**Official** South Africa in England 2012

[Uppercut]

Originally Posted by Kylez

When exactly did Strauss's decline in form begin? I know it's been going on for a while now, but did it start when he retired from ODI cricket? IIRC, Strauss was doing pretty well in ODI's before he retired. This makes me think that Strauss is one of those players that constantly has to be batting to keep up form and touch, and maybe his ODI retirement has contributed to his loss of form as he isn't batting as much in real games anymore.

Just a thought.

His conversion rate took a hammering when he got the captaincy. Other than that I don't think he's declined much since his recall in 2008. In fact it was very similar to this summer- runs against a fairly weak side touring in May before getting owned by Morkel and co. in July and August.

His weaknesses have become very high-profile though. In '09 Australia stayed over the wicket to him the entire time and he punished them. Can't see them making that mistake again this time next year.

[Scaly piscine]

It's not just the batting but the slip fielding. He used to be a very good in the slips, he's completely missed the ball a few times in the past 18 months or so, as well as dropping other chances as well obviously.

Sadsack not contributing much for his temporary new club.

[BoyBrumby]

Originally Posted by vic_orthdox

I was thinking of him with future series in mind, but not sure that he'll get picked unless there are some injuries.

Made a decent impression up here for France, by all accounts.

Won't help him if he stinks out his domestic season tho, obvz.

Meanwhile Mike Selvey in The Guardian thinks Strauss is still the best man for the job, but how things go in India will determine whether he'll be in charge come the Ashes double.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

Made a decent impression up here for France, by all accounts.

Won't help him if he stinks out his domestic season tho, obvz.

Meanwhile Mike Selvey in The Guardian thinks Strauss is still the best man for the job, but how things go in India will determine whether he'll be in charge come the Ashes double.

I hate it when England and Australia obsess over the Ashes, but seriously I don't think England could plan it all any worse than sacking their captain (or having him resign) right before back to back Ashes series. If they're still 50/50 about whether he'll be leading the team for the Ashes in England they should give him the arse right now.

[_Ed_]

This bloke Housego played a decent wee knock for Gloucs in the tour match.

[vic_orthdox]

Moved posts into the Ashes 2013 thread.

[BoyBrumby]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

I hate it when England and Australia obsess over the Ashes, but seriously I don't think England could plan it all any worse than sacking their captain (or having him resign) right before back to bash Ashes series. If they're still 50/50 about whether he'll be leading the team for the Ashes in England they should give him the arse right now.

Is that a typo or a new euphemism for an attractive & ****able arse? "Man, she's got a back to bash".

Seriously tho, I'm of the opinion Strauss should go now. He's 35, struggling and, whilst one respects him for what he's achieved as captain, he's hardly Douglas Jardine. Or even Michael Vaughan, if it comes to that.

He's been a safe pair of hands and I think Cook would be that too.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

Is that a typo or a new euphemism for an attractive & ****able arse? "Man, she's got a back to bash".

typo unfortunately.

[MW1304]

Man Housego's had a blinder. Only his 6th game and he's hit pretty close to an international standard OD bowling lineup around the park. Really happy for him. Middlesex seemed to have him down as a FC specialist but he's proving that very wrong this year.

Edit: And he did it on his own. Nice one.

[benchmark00]

brumbeh.

[_Ed_]

Originally Posted by MW1304

Edit: And he did it on his own. Nice one.

Yeah, pretty much, eh?

Surprised to see Batty batting so low - wasn't he an opener at one stage? Has he declined a bit?

[MW1304]

Glos just have a lot of allrounders I think. And I'd guess he has regressed on the batting front a bit, yeah.

[Scaly piscine]

Sadsack taken a couple of quick wickets then, South Africa in a bit of trouble here - well seeing as they only picked 4 batsmen (if you include Ontong) and they're all out.

[NasserFan207]

Originally Posted by Scaly piscine

Sadsack taken a couple of quick wickets then, South Africa in a bit of trouble here - well seeing as they only picked 4 batsmen (if you include Ontong) and they're all out.

Parnell has turned himself into a genuine allrounder these days, gone the Franklin route. Pretty useful batsman.

[social]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

His conversion rate took a hammering when he got the captaincy. Other than that I don't think he's declined much since his recall in 2008. In fact it was very similar to this summer- runs against a fairly weak side touring in May before getting owned by Morkel and co. in July and August.

His weaknesses have become very high-profile though. In '09 Australia stayed over the wicket to him the entire time and he punished them. Can't see them making that mistake again this time next year.

There is actually an argument to be made that Strauss is simply a middle of the road test batsman whose record is padded by his stellar first 12 months

All-round records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

86 tests is a bloody big sample size

He has also cashed in against the poorer test attacks with Bangladesh, India New Zealand and West Indies being the only teams that he averages more than 40 against

All-round records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo