*Official* England in South Africa

[ozone]

I dismissed it a long time ago

Which is basically what one should always do IMO. His bowling's about on par with Colly's for mine and their relative First Class records suggest I'm being generous in saying that.

Before I get slaughtered for sticking up for Wright, can I just point out I wouldn't have picked him for the tour, and wouldn't pick him in the second test. However, he shouldn't be completely written off at the age of 24. What potentially puts his bowling ahead of Colly (in test cricket) is the fact that he is capable of bowling 85+mph, and why it shouldn't just be dismissed out of hand.

 

[Prince EWS]

Collingwood is stunningly ineffective as a Test wicket taker.

Well, he was at the start of his career - he conceded some ridiculous amount of runs before taking a wicket - but since 2007 he's averaging 44 which, while obviously not being a bowler's figures, isn't that bad for someone who rarely bowls. There's no guarantee at all that Wright wouldn't be exactly the same either; it's not like he's had a Test career to say he could take more wickets than that.

The fact that we're even having this conversation kinda shows that Wright's bowling shouldn't hold much weight anyway though, even if it is better than Colly's.

 

[King Pietersen]

Think that's overstating Bell's performance wildly. Since his return he averages 21. The question for me is how many more chances does he deserve? It wasn't like he was harshly jettisoned initially anyway, it was the culmination of not fulfilling his undoubted promise over a sustained period. He'll be 28 in April, he should be bloosoming now not regressing.

& you dismiss superior mental strength like it's a mere technicality. Bell has a superior batting techique, yes, but he the same is also true when one compares him to Collingwood and I know who I'd want in my team first. &, incidentally, Wright averages more in FC cricket than Collingwood did when he was first called into the test squad.

Those innings came at 3, a position he's clearly not suited to. His record down the order is very good, and far better than his record at 3, so I'd like to see him given more than 1 Test batting at 6 before he's binned again. He did score important runs in the Ashes as well, especially at The Oval. It's Trott that took the plaudits for his 2nd innings hundred, but without Bell's 72 in the 1st innings, England wouldn't have been in such a good position going into that 2nd innings.

There's no proof that Wright's actually got similar to mental strength to Collingwood either, for all we know, he could have the same mental inferiorities when it comes to Test cricket as Bell, and with that a far worse technique. Wright's done nothing in his time in International cricket to prove he's of international standard with the bat, and calling him into the Test side would be a step backwards for me, even in comparison with Bell.

 

[aussie]

Those innings came at 3, a position he's clearly not suited to. His record down the order is very good, and far better than his record at 3, so I'd like to see him given more than 1 Test batting at 6 before he's binned again. He did score important runs in the Ashes as well, especially at The Oval. It's Trott that took the plaudits for his 2nd innings hundred, but without Bell's 72 in the 1st innings, England wouldn't have been in such a good position going into that 2nd innings.

There's no proof that Wright's actually got similar to mental strength to Collingwood either, for all we know, he could have the same mental inferiorities when it comes to Test cricket as Bell, and with that a far worse technique. Wright's done nothing in his time in International cricket to prove he's of international standard with the bat, and calling him into the Test side would be a step backwards for me, even in comparison with Bell.

Am you do know Bell has been a # 3 since youth cricket & made the ENG team in 2004 on the back of tons of runs batting @ 3 for Warwickshire?. Batting in the middle-order especially @ 6 in tests was the new role for him, since ENG tried to hide him there. But nothing has changed, he keeps finding new ways to get out...

He was exposed @ 3 since the 2005 Ashes, since againts quality bowlers in bowler friendly conditions that he is not good enough there.

 

[King Pietersen]

Am you do know Bell has been a # 3 since youth cricket & made the ENG team in 2004 on the back of tons of runs batting @ 3 for Warwickshire?. Batting in the middle-order especially @ 6 in tests was the new role for him, since ENG tried to hide him there. But nothing has changed, he keeps finding new ways to get out...

He was exposed @ 3 since the 2005 Ashes, since againts quality bowlers in bowler friendly conditions that he is not good enough there.

Big difference between batting 3 for Warwickshire and in youth cricket and in Test cricket for England. He's scored far more runs for England down the order in Test cricket, which to me suggests it's a position he's suited to. He's done well there in the past, so give him chance to do well there again, dropping him after 1 poor game at 6, after a good last Test at the Oval would be a little harsh; especially when Luke Wright's the only viable alternative.

He batted 4 in the 2005 Ashes.

 

[grecian]

Would rate Rashid as a better batsman then Wright, would rather he play then mr devil or mr deep blue sea.

 

[zaremba]

There's no proof that Wright's actually got similar to mental strength to Collingwood either, for all we know, he could have the same mental inferiorities when it comes to Test cricket as Bell, and with that a far worse technique.

Of course there's no proof, because he's yet to play a Test. But every coach that's worked with him seems to have taken the same view, which is that he's mentally very good indeed.

 

[popepouri]

Also, de Wet is hardly a carbon copy of Steyn (de Wet isn’t a swing bowler). Friedel reminds me little bit of David Terbrugge, a former team mate. In that de Wet like Terbrugge is capable of getting it to seam late away from the right handers at a decent lick. Hugely impressive debut and he looked head and shoulders the best South African seamer in the first innings.

After watching the highlights, no he's not a swing bowler and not as skiddy. He's a lot taller (around 6'2). He also can hold a bat nicely. It was great watching him seam it both ways.

If Ntini isn't going to go next match (either for political reasons or because he wants his 400th wicket), Morne should make way. Optimum would be Ntini making way for Friedel with him batting 7 or 8.

 

[Uppercut]

Think that's overstating Bell's performance wildly. Since his return he averages 21. The question for me is how many more chances does he deserve? It wasn't like he was harshly jettisoned initially anyway, it was the culmination of not fulfilling his undoubted promise over a sustained period. He'll be 28 in April, he should be bloosoming now not regressing.

& you dismiss superior mental strength like it's a mere technicality. Bell has a superior batting techique, yes, but he the same is also true when one compares him to Collingwood and I know who I'd want in my team first. &, incidentally, Wright averages more in FC cricket than Collingwood did when he was first called into the test squad.

Bell doesn't even look good before getting out these days anyway.

 

[Furball]

Am you do know Bell has been a # 3 since youth cricket & made the ENG team in 2004 on the back of tons of runs batting @ 3 for Warwickshire?. Batting in the middle-order especially @ 6 in tests was the new role for him, since ENG tried to hide him there. But nothing has changed, he keeps finding new ways to get out...

He was exposed @ 3 since the 2005 Ashes, since againts quality bowlers in bowler friendly conditions that he is not good enough there.

He's not suited to batting at 3 because he's incapable of dictating the tempo of a game.

 

[Jarquis]

He's not suited to batting at 3 because he's incapable of scoring runs.

AWTA z

 

[Uppercut]

He's not particularly suited to batting anywhere. He's crap.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Short pitched bowling should not be allowed at Ian Bell. He's simply not good enough. I would count it as intimidatory. All you need to do is put the ball in and around the off-peg and he'll edge behind. No use bowling short pitched to him, its a wasted delivery.

 

[Pothas]

I guess the sooner we get rid of Bell we will have to start properly looking at Cook for the new scapegoat.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I've got plenty of scapegoats to focus on with NZ, but with us not playing another test until February, I've got to get my kicks elsewhere.

 

[Cruxdude]

Was just seeing the highlights and came across this nice banner

Q. Where do 35% of english cricketers stay when in SA?
A. At their parents'

 

[FBU]

Wright is in the squad because of his 2009 stats (10 matches)

Batting 49.00 - 3 100s 3 50s
Bowling 34.72 - 2 5fers

 

[Briony]

After watching the highlights, no he's not a swing bowler and not as skiddy. He's a lot taller (around 6'2). He also can hold a bat nicely. It was great watching him seam it both ways.

If Ntini isn't going to go next match (either for political reasons or because he wants his 400th wicket), Morne should make way. Optimum would be Ntini making way for Friedel with him batting 7 or 8.

Surely they wouldn't put political reasons or a personal milestone ahead of fielding their best attack?- especially as Steyn might be a bit rusty and a fitness risk you would think.

 

[Prince EWS]

Surely they wouldn't put political reasons or a personal milestone ahead of fielding their best attack?

Are you new?

 

[tooextracool]

Bell doesn't even look good before getting out these days anyway.

Bell has some technical issues IMO. Defends generally with a crooked bat and hence ends up edging a lot of deliveries behind. Hopefully Andy Flower does some work with him. I am not sure about Wright, but at least he has had a good domestic season for his county and England A.