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*Official* England in South Africa Thread
- Thread starter Richard
- Start date
Arjun
Cricketer Of The Year
Should Kevin Pietersen make a Test top-5? Number 3 or 4? You then have a batting order with alternate attacking and defensive players- Trescothick (A), Strauss (D), Vaughan (D), Pietersen (A), Thorpe (D), Flintoff (A), Jones (A), Giles (D), tailenders. He's been in good form of late.
What's your opinion of Simon Jones' bowling in Zim?
What's your opinion of Simon Jones' bowling in Zim?
wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
Personally I don't think Pietersen has done nearly enough to leapfrog both Butcher & Key. However, I'd be happy with him in the ODI side at number 4, with Strauss replacing Solanki.Arjun said:
As for Jones, he seems expensive but capable of taking wickets, as has generally been the case. My impression is he's currently ahead of Anderson in the running for the 1st test side, but obviously that could change. I also think this is the start of a vital 12 months for him if he's going to make it a a test bowler.
Arjun
Cricketer Of The Year
Butcher hasn't done much either- he gets off to starts and throws his wicket away on the way to a big score. That can be noticed in his average of 34. Key, on the other hand, converts his starts, but he hardly ever gets off to one. Pietersen is a big-hitter, unlike both, and he can be useful as an attacking complement to a defensive partner.wpdavid said:
Jones has to last a full series if he should make it as a Test bowler. His Limited-Overs bowling has improved since those 2 wickets in 7 matches, but he needs to be more consistent.
Scaly piscine
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Arjun said:
Strauss isn't particularly defensive and Vaughan tends to build innings in the normal way so he's attacking once he's set. Giles is most definitely an attacking batsman.
Pietersen is probably seen as a long-term replacement for Thorpe, so that would make him a number 5 but he won't get in the team anyway until someone is injured - so what position he would then play would depend a bit on who was injured. I can't see him batting higher than 4 tho given that England have 4 opening batsmen at the top of the order.
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Neil Pickup
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I wouldn't class any of Strauss, Vaughan or Giles as defensive. Just because they don't play gratuitous heaves across the line doesn't mean they don't score at a good clip.
Well impressed with Harmo's figures against the Nicky XI today: 7-2-8-1
England being on 39-0 after 13 chasing 185 off 39 isn't desperately crash hot, mind. I know it's just a warm up but come on Tresco, hit the damn ball!
Well impressed with Harmo's figures against the Nicky XI today: 7-2-8-1
England being on 39-0 after 13 chasing 185 off 39 isn't desperately crash hot, mind. I know it's just a warm up but come on Tresco, hit the damn ball!
wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
This must be the new, focused Tresco who has rediscovered the art of leaving the ball. Trust him, it will come in handy on Dec 17th. And I thought Harmy's figures were pretty good - remember Lilac Hill 2 years ago?Neil Pickup said:I wouldn't class any of Strauss, Vaughan or Giles as defensive. Just because they don't play gratuitous heaves across the line doesn't mean they don't score at a good clip.
Well impressed with Harmo's figures against the Nicky XI today: 7-2-8-1
England being on 39-0 after 13 chasing 185 off 39 isn't desperately crash hot, mind. I know it's just a warm up but come on Tresco, hit the damn ball!
Neil Pickup
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He's now on 22* off 59 balls and the RRR is 6 an over.
*Says to self* It's just match practice...
*Says to self* It's just match practice...
twctopcat
International Regular
As for the test team i think the obvious choices for change in the long run are bell and pietersen for thorpe and butcher. As for when that will be is anyones guess. Though i have a feeling Thorpe won't be around for ever unfortunately 
, he will prob do a nasser and retire on a high i feel. He has been through so much that he'll know when to call time.
, he will prob do a nasser and retire on a high i feel. He has been through so much that he'll know when to call time.
Neil Pickup
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Why is Robert Key beating the Nicky XI around Randjesfontein?? 
wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
I think Thorpe will probably go after next year's Ashes. Having seen one relationship crumble through loads of absences on tour, I can't see him wanting to risk the same thing happening again. Butcher is a fair bit younger though - he's only 32 IIRC.twctopcat said:As for the test team i think the obvious choices for change in the long run are bell and pietersen for thorpe and butcher. As for when that will be is anyones guess. Though i have a feeling Thorpe won't be around for ever unfortunately
Scaly piscine
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Not quite true, there are 5 international players in the Nicky XI, the odd guy with a decent amount of domestic cricket and some youngsters.wpdavid said: