The Cricket Thread 2016

[aj2k77]

I don't have a problem with Strauss being appointed, in that I think he's quite a strong character. I do think he's made a mistake with Pietersen, but I think keeping Cook on for this summer is just a means of retaining some stability. I don't know whether that's a good or a bad thing, but I'm guessing that's why the decision has been made.

I think being Villa fans we have all seen what keeping stability for stabilities sake gets you in the end. Cook is a terrible captain, isn't improving and should be left to concentrate 100% on his batting which is coming back in to good nick.

[Dave Cooper please]

Bell is not England's best batsman at the moment. Root is absolutely the right choice for vice captain.

There is a lot more to being captain than being the best batsman, experience for one.

I wasn't stating that you had to be best batsman to be captain. I was responding to Villafirst's view that Bell is England's best batsman, and he's not currently.
On the captain issue I don't think experience is necessarily a requirement to lead, as shown by Graeme Smith. Root has a good cricket brain and a great attitude, I think he's a much more logical choice as vice captain.

Bell has captained Warwickshire and made a very good job of it, Root has never been a captain of a first class team as far as I am aware, that is the experience I am on about. However, decision made and I really like Joe Root, he is a superb player so good luck to him when he replaces Cook after the upcoming Ashes debacle. (I am not very confident!)

[Chris Jameson]

Root has captained Yorkshire twice, first time he did it was the last time we lost a couple of years ago and he ballsed it up as he admits and second time was the match when we won the championship. A mixed record!

[aev]

KP has gone for a scan on a calf injury.

Or he has got no interest in fielding.

[PaulWinch again]

To be honest if Pietersen's injury isn't genuine that's a pretty poor way to treat Surrey.

[PaulWinch again]

Bell is not England's best batsman at the moment. Root is absolutely the right choice for vice captain.

There is a lot more to being captain than being the best batsman, experience for one.

I wasn't stating that you had to be best batsman to be captain. I was responding to Villafirst's view that Bell is England's best batsman, and he's not currently.
On the captain issue I don't think experience is necessarily a requirement to lead, as shown by Graeme Smith. Root has a good cricket brain and a great attitude, I think he's a much more logical choice as vice captain.

Bell has captained Warwickshire and made a very good job of it, Root has never been a captain of a first class team as far as I am aware, that is the experience I am on about. However, decision made and I really like Joe Root, he is a superb player so good luck to him when he replaces Cook after the upcoming Ashes debacle. (I am not very confident!)

I think Root being vice captain makes sense from the progression point you suggest. Bell has done well for Warwickshire, but he's not really a long term solution as a replacement for Cook. Root hopefully will be a success and be captain for a decade.

[Chris Jameson]

To be honest if Pietersen's injury isn't genuine that's a pretty poor way to treat Surrey.

Who would have thought that of Pietersen?

[paul_e]

To be honest if Pietersen's injury isn't genuine that's a pretty poor way to treat Surrey.

Who would have thought that of Pietersen?

Is there any evidence that it isn't genuine or are people just jumping to conclusions?

[Chris Jameson]

I'm happy to jump to conclusions where he's concerned!

[PaulWinch again]

To be honest if Pietersen's injury isn't genuine that's a pretty poor way to treat Surrey.

Who would have thought that of Pietersen?

Is there any evidence that it isn't genuine or are people just jumping to conclusions?

Nope that's why I said 'if'. Whatever people think of Pietersen he's been treated badly on this occasion.

[Kingthing]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32720069

[Villan For Life]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32720069

That's very clever!

[PaulWinch again]

If the stuff in the Mirror(I know!) is true about Cook and ECB backroom staff threatening to revolt if Pietersen was selected again is true then Cook has to go as captain.

[tomd2103]

If the stuff in the Mirror(I know!) is true about Cook and ECB backroom staff threatening to revolt if Pietersen was selected again is true then Cook has to go as captain.

It's not a great leap of logic to think that Cook is the main reason behind the block on Pietersen's return.   

[PaulWinch again]

I see Bell has come out and said Pietersen deserves a chance. That's interesting, is that an indication the team is breaking ranks from Cook?