tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post3115459777367378973..comments2024-02-11T10:15:25.794+00:00Comments on Third Umpire: Plunkett, or Mahmood?!Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215417891130654291noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-81011892661244376062007-04-05T19:00:00.000+01:002007-04-05T19:00:00.000+01:00allrounder. Indeed allrounder, extra runs did cost...allrounder. Indeed allrounder, extra runs did cost us partly. Mahmood bowled 8 deliveries in the final over. A no ball added on two runs, whilst a wide added three. Five extra runs and two extra deliveries. Would have made the difference. And I went beserk when Mahmood turned down the second run with three balls to go. Bopara was on his way and had Mahmood been run out it wouldn't have mattered because Ravi would have had an extra delivery to get those three/four runs. <BR/><BR/>Also, would Bopara and Nixon have taken more risks a little earlier had they known Plunkett and not Mahmood would be wielding the bat next?<BR/><BR/>Mahmood did well for him and he isn't the scapegoat for defeat far from it. Had another been playing it may have aided our cause tho. If he can take four wickets a game at about 5 I'd be delighted, but two wickets were throwaways at the end I guess.Chrispyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17116768172493122694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-71104360194728624042007-04-05T09:49:00.000+01:002007-04-05T09:49:00.000+01:00Well, Mahmood picked up four wickets last night, t...Well, Mahmood picked up four wickets last night, to undermine the 'failure' claim - but then he went at 5.5 an over, compared to Sri Lanka's overall run rate of 4.7. When it came to squeeky-bum time, those extra runs cost us. That said, getting rid of Jayasuriya so early was probably worth between thirty and fifty from SL's total.<BR/><BR/>However, in the wider context I'd certainly go for Plunkett as his action impresses me more. He is, as Chrispy rightly states, a handy batsman too. Perhaps it does have something to do with the Fredalo incident - I would have also thought Lewis may have been in with a shout, as he could be difficult to get away on some of these pitches.<BR/><BR/>I'm not big on the Dalrymple/ Bopara/Colly/Vaughan option, though Richard. One of England's problems in recent years has been playing too many bob-a-job allrounders and finding themselves caught between two stools; not enough wickets and not enough runs. Given Dalrymple's rough trot in the Carribean thus far, I'd stick with a specialist fourth bowler and Bopara (but then I am an Essex man...)allrounderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855338798218466908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-73022069873692761162007-04-02T10:12:00.000+01:002007-04-02T10:12:00.000+01:00We now have in Anderson, Flintoff and Panesar, thr...We now have in Anderson, Flintoff and Panesar, three highly reliable bowlers. Given that we can are confident with Colly, Bopara and Vaughan for ten overs, then the fifth bowler really is crucial.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'd have Lewis first, with Plunkett over Mahmood. However, there may be a case for none of them.<BR/><BR/>If we played Dalrymple instead and looked for 20 overs from Colly, Dalrymple, Bopara and Vaughan, then it would really strengthen our batting line up and may allow us to be a bit more adventurous at the start of the innings.<BR/><BR/>Mahmood and Plunkett go for 6 and over anyway. The extra ten overs from the part-timers would not concede much more than that, but the batting line up could produce 20-30 extra runs.<BR/><BR/>Thus:<BR/><BR/>Vaughan<BR/>Joyce<BR/>Bopara<BR/>Pietersen<BR/>Colly<BR/>Flintoff<BR/>Bell<BR/>Dalrymple<BR/>Nixon<BR/>Panesar<BR/>AndersonRichard Lakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12305428361656401297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-22108994683265831382007-04-01T23:04:00.000+01:002007-04-01T23:04:00.000+01:00I am a big fan of Mahmood, but he has been poor, e...I am a big fan of Mahmood, but he has been poor, especially in those middle overs. England may just have to admit they don't have one out and out wicket-taker and rely on a collective effort. Monty has started to get the luck he has deserved in ODIs and Flintoof is laways up for the fight. If Plunkett and Anderson can get a little reverse swing going or, at least, vary their pace, England should be okay.Nick Gammonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15078764238948971216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-73476761563385674722007-04-01T12:40:00.000+01:002007-04-01T12:40:00.000+01:00I agree about Plunkett, Chrispy, though I do wonde...I agree about Plunkett, Chrispy, though I do wonder exactly who Jon Lewis has upset.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if it's coincidence that Plunkett and Lewis were both involved in the pedalo incident, while Mahmood was not?<BR/><BR/>Either way, Mahmood should not be playing.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09215417891130654291noreply@blogger.com