***Official*** England in Pakistan

[Neil Pickup]

Udal? What a ****ing joke

Who'd you have taken?

 

[steds]

Who'd you have taken?

Someone with a chance of an international future, rather then some 36 year old

 

[greg]

Someone with a chance of an international future, rather then some 36 year old

Who then?

We want to win the series, he's there as direct cover for Giles, and to provide an option should we want a spinner turning the ball into the right handers. Loudon is there for the future.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Udal was a good pick IMO, mainly for his experience.

 

[Pothas]

Actually I think that there is another factor in the debate which is that he doesn't bat in the right way. England don't just want a keeper who can bat but one who can counter attack, score quick runs when having to bat with the tail, turn a game in 40 mins etc.

).

But why do they need this? It is simply an atempt to create an English Gilchrist. With pieterson and Flintoff at 5 and 6 they really dont need a counter attacking keeper

 

[Barney Rubble]

But why do they need this? It is simply an atempt to create an English Gilchrist. With pieterson and Flintoff at 5 and 6 they really dont need a counter attacking keeper

We don't need one, but you could also say Australia never really needed Gilchrist - but having him there is one of the factors that has made them the best team in the world for the last decade.

 

[aussie]

it strange but if you look at it i agree with Udal & Loundon's selection in the test squad to be honest, but since Gough said he's unavailable i'm a bit perplexed by Plunkett's selection isn't their anyone else better in the county circuit maynnnnnn?

 

[Barney Rubble]

So have......Will Smith....etc

One would have expected them to Switch positions in the averages - perhaps Prior encountered one or two technical Hitches?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Who'd you have taken?

Its shocking how we just cant produce good spinners...its not like we havent in the past. Just the last 10 years or so its being a joke.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Its shocking how we just cant produce good spinners...its not like we havent in the past. Just the last 10 years or so its being a joke.

A lot of it might be in the pitches - I can honestly say, having played around 100 cricket matches in my short life, that I have never played on a bunsen. I netted on a hard, bouncy wicket once, and I (along with most of my team-mates) would have been out cheaply about three times in the length of time it took us to adjust - the wickets at junior level in this country just don't spin or bounce, so it takes something really exceptional to make it as a spinner. Likewise, many young batsmen have technical flaws against spin that it takes years to eradicate.

I know a young leggie who has impressed the Sussex coaches and almost received a call-up for their youth squad - but who, at the age of 18, has only ever taken two five-fors. Likewise another spinner I know, a left-armer in the same situation. On the verge of a county call-up, but the coach tells him he needs to start getting bigger hauls - how can he when he bowls on greentops week in, week out?

 

[twctopcat]

Prior is a counterattacking batsmen if he wants to be. Can play as defensive as needs be. In the games i've seen this year he has scored quickly with orthodox shots and kept well to the likes of mushy. I know a lot of people like Read but Prior is 23 (i think) and has a lot more potential in every department.

 

[Scaly piscine]

it strange but if you look at it i agree with Udal & Loundon's selection in the test squad to be honest, but since Gough said he's unavailable i'm a bit perplexed by Plunkett's selection isn't their anyone else better in the county circuit maynnnnnn?

Plunkett have been picked mainly for the future with an eye on the World Cup in 2007, he'd fit the bowler who bats a bit position if all goes well. It'd be good to see 3 Durham players in the ODI side also.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Plunkett have been picked mainly for the future with an eye on the World Cup in 2007, he'd fit the bowler who bats a bit position if all goes well. It'd be good to see 3 Durham players in the ODI side also.

I think it also may be selection as a reward for sconing your mate Richard nine years ago.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Someone with a chance of an international future, rather then some 36 year old

Any names? There just isn't anyone. There isn't even anyone else worthy of an academy call - Batty and Dalrymple are in as all-rounders.

 

[Barney Rubble]

I think it also may be selection as a reward for sconing your mate Richard nine years ago.

Richard got sconed by an 11-year-old? Pardon me for saying so, but - even I never managed that!

 

[Neil Pickup]

Richard got sconed by an 11-year-old? Pardon me for saying so, but - even I never managed that!

A broken nose can't heal in 2 and a half weeks. Believe me, I got one from a direct cricket-ball (no helmet), albeit at at least 10 mph slower than Drakes. From a guy called Liam Plunkett, who is now on the Durham staff, when he was 12.

See here.

 

[Barney Rubble]

See here.

At least 10mph slower than Drakes?

I'm assuming he meant Vasbert Drakes, who bowls at around 80-82mph IIRC. That means Liam Plunkett could bowl at 70mph when he was 12 - that can't be right. Richard's got something seriously wrong there.

With your experience as a coach, Neil, how fast do you think the fastest 12-year-olds bowl? I'm interested to know, as it's about the speed my off-breaks travel at.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Well, if you'd been following Scoreboard Confessional as closely as you ought to have been you wouldn't need to ask...

The fastest 12-year-old at the East Devon Colts trials is capable of high 50s and has probably broken 60 when he has got it right (which isn't as often as I'd like, it's too short too often at present, but we're getting there). I can still stand up to that pace, but it requires plenty concentration on my part.

I know that there are 14-year-olds capable of 77mph in the district (who have been selected for the West of England U15s next season). I wouldn't count out Plunkett of being able to bowl high 60s at the age of 12, even if that's the top speed I can manage at present...

 

[Pothas]

We don't need one, but you could also say Australia never really needed Gilchrist - but having him there is one of the factors that has made them the best team in the world for the last decade.

But Prior isnt Gilchrist is he?

 

[twctopcat]

But Prior isnt Gilchrist is he?

Thats a good thing, i would prefer a keeper who is more adaptable and doesn't average 22.