England v NZ, 2nd Test, Manchester, 23rd-27th May

I wouln't drop Colly - he can still bowl a bit and is our best fielder. Shah is pants fieldingwise. i'd still have him in for Dingdong though. Bring in Tremlett for Jimmy, job done.

BTW how is SiJo doing?

Dello wrote:Ah, Alien 3 - the worst Alien movie of the bunch (until the franchise took pity on it and released Alien Resurrection).

Well actually now a few years have gone by I think Alien 3 deserves a criticial reassessment. Even ignoring the compromising of the original artistic vision and crappy cinema edit- I thought it still stood proudly with its predecessors. It was dark, dank and atmospheric reall harking back to spirit of the first film with a fantastic cast (Charles Dance and Brian Glover just for starters...). Sure it wasn't a croud pleasing cocks and guns fest like Aliens but it was a film of menace and substance.

Alien Ressurrection....gaaahh....the bright colours.....

Dello wrote:Ah, Alien 3 - the worst Alien movie of the bunch (until the franchise took pity on it and released Alien Resurrection).

Coming soon - "Alien The Musical" - with a BBC talent show to find the lead!

First class bowling at OT

Anderson - 83 wickets at 23.72
Sidebottom - 3 wickets at 57.33
Broad - 6 wickets at 17.66
Tremlett - 5 wickets at 12.20

Flintoff - 35 wickets at 31.28

Eric Air Emu wrote:Well actually now a few years have gone by I think Alien 3 deserves a criticial reassessment.

I thought it was atmospheric and had good paranoia in the first half, but thereafter it degenerated into a chase movie.

The crucifiction motif at the end was good though.

Rob I wrote:I wouln't drop Colly - he can still bowl a bit and is our best fielder.

I hope this wasn't a serious post.

Your hope is dashed, then.

Rob I wrote:Your hope is dashed, then.

So you would pick an underperforming top 6 batsman, cos he's a bits and pieces bowler and can field a bit.

Okay

Rob seems to be laying out the Gilo argument.

BTW, Rob your avatar looks just like a macaroon. It's making me really want to eat one. I love macaroons.

I really don't care which one of our batters gets the chop if we underperform again. Just as long as one does!

It really is getting really rather ridiculous that they can perform so inconsistently, and still be as safe as houses.

taipan wrote:

So you would pick an underperforming top 6 batsman, cos he's a bits and pieces bowler and can field a bit.

I would keep him because he is a proven test batter who is in a slump, but is better than Bell under pressure IMO. The bits and pieces help him stay in the side, obviously.

FYI my side for the next test is:

Cook
Strauss
Vorn (c)
KP
Ace
Wobbles
Ambrose (w)
Broad 2
SiBo 2
Tremlett
Monty

Rob I wrote:

I would keep him because he is a proven test batter who is in a slump, but is better than Bell under pressure IMO. The bits and pieces help him stay in the side, obviously.

FYI my side for the next test is:

Cook
Strauss
Vorn (c)
KP
Ace
Wobbles
Ambrose (w)
Broad 2
SiBo 2
Tremlett
Monty

Apart from SiBo 2 - surely it would be ArBo and SiBo.

ArBo!

Southee in doubt for Second Test.

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvnz/content/current/story/351883.html

Don't wish ill on anyone but have a very loose acquaintanceship with Iain O'Brien through his links with Direbyshire club cricket and would love to see him get a chance against England, not least for the sledging opportunities at Trent Bridge in a fortnight!

May never have lost his place in the side before the series in NZ had he not got a daft toe injury, having been the man in possession with a decent performance against the Bangles . . . albeit only the Bangles of course!

Looked a bit of a shocker in the ODI he played against England in t'winter.