Ray Price Says He Can Play For England

[Top_Cat]

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/250497.html

You gotta love that sort of optimism. I mean, he's up against it as he'll be 32 before he qualifies but on raw talent, there are plenty worse. I remember he bowled quite well in Zimbabwe's tour here a couple of years ago and then bowled well afterwards. Good solid tweaker who gives the ball a decent rip. Plus he can bat too. If there are no better younger options in two years time, why not?

 

[marc71178]

In 2 years time, I think Gilo will have retired and Monty will be well in place.

If Gilo hasn't retired then Price has even more problems.

 

[Chubb]

When I spoke to Ray the other day at Taunton he told me he missed International Cricket. In 2003, it was obvious he was a better bowler than Giles. Competing with Giles, Robin Peterson and Paul Adams, Channel 4 said he was the best spinner they had seen that summer. He bowled extremely well against the Aussies in Australia, decimated the West Indies and Bangladesh, and could have acheived so much more were it not for the Rebellion. There was a time when he was right up there competing with Dan Vettori for the title of best left armer in the world.

He is unequivocally my favourite player of all time, so I am biased, but I do think he has what it takes to play for England and would do well if selected. However, Monty is potentially better than him, much as I dislike saying that.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

In 2 years time, I think Gilo will have retired and Monty will be well in place.

If Gilo hasn't retired then Price has even more problems.

Price can bat and field though, right? You'd have to think Monty is a decent chance to get dropped if he has a poor run with the ball, given how little he offers in other fields, and then Price might be in with a chance.

 

[Tomm NCCC]

Ray who? Meh, Id rather see Graemme Swann in the team as a notts fan, but at the age rayboy is, its looking bleak for him

 

[BoyBrumby]

Monster may well be the superior spinner (or have more potential at least), but knowing Big Dunc's confirmed weakness for multi-dimensional players I'd say Raymondo is definitely in with a shout, because dear old Monty doesn't even have a second dimension to his game!

Gilo may well have gone by then. I think his hip problems are possibly chronic, so he could be gone by then. I think I read somewhere Ashley's dad had to have a double hip replacement by 60, which doesn't bode well.

 

[James90]

I think the selectors will stay loyal to Giles if he keeps putting in the effort. The only thing that will stop him is injury. Even so, in two years time there's nothing to say that another young spinner is of test standard.

There was a time when he was right up there competing with Dan Vettori for the title of best left armer in the world.

Price would never have been rated above Rafique.

 

[chooka_nick]

Price would never have been rated above Rafique.

I dunno, Ray was a pretty bloody good player. He and Rafique are very alike; both play in struggling teams, come from 'relatively' new international teams, and both bowl the pants off the majority of the world's batting lineups.
I agree with Chubb, Price could have been much more. Mind you, so could have Heath Streak and Sean Ervine...

 

[NZTailender]

Mind you, so could have Heath Streak and Sean Ervine...

Sean Ervine is young, and could quite possibly play for another country - but to do that he really has to demand selection after gaining citizenship (in England, I imagine?) by dominating.


Heath Streak is a very underrated player. 1990 test runs @ 22.35 (1 century, 11 fifties) and 216 wickets @ 28.14 + 2943 ODI runs @ 28.29 and 239 wickets @ 29.82 shows how much he was relied on in both departments, especially towards the end.
Though at only 32 years of age, he could possibly play for another 3 years and achieve much more.
300 wickets in both forms for instance...


But unfortunately, that won't happen

 

[aussie]

I reckon he could play for England if he keeps bowling well.

 

[Craig]

How long does he has to go (Streak)?

Has Giles played anyform of cricket in your summer?

 

[The Baconator]

Nope, he's training with Warwicks though.

 

[Autobahn]

It all depends on how monty's fielding comes along.

 

[tooextracool]

It all depends on how monty's fielding comes along.

or his bowling for that matter. hes not going to get too far without an arm ball.

 

[aussie]

or his bowling for that matter. hes not going to get too far without an arm ball.

yea thats true, if there is one area where Panesar can improve his bowling is with variety. After watching him bowl in all of his test to date at times he gets very predicable with is line & lenght and doesn't really have a great change of pace.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

As long as he doesn't get smashed regularly, and takes wickets, then he's England's best option at the moment.

 

[Langeveldt]

If Monty got seriously injured then yeah, I wouldnt have any worries about Price in the team.. Good spinner, probably second best SLA bowler in the world after Vettori..

 

[BoyBrumby]

Price back in Zimba squad

From cricinfo.

A welcome addition to their ranks, I'm sure and he's obviously abandoning his hopes of turning out for England by returning to the Zimbabwe fold. Leaving aside all the myriad "issues" surrounding the country, his return has to strengthen their bowling considerably.

 

[Richard]

Really will be nothing more than a token gesture. One player won't solve the multitude of problems that currently hold Zimbabwe back in every field.

 

[Perm]

Really will be nothing more than a token gesture. One player won't solve the multitude of problems that currently hold Zimbabwe back in every field.

Definitely not, but he'll definitely strengthen their bowling and add some much needed leadership and experience.