Pakistan lessons -- Almond Valley Cricket Club

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Date Posted: 10:46:38 12/03/05 Sat
Author: fizz
Subject: Pakistan lessons

England's over confident, and at times arrogant, approach to the Test series with Pakistan is for me the key factor behind their failure. Yes they could have done with more warm up games, and yes injuries and similar problems disrupted the teams make up but these, if anything, only made the situation worse rather than cause it.
To many players failed to perform with the bat. Pietersen and Jones had at best very average tours with the bat, and Flintoff, Vaughan and Strauss really struggled. With the possible exception of Jones I wouldn't consider dropping any of them but the make up of the team does need to be given a slight nudge. One of the few plus points of the series was Bell's batting, which given his performance and confidence levels prior to the first test were very impressive. He had his share of luck as all batsmen need at times, but his calm and reasoned approach should see him remain at three rather than the increasingly irresponsible Vaughan. Trescothick and Strauss' long run of success should count in their favour as an opening partnership and Vaughan may be better suited at four, further away from the top of the card where he looks increasingly reckless. Pietersen is a class player, but just one who perhaps isn't the brightest bulb in the box. His talent and at times devastating approach should see him keep his place at five, he is still a relative test novice.
On the bowling front Flintoff, Hoggard and Harmison did perhaps more than any other players to keep England in the series at times. They remain a fine unit who compliment each other well and none of them should have to doubt their places any time soon. Flintoff though is showing signs of being one place to far up the order at times and in my opinion should drop down to seven in the order. Udal, after a promising first session performed like most 36 year old debutants at this level would, stoically yet unthreateningly. The idea was justifiable but the results were not and their is little merit in him playing again. In picking Louden, at best a part time county bowler, England as well as admitted the spin bowling cupboard is currently bare and Udal's place should go to Simon Jones when he returns from injury, hopefully for the Indian series.
This leaves two places to fill for India. Geriant Jones had a passable tour but did little to prove he was a better pick than Prior would have been. However if England persist with batting Flintoff at six one of the two should be picked at seven. In my opinion however the time has come Giles to be jettisoned, which changes the overall picture. Even though he was carrying an injury he has failed to take an average of two wickets a test over his last seven (13) and given the runs he has gone for over that time the argument of him providing a containing option is null and void. Yes Pakistan and India provide good conditions for spinners but as a result the also tend to produce good players of spin. Hence if you can only provide very average spinners they are like to feast on what is offered. By dropping Giles England can afford to pick their bets keeper in Read and bat him at eight where he should prove effective. Flintoff can bat at seven, releaving some of the intense pressure on his shoulders and England can pick another batsman at six. My personal choice would be Owais Shah but Collingwood's performance in the final test and part time bowling gives him a shout as well.

So my teams for India would be:
Trescothick
Strauss
Bell
Vaughan
Pietersen
Shah
Flintoff
Read
Jones
Hoggard
Harmison

ODI:
Trescothick
Vaughan
Bell
Flintoff
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior
Giles
Plunkett
Jones
Harmison

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Replies:

Re: Pakistan lessons -- jaf, 04:36:15 12/05/05 Mon
- Re: Pakistan lessons -- fizz, 13:01:55 12/11/05 Sun
  - Re: Pakistan lessons -- jaf, 05:40:24 12/13/05 Tue
    - Re: Pakistan lessons -- fizz, 02:51:57 12/18/05 Sun