tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post7029190587443112850..comments2024-02-11T10:15:25.794+00:00Comments on Third Umpire: What a shamblesTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215417891130654291noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-42455394174811509892007-04-18T16:01:00.000+01:002007-04-18T16:01:00.000+01:00Two huge problems:C&G restructuring: Group stages ...Two huge problems:<BR/><BR/>C&G restructuring: Group stages resulted in teams resting players and them not gaining experience.<BR/><BR/>Pro40: Erm, the point of playing 40 rather than 50 is? No wonder we can't bat 50 overs!<BR/><BR/>Good point on powerplays Tim. Also a huge problem is that other than ODI's English players just dont play T20 or domestic one day cricket. It is no surprise that Bopara did so well probably having played more domestic one day and T20 games in the last year than half the team have in 5. We need unorthodxy and power, the complete antithesis to what is required in the Test arena. <BR/><BR/>And who says the Test cricketers (Vaughan, Strauss, Bell, ect) must play ODI's. Just 18 months ago, Hussey, Symonds, Watson, Hogg, Tait, Bracken were not playing tests, half the Aussie ODI side!Chrispyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17116768172493122694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-54634423813973720722007-04-18T15:15:00.000+01:002007-04-18T15:15:00.000+01:00Agreed. When have we looked coherent in ODIs in t...Agreed. When have we looked coherent in ODIs in the last decade? I think it's been easy to overlook Fletch's shortcomings here because of Test success - but surely the ECB will look at options now.allrounderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855338798218466908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-33524344113647480642007-04-18T13:33:00.000+01:002007-04-18T13:33:00.000+01:00Cheers allrounder. I agree a semi-final place woul...Cheers allrounder. I agree a semi-final place would have been an injustice. If truth be known, Fletcher has been a terrible ODI coach. Even if he stays as Test coach, England surely need a new ODI coach to bring fresh ideas.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09215417891130654291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37251922.post-21002945230078535572007-04-18T13:12:00.000+01:002007-04-18T13:12:00.000+01:00Certainly this is a low - although I'm inclined to...Certainly this is a low - although I'm inclined to write off the Ashes series more readily as a blip (Australia were immense, frankly).<BR/><BR/>On the One Day front, it's true to say that the selection process has appeared akin to some sort of crude county cricket tombola. Despite the patina of preparation - I can't recall how long we've been planning for this World Cup now - it is plain to see that there is still no consensus about the line-up, tactics or even mentality of the team.<BR/><BR/>I never really understood why Vaughan was made Captain, other than to coach him for the Test role. His personal record is abysmal for such an accomplished batsman.<BR/><BR/>However, his tenure has perhaps been an unfortunate one. It became clear, I think, against South Africa, that our best players are simply not skilful enough when it comes to the limited overs form of the game. The 'build a platform' strategy (highest opening partnership, other than the 100 against Canada: 12) was perhaps less as a decision of intent than one of necessity. Unfortunately, in this case necessity refused to mother any invention.<BR/><BR/>Time and again Englishmen hit orthodox strokes straight at a fielder. Even KP, undoubtedly our star performer, and Ravi Bopara, whose approach was bright, did this repeatedly. Although Paul Nixon is a somewhat doddering embodiment of improvisation, his hand has been repeatedly forced by top order ineptitude. Added to this, our penetration with the ball has been equally woeful.<BR/><BR/>Though I clung to every last scrap of hope, a CWC semi-final place would ultimately have been a massive injustice; I think even to have beaten Sri Lanka two weeks ago would have constituted some kind of wrong. We've got so much right in the Test arena under Fletcher, that he should be allowed to depart with no small amount of pride - but certainly a bright new ODI dawn needs to break across Albion soon.allrounderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01855338798218466908noreply@blogger.com