The one name I've not seen mentioned as a potential captain is Bell.
He has underperformed too but I don't think anyone (at this stage) would seriously suggest dropping him.
So why doesn't he seem to get a mention? Anyone know?
I think, Len, its because of the general perception that he's not a 'leader' - never seems very vociferous, and also is probably batting worse at moment than Broad or Jimmy are bowling. But, coming back to my previous point, if i was Bell, and then Morgan was brought in as Captain, i'd be pretty pi55ed off - wouldnt you !!??
I remember when England parachuted in Chris Cowdrey to be captain! We need a leader, so let's bring in a successful county captain (with a good background). Sadly that didn't work out very well...
Bring in Chris Read of Notts as wicket keeper captain. Having a decent season with the bat (average 45) and an experienced captain.
Very different I know but suggests that when push comes to shove he might make a fist of it in the short term until either Cook recovers form and returns or a longer term successor, Root perhaps, is ready.
The President, I know you mentioned Broad higher up the thread and in some ways I agree. However generally I don't like bowlers as captain in the longer forms of the game as they need to focus on their own role in the field and if, as is rumoured, Broad is carrying an injury too it's not an ideal time for him. Hence my suggestion of Bell.
The one name I've not seen mentioned as a potential captain is Bell.
He has underperformed too but I don't think anyone (at this stage) would seriously suggest dropping him.
So why doesn't he seem to get a mention? Anyone know?
Bell is very lucky that his position isn't under scrutiny (though I, for one, hope it is). His form during and since the Ashes tour has been woeful and if it weren't for the dismal form of Cook and others his position would be in serious jeopardy. He's surviving off (increasingly) past scores. As regards leadership potential, he could have shown that (and some metal) in Australia when Trott went home, put team before self and volunteered (demanded even) to be moved up the order to No 3, for which he was obviously the best qualified and for which all commentators were calling. Instead, a considerably less experienced Root (the "kid") was given the assignment, arguably the toughest job in the line-up, certainly against the Aussie attack. Bell has no bottle, I'm afraid, and is certainly no Captain.
I remember when England parachuted in Chris Cowdrey to be captain! We need a leader, so let's bring in a successful county captain (with a good background). Sadly that didn't work out very well...
Bring in Chris Read of Notts as wicket keeper captain. Having a decent season with the bat (average 45) and an experienced captain.
Many people want Read, but selectors are obsessed with picking batsmen who keep, rather than keepers...
The one name I've not seen mentioned as a potential captain is Bell.
He has underperformed too but I don't think anyone (at this stage) would seriously suggest dropping him.
So why doesn't he seem to get a mention? Anyone know?
Bell is very lucky that his position isn't under scrutiny (though I, for one, hope it is). His form during and since the Ashes tour has been woeful and if it weren't for the dismal form of Cook and others his position would be in serious jeopardy. He's surviving off (increasingly) past scores. As regards leadership potential, he could have shown that (and some metal) in Australia when Trott went home, put team before self and volunteered (demanded even) to be moved up the order to No 3, for which he was obviously the best qualified and for which all commentators were calling. Instead, a considerably less experienced Root (the "kid") was given the assignment, arguably the toughest job in the line-up, certainly against the Aussie attack. Bell has no bottle, I'm afraid, and is certainly no Captain.
Do we know that he didn't?
There is a school of thought that an experienced batter should go in at 5 or 6 to hold the tail together to eke out runs if (as happens often with England) the top order gets rolled over.
I don't know whether it was or wasn't but the powers that be may have preferred to leave Bell where he was for the reason I've given rather than him (Bell) bottling it.
The one name I've not seen mentioned as a potential captain is Bell.
He has underperformed too but I don't think anyone (at this stage) would seriously suggest dropping him.
So why doesn't he seem to get a mention? Anyone know?
Bell is very lucky that his position isn't under scrutiny (though I, for one, hope it is). His form during and since the Ashes tour has been woeful and if it weren't for the dismal form of Cook and others his position would be in serious jeopardy. He's surviving off (increasingly) past scores. As regards leadership potential, he could have shown that (and some metal) in Australia when Trott went home, put team before self and volunteered (demanded even) to be moved up the order to No 3, for which he was obviously the best qualified and for which all commentators were calling. Instead, a considerably less experienced Root (the "kid") was given the assignment, arguably the toughest job in the line-up, certainly against the Aussie attack. Bell has no bottle, I'm afraid, and is certainly no Captain.
Do we know that he didn't?
There is a school of thought that an experienced batter should go in at 5 or 6 to hold the tail together to eke out runs if (as happens often with England) the top order gets rolled over.
I don't know whether it was or wasn't but the powers that be may have preferred to leave Bell where he was for the reason I've given rather than him (Bell) bottling it.
It's a rare occasion I don't agree with you Len but on this one we'll have to agree to disagree.
The one name I've not seen mentioned as a potential captain is Bell.
He has underperformed too but I don't think anyone (at this stage) would seriously suggest dropping him.
So why doesn't he seem to get a mention? Anyone know?
Bell is very lucky that his position isn't under scrutiny (though I, for one, hope it is). His form during and since the Ashes tour has been woeful and if it weren't for the dismal form of Cook and others his position would be in serious jeopardy. He's surviving off (increasingly) past scores. As regards leadership potential, he could have shown that (and some metal) in Australia when Trott went home, put team before self and volunteered (demanded even) to be moved up the order to No 3, for which he was obviously the best qualified and for which all commentators were calling. Instead, a considerably less experienced Root (the "kid") was given the assignment, arguably the toughest job in the line-up, certainly against the Aussie attack. Bell has no bottle, I'm afraid, and is certainly no Captain.
Do we know that he didn't?
There is a school of thought that an experienced batter should go in at 5 or 6 to hold the tail together to eke out runs if (as happens often with England) the top order gets rolled over.
I don't know whether it was or wasn't but the powers that be may have preferred to leave Bell where he was for the reason I've given rather than him (Bell) bottling it.
See Trott has got his first ton since his departure from the Ashes tour. First and foremost it is great to see that he has made a positive step in his personal fight.
I guess if he was feeling better in himself, would you consider him for this series? His problems seemed to be enhanced by touring, so I wonder if the selectors will check in with him for the remainder of the summer?
Watching Carberry yesterday against Essex , we seem to have discarded him a little too quickly. I thought he did OK in Australia despite never going on to make a big score. I know he is probably not the future but we seriously need to sort out the now .
See Trott has got his first ton since his departure from the Ashes tour. First and foremost it is great to see that he has made a positive step in his personal fight.
I guess if he was feeling better in himself, would you consider him for this series? His problems seemed to be enhanced by touring, so I wonder if the selectors will check in with him for the remainder of the summer?
A fit Trott is exactly what we need.
However that said let's see how he is over a sustained period of time. Marcus Trescothick copes at county level but does not want to play at international level any more. He suffered similarly if not identically to Trott.
See Trott has got his first ton since his departure from the Ashes tour. First and foremost it is great to see that he has made a positive step in his personal fight.
I guess if he was feeling better in himself, would you consider him for this series? His problems seemed to be enhanced by touring, so I wonder if the selectors will check in with him for the remainder of the summer?
A fit Trott is exactly what we need.
Is he? I love Trotty as much as anyone but you can hardly call the number 3 position a problem at the moment with Ballance averaging 54.25
I would try Root opening again now he has some more confidence than last summer. Drop Cook down the order to 6 to try and find his feet again, and stick Trott in the middle order. Get some depth in batting so we can get 250 instead of 200.
Root Robson Ballance Bell Trott Cook Buttler Moeen Stokes Broad Anderson
Trott had another episode/set back/attack, just after the season started. So personally, I think England have enough problems, without recalling Trott, who is obviously not fully recovered. Personally, I don't think he'll ever play for England again. Why should he risk his health further, to play for an England team in turmoil ?
Comments
Very different I know but suggests that when push comes to shove he might make a fist of it in the short term until either Cook recovers form and returns or a longer term successor, Root perhaps, is ready.
The President, I know you mentioned Broad higher up the thread and in some ways I agree. However generally I don't like bowlers as captain in the longer forms of the game as they need to focus on their own role in the field and if, as is rumoured, Broad is carrying an injury too it's not an ideal time for him. Hence my suggestion of Bell.
As regards leadership potential, he could have shown that (and some metal) in Australia when Trott went home, put team before self and volunteered (demanded even) to be moved up the order to No 3, for which he was obviously the best qualified and for which all commentators were calling. Instead, a considerably less experienced Root (the "kid") was given the assignment, arguably the toughest job in the line-up, certainly against the Aussie attack.
Bell has no bottle, I'm afraid, and is certainly no Captain.
There is a school of thought that an experienced batter should go in at 5 or 6 to hold the tail together to eke out runs if (as happens often with England) the top order gets rolled over.
I don't know whether it was or wasn't but the powers that be may have preferred to leave Bell where he was for the reason I've given rather than him (Bell) bottling it.
:-)
I guess if he was feeling better in himself, would you consider him for this series? His problems seemed to be enhanced by touring, so I wonder if the selectors will check in with him for the remainder of the summer?
I know he is probably not the future but we seriously need to sort out the now .
However that said let's see how he is over a sustained period of time. Marcus Trescothick copes at county level but does not want to play at international level any more. He suffered similarly if not identically to Trott.
Root
Robson
Ballance
Bell
Trott
Cook
Buttler
Moeen
Stokes
Broad
Anderson
Personally, I don't think he'll ever play for England again. Why should he risk his health further, to play for an England team in turmoil ?
Leaves us 3 bowlers & a part timer or two.
Pretty similar lineup to the ones that took 19 at Notts, and 20 at Lords. !