Englands Opening Batsman

mrcheek · 07-03-2011, 04:03 AM

Apologies if this is being discussed slsewhere.

With KP on the plane home, and Eoin Morgan set to replace him, it leaves Andres Strauss without an opening partner. Bell, Prior, Trott and Bopara have all been suggested. But they all bat much better down the order. Moving any one of them to open would weaken the middle order, and would be a bad idea.

So, how about some thinking outside the box. England should promote either Graeme Swann or Stuart Broad. Swann opens for Nottinghamshire, and knows how to hit over the infield. Broad began his career as an opener, and frankly, drives better down the ground than anyone else in the England squad (when he can avoid hitting the fielders that is. but at least he keeps the ball grounded).

Any thoughts? If they get out, Trott comes in and drops anchor, and theres still plenty of batting to come. Better to have that situation than Prior getting out for 0, or Bell opening and scoring 5 of the first 10 overs.....

Spark · 07-03-2011, 04:07 AM

Broad isn't the worst shout, but Swann's a bit of a slogger at the top level. Bell the best bet IMO though.

vcs · 07-03-2011, 04:08 AM

Ian Bell will do fine. Swann and Broad are fine lower-order batsmen to have in your side, but there's no point turning that strength into a weakness by asking them to open. It's news to me that Swann opens at FC level, though.

Dhoni_fan · 07-03-2011, 04:08 AM

Vaughan suggested that idea on twitter.

I personally don't see it, both Broad and Swann are dangerous hitters lower order in International cricket against part timers, and I know Swann may have opened with the bat in county cricket but he does not have the technique IMHP to open at this level against the new nut against some of the best and most hostile bowlers in the world.

Bopara could do the job, but without Morgan he is now probably the best finisher in this England side, so he is best off in the middle order, I think England should open with Bell. he scores at a decent rate by playing proper cricket shots, finding the gaps etc and he is in reasonable form.

Howe_zat · 07-03-2011, 04:19 AM

Still don't subscribe to the pinch hitter theory myself. Any proper batsmen is more likely to find the gaps for boundaries, and get the singles as well rather than wait four dots before trying to hit over the top.

Ian Bell has the game of a top order batsman. His only ODI century has come from #3. he'd be fine.

Edit: Morgan's definately coming back. Ravi's still better down the order.

mrcheek · 07-03-2011, 04:26 AM

Nice to know that Michael Vaughan had the same thought. Obviously its not just great minds that think alike.

Has everyone forgotten Bell opening in the 2007 World Cup? His slow scoring was one of the main reasons England struggled. He needs to come in later.

When I said Swann opened for Notts, I meant to say in one dayers.

Of course, the idea might work better if England bat second, and either Swann or Broad has just had a good day with the ball, and can go out feeling confident.

England have other hitters down the order, such as Bresnan and Prior, so I think one of Broad or Swann could be moved up.

Another idea to discuss: If the selectors decided to pick a specialist opener, if Morgan hadnt recovered, who would you pick? Would Cook be a contender as the man in form?

Blaze 18 · 07-03-2011, 04:32 AM

Ian Bell would be the best choice, I think. Jonathan Trott also worth a mention.

Dhoni_fan · 07-03-2011, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcheek

Nice to know that Michael Vaughan had the same thought. Obviously its not just great minds that think alike.

Has everyone forgotten Bell opening in the 2007 World Cup? His slow scoring was one of the main reasons England struggled. He needs to come in later.

When I said Swann opened for Notts, I meant to say in one dayers.

Of course, the idea might work better if England bat second, and either Swann or Broad has just had a good day with the ball, and can go out feeling confident.

England have other hitters down the order, such as Bresnan and Prior, so I think one of Broad or Swann could be moved up.

Another idea to discuss: If the selectors decided to pick a specialist opener, if Morgan hadnt recovered, who would you pick? Would Cook be a contender as the man in form?

I personally would have picked Cook from the off if I was England he is a man in superb form, he may not be a power hitter but in 50 overs you can have a guy like him who bats the overs and gets a 100.

He opening would have allowed the middle order bat in their rightful places.

Bell is a much better player than 4 years ago, much more adept at finding the gaps and finding ways to score at a decent rate, even if he is not frequently able to bull out the big shot!

Himannv · 07-03-2011, 04:33 AM

Promote Broad!!

Dhoni_fan · 07-03-2011, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blaze 18

Ian Bell would be the best choice, I think. Jonathan Trott also worth a mention.

Agree with Bell, Trott is a good player but to me he is too one paced, England need him to drop anchor and bat the overs yesterday he had no choice but to do that and the situation allowed him to play his game.

could see pressure building on Strauss to up the ante and maybe pressure him into an error if he opened with Trott.

Himannv · 07-03-2011, 04:42 AM

I think Trott has done massively well at no.3 so there seems no logic in changing that. He comes in and consolidates quite well plus he bats the overs and gets the runs on the board. I think Bell is probably better at 4 than anywhere else. I dont think he does too well when he's under pressure to score the bulk of the runs. Let him continue where he is.

Prior is probably the most likely choice as opener but now that Morgan is back in the team, I think Bopara can probably bat up the order and would be my personal choice as opener. Not the first time he's opened and he's used to doing it a few times now and playing a variety of roles. Morgan can play the role of the finisher.

zorax · 07-03-2011, 05:29 AM

I'd put Bell up there.

Would be lol if Swann or Broad were sent to open. Keep up Eng's rep of the most exciting team this WC.

Himannv · 07-03-2011, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zorax

Would be lol if Swann or Broad were sent to open. Keep up Eng's rep of the most exciting team this WC.

Would love to see that tbh.

Howe_zat · 07-03-2011, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zorax

I'd put Bell up there.

Would be lol if Swann or Broad were sent to open. Keep up Eng's rep of the most exciting team this WC.

Frankly, if Mike Yardy can open the bowling...

Daemon · 07-03-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howe_zat

Frankly, if Mike Yardy can open the bowling...

Forget opening the batting, I think England fans would go crazy if they see Yardy playing another game

07-03-2011, 04:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
mrcheek School Boy/Girl Cricketer Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 67	Englands Opening Batsman Apologies if this is being discussed slsewhere. With KP on the plane home, and Eoin Morgan set to replace him, it leaves Andres Strauss without an opening partner. Bell, Prior, Trott and Bopara have all been suggested. But they all bat much better down the order. Moving any one of them to open would weaken the middle order, and would be a bad idea. So, how about some thinking outside the box. England should promote either Graeme Swann or Stuart Broad. Swann opens for Nottinghamshire, and knows how to hit over the infield. Broad began his career as an opener, and frankly, drives better down the ground than anyone else in the England squad (when he can avoid hitting the fielders that is. but at least he keeps the ball grounded). Any thoughts? If they get out, Trott comes in and drops anchor, and theres still plenty of batting to come. Better to have that situation than Prior getting out for 0, or Bell opening and scoring 5 of the first 10 overs.....

07-03-2011, 04:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Howe_zat International Coach Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Top floor, bottom buzzer Posts: 13,910	Still don't subscribe to the pinch hitter theory myself. Any proper batsmen is more likely to find the gaps for boundaries, and get the singles as well rather than wait four dots before trying to hit over the top. Ian Bell has the game of a top order batsman. His only ODI century has come from #3. he'd be fine. Edit: Morgan's definately coming back. Ravi's still better down the order. __________________ Maybe we wouldn't be so quick to fill buckets with filth if we knew they had a soul. Or maybe that's what they're into. Ain't no way to get inside a bucket's mind. Last edited by Howe_zat; 07-03-2011 at 04:20 AM.

07-03-2011, 04:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
Himannv International Captain Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SL Posts: 6,168	Promote Broad!! __________________ "I will go down as Darren Sammy, the one who always smiles" - Darren Sammy

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07-03-2011, 04:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
vcs International Coach Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: India Posts: 10,305	Ian Bell will do fine. Swann and Broad are fine lower-order batsmen to have in your side, but there's no point turning that strength into a weakness by asking them to open. It's news to me that Swann opens at FC level, though.

07-03-2011, 04:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dhoni_fan U19 Debutant Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: travel Posts: 397	Vaughan suggested that idea on twitter. I personally don't see it, both Broad and Swann are dangerous hitters lower order in International cricket against part timers, and I know Swann may have opened with the bat in county cricket but he does not have the technique IMHP to open at this level against the new nut against some of the best and most hostile bowlers in the world. Bopara could do the job, but without Morgan he is now probably the best finisher in this England side, so he is best off in the middle order, I think England should open with Bell. he scores at a decent rate by playing proper cricket shots, finding the gaps etc and he is in reasonable form.

07-03-2011, 04:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
mrcheek School Boy/Girl Cricketer Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 67	Nice to know that Michael Vaughan had the same thought. Obviously its not just great minds that think alike. Has everyone forgotten Bell opening in the 2007 World Cup? His slow scoring was one of the main reasons England struggled. He needs to come in later. When I said Swann opened for Notts, I meant to say in one dayers. Of course, the idea might work better if England bat second, and either Swann or Broad has just had a good day with the ball, and can go out feeling confident. England have other hitters down the order, such as Bresnan and Prior, so I think one of Broad or Swann could be moved up. Another idea to discuss: If the selectors decided to pick a specialist opener, if Morgan hadnt recovered, who would you pick? Would Cook be a contender as the man in form?

07-03-2011, 04:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
Blaze 18 Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: India Posts: 4,456	Ian Bell would be the best choice, I think. Jonathan Trott also worth a mention.

07-03-2011, 04:42 AM	#11 (permalink)
Himannv International Captain Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SL Posts: 6,168	I think Trott has done massively well at no.3 so there seems no logic in changing that. He comes in and consolidates quite well plus he bats the overs and gets the runs on the board. I think Bell is probably better at 4 than anywhere else. I dont think he does too well when he's under pressure to score the bulk of the runs. Let him continue where he is. Prior is probably the most likely choice as opener but now that Morgan is back in the team, I think Bopara can probably bat up the order and would be my personal choice as opener. Not the first time he's opened and he's used to doing it a few times now and playing a variety of roles. Morgan can play the role of the finisher.

07-03-2011, 05:29 AM	#12 (permalink)
zorax First Class Debutant Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 880	I'd put Bell up there. Would be lol if Swann or Broad were sent to open. Keep up Eng's rep of the most exciting team this WC.

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