English Cricket season

[Rik]

I was only replying to a comment of yours:

Bazza, you mention the number 5 slot as Ed Smith being a possible, but would that not be harsh on McGrath, who won't be at 7 unless Flintoff is at 6?

He's much maligned, but he's the first man since Gower to debut with consecutive half centuries.

Note that I'm not comparing the 2 in any way except for this shared feat.

I was questioning it.

 

[luckyeddie]

Marc, the selectors dropped Robert Key after 2 ODIs and 8 Tests because it was obvious it was not working. 143 runs at 20 at under a run every 2 balls and 2 wickets at 63 is the stuff careers are ended by.

<snip>

Apart from the strike rate, it's positively Flintoff-like from an earlier time.

No, I'm not suggesting that Freddie is dropped - because you could see something there - a rare talent. Eventually, it showed signs of starting to blossom.

Key is suffering upstairs. I think he's got talent but needs a break from the England set-up. He looked very good when he first got in the side - got a couple of horrible decisions if I remember rightly.

I guess he hasn't graduated from the 'school of hard knocks' yet.

I remember people saying some pretty horrible things regarding Gooch, Amiss, Broad and one or two others from the past who looked all at sea - some come good eventually, some don't.

 

[Rik]

Yeah picking Key for the ODI series was one of the worse desisions in recent memory made by the selectors, they could see his confidence was shot and he needed a break. My concern about McGrath is he's not good enough to be picked as a batsman, not good enough to be picked as a bowler, not good enough at either to be picked as an all-rounder...I don't see where he is supposed to fit into this squad.

Trescothick
Solanki
Vaughan (Cpt)
Troughton (or another talented youngster)
Flintoff
Collingwood
Read
etc.

Hell and that doesn't even include Thorpe! Collingwood will take a while to recover but McGrath just seems to be being picked for the hell of it.

 

[Eclipse]

Yeah picking Key for the ODI series was one of the worse desisions in recent memory made by the selectors, they could see his confidence was shot and he needed a break. My concern about McGrath is he's not good enough to be picked as a batsman, not good enough to be picked as a bowler, not good enough at either to be picked as an all-rounder...I don't see where he is supposed to fit into this squad.

Trescothick
Solanki
Vaughan (Cpt)
Troughton (or another talented youngster)
Flintoff
Collingwood
Read
etc.

Hell and that doesn't even include Thorpe! Collingwood will take a while to recover but McGrath just seems to be being picked for the hell of it.

Yep I agree.

I thought at the start of the season England had a real chance to blood some of there actual talented players but some how they seem to have found a way to pick the crap ones again like Key Harmison and McGrath.

 

[chris.hinton]

Do you think that the counties should play the universites or do you think they would be better to play there club cricket league

for example

Yorkshire vs Yourkshire league xi
Warwickshire vs Birmingham League Xi

this would be a good idea to bridge the gap between club and first class cricket

 

[luckyeddie]

Do you think that the counties should play the universites or do you think they would be better to play there club cricket league

for example

Yorkshire vs Yourkshire league xi
Warwickshire vs Birmingham League Xi

this would be a good idea to bridge the gap between club and first class cricket

'Both' springs to mind. There's been some pretty fine players come out of the universities in years gone by - and it certainly makes sense for each county to be able to assess some of the best league players in a longer version of the game (isn't that what Second XI cricket's supposed to be about anyway?).

 

[chris.hinton]

'Both' springs to mind. There's been some pretty fine players come out of the universities in years gone by - and it certainly makes sense for each county to be able to assess some of the best league players in a longer version of the game (isn't that what Second XI cricket's supposed to be about anyway?).

yes but some overseas players dont play in the second xi and how can the league cricketers test themsleves

 

[luckyeddie]

yes but some overseas players dont play in the second xi and how can the league cricketers test themsleves

I would sincerely hope that NO overseas players EVER play in the second XI. It's quite sufficient for a league player to have a runout against a county team without throwing them in against internationals.

 

[Rich2001]

I would sincerely hope that NO overseas players EVER play in the second XI. It's quite sufficient for a league player to have a runout against a county team without throwing them in against internationals.

I know C Obuya (Warwicks) played in the 2nds for an few games at the start of the season (He certainly played vs Kent 2nd)

 

[Mr. P]

Obuyas not THAT bad, surely.

 

[marc71178]

He needs experience.

 

[chris.hinton]

Obuya played for Warwick 2nd xi against my club and opened the batting and was shocking.... anyway what is the point of signing him it makes a mockey out of the overseas systems they could have signed a better players, so they could become a better team.

 

[marc71178]

He's been great in One Day Cricket this year, but not played so often in Four Day Games. I don't what the problem is - it is helping him to become a better player, and that can only be good for Warwickshire in future years, and of course Kenya.

Also, I bet he's being paid hardly anything.

 

[Rik]

Obuya played for Warwick 2nd xi against my club and opened the batting and was shocking....

Yeah he's a bowler...:duh: :duh:

 

[Rik]

I would sincerely hope that NO overseas players EVER play in the second XI. It's quite sufficient for a league player to have a runout against a county team without throwing them in against internationals.

Graeme Smith played for Hampshire 2nd XI a few years ago. It's been done before. Omari Banks is another, played at (and I think he made his FC debut for) Leicestershire.

 

[luckyeddie]

I think you know what I mean, Rik. If an overseas player is willing to play in the seconds and give his time to bring youngsters on that's commendable. If he's freeloading, then he's taking up a place which should be made available to some other, more deserving case.

Re Smith when he was younger and Omari Banks at 17 or 18, that's fine for a game or two - after all, counties have to make assessments.

 

[Rik]

I think you know what I mean, Rik. If an overseas player is willing to play in the seconds and give his time to bring youngsters on that's commendable. If he's freeloading, then he's taking up a place which should be made available to some other, more deserving case.

Re Smith when he was younger and Omari Banks at 17 or 18, that's fine for a game or two - after all, counties have to make assessments.

True, I agree with you.

On another note I saw that the Cricketer said that Scott Brant "is congratulated by his team mates for his fine start to the season"

You what? He had a terrible start and the only reason he's not averaging 30+ is because of the 6-34 he got on a dodgy pitch. He's one of the 2nd overseas players I don't think benefit the CC. That said, Andy Flower's been even less impressive.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I didn't realize that Omari Banks played any first XI county cricket.

 

[Rich2001]

I didn't realize that Omari Banks played any first XI county cricket.

Yep one game

"Banks's skills had been honed at Leicestershire in 2001, where, as a 17-year-old, he spent two months playing for the second XI, with a solitary first-class appearance against the Pakistanis. The following season, he returned to England as part of the West Indian Youth team."

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

He's the Hooper of the future...