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[AtBalfour]

Maybe Dud is too strong but they are a very weak side.

[sultanofswing]

Bell doesn't have many technique flaws, he often gets "pretty" 20s, which I think is what you are suggesting Vaughan was doing in the CC? Bell has one of the better techniques in the English team I think. As for Vaughan, why is he not going to New Zealand with the Lions? Do they only play limited overs games? And why has he not done what Strauss did last year, go to NZ or Aus, and play grade/state cricket out there? That would get him back into form and give him match practice, surely?



As another point, why are they showing no faith in Simon Jones, the bowler who showed the Aussies up in 2005? Especially after a good season at Worcs, as well as England's current bowling attack having trouble. He isn't with the Lions, either. It asks the question whether England's selectors are ever going to change their minds.

simon jones is still recovering from another post season knee operation, i dont think he is even running yet!

[Arthur]

Oh ok, wasn't aware of that, I stopped paying particular attention when he left beloved Glamorgan! But the West Indies have impressed recently, but they should, in theory, be too weak for England, but noone knows with the current English side, anything can happen.

[Johnny]

Maybe Windies will be a good measure of where we are. If we beat them relatively easily, then we might just about be able to keep ourselves associated with the top 3 teams - lose or draw and it confirms that we are definitely in decline and perhaps then they will get rid of Moores.

[MD14]

The Bell situation isn't helped by the fact that his average at 3 is just over 30 but his average at 5-6 is 50. Dropping Collingwood, moving either Vaughan or Shah to 3 and Bell sliding down to 5 would definitely improve the batting lineup, harsh though it may be on Collingwood

[AtBalfour]

Why do you say harsh Ed? What has warranted him a place? His century every other series, after a string of low scores?

[MD14]

Why do you say harsh Ed? What has warranted him a place? His century every other series, after a string of low scores?

He maintained a higher average than Cook, Bell, Vaughan and Flintoff in 2008 as well as taking 14 catches so he has contributed more than others recently

[AtBalfour]

To be fair though, Vaughan's poor form was acted on and Flintoff in my view a Bowler who can bat a bit, nothing more. As for Cook and Bell, they have also had poor seasons but they supposedly have potential to improve, and to be honest I can see where they are coming from, however Collingwood is getting on, he isn't really going to improve much if we are honest. Someone like Shah, Key (obviously elsewhere in lineup), Denly, Vaughan or Rashid (moreso as an all-rounder) could score more runs and apart from in Vaughan's case, are maybe on the younger side so the potential is there. I personally wouldn't have Bell or Collingwood in the team. This is debatable, but Cook has been worked out IMO, time for him to work hard at his game during the county season.

The players I mentioned above, along with James Foster, Naps in ODI's, Morgan, Malan, Joyce etc can't be far away.

[MD14]

As I said, I agree that he should be dropped from the side, I just wanted to point out that he has underperformed no more than others in the side.

Anyway, Pietersen throwing his weight around is infuriating, this sort of behaviour makes it seem as though he thinks that he's bigger than the team

[stevie]

Bell at 3 just doesn't fill me with confidence at all.

[cricket-master]

a twist may be kp will get the


have a read from crcifo


In a surprise development, the ECB have called an emergency board meeting to discuss the rift between Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores.

Cricinfo understands that the 12-man board met by teleconference on Tuesday night, raising the possibility that Pietersen, who had not been due back from his holiday in Africa until Thursday, may pay the price for his outspoken views on the future direction of the England team.

Research conducted by the ECB in the last few days suggests that Pietersen does not have the steadfast support of his team-mates or the back-room staff. The majority of the England support staff are understood to be supportive of Moores while most of the players are underwhelmed by Pietersen's dramatic intervention, as Steve Harmison demonstrated with his ambivalent comments on Tuesday.

There is also some sympathy towards Moores who, it is understood, was given the authority to select the England captain when Paul Collingwood and Michael Vaughan resigned, and there are those within the set-up who feel that Pietersen has betrayed the coach's trust.

Attitudes towards Pietersen also appear to be hardening at board level. While few are completely convinced by Moores, they do not like the manner in which the captain has attempted to dictate events. As one board member told Cricinfo: "People who want to keep their jobs don't issue ultimatums. At this stage any outcome is possible."

Whether Moores' position is salvageable remains highly debatable, however. There has been little evidence of progress under his tenure and his credibility may now be damaged beyond repair. A double departure - Pietersen and Moores - is a growing possibility.

Meanwhile, the identity of Moores' immediate successor as coach has been shrouded in further confusion, after Warwickshire warned they may not necessarily keep Ashley Giles's job as the county's director of cricket open, should he be asked to fulfil a role as "stop-gap" coach in the Caribbean.

Though Warwickshire will not stand in GIles's way if he is offered the job, his involvement in the West Indies would rule him out of any involvement in Warwickshire's pre-season plans and the club want to minimise disruption in the dressing-room. Furthermore, it is feared that Giles could recruit Allan Donald - currently Warwickshire's first-team coach - to help him in the Caribbean.