*Official* English Domestic Season (2004)

[SpaceMonkey]

How much longer can Bell be kept out of the England team? What a season! Yes, yes, I know others have had better, but Bell as being criticized about his runscoring ability coming into this season and he's responded nicely to say the least.

I agree, he's definitely gonna be next in line i think after Key, although Pieterson will probably get a chance first just by the fact he will go straight into the one day side and england normally promote from the one day side first than out of county cricket. I think its more a case now of waiting for someone to retire / drop desperately out of form, before we see Bell in the england team rather than waiting for Bell to show some form. It's a shame he wasnt like this last year else he'd have probably got the nod ahead of both Key and Strauss, but i believe he had a Stress Fracture of the back at the end of last summer which hampered him alot. It wasnt that long ago (2 years?) that Bell went to New Zealand with England so he is definitely in the selectors eyes.

 

[superkingdave]

I'll have to make do with tickets behind the arm at Old Trafford - can't wait!

What day do you have tickets for?

I'm going on the Thursday, not the tip top tickets but fairly decent, for under 20 squid a pop

 

[marc71178]

Thursday tickets as well here - Block E1...

 

[chris.hinton]

I cannot see Bell coming in to the test team at least until Thorpe Retires... which will be in about 3-4 years plus the fact Butcher and Key will play in the same team so bell may have to wait longer for his chance

Should be in the one day squad though....... along with Vikram Solanki of course

 

[Tom Halsey]

Erm no.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Bells one day average is pathetic.

 

[marc71178]

I cannot see Bell coming in to the test team at least until Thorpe Retires... which will be in about 3-4 years plus the fact Butcher and Key will play in the same team so bell may have to wait longer for his chance

Hmm, so Ian Bell has to wait that long in spite of being earmarked 2 or 3 years back and being in supreme form.

Meanwhile Kadeer Ali and some unknown Worcestershire batsman will be playing for England in 2-3 years?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Hmm, so Ian Bell has to wait that long in spite of being earmarked 2 or 3 years back and being in supreme form.

Meanwhile Kadeer Ali and some unknown Worcestershire batsman will be playing for England in 2-3 years?

1-0 marc

 

[Timewell]

Mixed day for Warwickshire today...their "middle" order of Hogg, Frost and Powell just didn't do anything really. Tahir and Richardson fought valiantly but the whole innings revolved around 2 big scores really...not something I wanted to see.

Bowling wise, once again, was a bit mixed. Carter and Brown bowled nice and consistent and Mark Wagh proved that he should be pushing for an England place with his "occasional" off-spin. Tahir was a bit wayward whilst Hogg picked up a couple of wickets. He has really found some form now - shame he couldn't have found it earlier. Loye may or may not bat again after retiring hurt. I'm not sure what or how severe his injuries were...Come on the Bears, we need Sutcliffe out now.

 

[Timewell]

Incidently, Mal Loye retired with an Achilles problem so it looks unlikely that we'll see him again...

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I've only seen a bit of footage of him, but Carter looks to me like he chucks.

Carl Hooper's dismissal was very disappointing. Hit two sixes then went for another.

Mal Loye's injury was very interesting. It played up while he was leaving a ball a good 2-3 feet outside offstump.

I cannot see Bell coming in to the test team at least until Thorpe Retires... which will be in about 3-4 years plus the fact Butcher and Key will play in the same team so bell may have to wait longer for his chance

I'd think Butcher would be on the way out by the time Thorpe is.

 

[marc71178]

Butcher's only just 32 Liam, he's got 3 years on Thorpe!

 

[Timewell]

Carter doesn't chuck.....certain about that one.

 

[Andre]

Butcher's only just 32 Liam, he's got 3 years on Thorpe!

But 3 years less hair than him

 

[chris.hinton]

Thorpe will play for another 2 years at least

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Butcher's only just 32 Liam, he's got 3 years on Thorpe!

But I can't see him playing for more than 4 more years.

 

[marc71178]

Why not?

Assuming he makes his way back in and scores as he has been for the past few years, he's got a place in the side!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Why not?

Assuming he makes his way back in and scores as he has been for the past few years, he's got a place in the side!

I just don't see it happening. I'd be willing to put money on it, if I had any atm.

 

[superkingdave]

Glen Chappell 110* of 84 balls, dont know whether he got his hundred in less than 80 balls but its possible he may be the new leader of the Walter Lawrence.

Lancashire trying to get a lead and put pressure on Warwickshire 401/5

 

[Timewell]

Lancashire collapsed to be all out for 412!