***Official*** 1st Test at The Gabba

[howardj]

Fletcher's Thoughts

[Salamuddin]

I still maintain that Stuart Clark is overrated as a bowler.....Johnson has so much more potential and is a much better long term prospect.

I don't think Clark will be all that effective unless he gets helpful conditions like he did in RSA.

[craigschwartz]

After hearing the latest from Fletcher it appears 9 of the 11 places are nailed on with the two decisions left to be made are colly/bell and anderson/panesar.

Tresco
Strauss
Cook
Kp
Colly/Bell
Fred
Jones
Giles
Hoggy
Harmy
Anderson/Monty

What do people think about read being dropped? personally i was a huge fan of read but his recent batting has not been up to scratch and even a couple of mistakes behind the stumps have crept in.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Originally Posted by craigschwartz

After hearing the latest from Fletcher it appears 9 of the 11 places are nailed on with the two decisions left to be made are colly/bell and anderson/panesar.

Bell and Panesar will surely trump Collingwood and Anderson.

[craigschwartz]

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

Bell and Panesar will surely trump Collingwood and Anderson.

99% of england fans would want panesar and bell in the team but it appears fletcher and or flintoff don't. it shouldn't even be an issue if they select one spinner, panesar wins matches, giles doesn't.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Originally Posted by craigschwartz

99% of england fans would want panesar and bell in the team but it appears fletcher and or flintoff don't. it shouldn't even be an issue if they select one spinner, panesar wins matches, giles doesn't.

Fletcher's recent comments suggest that he wants to play 2 spinners actually.

[craigschwartz]

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

Fletcher's recent comments suggest that he wants to play 2 spinners actually.

I know,and i hope they do because it's the only way Monty will play, my point was giles is first choice spinner again now, which is a nonsense.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by craigschwartz

What do people think about read being dropped?

Scandal IMO.

[TT Boy]

Originally Posted by marc71178

Scandal IMO.

Rather OTT Marc, Read has had a raw deal in regard to the time he has had as WK but if he scored runs in India and looked anything like comfortable against pace bowling, Fletcher would have no 'reason' to drop him. Though I'm sure Duncan would manufacture one.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Originally Posted by TT Boy

Though I'm sure Duncan would manufacture one.

In which case it would have been a scandal.

[howardj]

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

Fletcher's recent comments suggest that he wants to play 2 spinners actually.

He hasn't said that in relation to the 'Gabba though.

I wouldn't oversimplify by saying Bell v Collingwood and Anderson v Panesar.

I think both Collingwood and Bell should play (like at the Oval in 2005).

That way, you don't have to worry about strengthening the batting with second class tweakers like Giles.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Originally Posted by howardj

He hasn't said that in relation to the 'Gabba though.

I wouldn't oversimplify by saying Bell v Collingwood and Anderson v Panesar.

I think Collingwood and Bell should play (like at the Oval in 2005).

That way, you don't have to worry about strengthening the batting with second class tweakers like Giles.

"It's going to be a difficult decision and we are looking at playing two spinners in most of the Tests," Fletcher said.

"We have to give those two individuals as much bowling as possible, especially Ashley who hasn't bowled for a year."

Considering that the comments have been made before the first Test, it's a logical assumption that he's considering the two-spin option for this Test.

[tooextracool]

Originally Posted by TT Boy

Rather OTT Marc, Read has had a raw deal in regard to the time he has had as WK but if he scored runs in India and looked anything like comfortable against pace bowling, Fletcher would have no 'reason' to drop him. Though I'm sure Duncan would manufacture one.

I think the question here isnt whether Read deserves to be dropped. Its whether Jones deserves to be picked?

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Originally Posted by tooextracool

I think the question here isnt whether Read deserves to be dropped. Its whether Jones deserves to be picked?

And the answer is that there are only 2 wicketkeepers in the squad, and Read was dropped, whether he deserved it or not. As such, it doesn't really matter whether Jones merits selection. He has to be selected.

[tooextracool]

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

And the answer is that there are only 2 wicketkeepers in the squad, and Read was dropped, whether he deserved it or not. As such, it doesn't really matter whether Jones merits selection. He has to be selected.

no thats not the point at all. You only drop someone when there is a better candidate available. You dont drop someone because you dont like them, and then pick someone whos equally useless, it defeats the purpose of it.
In anycase its pretty obvious in my book that Read has done more in 2 tests than Jones has done in about a year.