The Cricket Thread

[Saddlerrad]

Anyone dismissing the quality of KP's innings has a point, BUT - they are 520/9...the other 9 batsmen have only contributed 190 runs. 130 for the last wicket, and the bloke at the other end score less than 8 runs I think. Strauss doesn't strike me as the selfish type and his first move would be to wisely get the public onside ahead of a huge summer. A good crowd feeling and some form with the team go hand in hand.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see KP come into Trott's place in the squad, but not to open. I'd play Hales, really rate him hugely althought RB has worries about this technique to be resolute enough to open against class fast bowling and a moving ball. Don't be surprised to see KP come back and either Root or Bell open. Can live with Bell, but moving Root from his current position where he's creaming it round the park, would be a HUGE mistake. Leave the lad alone.

 

[hodge]

KP is 34, about to turn 35. You shouldn't bring anyone that age into the England fold regardless of who they are including the fact KP has played for England before. You talk about the good feeling and getting the public on his side, a lot of the public don't want KP back, and more than likely quite a few players won't want him back either. It's always been about him anyway and that's not best for England, we have more than capable players around and shouldn't go back but move forward, I'd rather see Hales or Taylor come into the squad.

1) Cook - rediscovering form
2) Lyth - deserves chance
3) Ballance - 3rd quickest England batsman to 1000 test runs, achieved during windies tour?
4) Bell - consistsnt experienced head
5) Root - obvious
6) Taylor
7) Buttler

As a matter of fact that top 5 shouldn't be touched (well Lyth in) and KP isn't a number 6 so you'd be catering to him to bring him in imo.

 

[hodge]

Also noted he was dropped 4 times before his double hundred, so not as if it were without chance.

 

[Aber gas]

Tbf it's not often you will see a chance less double let alone triple hundred. It's an amazing innings but I'm not sure it's enough for kp to walk back into the side . Keeps it up though and the New Zealand series goes badly the clamour for him will be irresistible. I'm not sure the age thing is relevant , plenty of players still doing the business in their mid thirties .

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Hales has been in superb form this season. Made 230+ in the opening week I believe

at number 3 i believe but everybody is ignoring that.

 

[Pyeman]

Meeting with Strauss tonight. Apparently the meeting was arranged prior to the massive score.

Hate to say it, but I can't help agree with Piers Morgan. Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Strauss was informing Pietersen personally of his intention to reaffirm that he won't be selected for England during tomorrow's press conference. On the one hand, it would seem incredibly fickle to backtrack on such a huge decision based on one innings. Then again, it's a bloody brave man who writes KP off the day after he has made over 300.

This is all based on the assumption that Strauss isn't going to recall him. They could have been meeting for a spot of tea and a friendly chat.

 

[hodge]

I know you don't really see them but the way everyone is talking about it you'd think it was, could so easily have been out for 70 or something. His other ton this season was against Oxford Uni, so 1 innings however big for me shouldn't see him come back.

 

[hodge]

at number 3 i believe but everybody is ignoring that.

Was number 3 and unfortunately Ballance is doing a good job at 3, unless they wanted to try Hales at the top, not as if he isn't used to it.

 

[Aber gas]

Was number 3 and unfortunately Ballance is doing a good job at 3, unless they wanted to try Hales at the top, not as if he isn't used to it.

I'm a massive hales fan . He was told he wasn't good enough for first class cricket so instead of taking the payday of the ipl he stayed with notts and worked on his game. Massive respect for that . The lad is so talented he can do anything he wants in the game so I have no problem with him opening up against New Zealand . Harsh on lyth but as you say there just isn't a vacancy at three .

 

[hodge]

Rumoured to be Strauss confirming to KP he won't be selected

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32699465

Confirmed as KP will never be selected for England again

 

[hodge]

good

 

[Pyeman]

Bet he wished he played in the IPL now.

 

[JJH]

To be expected really.

Was made even more unlikely with Strauss getting the job.

 

[hodge]

All over twitter people blaming Strauss for it, despite the fact KP probably wouldn't have gotten picked under the previous people anyway.

 

[Super_horns]

No surprise and I guess it sets the record straight quickly.

 

[Blitzballer]

Waiting for Piers Morgan to go ape shit on twitter

 

[hodge]

I dread to think, don't think 140 characters will be enough

 

[Saddlerrad]

Well actually, I thought that Strauss having a period of time away from the dressing room and hierachy itself and spending time in the com box being able to have an outsiders opinion would sway his thinking forward. After tonight, he can kiss my arse. JUST PICK YOUR BEST PLAYERS!!! He's basically just announced himself as another yes man that would talk the talk about stats, moving forward, youngsters and so on...you watch us put Bell to open in the tests vs NZ....that's how forward thinking this lot are! I mean, on one side of things, is it a sign of respect that he's putting KP out of his misery? Afterall if he doesn't get in after today or this new regime taking over now - he never will?

But then the fact it's been made public knowledge that there is a meeting before the night of selection and an interview with Strauss, just makes me think this is an ego rub and a two fingers up to KP to make his slaughtering public.

Load of shit. Not sure where we go from here.

 

[slaphead]

I could understand the clamour for a recall if he was consistently hitting decent scores, but he simply is not. Division Two attacks are mediocre at best, did anyone see the pies that Schrek was chucking? Dropped four times before 150, one a dolly it was hardly an innings of flowing chanceless quality. He won't get such friendly fare from the likes of Trent Boult et al.

England's top six picks itself, Hales is in better nick and Lyth deserves a go. Plus they are the future. KP is a busted flush, time for him to admit it.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Yeah but, the score cannot be questioned. How many top innings are ever without a chance? A few drops? Didn't Amla get dropped before making 300? I get the point, he's ageing and there are good young players. But with KP it's not so much his actual play, its the threat he offers to opposition mentally. Fields drop back, he commands an end, naturally the opposition go into defensive mode. I'd have Hales and Lyth in, keep Root and Ballance - pick one of Cook and Bell, keep Buttler as there is a world class keeper there, 100%.

 

[Aber gas]

I personally don't think we can afford to jettison a player with 8000 plus test runs at 47 . I suppose now at least the team can move on without everything being about whether kp is going to be in or out . I honestly hope this doesn't come back to bite england on the arse .

 

[Saddlerrad]

Controversial post of the day moment**

Spoiler

But is nobody read to fuck Stuart Broad off yet? Sure wickets. Sure great record. Inconsistent, arrogant, overally self confident to portray himself as this warrior like 'enforcer' - when he frequently bowls below 80mph and his batting is literally, an embarassment to back garden kids everywhere

 

[slaphead]

Controversial post of the day moment**

Spoiler

But is nobody read to fuck Stuart Broad off yet? Sure wickets. Sure great record. Inconsistent, arrogant, overally self confident to portray himself as this warrior like 'enforcer' - when he frequently bowls below 80mph and his batting is literally, an embarassment to back garden kids everywhere

Oh God yeah, his race is well and truly run. But you can bet your house on the fact that in English conditions with the ball swinging he will get decent returns and he will cement his place for the next two years. I would give Mark Wood his spot though and leave him in for the whole summer. Tall and skiddy and capable of 90mph, just what is needed against NZ especially.

 

[CFC2010]

I could understand the clamour for a recall if he was consistently hitting decent scores, but he simply is not. Division Two attacks are mediocre at best, did anyone see the pies that Schrek was chucking? Dropped four times before 150, one a dolly it was hardly an innings of flowing chanceless quality. He won't get such friendly fare from the likes of Trent Boult et al.

England's top six picks itself, Hales is in better nick and Lyth deserves a go. Plus they are the future. KP is a busted flush, time for him to admit it.

He was 2nd highest run scorer in the Big Bash, okay that's T20 but you could see he is still batting as well as he ever has. You'd be hard pushed to find an innings of 300+ that has been absolutely chance less, Chris Gayle was dropped a few times during his century the other day in the IPL.

Kumar Sangakarra described it as 'One of the best I have seen' and he must have seen a few.

 

[JonBCFC]

As Chris says, pick your best players. KP is one of them this should be in the team based on ability without a doubt. Every team gets there bad apples, David Warner is a prime example... And now he's their best batsman! They need to be managed, and our current management just can't be arsed and would rather him out the way.

And agree re broad, wouldn't give 2 fucks if he was dropped. He was useful before because he could bat. He can't even do that now

 

[CFC2010]

If they don't pick pietersen and the New Zealand series is a disaster the ecb are going to look even more incompetent than they already do . Strauss is not a man who likes to look stupid so I can see kp back in even though strauss and the rest of the world apart from piers Morgan think he's a c*** ( a talented one )

That just isn't true though is it? Pretty much everyone who has ever played with him says what a great guy he is, he's one of the most popular players in the sport. He even won the Aussie public over with his Big Bash commentary.

 

[Aber gas]

That just isn't true though is it? Pretty much everyone who has ever played with him says what a great guy he is, he's one of the most popular players in the sport. He even won the Aussie public over with his Big Bash commentary.

The dressing rooms of notts , Hampshire and england would disagree with you as well as the ecb and a number of coaches who have worked with him . Personally I'd want him back in the side . I couldn't care less if he rubs people up the wrong way , honestly not bothered about his personality as long as hes scoring runs .

 

[Aber gas]

That just isn't true though is it? Pretty much everyone who has ever played with him says what a great guy he is, he's one of the most popular players in the sport. He even won the Aussie public over with his Big Bash commentary.

The dressing rooms of notts , Hampshire and england would disagree with you as well as the ecb and a number of coaches who have worked with him . Personally I'd want him back in the side . I couldn't care less if he rubs people up the wrong way , honestly not bothered about his personality as long as hes scoring runs .

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Everybody just forgetting the book and the South Africa debacle then?