Ashes 2013/14

[PaulWinch again]

Its not as if KP had a stellar tour though.

No but he was the top run scorer, so if that's going to be the argument every other batsmen should be up for the chop before him.

No my point is, if you want to act the big I am, you need to be truly at the top of your game. He wasn't. Don't hear of Ian Bell doing this do we?

Doing what though? I think that's the point there's nothing at all to suggest he was acting the big I am. Swann himself said KP's behaviour was impeccable. Plus you need some players with ego, just look at Viv Richards, Brian Lara etc.

[PaulWinch again]

As an aside NZ are showing how you should play spinners. You don't just go into a bunker, you attack.

[aj2k77]

As an aside NZ are showing how you should play spinners. You don't just go into a bunker, you attack.

NZ now have the basis of a good side. In the batting department they are definitely on the up.

[PaulWinch again]

Now that KP has gone, I think the team I'd start the summer with is -

- Cook (captain but on borrowed time)
- Root(form dependant)
- Bell
- Ballance
- Morgan(vice captain)
- Stokes
- Prior/Buttler(form dependant)
- Broad
- Jordan
- Kerrigan
- Anderson

That's with Finn(if he recovers his form), Robson, Lees, Overton all pushing to get in the side. I think there's a decent mixture of aggression and stability as well. Also I'd make Morgan captain of the 50 over team.

[PaulWinch again]

I really do like the NZ side, there's some talent and real aggression. I really rate Trent Boult as well.

[aj2k77]

I really do like the NZ side, there's some talent and real aggression. I really rate Trent Boult as well.

And Southee. I remember when he came on the scene during an England tour 10 years ago ish and has always impressed me.

[PaulWinch again]

NZ having a nightmare in second innings.

[eastie]

Its not as if KP had a stellar tour though.

No but he was the top run scorer, so if that's going to be the argument every other batsmen should be up for the chop before him.

No my point is, if you want to act the big I am, you need to be truly at the top of your game. He wasn't. Don't hear of Ian Bell doing this do we?

Doing what though? I think that's the point there's nothing at all to suggest he was acting the big I am. Swann himself said KP's behaviour was impeccable. Plus you need some players with ego, just look at Viv Richards, Brian Lara etc.

Agnew reckons kp went ' off the rails ' during the last 2 tests , after swann had walked out .

[Ads]

What a collapse from the Kiwis! They should still have more than enough though.

[peter w]

And they did. Just.

As for the Pietersen thing. If he goes back to County cricket and scores a stack of runs, and England's middle-order is noticeably missing him, then the pressure to bring him back is immense. The ECB have given themselves no room to manoeuvre. They should have just said 'you're going back to county cricket. Show us that you can do some hard work when asked of you'. Then they'd have seen his dedication and if need be they could have brought him back in. By just cutting our best batsman adrift because people don't like him is embarrassing nonsense.

[spangley1812]

And they did. Just.

As for the Pietersen thing. If he goes back to County cricket and scores a stack of runs, and England's middle-order is noticeably missing him, then the pressure to bring him back is immense. The ECB have given themselves no room to manoeuvre. They should have just said 'you're going back to county cricket. Show us that you can do some hard work when asked of you'. Then they'd have seen his dedication and if need be they could have brought him back in. By just cutting our best batsman adrift because people don't like him is embarrassing nonsense.

Its very very unlikely he will play a lot of County Cricket this season, he hasnt got a contract with Surrey or anyone else yet

[peter w]

Wow. I hope Warwickshire are having a word with a few sponsors.

[PaulWinch again]

I didn't realise that India haven't won a Test away since 2011, that's unbelievable.

[spangley1812]

Wow. I hope Warwickshire are having a word with a few sponsors.

Not gonna happen I am afraid.......KP will be looking to play T20 cricket all over the world in India, SA and Australia

[spangley1812]

I didn't realise that India haven't won a Test away since 2011, that's unbelievable.

That may change in the Summer Paul...........