Robert Key - Wasted talent?

[Woodster]

I hope Key's chance does come again, it's a shame this season has been a bit stop-start for him, and of course division 2 cricket beckons.

 

[Burgey]

Thought he was a pretty decent player when he toured out here a few years back now. He looked like he had a pretty wide range of shots and a good defence as well.

Wouldn't mind seeing him make it, and somebody has to take over from Trescothick as the cheating sucker of mints if England are to have a chance next year. It might as well be him.

 

[sledger]

Whenever I think of Rob Key I think of the time when he was stumped off the bowling of Nicky Boje during the tour of SA a few years ago...was so far down the pitch, so bad.

 

[Richard]

And the silliest thing about that was it was a completely unneccessary waste - the game was pretty much lost by then, but runs were there to be had if batsmen went for them. There was absolutely no need whatsoever to score quickly.

Just seemed to demonstrate a lack of hunger for runs, which for someone who has scored so heavily the last 8 seasons seems inexplicable.

 

[Salamuddin]

I saw him in Australia in 2002 and again in county cricket in 2006 and I'm surprised that he hasn't forced his way into the England setup.
He looked technically sound and possessive of a wide variety of shots.

I haven't seen as much of him as others on this forum probably have admittedly, but on limited viewing I think he has more innate ability than some of the guys I've seen play for England.

 

[Richard]

Strauss and Cook have got in first. It really is as simple as that.

It's disappointing that Vaughan got shoved up to open with Bopara coming in in 2007/08 rather than Key being picked, however.

 

[GIMH]

And the silliest thing about that was it was a completely unneccessary waste - the game was pretty much lost by then, but runs were there to be had if batsmen went for them. There was absolutely no need whatsoever to score quickly.

Just seemed to demonstrate a lack of hunger for runs, which for someone who has scored so heavily the last 8 seasons seems inexplicable.

Perhaps you have answered your own question. Just throwing it out there.

 

[Richard]

 

[GIMH]

Well someone who has scored and scored and scored may lose the hunger, eventually

 

[Richard]

O I C. Well you may be right, but it seems odd that this has happened in Tests then stopped happening again when he gets back into domestic-FC cricket.

 

[tooextracool]

Strauss and Cook have got in first. It really is as simple as that.

Personally, I do not see this combination succeeding in test cricket. Two openers with defensive mindsights have rarely succeeded in test match cricket since Ive started watching and I dont see that changing anytime soon. Then when you consider the technical flaws that both batsmen possess in abundance, it only makes things worse.

 

[tooextracool]

I rate Key quite likely, and I dont think he should have been dropped when he was in 2004. I like his technique and his performance at OT against the touring WI will always stand out in my mind because of the quality of bowling that he faced from Corey Collymore in the 2nd innings. Still believe that hes more likely to succeed at the test match level than Strauss and hes much younger too.

 

[Goughy]

I rate Key quite likely, and I dont think he should have been dropped when he was in 2004. I like his technique and his performance at OT against the touring WI will always stand out in my mind because of the quality of bowling that he faced from Corey Collymore in the 2nd innings. Still believe that hes more likely to succeed at the test match level than Strauss and hes much younger too.

2 years isnt that much. At 29 Key is hardly a young buck on the charge. Id also back Strauss to score more runs.

 

[Richard]

Personally, I do not see this combination succeeding in test cricket. Two openers with defensive mindsights have rarely succeeded in test match cricket since Ive started watching and I dont see that changing anytime soon. Then when you consider the technical flaws that both batsmen possess in abundance, it only makes things worse.

Personally I don't mind two defensive openers. I'd much prefer both play defensively than try and play shots - especially Strauss, as that's exactly what got him into trouble in 2006 and 2007.

If Cook can sort-out his technical shortcomings that have crept in of late, I see no reason he can't be opening for England for another decade and more, and if Strauss can play like he did against NZ early last summer I don't see any reason he can't be his partner for the next 3 or 4.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Key averaged less than 35 in a relegated team this year. If he's recalled we must be in a sorry state of affairs.