England v New Zealand, 1st ODI, Chester-le-Street, 15th June

What's with the "same shit, different day" farkin routine ...
Stop being so bloody defensive JK - we all agree Bop's time will come.

But - FFS batting ahead of Colly and Shah
And then not asked to bowl (which he did - badly - in the WC)

Shah's been amongst big runs regularly this season - Bop's has hammered one mebbe two big scores ..,
I think too much is being asked of him too early ... same same Bell ... and before long, his inclusion in an ODI team will be questioned- just as Dinga's is in the tests.

Henry wrote:Broad hit 91.7 mph yesterday. Not sure how reliable the speed guns have been in the last couple of matches. Luke Wright also reached 90 mph in the T20, and Collingwood sent one down at 80 mph yesterday.

It seemed pretty reasonable yesterday. Anderson was the usual speeds - Colly can hit 80.

Broady was hitting 90 regularly in the first spell - had a lovely rythym going. The second spell was much slower - about 84

Merlin wrote:
Shah's been amongst big runs regularly this season - Bop's has hammered one mebbe two big scores ..,

Well that statement is BS for starters.

Merlin wrote: ... same same Bell ... and before long, his inclusion in an ODI team will be questioned- just as Dinga's is in the tests.

have we watched the last 2 OD games or are you just trotting out the usual?

JKLever wrote:Sure Chas, he's not ready for test cricket. 100% agree with you...

Difficult to do much when you're down with the dead men at 7/8 isn't it?

You either have 5 overs to biff it (not his thing) or you're coming in at a crisis point!

I'm just amazed how we get on the back of our young players sometimes in this country - I've heard people slate Broad too...

Not on his back. And I agree about the batting position point as well.

I just think at present I would prefer Shah @ 4. He has been about alot longer, and seems to me in the last few series have cracked this international cricket malarkey.

JKLever wrote:

Merlin wrote:
Shah's been amongst big runs regularly this season - Bop's has hammered one mebbe two big scores ..,

Well that statement is BS for starters.

Whatever FFS.... whatever.

Sure, we're all aware that the sun shines out of Bops arse for some on here -
but the question remains -
how many more excuses before he starts firing for Team England ?

I actually think Shah is in the right position. He is capable of doing in the last 5 overs what he did yesterday or if we lose wickets early is capable of knocking the ball around.

Can't keep chopping and changing - i'd like to see this team given all 5 games, see where we are after that.

Dare I say it, but I like Bell as an ODI opener. Athers is right- If he's going to bat anywhere in an ODI side, it should be up the top. When he's fit again, i'd maybe consider Flintoff as his opening partner (I really don't know why it's never been tried), with Wright playing the role of finisher down at 7, where he looks more comfortable. Even Sussex haven't opened with Wright in anything but the T20's.

Henry wrote:Dare I say it, but I like Bell as an ODI opener. Athers is right- If he's going to bat anywhere in an ODI side, it should be up the top. When he's fit again, i'd maybe consider Flintoff as his opening partner (I really don't know why it's never been tried), with Wright playing the role of finisher down at 7, where he looks more comfortable. Even Sussex haven't opened with Wright in anything but the T20's.

I don't have an issue with that if Bell must play...

A bottom handed hacker as our finisher at 7??? Your crazy!

JKLever wrote:

Merlin wrote: ... same same Bell ... and before long, his inclusion in an ODI team will be questioned- just as Dinga's is in the tests.

have we watched the last 2 OD games or are you just trotting out the usual?

Watched intently me ol' cobber .. very intently.
Only some watch with rose tinted specs where certain players are concerned.

Bell played okay - sure he spanks it around in ODI's ... less significance hence less pressure in ODI's than a test
match (unless you disagree with that statement) - hence Bell's stature.
If he can convert that to Test'sI'llbe the first to clam up - but we all know he can't until the head's fixed.

Bopara - he's a work in progress - all I was saying before you got all humpy - was that
he shouldn't be batting up at 4 ... that's all.
Now calm down!

So what do people think about what Holding was saying regarding KP changing his grip and batting like a left-hander.

Seems unfair to me.

JKLever wrote:I actually think Shah is in the right position. He is capable of doing in the last 5 overs what he did yesterday or if we lose wickets early is capable of knocking the ball around.

Can't keep chopping and changing - i'd like to see this team given all 5 games, see where we are after that.

I'm sure they will be given the 5 games. And fair enough. I'm just not sure we are making the most of Shah's ability batting him at 6.



I'm also a little fed up because the bloke has shown he has the ability at the top level to score runs, and he has never really been given a smidgeon of a chance!

Merlin wrote:

JKLever wrote:

Merlin wrote:
Shah's been amongst big runs regularly this season - Bop's has hammered one mebbe two big scores ..,

Well that statement is BS for starters.

Whatever FFS.... whatever.

Sure, we're all aware that the sun shines out of Bops arse for some on here -
but the question remains -
how many more excuses before he starts firing for Team England ?

No, not whatever Merlo - what you stated was BS!

Bopara averaging 91 in FPT, Shah 32
Bopara averaging 76 in FC, Shah 55

As for the 'whens he going to do it?' argument - his ODI record is hardly any worse than Shahs is it?

It's not about sun shining out of arses at all, couldn't give a shit if they play for my county. I've said no to likes of Foster when he's been touted as wicketkeeper on here.

I want to see him get a run at 4 - then we can judge at the end of the series

Merlin wrote: - all I was saying before you got all humpy

I like how when someone disagrees with you, they get 'humpy'

Henry Nolonga wrote:So what do people think about what Holding was saying regarding KP changing his grip and batting like a left-hander.

Seems unfair to me.

Hope they don't outlaw it. They'll be killing more excitement in cricket. Both those shots took amazing skill & could've just shot straight up in the air - not any old hacker will be ableto play them