England 2012 Cricket Thread

[taylorsworkrate]

Dropping Bell after one bad test series would be incredibly ludicrous.

He averaged over 100 in test cricket last year!!!!

[Colhint]

well we do write players off easily don't we. Bell scored 950 test runs last year

[taylorsworkrate]

A big part of the reason England have been so successful over the last few years is the faith they have shown in their players.

The chopping and changing of the mid to late nineties was hardly beneficial.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't think chopping and changing is a good idea, but speaking purely from a Test perspective the batsmen need to know they do not have a divine right to play. The Bell being dropped from one day is partially down to his recent one day record, but also I imagine to give him a mental break. He looked completely shot at the end of the Test series and a bit of time to refocus may benefit him.

[Villan For Life]

I don't think chopping and changing is a good idea, but speaking purely from a Test perspective the batsmen need to know they do not have a divine right to play. The Bell being dropped from one day is partially down to his recent one day record, but also I imagine to give him a mental break. He looked completely shot at the end of the Test series and a bit of time to refocus may benefit him.

I agree Paul, the players don't have a divine right to play. However the lack of a credible batting alternative will undoubtedly breed complacency.

We have several young players who are aged around 20 who appear to have the talent but are strong one day players. They need time to develop their game in the longer form. Think Bairstow, Taylor, Buttler. The generation of players ahead of them has not produced any credible alternatives.  Bopara has had his chance and never took it. He was dropped for in favour of Trott and Trott has not looked back.
We need to blood the next generation over the next few series which will help avoid a repeat of the Pakistan whitewash.

[Dave Cooper please]

well we do write players off easily don't we. Bell scored 950 test runs last year

No we don't, we have stuck by many a player going through a bad patch.
Bell is dropped for the ODI's, he'll be back for Sri Lanka.

[Dr Butler]

India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has spoken out for the first time about his battle with cancer. He says he is "Positive I would be back on the pitch soon," adding: "Tough times don't last, tough men do".

good luck on your battle Yuvraj.

[bertlambshank]

Pakistan v Afganistan is on now @ paddypower.com

[PaulWinch again]

Great knock for a century from Cook and Bopara reaches 50.

[PaulWinch again]

Good to see Morgan has continued his good form.

[Villan For Life]

We really need Cook to still be in at the death here.

[Dave Cooper please]

Probably going to end up about twenty short of what we need.

[PaulWinch again]

I feel sorry for Kieswetter, I don't think that's really his position and he's asked to go in a swing the bat. I'd consider him at the top and Butler in the middle order. Anyway Finn's started nicely, 1 down already.

[PaulWinch again]

Finn running through them, 4 wickets already.

[olaftab]

Finn is the model bowler for conditions out there this evening. If he picks up another specially Misbah before his stint ends than it's game over.