Told you so - England unchanged

England have named an unchanged 12-man squad for Thursday's second Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

Cricinfo - Collingwood posts a timely reminder

Paul collingwood yesterday crashed 181 not out yesterday in front of the Chairman of selectors for Durham. Five days ago he scored 190. Its Collingwood’s fourth century of the season.

Does this put him in contention for the next test?

Cricinfo - Collingwood posts a timely reminder

Having stewed on the result since Sunday here is my measured thoughts on the first test defeat.

I think the whole game changed on Friday when Damian Martyn took a stunning catch to dismiss Pietersen. Five more overs from KP could have pushed England closer to the Australian first innings total.

The second turning point was Pietersen’s hapless attempt off Michael Clarke before tea. This drop really cost us. This error was then compounded by England’s performance on Saturday morning when Geriant Jones shelled three catches. His keeping has now slipped back to the standards it was eighteen months ago and it looked like he was wearing saucepans not gauntlets.

We simply can’t drop as many catches as we did and expect to beat Australia.

Now that the first test is out of the way the hype will no doubt be replaced by mass hysteria in the media. There were some strong positives to come out of this game for England. Harmison, Flintoff and Jones look like a world class pace attack. Kevin Piertersen looks like he was born to play on the big stage. The way he went after McGrath and Warne showed at times they can be made to look human.

What have we learned about Australia? McGrath and Warne took 15 of the 20 wickets that fell. Should we be surprised by this? They’ve been doing this for the last decade against England.

What do we have to worry about?

The big concerns have to be the top order. Strauss looks like a shadow of the player who burst onto the international scene last summer. Vaughan looks like he has lost all his form completely. Ian Bell looked out of his depth. This is a tricky one. Discard Bell and shatter his confidence or persist with him and let the Australians shatter his confidence. Is Rob Key a better option? I’m not convinced. Until he sheds a stone and a half I can’t take him seriously as an England cricketer. If we did have to get rid of Bell I would bring in Collingwood. Not as classy a player as Pietersen but cut from the same mould when comes to attitude his presence and fielding could lift the team.

We’ll have to persist with Jones behind the stumps but another test like that and he’ll have to make way for Read.

Looking back to the first test in the 2002/2003, we were really on the receiving end then, this time it was closer:

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2002-03/ENG_IN_AUS/SCORECARDS/ENG_AUS_T1_07-11NOV2002.html

A round up of the papers:

http://content.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/214279.html

The View from Down Under

Courtesy of Stewart Robertson.

The Series
After day 1 I thought that this was 2 heavyweights standing toe to toe and
swinging haymakers at each other. I could see a series like Australia V
West Windies in 1995 (not many scores over 250 from either team, constant
attack from both sides for 4 tests). However, after my initial excitement
at the series finally starting gave way to series cricket watching, I have
slightly changes my mind.
I think both team have good bowling attacks (England has a good pace attack
now and a nicely balances set of bowlers) and it will come down to how the
batting handles them. England's top 6 (excluding Pieterson) need to do
better or we could have another easy Australian series win.

Pitch
Terrible. What were they thinking ?

Umpiring
Excellent, apart from a few very much out LBWs in England's second innings
(note how I can't remember Australia receiving a few let offs as well). Dar
has been tough on Warne and has not let himself be pushed around. Giving
Lee out in Australia's first innings was a stroke of umpiring genius and
all of the not outs due to small inside edges on LBW appeals have shown top
umpires operating well.

Australia

Hayden - still looks like he has no confidence. he played some terrible
shots in the 2nd innings with no feet movement at all. This has been going
on for 18 months now and I am starting to have real concerns that he could
be under pressure for his spot in the team by the end of the series. As a
result, I don't think we will get off to the starts we did in the last
series in Australia.
Langer - Has been taking some silly short singles and really shouldn't have
let the 2nd ball of the game hit him (I thought he had broken his arm
looking at the instant black egg that appeared). But looked good in both
innings and will score heavily this series. Had a great year last year and
will have another good one this year.
Ponting - Still falling over to the off side too much. Still playing loose
shots (e.g. the way he got out in the 2nd innings). But, unlike Hayden, he
looks to be about to break through into some good form. I think he has
struggled to captain the team and maintain his batting. I think he is good
enough to learn to do both. Thought his bowler rotation was good, still
looks a little like a mental patient some times.
Martyn - I have given up on him ever moving his feet. I thought the way he
got out in the first innings was terrible (a silly one day shot that didn't
need to be played). However, in the second innings I thought he showed that
he would again be a force in this Ashes series. A good level headed foil
for some of his more attacking colleagues.
Clarke - Was under quite a bit of pressure in the second innings. Has not
batted well in the past 7 or 8 tests. Played a good, controlled innings in
the 2 innings and showed he has a future at this level of the game. Has
never really faced a top class pace attack so if he does well in this
series, can really cement his spot for some time to come. Needs to pace his
innings a little better though. Once he got to 70 or so really started
playing a shot a ball and this cost him his century. We do need someone
under 35 in this team so I am sort of relying on him to come good !
Katich - I still think that anyone with this sort of technique should not
be allowed to play in the 2nd Park 11. However, was the only one of our
batsmen that seemed to understand that we were not batting on a first day
Adelaide pitch in the first innings. Batted sensibly in both innings and is
exactly what we will need in this series (as the other batsmen will no
doubt mainly try to blast the England attack apart and this won't always
work).
Gilchrist - Took attacking far too far in the first innings and, in the
second innings, showed where every bowler should bowl to him (bowl from the
right side of the stumps, angle in and you will often hit the top of his
off stump). Roebuck called him the 3rd best cricketer in history recently
and I agree with whatever Peter tells me so I have no doubt that he will
still be the danger man. His keeping has looked good (I don't often say
that !). it may well be because I am comparing him against the woeful
performance of Geraint Jones. However, he took a great catch off Flintoff
in the second innings, keep well to Warne and was fairly tidy to Lee, etc.
Lee - I am glad he is back in the team. There, I have said it. But, I am
sick of Botham, Lehman, Hussain, etc, etc telling me that they can't
believe he didn't play test cricket for 2 years. I can : He bowled terribly
and averaged about 45 per wicket in the 18 months or so leading up to his
dropping. Has dropped his pace a little, has much better control and is a
much more worrying bowler. Needs to make sure he doesn't over do the
bouncers but he is a good foil for our other 2 aging medium pacers
(Gillespie looks 43 at the moment). One last thing : Brett, I for one don't
believe that you don't bowl those beamers on purpose. It smacked slightly
of desperation doing it to Pieterson.
Warne - Is he being serious when he bats do you think ? He may as well take
strike 2 feet outside off stump. Never had much heart for anything quick
and seems to have gotten worse. Speaking of bad, I saw the worse
advertisement of all time with him and Gooch advertising Advanced Hair
yesterday. Oh, how far "Hollywood" Warne has fallen. However, bowling wise,
he is evergreen. Yes, he is not the same bowler of 93 - 95 or so. Yes, he
now really only has 2 balls : His leggie and that out of the hand thing
that he gave a funny name to; "Zooter" I think it was. His flipper is
glaringly absent and he hasn't bowled a wrongun for years. However, his
mind is still sharp and his control is still excellent. His setup of Bell
in the 2nd innings was classic Warne and no one really looked like they
could play him. Will again be a major factor in this series and probably
one of the main differences between the team. If he can keep his private
life from affecting his game or his will to play, he could still be a
factor the next time Australia is in England. Truly the best leg spinner of
all time (although that could be the cold medication taking)
Gillespie - A very strange start to the one day series for Gillespie. He
looked well below par and was hammered. Still does not look good but has
improved greatly since he was hit for 6 in the last over of the Bangladesh
game. Seems to occasionally get "Old Man Disease", a illness that makes him
perform like a 67 year old who has been forced to run around the local
neighbourhood all day. Has it quite badly at the moment but is on the
improve and I expect his to be at something near his top by the 3rd test.
McGrath - What can you say about this guy ? Almost never gets injured and
is showing no signs of being on the way out. Rose to the occasion like all
champions do in England's first innings. He just bowls the same ball every
ball all day. At 130km/h this would normally be a hindrance. The thing is,
this ball is a really good one. If we hadn't of had Lillee in the 70s and
80s, McGrath would be our greatest ever quick. Oh, now that he has his
signature "61" bat, seems to have improved his batting as well. A great
little 20 in our second innings. Toughs out the short pitched bowling when
batting (Mr Warne could learn a thing or two from him in this regard).

England

Trescothick - No one with foot movement like this will consistently get
runs against the current Australian team. Like Katich, I think people with
techniques like his should be banned from the game. Never in the hunt in
the first innings. Looked better in the second but, like many of his team
mates, looked all at sea against Warne. Will have a score or 2 this series
but will usually go early, usually a victim of McGrath.
Strauss - Sorry, I am just not convinced about Strauss. I can't put my
finger on it but I just don't feel like his will do well in this series.
Sure, it could be because he is a "Smirker" as my wife calls him. However,
more likely to be that he seems to wait for short balls and not know how to
score when they are not there. Like Trescothick, looked like he will have
problems against Warne this series.
Vaughan - This is a real worry for England. I really rated Vaughan after
his tour to Australia. We just could not get the guy out ! I expected him
to again score heavily but seems to have totally and utterly lost it. Is
the captaincy proving too much ? It often happens (see Ponting as a
example, back it up with Botham). England need to make a decision. Can he
captain the team well and bat well ? If the answer is no, get Trescothick
to captain (he won't be making many runs anyway) and let Vaughan
concentrate on batting. He is all class when batting well. It was so sad to
see him looking at the pitch and shaking his head harder than Gatt the pie
man after Warne's first ball in 1993. Michael, you played all around an
absolutely straight one, let's not pretend it did anything. I am also going
to be a little tough on his captaincy. His bowling of Giles after lunch (or
was it tea, I was ill remember) to Clarke cost England the game. Clarke was
out of sorts and under pressure but plays spin excellently. Giles didn't
turn anything and Martyn and Clarke played him easily and had an end of no
pressure for quite a few overs. Clarke will want to shake Vaughan's hand
for playing him into form.
Bell - I had never seen Bell and I unfortunately took an instant dislike to
him as soon as I laid eyes on him. I am sorry, but I am going to extend my
criteria for banning people from playing test cricket to also include
anyone who looks a little a Rat. Under this tough new set of rules, Ratty
Bell would have to leave the team. We have an appearance to keep up you
know. Oh, his batting you ask. Looked lost in the first innings and soon
was. Someone had told him to use his feet against Warne in the second
innings. He tried and he looked like me coming down the track to Dave when
my left shoulder still wasn't working. Has to pick the ball to come down
and do something when he gets there; dancing down the track to push at a
ball that you have let bounce and is a foot further to off than you though
it would be is just a sure fire way to look silly against Warne. However,
was the patsy in one of the best new entries in Warne's soon to be released
"How to set up batsmen bowling leg spin". The 5 balls that Warne bowled to
him and set him up for the worst shot played in this game off the 6th (lbw,
not playing a shot to Warne's zootery thing) were a good as anything Warne
has ever done, even in his prime.
Pieterson - I think Kevin is a total boof head (he is mates with Warne,
what else can I say). I also think his technique is awful and will cost him
dearly in test cricket. I now also think he is a superstar. He just has
something that no one else in the game has. I think it is star quality. He
just seems like he is in a movie where he is the hero. Played a very level
headed innings in the 1st innings and again looked good in the 2nd. Even
played some off drives. His 6 off Lee in the second innings was something
that our children and grandchildren will be reading about in cricket
history books like we do about Viv Richards getting 291, etc. Will get out
cheaply a few times in this series but, worryingly, we didn't seem to know
how to bowl to him. Even looked like he was not overawed by Warne. He is by
far the mentally toughest of the English cricket team and so will be a good
guy to have in the dressing room. This could be the start of the real next
Superstar of English cricket. N.B.1. He was out to Lee's full toss though,
perhaps that is how we should bowl to him. N.B.2. really needs to work on
his catching
Flintoff - Looked great with the ball in Australia's first innings and
still looked pretty good in their second. Will take quite a few wickets
this series. Could Gilchrist be his bunny ? However, I do not think he is a
test number 6 with the bat. I am sure he could monster some average attacks
and score some runs but I think he will struggle batting wise this time.
Should obviously be in the team on his bowling alone though, his batting is
just a bonus.
G Jones - I could write paragraphs about Geraint. Let me be brief : He is
simply not a test keeper and is bringing the entire art form down. When you
make Gilchrist look like a class stumper, the writing is on the wall. He
one handed drop (McGrath I think) was woeful; no feet movement, went one
handed when he could have used 2. His drop off the looping glove from
McGrath was, I hope, the final nail in his coffin. most 10 year olds would
have caught that. Add to this his extreme general messiness and multiple,
multiple fumbles from balls that were left or throws from the boundary and
I almost had to look away. Remember, the keeper sets the tone for the
fielding. I think it is no coincidence that England were very bad in the
field in our second innings when Geraint was at his worst. His batting is
not good enough for England to suffer the consequences of his keeping.
Giles - Like Hoggard, the balance of the team looks good with Giles in it.
However, is no Phil Tuffnell and Australia are notoriously severe on finger
spinners. Will struggle unless he starts spinning it.
S Jones - I liked what I saw. Again, provides balance to the English attack
but being a little different again (quick and skiddish). Kept trying hard
in Australian's second innings even when his team kept letting him down
with their catching. Will take wickets this series.
Hoggard - The only English seamer who I don't think has looked good. I
think Hoggard will have tough time this series as he swings from the hand,
is medium pace and doesn't always swing it. However, he provides good
balance to this good bowling attack if he can keep up the swing.
Harmison - Looks a class bowler now and none of the Australian's played him
well. If can he keep this up for the entire series will be a constant
handful with his pace and bounce. I thought he could have stopped hitting
us after making poor little Ricky bleed though. His bowling in Australia's
first innings was top class. Like McGrath, he rose when his team needed him
to and that says a great deal about his new found mental toughness.

Elation, Despair, Depression, deep depression and ranting

What can you say about today then?

I despaired when I heard that Australia had won the toss.  It was vital that we won it.

I was elated with the performance of the England pace attack.  It really reminded me of the great West Indian team of 1984.  The aggression, the pace, and the hostility.

Little did I know what was to follow.

Having sneaked out of work to go to the pub at lunchtime we returned to the office grinning like Chesire Cats.  We disturbed the old birds having their lunches by jumping up and yelling when Gilchrist went.

The Landlady popped her hear round to see what was going on, saying:

‘…eh? Oh, I thought it were a fight like.’

Colin Farris who I work is not one to get carried away and rather annoyingly kept saying ‘Australia have to bowl on this as well.’ I don’t like my moments of euphoria being interrupted by cold clinical analysis.  The reason being, is that Colin is always right.  This is down to his large brain that constantly bamboozles everyone at work.  Even now as he reads this he will be correcting my spelling and grammar.

As McGrath tucked into our top order, Colin kept reminding me that this would happen.

Our top three it has to be said look pretty flimsy.  We all wondered what would happen when Pietersen came in at something like 60–4.  We never expected 20–4!

Lets take some positives out of this though.  We did bowl really well.  The Aussies were rattled.

We’re only 98 behind.

I don’t have a ticket for Sunday.

Colin is not in the office tomorrow.

Nail Your Colours to the Mast

It’s the eve of the Ashes and all the talking is nearly done.

So here goes with my predictions:

Australia to retain the Ashes having held England 2–2.

England’s Top Batsman to be Strauss.

England’s Top bowler to be Jones.

Come on then lads, lets have your predicitons…………..

Just to whet your appetite some more:

Cricinfo - And so it begins

The most interminable build-up to the biggest series of modern times is behind us, and tomorrow, at 10.30am BST, England and Australia will get on with the main event of the summer.

BBC SPORT | Cricket | Ashes 2005 | Ponting laughs off 'old men' slur

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has shrugged off claims that his bowling attack is too old to win the Ashes.

The Ashes need a spark and some fire

In the next few weeks, it’s the turn of The Ashes to produce a spectacle worthy of cricket’s oldest international contest.

The Advertiser: The fast bowlers ready to rock the Ashes [21jul05]

IN 1964 the Beatles conquered Australia. Yesterday another Fab Four prepared to repay the favour in London.

Australian fast bowlers Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz found time amid their hectic build up to today's first Ashes Test at Lord's to visit Abbey Road.

FOX SPORTS | Breaking News | Thorpe hammers Ashes hint (July 21, 2005)

ENGLAND discard Graham Thorpe has handed the selectors a timely reminder of his Ashes credentials.

Get behind the boys!

Guardian Unlimited Sport | Special reports | Pietersen's rallying call to fans

Pietersen's rallying call to fans

'The boys would really appreciate it, it would really pick them up'

Hoggard Bites Back

No doubt sick to death of seeing Glen McGrath smarmy face all over the media, Matthew Hoggard has had a dig at the ‘Dad’s Army’ bowling attack that is Warne and Mcgrath.

FOX SPORTS | Ashes Tour 2005 | Hoggard sets Ashes bait (July 20, 2005)

ENGLAND paceman Matthew Hoggard has claimed Australia's ageing bowlers may not have the ability to bowl England out twice in an Ashes Test.

CricInfo Analysis

Cricinfo has done a great analysis of the main players in the upcoming series.

Trescothick's nemesis, and how to dismiss Vaughan

Media Roundup

Here is a round up of today's papers and selected websites. I've given up on doing the Glen McGrath interview, couldn't be bothered.

From Todays Telegraph:

Determined not to be beaten for pace in Thursday's first Test, the Australians will this week unveil a new look to their seam attack.

Derek Pringle looks at the dynasty left by Allan Border, the last Australian captain to lose the Ashes:

'...greatness has been hard won and can be traced directly to Allan Border, the 'Captain Grumpy' who created a dynasty when he replaced mid-80s mediocrity with fight and passion.'

On BBC Sport John Embury comments that '...this is the best England side for 25 years'.

The Independent is reporting that 'Australia fear Flintoff'

Adam Gilchrist is insisting that he will carry on his personal crusade in the Ashes and will walk if he is out.

The Canberra Times ignores the hype and poses some flaws in the Australian game.

The Australian Advertiser highlights concerns with the form of Michael Clarke:

'AUSTRALIAN batsman Michael Clarke has been taken aside for a private pep talk in a bid to boost his confidence for the Ashes series.'

That's all for now, happy reading.

Guardian Unlimited Sport | Special reports | The Ashes: Spin Doctor

Bloody Glen McGrath

Number one Aussie git Glen Mcgrath gets his teeth into England.

Expect a full re-buttal from me when I get the chance.

"Typically," Glenn McGrath says, without even attempting to disguise the mischievous relish in his voice, "England have talked themselves up before a ball has even been bowled in this series. That's fine. As Australians we regard the Ashes, especially during a tour of England, as the ultimate in cricket. But we find it both amusing and amazing how they always talk it up with about 12 months to go, telling everyone that they've finally got the team to beat us."

Guardian Unlimited Sport | Special reports | The Ashes: Spin Doctor

Ashes Frenzy – Who’s saying what in the Sunday Papers

Well, its the final Sunday before the first Ashes test and the English broad sheets have gone into over drive. 

A number of ex-players and coaches have chipped in.  Here is the best I could find:

The Daily Telegraph

Telegraph | Sport | Australia hold batting aces

Australia's batting is as near to being a certainty as anything in cricket can be. Their Test averages are not mere statistics so much as indices of their worth. Their top seven, down to (or up to) Adam Gilchrist, average 349 between them. Throw in Warne, who has made two hundreds for Hampshire this season, along with extras and their three pace bowlers, and their average total will exceed 400.

Former South African coach Bob Woolmer see’s it differently.  For him the key is Adam Gilchrist:

Telegraph | Sport | Woolmer: Gilchrist is the key

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach and former England batsman, believes England can win the Ashes if they restrain Australia's explosive No 7, Adam Gilchrist, and unsettle him with prolonged and well-directed hostile bowling rather than submit to his savagery.

Vic Marks is upbeat about England’s chances in the forthcoming series:

Guardian Unlimited Sport | Special reports | Aggressive England set their sights on the Ashes

Yet this is the best and most settled England side to take on Australia for almost two decades.

Geoff Lawson discusses how Ricky Ponting battled with his personal demons in the earlier stages of his career:

Guardian Unlimited Sport | Special reports | Profile: Ricky Ponting

After the Kings Cross incident, during which a rather large Polynesian gentleman used his nose as a glove puppet, the easy-going Tasmanian admitted he had a drink problem.

The Gaffer Alex Stewart is interviewed in the Guardian and starts with a positive sentiment:

Guardian Unlimited Sport | Special reports | Ashes interview: Alec Stewart

'I played seven Ashes series against Australia and lost all seven,' Stewart says

Shane Warne writing in the times has provided a compact analysis of the England team:

Cricket news, comment and results from The Times and The Sunday Times -- Times Online Sport

Pietersen in the line of fire
By Shane Warne

 

Steve Waugh talks up England Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh today talked up the current England side. Thankfully for England fans Waugh is only talking these days having retired from Cricket. Media hawks have questioned the toughness of the current team under Ponting and they seem to lack the steel that Waugh instilled into them. "England have a resilience and edge to sustain the team in testing times and a flamboyant and skill level to excite in the dominant moments," said Waugh.

"Without doubt, England are using the same blueprint as we used in 1995 to dethrone the mighty West Indies," said Waugh, who played in 168 Tests and made nearly 11,000 runs.

"It was based around aggression on the field, including targeting their bowlers when they came out to bat with a barrage of short stuff and positive, up-beat body language."

As a side note, Waugh produced the best test innings I've ever seen at Sydney in 2003 against England. Fighting to save his career as a test batsman under enormous pressure Waugh carved his way to an incredibly dramatic ton. His hundred coming off the last ball of the day. Stewart Robertson my mate from Sydney was uncontrollable at this point jumping up and down screaming 'Yes, yes, yes'. It was a magic moment. I'm for one, glad that Waugh won't be walking out to bat against us this summer.

Trouser Blow for Warne

Shane Warne's life outside of Cricket lurched into another disaster today as Australian clothing giant Tarocash have decided to shelve Warne from its September and March catalogues. Tarocash's managing director, Stephen Leibowitz, said:

"There were customers who took exception to us using Shane in promotions. We got a letter from a customer saying we are associated with drunkards and adulterers, and that the customer would be shopping elsewhere," Mr Liebowitz said. The letter was signed by a Mr S MacGill.

Its also rumoured Warne will also lose his exclusive right to free Chino's.

How Warne bounces back from this remains to be seen. Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has some long hours ahead trying to pick Warnie up after this one.

It can only act in England's favour.

15 July 19:14

Marsh backs Pietersen

Former England Academey supremo Rod Marsh has today publically backed the selection of Kevin Pietersen for the coming test match.

Marsh was impressed with how Pietersen handled the sub continent when he toured with England A.

"I think Australia would rather have Thorpe in the side than Pietersen, that's for sure."

Typically former England selector Mike Gatting rues the decision and instead states that Thorpe should be in. Good job Gatt no longer picks the team then. Of course, he was once famoulsly quoted saying in a selection meeting:

'What exactly does Thorpe bring to the party?'

To which Nasser Hussain replied:

'Runs.'

Stick to pies Gatt.


Gatt gets the 'Ball from Hell'

Not so desparate?

Two years ago England tried despartely to get Darren Gough fit for the Ashes down under. This was something that was not lost on Steve Waugh. After the 4-1 series win Waugh had this to say about England selections:

"There is no doubt England were hit by injuries, most notably the loss of its main strike bowler and gee-up man Darren Gough, although I was surprised to see him picked to start with. To me, that sent out negative vibes - it was an act of desperation."

This time round England have all their key players fit and surely the state of their mental health has to be in better shape.




Thorpe Bounces Back

Graham Thorpe bounced back from the disspointment of missing out on the test team by hitting 60 off 53 balls against Hampshire today. Surrey scored 358 off their 50 overs only to see Hampshire chase them down on what must have been a total shirt fronter.

Warne, a fading star?

There have been rumours all this season about Warne's performances for Hampshire. Tales of tail enders feasting on Warne coupled with his domination by Ed Joyce has got the broadsheets chattering. The bowling arm is reported to be coming over lower and the flipper is less in evidence these days thanks to the old shoulder injury.

So just how good is Warnie now?

Can he shrug off his much publicised off the field problems and again haunt England this summer?


The latest high profile ex-cricketer to come out and voice an opinion is our ex-skipper Nasser Hussain.

Hussain told Wisden:

'I reckon Warne was at his best about ten years ago. Now his bowling doesn't have the same fizz, and he hasn't got the flipper after his shoulder operations.'





Pieterson replaces Thorpe for England

England today announced their team to face Australia a week today and the big surprise was the omission of Graham Thorpe. In his place comes to Kevin Pieterson the brash 'South African' who has excelled in the one day arena.



No doubt, the English media will be getting the knives out regarding his perceived weakness outside of off stump, but he has talent. He has a healthy first class average and was mentored by Clive Rice, a man who suffers no fools.

Its a bold decision by the Selectors and one that should make the Australians sit up a bit. In the past it was a banker that England would have picked Thorpe. The Mr Reliable of the middle order who since his return to test cricket averages over fifty.

Against Thorpe were concerns about his creaking back and his ability to see out a five day match. Personally I think Pieterson has shaded it on the attitude he will bring to the England dressing room. He's in your face, arrogant and is not afraid of the Aussies.

The battled scarred veterans like Butcher and Thorpe always seemed easier fodder for the Aussies, not so Pieterson. Its this attitude the Selectors are hoping will rub off on his team mates.