England's bowling line up
If everyone was fit, then England's fast bowling line-up would very much pick itself:
Andrew Flintoff, Mathew Hoggard, Steve Harmison and Simon Jones. If they are all firing on all cylinders, then that is as good a quartet of fast bowlers who complement each other as has been seen in world cricket since the West Indies in the 1980s. There is not a weak link in sight.
However, when one (or more) is injured or otherwise avaiable, we have an embarassment of riches in the back-up department. Or do we? Basically, take one of the top 4 out and you replace him with one from the following list, each of whom would be the weak link. Each of these has been picked or discussed recently:
Interestingly, at least 3 of those had fathers with long and distinguished careers in first class cricket (Chris Broad and Arnie Sidebottom played Tests for England as well).
However, what can be done to bring one of those bowlers on to really challenge the top 4 for a place in the side?
Obviously, I'm ignoring spinners at the moment (its what England's selectors have done for a long time...). At the moment, Monty picks himself. His batting and fielding are improving, I just hope he doesn't end up being treated in the same way as Tufnell was by England, and that they don't waste his enormous talent.
Andrew Flintoff, Mathew Hoggard, Steve Harmison and Simon Jones. If they are all firing on all cylinders, then that is as good a quartet of fast bowlers who complement each other as has been seen in world cricket since the West Indies in the 1980s. There is not a weak link in sight.
However, when one (or more) is injured or otherwise avaiable, we have an embarassment of riches in the back-up department. Or do we? Basically, take one of the top 4 out and you replace him with one from the following list, each of whom would be the weak link. Each of these has been picked or discussed recently:
- Sajid Mahmood
- Jimmy Anderson
- Liam Plunkett
- Jon Lewis
- Kabir Ali
- Tim Bresnan
- Chris Silverwood
- Ryan Sidebottom
- Stuart Broad
- Glen Chapple
- Chris Tremlett
Interestingly, at least 3 of those had fathers with long and distinguished careers in first class cricket (Chris Broad and Arnie Sidebottom played Tests for England as well).
However, what can be done to bring one of those bowlers on to really challenge the top 4 for a place in the side?
Obviously, I'm ignoring spinners at the moment (its what England's selectors have done for a long time...). At the moment, Monty picks himself. His batting and fielding are improving, I just hope he doesn't end up being treated in the same way as Tufnell was by England, and that they don't waste his enormous talent.
posted by Jonathan | Tuesday, August 08, 2006
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