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Loading ...Thank heavens for that. I was getting worried they’d pick him. This means they’ll probably just pick him for the third test with even less County Cricket under his belt though..
Flintoff out of first two Tests
By Will 2 months ago Leave a comment on this post
Well, so much for England’s selectorial headache. It’s been resolved for them, partially, with Andrew Flintoff picking up a side strain which rules him out of the first two Tests against New Zealand. Who to pick? Ravi Bopara? Luke Wright? And how long before Michael Vaughan’s knee collapses?
It’s all jolly exciting, so have your say below.
Tags: andrew-flintoff, new zealand in england, side strain |
8 Responses to “Flintoff out of first two Tests”
May 10th, 2008 at 1.09 pm
May 10th, 2008 at 3.13 pm
I’ve changed my mind - it’s been so long since Fred’s had anything positive at international level going for him. Maybe we should forget about him, like Harmison, and head to the future with a new breed of bowlers. I think I might go for Sidebottom, Broad, Hoggard, Jimmy Anderson and the Montster (who hasn’t been performing quite well either). I’d have Strauss and maybe Vaughan opening, with Cook, Bell, KP and Tim Ambrose. Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright haven’t quite proven themselves at the Test level yet, and are still pretty young anyway.
May 10th, 2008 at 9.44 pm
I’d still drop Strauss, I don’t think he’ll do well in the more important series against SA. I’d have Carberry and Cook opening with Hoggard taking the remaining bowling spot.
I think England really need to reward more good county performances and remove players in bad form from Test cricket. I think that that is the only way to drive standards higher.
May 10th, 2008 at 10.10 pm
Ambrose & Collingwood still aren’t 100% either I’ve heard. I’d stick with Strauss & Cook at the top, Vaughan, Bell, KP then whoever the heck they want.
Bowling wise I think Sidebottom, Hoggard (good in England) and Anderson + Monty should be the four man attack, with an all-rounder (Colly or Ravi) being the fifth bowler.
Strauss is a quality player, he deserves the chance to try to regain form against the Kiwis - if he doesn’t show any improvement, then by all means chop him.
May 11th, 2008 at 8.53 am
May 11th, 2008 at 11.11 am
So Flintoff is injured and England are not playing at their best… so what’s the obvious thing to do?
May 12th, 2008 at 8.35 am
When are England going to start picking on form instead of quirky trends, winks and past glories? If you want a batsmen - pick the bloke with the most runs in domestic cricket. If you want a bowler, pick the bloke with the best figures. Easy as falling off a log! If that means Ramps gets a crack at however old he is - great! Ever heard of a certain M Hussey? or perhaps D Leahman? You’ll always be rewarded by picking the best bloke going.
As for beating Australia - yup, swing is definitely the key and it definitely swings a lot over here. Question though, who is harder to face with a swinging new ball: B Lee and S Tait (assuming he’s fit again) or Hoggard & Broad/Sidebottom? I suspect the answer to that may well decide the serries.
May 13th, 2008 at 7.08 am
And Simon Jones gets a five-fer….. be still, my beating heart.
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