quote:

Originally posted by RedDuster:
And he did look ridiculously stoopid sitting beside his mate Pickle the Virgin pontificating about things of which he knows SFA.
I expected Both to play the arse, Border getting roped into the publicity stunt did surprise though.

I was on about Rikkkkiii.

But yes, I'm sure I'd grit my teeth for a bit of money.

Branno's prolly right too.

Fletcher has probably reached the end of the line as England coach, though I still think he's shouldered most of the blame when the entire team has under performed. The rest of the coaching staff could also do with some changes particuarly with regards to the bowling coach.
In an ideal world Vaughan will prove his fitness during the upcoming One dayers, World Cup and during the early part of the next domestic season and slot back into the side as captain (and hopefully opening with Strauss).
However if Vaughan breaks down again at any point he should quit the captaincy and allow Straus to take over full time. Despite the noises from England I just don't think its efficent for the team to be "captained" by a man who hasn't played in so long.
Flintoff to retire from the One Day game after the world cup, and move down to number 7 in the batting line up. He'll be a big loss to the One day side but he's just too prone to breaking down with injuries. He'll be 33 going on 34 by the next world cup and i'd rather see him perform to his best in test cricket for 5 or 6 more years than see him overworked and often injured struggling in both forms of the game.
Foster/Davies/Prior( I don't know enough about them to have a real preference)to come in as keeper and be given a real run in the team (at least the full summer program). England need a little consistancy on this one. I don't want to see England doing what they have during the last 6 months with Jones and Read, in that after swapping the keepers they have then given the other guy 2 or 3 games to make an impact before swapping around again. Its important for the new guy coming in to feel stable, and be allowed to work on building up an understanding with the bowlers without the fear of been replaced.
I'd also be tempted to drop Harmison at least for the start of the summer, especially if Simon Jones was fully fit. Harmison can be a great bowler but too often he looks like he knows his place isn't in question while players like Mahmood and Anderson are making the side. it may do him good to be out of the side for a while and understand what he'll be missing out on.

quote:

Originally posted by Comical Smoking Monkey:
Branno's prolly right too.

About what? The Urn staying doon unda ...?
Nah ... all a publicity stunt.
Cricket to him is a bug that makes an irritatig noise.
Anyway - Emirates have stepped in to fly the Urn home if The Pickle reneges.
Cute irony - one scam trying to outsmart the other!

Maybe Merls. But I cannot see a reason why it shouldn't stay with the winners mesen.

Gildas, I understand what you're sayin about Harmy, but he is a rhythm man whatever anyone says and has improved, were another bowler or the umpire to back him up - he'd have taken his wickets alot cheaper in this Test. Besides which, he wont be playing in the world cup so will be one of the few with FC experience that season when the Tests start...

It's not a trophy Danny.
It's private property, an artefact, a personal gift to the MCC in 1927, long after it's physical creation - and was never intended as a trophy.

Clarke? Depends on his form I spose. Looked a decent batter as a youngster, got plenty of shots- still averages 40 odd I think. Bowling is all over the shop though.

happy memories

Apocolypto... not an end but a beginning.... preparation for 2009

quote:

Originally posted by Rob:
happy memories

I remember the big boys doing it.

I've been quite impressed with the bowling of Anderson. In the first session he showed all the rest the length (if not the line) to bowl... and he was getting the ball to swing... but no-one seemed capable of taking note.

Flintoff's first few overs were full of balls back of a length and shorter balls: he rapped Symonds on the pad but (typically) with a ball going over the stumps.

Anderson's removal from the attack when he was getting the ball to swing confused me.

Are you saying Anderson is the future then, Dem?

quote:

Originally posted by tasty tyke:
Are you saying Anderson is the future then, Dem?

Sod the future. There is a great picture of the past two posts up!

Damn right she is.....

Ummmm.
I'm thinking......

quote:

Originally posted by Rob:
Damn right she is.....

You would say that, wouldn't you.

Anderson and Bleeth.............awesome

quote:

Originally posted by D€MELZA:
Ummmm.
I'm thinking......

It is a conundrum, isn't it?

quote:

Originally posted by Richie NY:
Anderson and Bleeth.............awesome

The best duo on tv ever.

I'd forgotton how well cut those swim suits were.

Better than Barry and Paul Chuckle?

quote:

I'd forgotton how well cut those swim suits were

They had Brazilians before Brazilians were invented.

quote:

Originally posted by tasty tyke:

quote:

I'd forgotton how well cut those swim suits were

They had Brazilians before Brazilians were invented.

I know isn't it just magic!

quote:

Originally posted by tasty tyke:

quote:

Originally posted by Rob:
Damn right she is.....

You would say that, wouldn't you.

Yes.

Ideally, England will replace Fletcher with Tom Moody after the World Cup. They may miss out to Australia, though.

I think Strauss' position should be under threat. He's received some bad decisions in this series but he's also got himself out plenty of times playing lazy shots. His form since the last Ashes and leading up to this one wasnt great, either. Maybe he could drop down to number 5 and play the Thorpe role.

Harmison needs to be dropped. Probably would have been after Adelaide if Fred wasnt the Captain. Word is that just about everyone else has lost patience with him. Send him back to Newcaste United or whatever. Or better yet, tell him to pull his socks up or dont expect to be picked for England again.

Bring in Stuart Broad. This guy has a simple, repeatable action, a wise head on young shoulders, and an aggresive attitude that too many of Englands young quicks have lacked in recent years. In short(Or tall), he's the most promising young English quick bowler for 10 years. He can bat and field, too.

Fitness permitting, make Vaughan the Captain again and open the batting with him and Cook. The value of a left hand/right hand opening combination is greatly underestimated, imo. Doesnt allow the bowlers to settle into bowling one side of the wicket from the outset. Vaughan would also add some shot making flair to what has been a pretty defensive top 3 in this series.

Change the structure of the Academy. The policy of picking guys for the Academy who already have several seasons of County Cricket under their belt (And in some cases a few England caps as well) is pointless, imo. How many times does a guy like Owais Shah need to go to an Academy ffs. Identify the 20 best 18-23 year olds in the Country and work closely with them at Loughbrough for a 2-3 year period. They will debut for their Counties with a professional, hard working attitude already instilled into them.

Replace David Graveney as Chairman of selectors. Speaking of going stale if in the same job for too long, Graveney has been chairman of selectors for 10 years. I'll propose a selection panel of Alec Stewart, Peter Moores and Darren Gough(Provided he's retired and therefore doesnt select himself.)

English Cricket isnt far off being in good shape, it just needs a few adjustments.

quote:

Originally posted by JKLever:

So... who would be in the squad for the Windies home tests from those on this Ashes tour and who would not be?

Certainties:

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Flintoff
Panesar
Hoggard

Possibles:

Harmison
Mahmood
Plunkett
Collingwood
Anderson
Joyce
Read

Not a prayer:

Jones
Dalrymple

From outside the squad:

Vaughan
Trescothick
Shah
Broad
Tremlett
Lewis
Foster
Davies

I would not have Lewis within a mile of the side, but if we have a wet spring, the temptation to play him on a traditional early season seaming wicket might prove irrestistable. We won't need to spinners - so it's bye-bye Dalrymple for the time being.