Straussyyyy!!!!! What A Year..........

Not that I'm bandwaggoning you understand, but he took over a shambles of a side very nearly a year ago, skippered it to an Ashes victory, and MIGHT be on the verge of leading the boys to a lead in the current series - all done with no detriment to his form with the bat.

Bit of a Cautious Colin of a captain, but you can't have everything.

A safe pair of hands, after the captaincy craziness of the last two years which have seen Flintoff, Vaughan, Collingwood and Pietersen pass it around like a hot potato.

He's doing a great job considering none of the England team would be picked for a world 11. (test).

14 tests in the year, averaging 53 with the bat, four centuries, better average first dig than second, better average away than at home.

He's the business.

Just think, two years ago he was deep in the mire, out of form and doing everything he could to scrape together a decent score. It was painful. But, like a phoenix, he's risen from the Ashes, to the giddy heights of England captain and motored his way to some significant victories over his sporadic reign (which unbelievably started in 2006)

In my opinion, he's one of the solidest left-arm openers in Test cricket today (alongside, Smith, Katich, and Gayle). He can crab along; defend, scrape and poke for one's and two's when all other avenues have dried up; but he can also hit out and score quickly at the right moments - from all round the wicket, especially off his legs and in front of square.

It's also increasingly nice to see his ODI form return. Luckily, the man has a brain and has said "nah, I'm orite fanks' to T20 (much like Ricky Ponting) to continue scoring heavily in Test's and ODI's (which is where he struggled hugely, a few years back). This year has totally rejuvenated Strauss as a player and as a captain. All we need from him now, is a series win in South Africa and more home summer glory before retaining that little urn. Up with the Strauss.

Also, did I mention he was a dab hand in the field?

smo wrote:He's doing a great job considering none of the England team would be picked for a world 11. (test).

Guess again, noob.

Swanneeee!!! is now rated #3 in the world by the ICC, while Boggle Eyes is at #4.

Rob I wrote:

smo wrote:He's doing a great job considering none of the England team would be picked for a world 11. (test).

Guess again, noob.

Swanneeee!!! is now rated #3 in the world by the ICC, while Boggle Eyes is at #4.

Broad's at number 7 by the way. Mind you, given that a week ago Paul Harris was in the top ten....

KP would be in too, if he gets his form back mind.

He will do. Thing with him is that you know a biggie is just around the corner.

Yup - you do sense it will click into place soon..

KP on class in a WXI.

England won their last Ashes series in 2005 and beat SA the last time they toured the republic didn't they? Just following past trends.

Yes he's done well. Ntini gave him some belated Christmas presents to present him with super momentum at the beginning of the innings though.