wellAlbidarned
International Coach
Is it not possible to make a slight critique about a player just because they scored a century?
Interestingly, that is what PEWS' crush-... I mean Mathew Sinclair had to say on Radio Sport yesterday, in a loose sense. Reckons the team may have evolved past him.I have stated before in this thread that NcCullum may offer more as an overall package than Vettori at this stage.
yeah.. love that from Sinclair! He is right in some senseMatthew Sinclair having a go at Vettori... probably not besties with Dan and thought that was the reason he weren't being picked when Dan was captain
Nah, Southee's test bowling was basically never good prior to his return to the side v WI last year. He had a couple of good days in his first year in the side (his debut, and his 3rd test v Australia), but in both of those matches he followed strong first innings efforts with scattergun second innings shows. His late swing from an awkward height could trouble good batsman, be he lacked the necessary control to produce good numbers consistently, and generally bowled rubbish. It is true that he probably got worse in the 2009/10 period when he seemed to be generating less swing and that might owe in part to a focus on death bowling in ODI and T20 cricket. But Southee wasn't really a good limited overs bowler during this period. He was averaging low to mid 30's in ODI's, which is more "not terrible" than "good". His real problems remained the same throughout this period - a tendancy to bowl a lot of leg side filth and wide half volleys.Vettori was an excellent ODI bowler for far longer than he was a good test bowler.
Mills would be an awful test bowler.
Southee's test bowling became terrible when he was a good ODI and T20 bowler.
Oh you can critique, sure. No player is infallible. But I'd be looking at Cook & Bell, who have similar strike rates and lesser averages, and the rest of the batting order before blaming the guy with the 4th best ODI average ever.Is it not possible to make a slight critique about a player just because they scored a century?
I don't think that it's Trott's fault that they lost. I think that once Trott was pretty clearly the only established batsman left he didn't seem to take on responsibility to try to get the 10rpo that they needed. He just seemed happy to take the N.O rather than chance his arm and maybe pull off a fluke victory.Oh you can critique, sure. No player is infallible. But I'd be looking at Cook & Bell, who have similar strike rates and lesser averages, and the rest of the batting order before blaming the guy with the 4th best ODI average ever.
I wrote a long answer but this has been thrashed about enough. The only new thing I said is that I think he should open with the advent of two new balls and not having power hitters at the top any more. Then run a ball 100s will be more suited the stage of the game he is batting in and no one would complain about him not slogging at the end of the game.Yeah like the guy averaging over 50 in ODIs is the source of England's problems. View attachment 20268
Monty? Tredwell surely? Much better LO bowler, and never lets England down when he's given a chance.Bring back Monty. At least you get 10 overs of spin against Guptill.
Yeah, I'm not actually against having another spinner in the side when the seam-bowling options are so rank, but not Monty. Doesn't even play limited overs for Sussex, Nash and Yardy bowl there. Also having a bloody shocking season all-round on the quiet.Monty? Tredwell surely? Much better LO bowler, and never lets England down when he's given a chance.
Hmmm, think after this last one dayer I'm going to have to revise my opinion of Englands top order.
I was of the belief that Cook, Bell and Trott would do well in the early England summer with 2 new balls. Figured it was the right move to play "proper batsmen" for this series and the CT, understanding that whilst they may struggle on good batting decks in the sub cont for eg, they wouldn't have to set or chase big totals and step up to 100+ strike rates. Someone forgot to tell the Kiwis you're not meant to score 350 in England!!
Clearly without KP our top order doesn't have the required fire power but I don't think we can afford to have him come back in at 4. One of the 1st 3 has to go IMO, and I'm sure much to Burgey's amusement it has to be Bell.
What if your chasing 430?No one should complain about a run-a-ball 100. Ever.
Blame your bowlers.What if your chasing 430?
You adapt to the game situation at hand. Sometimes more than a run-a-ball is called for.Blame your bowlers.