Sunday 25 November 2007

Shah, not Bopara, should bat at six

The question of who should bat at number six for England in Sri Lanka straight choice between a pair of wristy Anglo-Asians, Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara, though one feels Mark Ramprakash would have been more likely than either to score a hundred on tour. Bopara is the 'three-dimensional' choice: in addition to his batting, he is a fine fielder and a useful change bowler. But it would be risible to suggest Bopara's bowling is of the potential to change a game; his first-class average of 49 illustrates as much while, in England's ODI side, Paul Collingwood's presence often means Bopara does not have to bowl at all.

So unless England are guilty of real muddled thinking, the Bopara-Shah dilemma will be resolved simply by whomever the selectors believe will score more runs. Shah is a richly talented stroke-maker who has finally established himself in the one-day side. He is in his prime now; his confidence is high; and if he will ever truly 'make it' as a Test batsman it probably must be now. His superb 88 on debut in India last year was indicative of a man with the qualities to succeed in Tests. Bopara has immense promise but has flattered to deceive in the one-day side, his World Cup 52 withstanding. The time is now to see if Shah, for so long marked out as a future England star, can thrive as a Test batsman.

Tomorrow: Harmison, Anderson or Broad?

4 comments:

Nick Gammons said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nick Gammons said...

Tim, I wholeheartedly agree. I am a fan of Bopara and believe he will become a fixture in the one-day team, but Shah has all the potential to be a class Test batsman and his time is now.

As you rightly point out Collingwood's useful medium pace means Bopara will hardly bowl and while he is a fine fielder Shah is the better batsman.

As Australia showed in the recent Test series the best way to negate Sri Lanka's bwoling is to make big scores. Shah is capable of getting the hundreds that England will need in order to achieve this.

Richard Lake said...

Tim, up to yesterday morning I'd have agreed wholeheartedly with you. However, with the absence of Flintoff, Bopara has shown that his bowling is a much greaterr string to his bow than I'd previously thought.

To support Hoggard as the only other seam bowler available with some excellent figures means that he is an excellent option for taking the ressure off the other pace bowlers. He may even allow us to play with ony two pace bowlers (Hogg and Sidebottom) and two spinners.

Shah does deserve his chance, I agree, but Bopara will give the team a much better balance.

Tim said...

Interesting stuff Richard, and I agree to some extent, but would still want Shah in the side.