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Englands Opening Batsman

M

mrcheek

School Boy/Girl Cricketer
Apologies if this is being discussed slsewhere.

With KP on the plane home, and Eoin Morgan set to replace him, it leaves Andres Strauss without an opening partner. Bell, Prior, Trott and Bopara have all been suggested. But they all bat much better down the order. Moving any one of them to open would weaken the middle order, and would be a bad idea.

So, how about some thinking outside the box. England should promote either Graeme Swann or Stuart Broad. Swann opens for Nottinghamshire, and knows how to hit over the infield. Broad began his career as an opener, and frankly, drives better down the ground than anyone else in the England squad (when he can avoid hitting the fielders that is. but at least he keeps the ball grounded).

Any thoughts? If they get out, Trott comes in and drops anchor, and theres still plenty of batting to come. Better to have that situation than Prior getting out for 0, or Bell opening and scoring 5 of the first 10 overs.....
 
Spark

Spark

Global Moderator
Broad isn't the worst shout, but Swann's a bit of a slogger at the top level. Bell the best bet IMO though.
 
vcs

vcs

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Ian Bell will do fine. Swann and Broad are fine lower-order batsmen to have in your side, but there's no point turning that strength into a weakness by asking them to open. It's news to me that Swann opens at FC level, though.
 
Dhoni_fan

Dhoni_fan

U19 Debutant
Vaughan suggested that idea on twitter.

I personally don't see it, both Broad and Swann are dangerous hitters lower order in International cricket against part timers, and I know Swann may have opened with the bat in county cricket but he does not have the technique IMHP to open at this level against the new nut against some of the best and most hostile bowlers in the world.

Bopara could do the job, but without Morgan he is now probably the best finisher in this England side, so he is best off in the middle order, I think England should open with Bell. he scores at a decent rate by playing proper cricket shots, finding the gaps etc and he is in reasonable form.
 
Howe_zat

Howe_zat

Audio File
Still don't subscribe to the pinch hitter theory myself. Any proper batsmen is more likely to find the gaps for boundaries, and get the singles as well rather than wait four dots before trying to hit over the top.

Ian Bell has the game of a top order batsman. His only ODI century has come from #3. he'd be fine.

Edit: Morgan's definately coming back. Ravi's still better down the order.
 
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M

mrcheek

School Boy/Girl Cricketer
Nice to know that Michael Vaughan had the same thought. Obviously its not just great minds that think alike.

Has everyone forgotten Bell opening in the 2007 World Cup? His slow scoring was one of the main reasons England struggled. He needs to come in later.

When I said Swann opened for Notts, I meant to say in one dayers.

Of course, the idea might work better if England bat second, and either Swann or Broad has just had a good day with the ball, and can go out feeling confident.

England have other hitters down the order, such as Bresnan and Prior, so I think one of Broad or Swann could be moved up.

Another idea to discuss: If the selectors decided to pick a specialist opener, if Morgan hadnt recovered, who would you pick? Would Cook be a contender as the man in form?
 
Dhoni_fan

Dhoni_fan

U19 Debutant
mrcheek said:
Nice to know that Michael Vaughan had the same thought. Obviously its not just great minds that think alike.

Has everyone forgotten Bell opening in the 2007 World Cup? His slow scoring was one of the main reasons England struggled. He needs to come in later.

When I said Swann opened for Notts, I meant to say in one dayers.

Of course, the idea might work better if England bat second, and either Swann or Broad has just had a good day with the ball, and can go out feeling confident.

England have other hitters down the order, such as Bresnan and Prior, so I think one of Broad or Swann could be moved up.

Another idea to discuss: If the selectors decided to pick a specialist opener, if Morgan hadnt recovered, who would you pick? Would Cook be a contender as the man in form?
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I personally would have picked Cook from the off if I was England he is a man in superb form, he may not be a power hitter but in 50 overs you can have a guy like him who bats the overs and gets a 100.

He opening would have allowed the middle order bat in their rightful places.

Bell is a much better player than 4 years ago, much more adept at finding the gaps and finding ways to score at a decent rate, even if he is not frequently able to bull out the big shot!
 
Dhoni_fan

Dhoni_fan

U19 Debutant
Blaze 18 said:
Ian Bell would be the best choice, I think. Jonathan Trott also worth a mention.
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Agree with Bell, Trott is a good player but to me he is too one paced, England need him to drop anchor and bat the overs yesterday he had no choice but to do that and the situation allowed him to play his game.

could see pressure building on Strauss to up the ante and maybe pressure him into an error if he opened with Trott.
 
Himannv

Himannv

Hall of Fame Member
I think Trott has done massively well at no.3 so there seems no logic in changing that. He comes in and consolidates quite well plus he bats the overs and gets the runs on the board. I think Bell is probably better at 4 than anywhere else. I dont think he does too well when he's under pressure to score the bulk of the runs. Let him continue where he is.

Prior is probably the most likely choice as opener but now that Morgan is back in the team, I think Bopara can probably bat up the order and would be my personal choice as opener. Not the first time he's opened and he's used to doing it a few times now and playing a variety of roles. Morgan can play the role of the finisher.
 
cnerd123

cnerd123

likes this
I'd put Bell up there.


Would be lol if Swann or Broad were sent to open. Keep up Eng's rep of the most exciting team this WC.
 
NasserFan207

NasserFan207

International Vice-Captain
You don't need a 'pinch hitter'. Bell can hit over the infield as well as Swann and Broad, plus he has all the orthodox strokes too. He also has the technique for new ball bowling. Obvious choice.
 
Tendulkar_200*

Tendulkar_200*

School Boy/Girl Captain
mrcheek said:
Apologies if this is being discussed slsewhere.

With KP on the plane home, and Eoin Morgan set to replace him, it leaves Andres Strauss without an opening partner. Bell, Prior, Trott and Bopara have all been suggested. But they all bat much better down the order. Moving any one of them to open would weaken the middle order, and would be a bad idea.

So, how about some thinking outside the box. England should promote either Graeme Swann or Stuart Broad. Swann opens for Nottinghamshire, and knows how to hit over the infield. Broad began his career as an opener, and frankly, drives better down the ground than anyone else in the England squad (when he can avoid hitting the fielders that is. but at least he keeps the ball grounded).

Any thoughts? If they get out, Trott comes in and drops anchor, and theres still plenty of batting to come. Better to have that situation than Prior getting out for 0, or Bell opening and scoring 5 of the first 10 overs.....
Click to expand...

Hi. My first post, couldn't see a new member section :ph34r:

Anyway I think the suggestion of Broad or Swann opening is laughable to be quite frank. I mean they can be used as floaters in the middle order but definitely neither have the quality to open. I would go for Bopara, think he has done it in the past? Also Trott looks settled at 3 so would leave him there.

However, I still don't think it will make much difference to England's campaign. Can't see progression beyond quarters.
 
Dhoni_fan

Dhoni_fan

U19 Debutant
Tendulkar_200* said:
Hi. My first post, couldn't see a new member section :ph34r:

Anyway I think the suggestion of Broad or Swann opening is laughable to be quite frank. I mean they can be used as floaters in the middle order but definitely neither have the quality to open. I would go for Bopara, think he has done it in the past? Also Trott looks settled at 3 so would leave him there.

However, I still don't think it will make much difference to England's campaign. Can't see progression beyond quarters.
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Welcome Sachin! that was a fine knock btw!! :)

You make a good point I said here last night that England's win yesterday was because of a freebie versus South Africa which they cannot expect against any of the other top teams!

Broad and Swann Opening the batting is as you say a joke that is not funny :P! Glenn Mcgrath has a Test 50 to his name and Dizzy had double hundred do you think Australia would have got them to open the batting?
 
Jacknife

Jacknife

International Captain
Leave Trott where he is, even though he has done well opening with Strauss before and move Bell up.
 
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