: Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:30 pm  

Bang wrote:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/8162048.stm

Gutted much?

Not really he is rubbish when hes injured

: Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:30 pm  

Old Feller wrote:

Plus just want to say, Shane Warne, what a fantastic addition to the Sky team.

He's a top bloke is Shaaaaayyyyne.

BOWLING SHAAAYYYNE!

AAAA WELL BOWLED WARRRRRRNNEEEYYYY!

: Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:59 pm  

Bang wrote:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/8162048.stm

Gutted much?

I wonder if he regrets trousering the dollars from the IPL?
He will be missed more because who on earth do we replace him with?
Ian Bell - not many other options because so few England qualified players of quality to choose from.

: Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:02 pm  

Old Feller wrote:

I wonder if he regrets trousering the dollars from the IPL?
He will be missed more because who on earth do we replace him with?
Ian Bell - not many other options because so few England qualified players of quality to choose from.

It'll have to be Bell, won't it? He has the experience...

: Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:25 pm  

The only options it seems to me are;
Bell - found wanting by the Aussies last time out but as you say experienced & a good fielder.
Key - another opener, not a no. 3, not tested by this level of opposition, a liability in the field.
Shah - even against the Windies did not inspire any confidence. Always seemed likely to run himself or his partner out. Up & down in the field.
Solanki - too late for him.
Morgan - not showing good enough form, excellent in the field though.

No others really come to mind. I was always disappointed in McGrath, lacks fitness in my view. Sales (Northants) again fitness is the issue, failed to live up to early promise.
Oh for Michael Vaughan to have rediscovered his form.

: Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:27 pm  

Bell MUST be called up, cracking form of late

: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:12 pm  

Lawrie L wrote:

Bell MUST be called up, cracking form of late

True. Lets hope he keeps it up on the biggest stage of all.

: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:13 pm  

Old Feller wrote:

The only options it seems to me are;
Bell - found wanting by the Aussies last time out but as you say experienced & a good fielder.
Key - another opener, not a no. 3, not tested by this level of opposition, a liability in the field.
Shah - even against the Windies did not inspire any confidence. Always seemed likely to run himself or his partner out. Up & down in the field.
Solanki - too late for him.
Morgan - not showing good enough form, excellent in the field though.

No others really come to mind. I was always disappointed in McGrath, lacks fitness in my view. Sales (Northants) again fitness is the issue, failed to live up to early promise.
Oh for Michael Vaughan to have rediscovered his form.

McGrath is over-weight & useless. Completely useless. Worst captain we've had.

Ramprakash anyone?

: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:12 am  

Bang wrote:

McGrath is over-weight & useless. Completely useless. Worst captain we've had.

Ramprakash anyone?

On figures alone the best English born batsman of the last decade but for whatever reason just couldn't hack it at test level (cf Hick) but now well past his sell by date at this level.
I'd go with Bell at 3, Collingwood 4 & Bopara at 5.
Less optimistic for the rest of the series without Pieterson.
But they are beatable, it will be interesting to see if & when Lee plays.

: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:26 am  

Old Feller wrote:

On figures alone the best English born batsman of the last decade but for whatever reason just couldn't hack it at test level (cf Hick) but now well past his sell by date at this level.
I'd go with Bell at 3, Collingwood 4 & Bopara at 5.
Less optimistic for the rest of the series without Pieterson.
But they are beatable, it will be interesting to see if & when Lee plays.

I think they'll just sledge Bell to death and he'll do something stupid. Sherrrrmaaaan.

If Lee plays the next test. I really think we'll struggle.