Richard
Cricket Web Staff Member
Bell, maybe, but I'm really glad he's not been picked, given how poor his one-day form has been this season.Arjun said:In that case, who else among the batsmen can bowl? Certainly not Collingwood. Probably Ian Bell.
Giles hasn't struck form - he's played one ODI since last autumn!Hammered? By a batting side 7 strong, yet too weak to hit a six? Or too weak or afraid to hit more than 3 boundaries in 7 overs? Or a Number 3 who pushes himself up to show his cold feet against pace? This is Harmison's best chance to prove himself as an ODI bowler. Given Brett Lee's success in ODI's, pace can bwe quite a handful when used well, so Harmison deserves more chances. Giles has struck form, but it has to be seen how long he can keep it up. Not much has been seen of Kabir Ali- you never know what to expect.
I'm thoroughly confident that if Sri Lanka's batsmen play well, Harmison will go round the park against them, however weak or strong Dihan Avishka Gunawardene or Romesh Kaluwitharana are. Atapattu is much better placed at three in ODIs IMO.
Harmison has had one good ODI series in his entire career - otherwise he's gone for 5.5-an-over and the like.
Given his recent Test economy-rates, I'd back Sri Lanka to deal with him pretty well.
Wicketkeepers are expected to do all. Doing so will not earn credit for changing a match. Not doing so will earn discredit for failing to.If a wicketkeeper can hold on to catches to dismiss Gilchrist, Hayden and Martyn, and even have Ponting stumped, that can give his team a very good chance of winning. Crucial catches, stumpings, runouts and singles can win matches, not just big innings, or loaded wicket-hauls. The best teams in ODI's are superior fielding sides.