thread at the end of the county season.

[adamberry]

Originally Posted by greg

People who should be considered that haven't been mentioned are Samit Patel,Billy Godleman and James Harris.

Quite agree that Godleman and Harris are certainly worthy of serious discussion, not sure about Patel - I'll have to check his record for this year.

The wicket-keeper's spot is certainly going to cause serious discussion - any one of Ambrose, Davies or Mustard would fit happily in any team I selected.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

No way! He shouldn't ever have played ANY Tests... should never have made ANY WAT 'A' side and remains an appalling prospect.

Don't agree Rachael - Flintoff was rated worse than Mahmood in 2003, Anderson was dragged through the mud not that long ago, but is fast becoming one of Englands premier bowlers.

The only player who really shouts pick me is Ravi Bopara, others in the running are Owais Shah - but am not sure Rashid is ready even for an A Team.

I think Mahmood is well ahead of Broad, and should be made eligable for this years A Team - it would not be the first exception.

[adamberry]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I think Mahmood is well ahead of Broad, and should be made eligable for this years A Team - it would not be the first exception.

Ern, have you locked Mr. Logic in the cupboard again?!? Both Broad and Mahmood have played 5 first-class matches this season, and here's how they compare:

Broad: 19 wickets @ 27.68 each, best 5/67.
Mahmood: 12 wickets @ 31.66 each, best 3/69.

For me; no contest. I couldn't care less how quickly they bowl, as long as they take wickets. Broad, for me, looks the brighter prospect.

Originally Posted by greg

Just seen Kabir Ali has over 50 wickets so he is a certainty for the bowling attack.

Irritatingly. Then again, we can't really ignore the likes of Shreck (40 wickets), Wagg (44) and Lungley (45) for medium-quicks, Batty (32) looks a shoo-in for the spinners spot and is (just!) still eligible.

Batting-wise, it's the usual suspects again: Owais Shah has 1135 runs at over 70, David Sales has almost a thousand at a smidge under 50. Neil Edwards (on the Taunton road) and Joe Denly have scored heavily, as have Richard Montgomerie and Alex Gidman. Lots of potential names to talk about.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by adamberry

Broad: 19 wickets @ 27.68 each, best 5/67.
Mahmood: 12 wickets @ 31.66 each, best 3/69.[...]For me; no contest. I couldn't care less how quickly they bowl, as long as they take wickets. Broad, for me, looks the brighter prospect.

If players where selected on county form adam, Ramp's would have been in the side months ago, I don't care about age so long as they get runs.

All Mahmood has to do to improve adam - is to get rid of that stupid slower delivery he bowls far to much, and concentrate on bowling as fast as he can, and as accurate as he can

Broad does not have THAT room for improvment IMO, Mahmood if he stopped bowling his slower balls, would at least end up as good as Devon Malcolm, another underated bowler.