Jones reinstated behind stumps

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Jones back for Read; England may play 2 spinners

 

[BoyBrumby]

Probably the right move on paper, but given all the chances Geraint got before he was finally dropped (& I still think that had more to do with his busted digit than form anyway) if I were Read I'd be in no doubt that Fletcher doesn't fancy me as a player now.

 

[Salamuddin]

Probably the right move on paper, but given all the chances Geraint got before he was finally dropped (& I still think that had more to do with his busted digit than form anyway) if I were Read I'd be in no doubt that Fletcher doesn't fancy me as a player now.

Playing Gilo and Mudhsudhan Singh ain't such a bad idea....but I'd have Read over Jones any day of the week.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Playing Gilo and Mudhsudhan Singh ain't such a bad idea....but I'd have Read over Jones any day of the week.

Sad to say but Read's batting just doesn't look quite up to it for me. Some of his shot selection in the CT was awful too; it was like he couldn't see the virtue of batting through our overs & tried to score from the off. Not sure it's strictly fair to make a test decision based on ODI performance, but there it is.

& is the Gabba renowned as a spinners' track? I didn't think it was.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Playing Gilo and Mudhsudhan Singh ain't such a bad idea....but I'd have Read over Jones any day of the week.

Except Read hasn't been keeping wicket well and will probably not be able to buy a run on Australian pitches. I have no doubt that Jones is more competent to deal with quality fast bowling than Read. I have no confidence in either Read or Jones against quality spin. With England playing 4 specialist bowlers, they practically have to play Jones.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Sad to say but Read's batting just doesn't look quite up to it for me. Some of his shot selection in the CT was awful too; it was like he couldn't see the virtue of batting through our overs & tried to score from the off. Not sure it's strictly fair to make a test decision based on ODI performance, but there it is.

Even when he was scoring runs against Pakistan he didn't look up to scratch. He did, however, look very scratchy.

& is the Gabba renowned as a spinners' track? I didn't think it was.

Shane Warne has 64 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 19.25 there. That said, that doesn't mean it's a spinner's paradise.

 

[Salamuddin]

Except Read hasn't been keeping wicket well and will probably not be able to buy a run on Australian pitches. I have no doubt that Jones is more competent to deal with quality fast bowling than Read. I have no confidence in either Read or Jones against quality spin. With England playing 4 specialist bowlers, they practically have to play Jones.

Read may have had 1-2 bad matches with the gloves but he is still a a better keeper than Jones who is club standard to be perfectly honest.
As for batting, Read has a better array of shots at his disposal....he is more likely to hurt the Aussies than Jones.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

As for batting, Read has a better array of shots at his disposal....he is more likely to hurt the Aussies than Jones.

I disagree entirely. Jones may not have great footwork, but he has a lot better footwork than Read. Read is better than Jones at slogging, but in terms of orthodox cricket - which is what you generally need to succeed in Tests - Jones is by far the better candidate.

McGrath would gobble Read up consistently.

 

[Poker Boy]

I think Fletcher thinks Read isn't up to the big occaison...I saw him drop catches in the (televised) match which Notts won the 2005 CC in...what gets me though: if he didn't rate Read why pick him in the summer or for this tour? I don't know if anyone remembers James Foster who we took on the last Ashes tour...IMO a better batsman than Read and a better 'keeper now than when Fletcher picked him in the first place! Why he didn't play v Pakistan or go on this tour I have no idea....

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I think Fletcher thinks Read isn't up to the big occaison...I saw him drop catches in the (televised) match which Notts won the 2005 CC in...what gets me though: if he didn't rate Read why pick him in the summer or for this tour? I don't know if anyone remembers James Foster who we took on the last Ashes tour...IMO a better batsman than Read and a better 'keeper now than when Fletcher picked him in the first place! Why he didn't play v Pakistan or go on this tour I have no idea....

Because Read has been considered the England number two for some time now, so he practically had to give him a shot when Jones was out. Also, Read has scored a lot of runs for England 'A' this year and on that form, deserved another shot at international level.

He was picked for this tour because he hasn't done much wrong on evidence of his last couple of Tests.

 

[Nate]

Both seem pretty useless. Pick either.

 

[munnabhai]

it seems that fletcher is very conservative with team selection for first test. Gones is the worst wicketkeeper in international circuit..He just doesn't have footwork necessary to become a capable gloveman.
i also think monty will not play in first test. With giles taking 2 wickets today, he will get a nod ahead of monty due to his better batting capabilities. This is a bad news. England already playing defensive here....

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I'm almost certain Panesar will play the first Test, on account of Anderson and Mahmood being rubbish thus far on tour.

Ok, maybe I'm a bit harsh on Anderson, but Panesar is a much more potent option.

 

[Nate]

Bit of cricket to go Campso.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I just can't see either Monty or Giles being match-winners on this tour, but especially not Giles. At best they will be capable stock bowlers, and with Harmison struggling and Hoggard having no successful experience in Australia before, it leaves way too much for Flintoff. Granted, there's not much in the way of alternatives, but I'd be much happier with Monty and an actual batsman like Collingwood instead of picking Giles for his batting ability, or alternatively a fourth seamer like Anderson instead of Giles.

The first choice gives more actual batting cover if that's the concern, and I can't see Collingwood being that much worse as a bowler than Giles, and the second choice gives more realistic wicket-taking options.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Bit of cricket to go Campso.

Yes, but I'm certain Fletcher already has a team pencilled in in his mind. And regardless of what happens over the next 11 days, bar injuries, that's the XI that will start.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I've always been a staunch advocate of a 5-man attack, but if Anderson & Mahmood are going to be cannon-fodder I'm kinda coming around to the idea that we should go with four & rely on Colly/Bell for the fifth fill-in option. Monty can at least bowl long spells.

Fletcher seems to be of the opposite thinking, sad to say.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I've always been a staunch advocate of a 5-man attack, but if Anderson & Mahmood are going to be cannon-fodder I'm kinda coming around to the idea that we should go with four & rely on Colly/Bell for the fifth fill-in option. Monty can at least bowl long spells.

Fletcher seems to be of the opposite thinking, sad to say.

The way I see it, Monty Panesar is England's best bowler this year. He needs to play. And if that means playing Giles ahead of Bell or Collingwood, so be it. Because an attack of Panesar-Hoggard-Harmison-Flintoff-Giles is better than Giles-Hoggard-Harmison-Flintoff-Collingwood/Bell.

Fletcher doesn't agree with me though.

England does not need extra batting. Or rather, they shouldn't. The Ashes won't be won with the bat. Not the English bats at least (or South African).

 

[Barney Rubble]

IMO two spinners is the way to go, because Saj Mahmood simply cannot be allowed to play in this series unless it's absolutely necessary. He's like a less well-rounded version of Harmison, we don't need them both in the same team until Saj's consistency has improved significantly. Giles might not be penetrative, but he won't go at more than a run a ball, and he can bat.

As for Jones/Read, I'm not too bothered. Neither of them are particularly good at the job, makes little difference either way.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

IMO two spinners is the way to go, because Saj Mahmood simply cannot be allowed to play in this series unless it's absolutely necessary. He's like a less well-rounded version of Harmison, we don't need them both in the same team until Saj's consistency has improved significantly. Giles might not be penetrative, but he won't go at more than a run a ball, and he can bat.

As for Jones/Read, I'm not too bothered. Neither of them are particularly good at the job, makes little difference either way.

I remember we came to this exact conclusion way back when at Starbucks in Southampton. It's amazing how little English cricket changes.