*Official* England in South Africa

[aussie]

Pietersen simply must open in T20s.

Nah he is ok @ # 3. Trott/Denly for the time being. Hopefully by the T20 WC it will be Trott & Kieswetter/Davies.

 

[marc71178]

I personally don't think we'll see Flintoff at the WC

And I hope that Shah is likewise left where he deserves to be.

 

[wpdavid]

They're under way in the warm-up against Saf 'A' - who are 42 for 0 off the first 8.
Amla & Puttick looking untroubled, afaics.

 

[popepouri]

If Gibbs has a good outing, i'd play him ahead of Virus at no. 5. He's been successful there in the past.

 

[Uppercut]

If Gibbs has a good outing, i'd play him ahead of Virus at no. 5. He's been successful there in the past.

Virus?

 

[Protean]

Alviro Peterson.

 

[popepouri]

Well he's not opening or they would have played Puttick at 3, or opened with Rossouw, so it's obvious they see him batting down the order. He got a hundred in his last domestic game playing at 4.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Mahmood still managing to bowl pies at a number 9, after his trademark figures boosting tailend wicket.

 

[Notorious1]

Eng should use players like Broad, Swann and Wright high up the order in shorter formats of the game from time to time.

 

[Notorious1]

Where are players like Blackwel and Samit Patel who are perfect for T20?

 

[Scaly piscine]

Blackwell's out of favour, Patel is on the naughty list for his waistline plus had a fairly horrible season.

Simons questions Albie Morkel's role at No 6 | Cricket News | South Africa v England 2009/10 | Cricinfo.com

Interesting.

Also CW Kiwis to prepare Eric Simons effigies for public incineration in 5...

 

[popepouri]

Tall bowling lineup for the Saffers. CJ, Rusty, Lopsy and Morne are all over 6'4.

 

[Uppercut]

Good effort that from SAA. Always impressive when a side keeps the scoring rate up despite losing regular wickets. Although that may have more to do with Sajid Mahmood's bowling.

 

[Goughy]

Simons questions Albie Morkel's role at No 6 | Cricket News | South Africa v England 2009/10 | Cricinfo.com

Interesting.

Also CW Kiwis to prepare Eric Simons effigies for public incineration in 5...

Seems a fair assessment. Average bat + average bowler =/= good cricketer. Especially when there are secialists that can fulfil team needs.

Other teams could use an 'Albie' (England for example instead of Wright etc) but if you have players that already account for the overs then it is not necessasry.

 

[King Pietersen]

Excellent, Denly out for not too many. Just have to hope Trott makes a substantial score to force the England side to drop Denly for Collingwood when he's fit. If Denly plays ahead of Trott, Pietersen, Collingwood or Morgan then it just proves how idiotic our selectors are. I'm hoping to see us go into the first ODi on Friday with:

Andrew Strauss *
Jonathan Trott
Kevin Pietersen
Paul Collingwood
Eoin Morgan
Matt Prior + (Eugh, wouldn't be my choice, or 99% of cricket fans' choice, but have to pick him, unless there's a reserve?)
Luke Wright
Stuart Broad/Tim Bresnan - depending on Broad's fitness
Graeme Swann/Adil Rashid - depending on Swann's fitness
James Anderson
Graham Onions/Saj Mahmood - not fussed which one, both fairly dire

 

[aussie]

Eng should use players like Broad, Swann and Wright high up the order in shorter formats of the game from time to time.

Haa no way man..

 

[aussie]

And I hope that Shah is likewise left where he deserves to be.

If all are fit Shah should definately be in the best ENG ODI & T20 XI..

 

[King Pietersen]

Disagree. I think an order of Strauss, Trott, Pietersen, Collingwood and Morgan includes 5 better players than Owais Shah. Our main issues are the keeper and the bowling attack. Without Flintoff our attack seems to completely lack penetration. Anderson bowls well when conditions suit, but on a flat deck even he gets slapped around. I personally wouldn't have Shah in my XI.

 

[Howsie]

blackwell's out of favour, patel is on the naughty list for his waistline plus had a fairly horrible season.

simons questions albie morkel's role at no 6 | cricket news | south africa v england 2009/10 | cricinfo.com

interesting.

Also cw kiwis to prepare eric simons effigies for public incineration in 5...

some teams like new zealand have to use utility players because they don't have the skill level. "we don't have to do that. We must pick our best."

:-o

 

[Uppercut]

Seems a fair assessment. Average bat + average bowler =/= good cricketer. Especially when there are secialists that can fulfil team needs.

Other teams could use an 'Albie' (England for example instead of Wright etc) but if you have players that already account for the overs then it is not necessasry.

You're very generous in calling him an average bowler. His batting isn't what you would call "good" but it's kinda what you want for the role that he plays. Form is pretty key for anyone who plays that way though, and at the moment he doesn't have it.

Personally I think Smith overuses him with the ball. As a specialist bat, he's not great, but players who can play the role he plays well are few and far between so he's probably worth his place. Especially when Boucher's around.