He's not an ODI opening batsman. If England lost today, I would have put it down to him not being able to get the ball off the square during the powerplays. He showed that he could be an ideal number 5 who could come in and nurdle it around, but England need more hitting power in their top 3. A quick 50 at a run a ball could have sewn up the match for England in the first 20 overs, but England put huge pressure on Flintoff, who is the only player in the current side who is a big hitter. Thankfully he responded.
Can England afford to have Strauss, Bell and Collingwood in the same ODI side? These days I think you need to have more big hitters.
Big hitting during powerplays is a good point. But who would you like to open then?
Owais Shah. Was a revelation in the Twenty20 in England a couple of years back as an opener. Has the class to get the team off to a flier, then settle down and build a big total.
If Fletcher stays on as coach and his hatred of all things Shah continues, then Matt Prior might be worth another try at the top of the order.
Yes they lack powerful hitters of the ball. Take out flintoff, pietersen and trescothick out of that side and you are left with none.
Thats why Australia are so great at odi game. They have Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting, Symonds and now White in that side. That can up the ante, plus Clarke and Hussey that can bat whatever pace the team needs them to.
I would think Bell would be better suited to opening when the field is up. In the ICCCT he got off to a flyer against us before throwing his wicket away.
Colly has shown in the past that he can be a big hitter, hitting lots of boundaries and running two's and three's. I dont know why he has gone all defensive over the past months.
