Is Strauss & Tresco opening the right way to go?

[aussie]

What's even better about this is you've still missed the point. Almost as good as Jaso trying to email my imaginary email address, but not quite.

i missed the point yea, life goes on....

[Alysum]

they are doing very well together so leave them...

Re the middle order, Cook should stick at #3 and when Freddie come back they should put Bell in for Collingwood at #4 and Pietersen at #5 so he can slog everything with freddie at #6

[GIMH]

The whole purpose off Colly at 5 was to separate Fred and KP. Though I personally thought it worked quite well last summer.

[steds]

The whole purpose off Colly at 5 was to separate Fred and KP. Though I personally thought it worked quite well last summer.

Except Colly only played 1 Test last summer, and he batted at 7?

[BoyBrumby]

Except Colly only played 1 Test last summer, and he batted at 7?

I think he meant KP @ 5 & Fred @ 6 worked well, TBF.

[steds]

Oh. Right.

[GIMH]

I think he meant KP @ 5 & Fred @ 6 worked well, TBF.

I did indeed. Poor ambiguous wording on my part. I would apologise, but it was only steds who misunderstood, and he's a woolyback anyway.

[Steulen]

For the record, keep Mr. Concretefootick and Strauss as opening pair. They're doing well, even if Trescothick went through a lean patch last series.

Monty shouldn't open, it'd compromise his slip fielding too much.

[PhoenixFire]

Personally, my top 7 would be like this.

1)Trescothick
2)Bell
3)Strauss
4)Collingwood
5)Pietersen
6)Flintoff
7)Read

I choose this because I think that although Cook has made a good showing with the bat in his early career, he hasn't got enough guts to cope with it when the chips are down. For example, he looked completely clueless, when (in my opinion) a very average Leg Spinner Kaneria, was giving it some rip. I bet Shane Warne was really licking his lips at the chance of bowling to a rookie Leftie, bowling it into the rough.

[Barney Rubble]

Personally, my top 7 would be like this.

1)Trescothick
2)Bell
3)Strauss
4)Collingwood
5)Pietersen
6)Flintoff
7)Read

I choose this because I think that although Cook has made a good showing with the bat in his early career, he hasn't got enough guts to cope with it when the chips are down. For example, he looked completely clueless, when (in my opinion) a very average Leg Spinner Kaneria, was giving it some rip. I bet Shane Warne was really licking his lips at the chance of bowling to a rookie Leftie, bowling it into the rough.

It's not like Bell's an experienced opener, though. I can sort-of understand the logic in dropping Cook (although it's a big call, and a very theoretical one) but the logic in playing Strauss at three and Bell as an opener is baffling.

Personally I've no problem with Tres & Strauss - if it ain't broke....

[PhoenixFire]

I know it might not be the best proof, but whenever bell has opened in ODI's he has always seemed, to do well, and ever since the ashes '05 he has looked good against the swinging and seaming ball, he also looks to have a better defensive technique to Cook too.

[Barney Rubble]

I know it might not be the best proof, but whenever bell has opened in ODI's he has always seemed, to do well, and ever since the ashes '05 he has looked good against the swinging and seaming ball, he also looks to have a better defensive technique to Cook too.

Fairly sound logic in principle, but I'm not sure it would work in practice.

[Steulen]

If Trescothick is indeed suffering from depressive arthritis, the selectors' hand may be forced. I'm guessing Cook will then replace Tresco at the top of the order.

[steds]

it was only steds who misunderstood, and he's a woolyback anyway.

I am

[wpdavid]

Tresco isn't nearly as good against spin as some people try to make out. He can be effective on occasion, but that should be seen in the context of him rarely getting to face them under pressure and before he has played himself in with a useful score on the board.

Absolutely right. Even last summer there were plenty of occasions when Warne quickly removed him after he had made a good start, so I really don't fancy Tres having to start against SW. If he plays, he should open. It's not as if he's ever played in the middle order, IIRC.

As for Cook, we'll see. We know he's not incapable of playing legspin after he made that huge hundred against McGill last summer and his debut test ton against Kumble. Obviously Warne is another matter, but I don't see it as a certanty that he'll fail horribly. Not that he'll be starting very often against Warne anyway.