tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post4738253247105433631..comments2024-02-11T10:15:25.794+00:00Comments on Third Umpire: Time for Jones and Harmison?Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215417891130654291noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-13267909986422256562008-07-22T12:32:00.000+01:002008-07-22T12:32:00.000+01:00If England continue with Ambrose at 6 then they wi...If England continue with Ambrose at 6 then they will lose the series that is painfully obvious. South Africa have a man at six who has a double century to his name and who just hit 174. We have a bloke who is averaging 18.7 of late and who can't seem to find a shot other than the cut, which any decent opposition will dry up. England are not a fantastic side unfortunately and they have few altrenatives batting wise. Five bowlers = Prior. Four = Foster imho. That is the only way to achieve balance as Adil Rashid no longer seems a viable alternative to Panesar in the near future. <BR/><BR/>Cook<BR/>Strauss<BR/>Vaughan (c)<BR/>Pietersen<BR/>Bell<BR/>Prior (wk)<BR/>Flintoff<BR/>Broad<BR/>Anderson<BR/>Jones<BR/>Panesar<BR/><BR/>or:<BR/><BR/>Shah/Bopara/Collingwood<BR/>Flintoff<BR/>Foster (wk)<BR/>Sidebottom<BR/>Anderson<BR/>Panesar<BR/><BR/>Jones needs to be in a five man attack especially with Fred, whilst on current form we can't afford to have Broad in a four man attack.Chrispyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17116768172493122694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-52105554225902489122008-07-22T11:37:00.000+01:002008-07-22T11:37:00.000+01:00Nice piece Tim. I reckon England need to look at p...Nice piece Tim. I reckon England need to look at performance rather than selection. Our batsmen need to learn from South Africa's - they protect their wicket whilst England gift theirs on a regular basis; our bowlers have to work very hard for reward.<BR/>As for selection, there won't be too many changes - Vaughan appeared to blame this defeat on a lack of continuity, so I expect Sidebottom's return (I really don't think he needs to prove himself for Notts) to be the only change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-28540564575345140862008-07-21T23:01:00.000+01:002008-07-21T23:01:00.000+01:00Cheers Richie.I would say Harmy is in even better ...Cheers Richie.<BR/><BR/>I would say Harmy is in even better rhythm than a year ago, although I accept your point. But at his best he offers so much - I'd give him one last shot, when he's in good rhythm, high on confidence and the others aren't doing it.<BR/><BR/>Flintoff 6, Broad 7, Read 8? Not bad idea, but still looks a tad fragile for me (especially with such a weak 9-10-jack).<BR/><BR/>I don't see an atack of Flintoff Broad Anderson and Sidebottom doing the business on flat tracks. So I would like at least one of Jones and Harmison - preferably both.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09215417891130654291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-63109869769874838462008-07-21T20:43:00.000+01:002008-07-21T20:43:00.000+01:00Some intersting points, Tim, even if I don't agree...Some intersting points, Tim, even if I don't agree with all of them!<BR/><BR/>Firstly, the wicket-keeper, which is the way to balance the team. If we are to take 20 wickets, then we need the best keeper possible - so Read or Foster. Runs need to be a bonus rather than an expectationm but we can't affors to miss chances.<BR/><BR/>To balance the team Flintoff needs to be the number 6 batsman that he was three years ago. He played a strong innings today - it's a shame he couldn't show more faith in Stuart Broad. However, with Flintoff at 6, Broad needs to play but with the remit of bowling tight and for the man at the other end.<BR/> <BR/>With Flintoff and Broad as two of the bowlers, I would stick with Anderson and Sidebottom, if fit. Anderson has been England's best bowler this series and Sidebottom the most likely option to get lateral movement.<BR/><BR/>With Sidebottom unfit, then Jones or Tremlett have to be the call. Harmison went through the same process last season. Bowled well for Durham but fell to pieces against the might of the West Indies. He is to bowling what Mark Ramprakash is to batting. An exceptional player who is just not good enough at test level.<BR/><BR/>As for the batsmen - who knows? KP played one of the strangest innings I've seen today, while the openers keep getting in to get out.<BR/><BR/>I don't see that the situation is as bleak as you make out. But we do need to work out how to bowl at the Saffers before this becomes a habit.Richard Lakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12305428361656401297noreply@blogger.com