*Official* England v Zimbabwe

[Eclipse]

Horrible way to get out.

I never realised Butcher is still only 30 - he's probably got 4 or 5 years in him in theory.

I am not much of a fan of Butcher really I think England have soom good young players who will take his place soon.

One of the real things that annoyes me about McGrath's selection is that England actualy have some good young players after crying out for them for 10 years. Now they have them they wont select them.

 

[Rik]

One of the real things that annoyes me about McGrath's selection is that England actualy have some good young players after crying out for them for 10 years. Now they have them they wont select them.

I'll give you that...

but...

I am not much of a fan of Butcher really I think England have soom good young players who will take his place soon.

So far he's got 25 and is doing nothing wrong. Also have you forgotten that 183*? Since that innings he's been scoring very consistantly as well. There is no reason to drop him, he's an asset to the side.

 

[Rik]

Blignaut came back into cricket not long ago after quitting to become a model. The thing is that he's looking totally bored, runs in as if he's just going through the motions and then when he gets Tresco out he doesn't even celebrate. Is he usually this laconic?

 

[PY]

I am not much of a fan of Butcher really I think England have soom good young players who will take his place soon.

His average of 44-ish from 2001-2003 means that he is a selection certainty for me. Always quite liked his style of batting as well.

 

[Langeveldt]

Is he usually this laconic?

Yes, but he seems to wake up when he is batting!

 

[Eclipse]

His average of 44-ish from 2001-2003 means that he is a selection certainty for me. Always quite liked his style of batting as well.

Yeah he has been pritty good I suppose I have no real grounds or good reason for not rating him.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Butcher looking for a hundred at Lord's.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

And he's got it too.

 

[luckyeddie]

Sparkling ton, too.

The guy's like a clone of Barrington

<quack> let's not go down that road, LE

 

[marc71178]

Interesting comparison LE, do elaborate (ignore that bloody feathered freak)

 

[luckyeddie]

Surname starts with the same letter, marc.

That's how cloning starts - just one small part.

He'll be down as 'Batcher' next game.

At the end of the summer, he'll be known as 'Barring'.

The hundred he just scored is the finishing touch - 'Barring' + 100 = 'Barrington'.

 

[marc71178]

What a super catch - don't think we'll see a better one all summer?

 

[marc71178]

From the bits I've seen in between "Corporate and Business Law" and "Business Taxation FA 2002" Price looks to be a decent bowler, and Ebrahim a very good fielder.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Ebrahim a very good fielder.

Sadly, he's practically a specialist.

 

[Bazza]

Well Chris wanted to drop Butcher (yeah I agree, 137 isn't enough in this day and age). I am part of the group who whilst not calling for his head, am always double checking he's pulling his wait, waiting to get on top of him. Every time they show his record over the last 2 years it looks more impressive!

McGrath is playing well too. I've been impressed. I've also been very (pleasantly) surprised, given the number of mediocre performances I've seen from him at county level. I hope he can keep it up though - one innings isn't enough of course.

 

[V Reddy]

But don't forget that Butcher was lucky too. A dropped catch and an LBW not given and both early in his innings. But he made most of the opputunities he got and is a very stylish player. Ervine picks up two wickets . Also Price really troubled Tendulkar when he was in India. He is a pretty good bowler.

 

[Rik]

Ervine looks very average...
Price looks quite useful although he's not going to rip through a batting lineup
Blignaut is a mixed bag, useful but sometimes just nothing
Hondo good action though no penetration
Streak tried his best, really needs someone else to apply some pressure at the other end so the batsmen will get frustrated and take a chance against him. Very fine bowler, his figures don't do him justice. His career record would be better if he didn't have to bowl so many overs as both strike and stock bowler.

 

[marc71178]

Well batted Ashley Giles - he's been showing this kind of form at Test level for the est part of a year now, and a deserved half century.

 

[Langeveldt]

Sadly, he's practically a specialist.

Batted quite well, 40 not out at the moment, Anderson looks every bit as good as he did in SA

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Didn't see the cricket, but Rik said Anderson was getting wacked by Ebrahim. Then again, he did also say that Nasser had ultra-attacking fields.