So here we go again another one day series lost. I really do have to question why we can mainatain four runs per over in 100 overs against Australia in a test match but struggle to do it in a 50 over game. Once again we are trying to find the right combination playing out of form players or those who have not consistently performed for England. Yes we are missing Pieterson and Flintoff but surely we have enough depth in our ranks to cover for these losses.
I always think that cricket is a simple game over complicated by tacticians, sports psychologists, analysts etc. The object, score more than the other team! We obviously have a problem with our batting line up. The only runs we are getting on a consistent basis is from Strauss. We need 6 batsmen who will make a significant contribution and at least one who will get a big score, 80+.
Ideally we need the top 4 to be our best players as they should take us to the 40 over mark. I think that Prior is the most interesting player. He is better suited to coming in early. I would like to see Prior opening with Strauss. Occupying number three and four when fit, should be Pieterson and Bell. These guys should really be trying to occupy the crease for 20 overs each. That will allow the finishers to come in at 5,6,7 and 8..
Before I look at the middle order I want to talk about the bowlers. We should always pick four frontline bowlers with the remaining 10 to be picked up by the allrounders. To me this is a no brainer: Anderson, Sidebottom, Broad and Swann. The only others that could come into this line up are Bresnan and Onions. Brsenan seems to be picked as an allrounder but I think it is his bowling that he should first and foremost be picked, the batting then is the bonus.
So as Broad would occupy number 8 there only remains 5,6 and 7 to consider. Paul Collingwood is my choice for number five. I don't always have complete confidence in Collingwood particularly in test cricket, but he is a great asset in the one day game. He will always keep the scoreboard ticking over, a great fielder and a handy option for the fifth bowler. Luke Wright is a player I like. He is again a good option for some overs and he a good striker of the ball to finish off the innings. He has been picked in the past as a pinch hitter, but when you need some sixes at the end of the innings there is not alot else. The final selection is a much harder one. There are a number of players here to choose from: Shah, Bopara, Rashid, Denly, Morgan, Napier. Shah is probably the best batting option here but really the top 4 should be doing their job, I for one would rather pick someone who can get some wickets and is a different type of bowler than the other choices, so I would go for Rashid here, his leg spin bowling does give a different option.
So my line up would be:
Strauss
Prior
Pieterson
Bell
Collingwood
Wright
Rashid
Broad
Swann
Sidebottom
Anderson
I think the top order looks more solid and there is strength in the bowling line up to restrict the opposition. If you add Flintoff to this side next year it looks even stronger.
