Today sees the first day-nighter between Australia and England this summer – as ever, it’s going to be thrilling and fascinating. I’m not going to see any of it until I watch the highlights tomorrow, but’ll try and find a pub with a TV tonight. There are some fascinating little selectorial decisions to be made today by both teams.
Firstly Michael Vaughan. I question just how problematic it’d be for England if he were to miss the game. He’s carrying a groin injury at the moment, facing a late fitness test. And despite his 50 the other day, he continues to baffle the world at his inability to play ODI cricket. Immense class, but England need quick runs, not stodgy ones. It’s an almost identical situation to when Michael Atherton was in the side: he just wasn’t made for ODI cricket and, unless Vaughan starts scoring soon, Marcus Trescothick (or Andrew Flintoff?) might well take up the ODI captaincy.
Australia’s selection will be interesting too. Symonds – he of “off his rocker” fame – should return to provide them with much-needed rocket-fire in the middling overs, and his little dobblers. Big question though will be who Lee replaces, if anyone. He’s certainly said to have recovered from his shoulder injury – whether Australia will concede that Kasprowicz was poor in the last game by ousting him remains to be seen. Lee might be the quickest on either side, but he’s not the most economical – then again, nor was Kasper. I’d say he’ll play and bowl first change.
England’s bowling attack is starting to fire. Gough was rested for the Bangladesh game, and I think he’ll replace Jon Lewis, with Tremlett keeping his place. I hope so, anyway, especially after Tremlett’s bold statement yesterday.
Finally I really can’t decide what they’ll do at the toss. I don’t think either team, especially Australia at the moment, are that confident of defending a total. Personally, I want England to bowl first; with Pietersen in such good nick, and batting so deep, they can chase most totals. Problem is, will they want to be batting under lights – bearing in mind it’s up in Durham where, come 7/8 o’clock, it’ll cool down quite quickly and could swing around. The flip-side of that is the ball could get moisture on it, and become slippery for the fielders. See? The decisions a cricket captain has to make…no wonder we love this game so much.
Sticking my neck out: Australia will win if they bowl first.
Brett Lee better play, he’s a very good one day bowler. Although, i wasn’t and am not one of the Australians who want him in the test side. Obviously his biggest attribute is his speed. In a test match he can not bowl full bolt every bowl because he’d wear himself out in no time, and in my opinion a Brett Lee not bowling as fast as he can isnt a Brett Lee worth having (that is to say if you can replace him). In a one day match he can bowl with 100 % ferocity for a large percentage of his 10 overs.
I agree Harry. Harmison is similar, although can be a brilliant Test bowler too. He has the ability to be in the top-10 ODI rankings through sheer pace. If you watch him today, his average will be around 88mph and will send down 93mph exocets. Brett Lee’s average will probably be faster – he’s a good ODI bowler but I still worry about his consistency. If someone goes after him, he seems to over-compensate too much. And I’m sure Gillespie will bowl better, so long as he doesn’t bowl too full like last time!
Your comments on Vaughan reminded me of collective anguish in India over Dravid’s ODI record 3-4 years back. He was terrific in the Tests (like Vaughan) but couldn’t get the ball off the square. Dravid worked very hard on his ODI game, learnt to drop his wrists and rotate the strike, and is now one of the best finishers in that format. Of course, Vaughan has additional pressure of being captain, and therefore may not have as much time to work on this aspect of the game. However, he is as good as Dravid, and I think good, old fashioned hard work is all that is needed.
very good points. I really dislike Dravid although i know he is a good batsman. The thing is, although Dravid was bad at ODI cricket, he was still good enough to be in the side, the point is there are English cricketers that could do more of an efficient Job right now than Vaughan
Good comparison about Dravid. Harry’s right though – although I hate Solanki, he could probably do a far better job than Vaughan in the middling overs. And Trescothick has captained England before, successfully – but the time to “drop” Vaughan from the ODI side isn’t just yet. The Aussies would jump all over him come the Tests!
the footy show was a god one last night, live from london with warney, but he and the rest of the panel were strangley silent when it came to his recent news offerings
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