July Player of the Month

[Neil Pickup]

Okay guys, I'm in about eight different minds for this one, especially bearing in mind that Jayawardene won June's and a back-to-back job would be a bit dull (though had he made 27 more, then I might have had to...)

The Candidates (with CW Fantasy Cricket Points in brackets)
Mahela Jayawardene (125)
Steve Harmison (125)
Mohammad Yousuf (92)
Kumar Sangakkara (92)
Ian Bell (77)
Alastair Cook (72)
Paul Collingwood (71)
Monty Panesar (64)

 

[marc71178]

Give it to Liam Plunkett instead?

 

[Goughy]

Maybe best to wait until July is over. Murali or someone may take a 10fer tomorrow or someone like Gibbs might bat for 2 days.

There is only one Test on at the moment and it finishes on the last day of July, so why not wait until Monday night?

 

[Neil Pickup]

Maybe best to wait until July is over. Murali or someone may take a 10fer tomorrow or someone like Gibbs might bat for 2 days.

There is only one Test on at the moment and it finishes on the last day of July, so why not wait until Monday night?

I'll probably wait longer, as I'm a student and hence by nature exceptionally lazy. This was a rare attempt at proaction (proactivity? Sounds like Flora...)

 

[benchmark00]

Mahela.

 

[Craig]

Shane Warne.

 

[Sanz]

For me it is either Cook or Monty. Both of them are young and there is a lot pressure on them to perform and they have done exceptionally well. And If I had to pick one I would go for Cook.

 

[Jono]

374 runs is 374 runs, so I'd go for Mahela unless Murali unleashes in this test.

 

[GIMH]

Ian Bell, two lovely centuries, and the only time he got out was thanks to Strauss!!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Has to be Mahela Jayawardene. As stated above, 374 is an exceptional effort, even if it did only come against Ntini, Steyn, Nel, Boje and Hall...

 

[AussieDominance]

yes well that race is over now 374 cant deny that!

 

[no1_gangsta_786]

I would pick Mahela Jayawardene for his 374.

 

[Goughy]

Clearly Jayawardene if Sri Lanka win the Test match.

However, if SA save it, then Bell for averaging 234 in 2 games with 2 hundreds.

 

[AussieDominance]

nah still got to be jayawardene Bell does not have the huge score like that i would much rather 374 than two hundreds

 

[Goughy]

nah still got to be jayawardene Bell does not have the huge score like that i would much rather 374 than two hundreds

Hmm, Id much rather win the game. If SA hold out (I dont think they will but if they do) then the 375 is put in perspective as being played on a track that allowed the biggest ever partnership and a team to bat over 2 days to save the test.

2 hundreds gives you a chance of winning 2 games. If its a draw then it should not be Jayawardene

 

[Neil Pickup]

If it's a draw it definitely won't be Mahela. My problem with giving it to him anyway is that I've already done June's article commenting on the whole leading from the front, transforming the Lankans in England perspective. This will just be "he scored a lot", and it won't make for much of a read.

 

[marc71178]

nah still got to be jayawardene Bell does not have the huge score like that i would much rather 374 than two hundreds

He was on the verge of twin triple centuries but Strauss declared on him twice

 

[Hugh]

Off topic question: Would Mahela have declared earlier than he did if he was the one out on 287,and Sangakkara were the one carrying on ?

If no, then a possible drawing of this test should hardly be a factor in denying Mahela the award.
If yes, you'd need a pretty strong explanation of why you think he'd have declared earlier in that hypothetical situation than he actually ended up doing.

 

[GIMH]

He was on the verge of twin triple centuries but Strauss declared on him twice

Strauss declared on him twice and ran him out the other time. Bell is becoming Strauss's bunny

 

[honestbharani]

Jayawardene.... He has been "in the zone" since taking over the captaincy.