England Cricket 2015 - Windies, NZ and the Ashes

[Robbie Earle's Perm]

As the cricket world cup is now over I thought i'd start a new thread regarding England's three opponents for 2015 and news surrounding the team.

 

I see the overhaul has started today with the removal of Downton from his position, good riddance I say and here's to a few more to enable us to progress;

 

http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/harrison-announces-management-changes

[cheshirevaliant]

Sounds like the warm up is a bit of a mockery with England lending their reserve players to St Kitts to prevent them being dismissed too cheaply.

My team for the First Test (who I would pick, not who I think England will pick)

Cook

Lyth

Ballance

Bell

Root

Stokes

Bairstow

Rashid

Broad

Plunkett

Anderson

 

Who I think England will pick

Cook

Trott

Ballance

Bell

Root

Stokes

Buttler

Broad

Plunkett

Tredwell

Anderson

 

Flying out to Antigua on Saturday morning. Can't wait!

[Paul6754]

Went to Antigua (St Johns) in December last year, popped up to the museum to have a look at the statue of Viv Richards and the bat with which he scored the fastest 100 against England at St Johns in 1985/86 (56 balls faced), the Gray-Nicholls looks more like a sledgehammer than a cricket bat!!

[For Us All]

England 116-3 in their 2nd innings giving them a lead of 220 runs.

[valiant_593]

Going pretty well, top three have struggled, although root coming to the Crease has helped balance who was really struggling early on. Cook just looks a very very average batsman, consistently poking at wide balls, and trott got two excellent deliveries. Root the key man though. Should win this one, would like to see a couple of changes for the next match though.

[For Us All]

England on top and Anderson is level with Sir Ian Botham! A loose shot from Samuels (23) and Tredwell takes the catch at gully. 127-4.

[TheSage]

They certainly should give Rashid and Lyth opportunities before the summer.

Ali is joining the party so I expect he'll get in before either of them.

Trott, surely, is a number 3 or nothing.

 

The back up of Stokes and Jordan doesn't look to have much of a cutting edge, though both can field and bat a bit.

[valiant_593]

Stokes has been unlucky with his bowling this game though, wicket off a no ball and a few dropped catches. Stokes is a great 4th seamer IMO, Jordan for me probably isn't quite ready, although he's a fantastic fielder and can bat as well. Ali should come back in and trott 3 or nothing, with balance back in form it would be the latter. Cook needs runs ASAP.

[Paul6754]

Who is England's best ever bowler, link is an excellent read.

 

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/32105879

[Robbie Earle's Perm]

Who is England's best ever bowler, link is an excellent read.

 

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/32105879

 

Read that a few days ago and it is as you say a great read.

 

I was surprised at the outcome but Hoggard was supreme craftsman and the points scoring system is a very good way to measure equally across the generations.

 

Anderson is indeed exceptional however and to get the best batsman of all time more times than anyone else also backs up his excellent record.

[Shropshire_Valiant]

Thoughts on the Pietersen issue! I think this could rumble on especially if there are some **** ups against New Zealand!

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/874345.html

[cheshirevaliant]

Same as before, Rich. The ECB dropped the ball by intimating to him that he had a chance of playing when he clearly didn't. However, he isn't as good a bet in the middle order as Ballance, Bell or Root currently, and moving Trott to open proved that opening is a specialist position.

[Phil]

Good riddance to the arrogant git! Delighted he finished 2 runs short of the Surrey record. In my opinion he isn't English anyway and should never have played for England.

[valiant_593]

Good riddance to the arrogant git! Delighted he finished 2 runs short of the Surrey record. In my opinion he isn't English anyway and should never have played for England.

 

Oh dear.... He one of England's best ever cricketers... I guess you didn't want Strauss to play for us or Jordan, trott, Morgan, balance ect currently?

[Paul6754]

Thoughts on the Pietersen issue! I think this could rumble on especially if there are some **** ups against New Zealand!

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/874345.html

 

Sounds like too many behind the scenes/dressing room disruptions.