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[christianpurchase99]

i don't know why everyone is saying get red of Pietersen and Kieswetter those two along with Trott, Cook and Bell have been the best players we've had for a good 3 years, i am going to raise the point of why Bopara is in the team yes he offers another bowling option but we are in India where spin is a big option in the game, why not let Pietersen have a bowl? Bopara hasn't scored good runs since the runs he scored against west indies, not the most rated player in my book.

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Why is Patel getting abuse off the Indians?

[uknsaunders]

he is the only england player less fit than them maybe?

[MD2812]

LOL at the above.

I would bring bell in for Keiswetter and give Bairstow the gloves!

Could always bring Monty out as a spin option, doesnt help the batting/fielding though........

[Manormanic]

Could always bring Monty out as a spin option, doesnt help the batting/fielding though........

1. I wouldn't give Jonny the gloves yet - he's a passable keeper, but nowhere near international standard.

2. Spin - why on earth do they not go for Rashid?  One of the top five fielders in England, a genuine batsman with excellent temprament and a decent leg spinner!

[ppccopener]

as for the abuse by the Indians of Patel

I was at the Oval in Sept for the one dayer and the stick patel and bopara got was off the scale.Samit was only 12th man for that game too if i recall correct!!!

I was with 2 Indian fans that day too.....

[MD2812]

What sort of things do they shout at them? Is it just Samits fitness?

Tell me if this is stupid, when P Kumae is bowling and following the batsmen to the leg side, would it not be worth feinting a step past leg stump then moving bat to try force him to bowl wides?

When writing it sounds like it could be a bit much but when watching TV it seems so simple

[Six Sixes Cricket]

It's the players that are giving Patel stick. Raina in the last match, today they didn't show it but bumble said he was getting a lot of stick from the indian players again when he came out.

[ppccopener]

Er,no... there was the occational fat b******* comment but mainly it was traitor and that sort of stuff.

I've never heard abuse like it myself,some of it was good natured but other stuff was  def not.
I suppose they think he should be playing for India,not England.
Both Bopara and Patel were born in this country so far as i'm concerned i'm delighted they are playing for England.
If you look at the South Africans we have,it's much better England have Bristish born Asians playing for us.
It's about time too,we are a multi-cultural society and our team should reflect that.

On a lighter note,my Indian mates who were at the game with me said the Indian team referred to last summers series as 'us v South africa b' which i found quite funny!

[Byo]

I would drop Cook for Bell - his record is very ordinary and (although its early stages) his captaincy doesnt look great to me.   I think Bell would be great at the top of the order....

[ppccopener]

looks like Samit has had a good knock
70 off 43 balls just what England needed.No wonder they persevered with him

Might not be enough thou!
trott stranded 98 no.

[MD2812]

Traitor! I love it, if the ECB came out and said that they would not pick Samit because he has Asian Heritage they would all outcry racism! But because we pick him he's a traitor. Guess they want it both ways.

[Kulli]

It's amazing how good a player can become when he's not in the side!

[Six Sixes Cricket]

looks like Samit has had a good knock
70 off 43 balls just what England needed.No wonder they persevered with him

Might not be enough thou!
trott stranded 98 no.

Trott wasnt stranded on 98*, he played his own game at his own pace. Run rate dropped quite badly when trott and bopara batted together. Patel played superb, 4th quickest 50 against India and I think that's his highest England score.
Hopefully I'm wrong but I think we could be 20-30 runs light.

[ppccopener]

i think in one-dayers it's difficult to get the right balance between not losing wickets and pushing the scoring rate along.
Trott is a very good player but does not have the expansive game like KP or Trescothick years ago.
If England win it will have been a good knock,if we are short perhaps questions will be asked.

Personally i'd rather have his 98 today and close to 300,at least we have put up a score in this match.
I think we have just got enough runs...we shall see!