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***Official*** South Africa in England

Should Freddy be included in team for the second Test?

  • Total voters
    44
headhunter

headhunter

International Vice-Captain
Just caught the highlights after coming in, a fine knock indeed from Bell, must be a soar one for him though. Broad also batted well. Disappointed for Colly, really like the guy but is terrible trouble now one thinks.
 
The Masterplan

The Masterplan

U19 Debutant
Stick Broad in at number 6.. and get in Jones, Harmison or Mahmood or someone

I know it will never happen but IMO would be interesting...
 
Jono

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
Langeveldt said:
Fairly easily, okay he's a capable international batsman (although I still find him over rated), but it's like watching a little boy in amongst the likes of KP, Vaughan, soon to be Flintoff.. Kind of like watching Chanderpaul, although his technique is not a horrific one, he just does nothing for me whatsoever.. I loved the fact he got out for 199..
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No idea what you're referring to. So he has a babyface, is that the issue?
 
Langeveldt

Langeveldt

Soutie
Jono said:
No idea what you're referring to. So he has a babyface, is that the issue?
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Haha, no.. He just looks so diminuitive at the crease. Almost petrified. Fair play to the bloke for scoring a sack of runs, but if you were an opposition fast bowler, wouldn't he be the guy you would just love to hit about?
 
wpdavid

wpdavid

Hall of Fame Member
The Masterplan said:
Stick Broad in at number 6.. and get in Jones, Harmison or Mahmood or someone

I know it will never happen but IMO would be interesting...
Click to expand...
I'm sure Moores & Miller were fast-forwarding a couple of years and thinking the same thing. I know I was, anyway. Well, apart from the bit about Harmy & Mahmood, obv.
 
aussie

aussie

Hall of Fame Member
Damn fellas this pitch has been flat hasn't it. But just as Sehwag superb knock vs this same attack on a flat deck, it still had to be done so Bell should get full praise for this knock. Although rightfully it should totally convince all that he has turned the corner (but for England's sake i really hope this is the innings that brings out the New Bell), if he scores a though later down in this series with Steyn & Co on the rampage then its time to party.

Ha, wouldn't want to be a selector ATM. Freddie once fit has to play in the second this no questions asked. The balance of the side should not be in question also he can't be picked to bat @ 6 in a 5-man attack he has to part of a 4-man attack batting @#7, thus replacing a batter or a bowler, for me a bowler since i wouldn't drop Collingwood since England just owe it to him to back him to come out of his current slump. It hasn't reached the stage yet where he has become a liability in the middle-order at all.

Good competition in the bowling attack ATM though, gotta get Jones back in too ASAP...
 
zaremba

zaremba

Cricketer Of The Year
I think they are keen to pick Freddie for the next Test. However I can't see any of the bowlers being dropped.

So Collingwood may get the chop (harsh though that may be after the shocking decision he got when batting). That would leave the middle order looking pretty weak, and as a result they may drop the out-of-form Ambrose to make way for Prior who has been in wonderful nick this season and is more than capable of batting at 6.
 
aussie

aussie

Hall of Fame Member
Although Prior batting is very solid i don't think i'd bat him @ 6 in the test side. The only keeper who could do that for me is Pothas but ENG won't go for him now.
 
pasag

pasag

RTDAS
Fred will come in for Collingwood, obviously, now that Bell has secured his spot for some time and it's pretty unlikely Collingwood will get another bat in the match.
 
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zaremba

zaremba

Cricketer Of The Year
I agree that England won't go for Pothas. He's getting on for 35 and his FC batting record is no better than Prior's. He also has an unfortunate habit of shooting his mouth off which wouldn't be ideal given the public scrutiny which comes with being England keeper.

Prior's Test average of 40 is not a flash in the pan imho. He's been the best English batsman in county cricket this season. I've no doubt he could bat at 6 for England. The real question is about his keeping.
 
zaremba

zaremba

Cricketer Of The Year
pasag said:
Fred will come in for Collingwood, obviously, now that Bell has secured his spot for some time and it's pretty unlikely Collingwood will get another bat.
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I think you're right. But the question is, can England afford to have Fred and Ambrose at 6 and 7 given their rotten batting form in recent months? This is why I think Prior may be called up.

I've nothing against Ambrose btw - he's a good keeper and can certainly bat but he's been struggling for runs. And Fred is hardly a Test number 6 at the best of times, and these aren't the best of times as far as his batting is concerned.
 
aussie

aussie

Hall of Fame Member
zaremba said:
I agree that England won't go for Pothas. He's getting on for 35 and his FC batting record is no better than Prior's. He also has an unfortunate habit of shooting his mouth off which wouldn't be ideal given the public scrutiny which comes with being England keeper.

Prior's Test average of 40 is not a flash in the pan imho. He's been the best English batsman in county cricket this season. I've no doubt he could bat at 6 for England. The real question is about his keeping.
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Pothas is much better batsman than Prior & has been has been the highest averaging keeper-bat on the domestic circuit since he came over here. ENG not picking him is one of the few test match selection blunders the side has made in recent years.

Prior just can't be picked his keeping is too questionable.
 
Richard

Richard

Cricket Web Staff Member
Don't know whether I'm pleased or annoyed that I missed Bell's dismissal yesterday. Absolutely gu'in. But as they all say, if you're offered 199 before any innings you'll gladly take it.

An unusually superb batting performance - but as I mentioned earlier in the thread, less of a surprise that England's batsmen (who we all know are damn good and have done for ages) should raise their game against South Africa.

Can't help but hope to see Smith and Kallis pile-on a pile today and bash Anderson and Broad (and MSP presuming it doesn't turn much - though that'll be an interesting question to see) for plenty however.
 
Woodster

Woodster

International Captain
I see one of Broad or Anderson missing out depending on how they bowl if they are keen to bring Flintoff back in.

Weather looks fine at Lords for now, let battle commence. Would love to see us pick Smith up early doors!!
 
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