We've all said it on here and we know the main issue. How the selectors can commit to a player being a fixture in a spot that dictates the tempo of the team when he has just one 50 in the last 18 months (in 23 ODIs) beggars belief.
For all the reservations about Morgan he does do it, albeit not as often now as we would like, whereas Cook simply never has. And who at the top of these batting line ups do the selectors feel the opposition would fear most?
Hales/Cook Ali Taylor Root Bopara Morgan Buttler
One will either get out early or use up valuable time in the batting power play. The other will either get out, or get a very quick 20 or 30 or even produce a match winning knock at a run a ball or less.
Absolute garbage. Cook and Morgan look lost. Even if he hangs around Cook doesn't score quickly enough for ODI cricket. At least with Hales you know that if he gets in he will score quickly.
Extras are also becoming an issue again. 8 wides in the innings to Sri Lanka's 1.
On form, neither Cook or Morgan are playing well. Why are some players undroppable? Morgan has not been playing well for a while now. Enough has been said about Cook as a batsman and Captain. We can do well at the World Cup if only they would swallow a couple of bitter pills. Hales, Moeen Ali, Taylor, Root, Bopara, Vince, Butler, Broad, Woakes, Tredwell, Anderson.
Apparently Cook's position is up for review after the series finishes. I think the selectors have seen the light at last. I'd put money on Cook choosing to resign before he's pushed.
I was asking the question. I don't the answer. How much does a contracted player get? Are they all the same? Do they then get appearance money, on top, too?
I can't believe the numbers are big enough or the ECB struggling, financially.
Cook gets more and more like the character in the 'Peanuts' cartoon strip, the one who walks around with his own rain cloud hovering over him and no-one else .. no runs, poor captaincy, dropped dolly catches .. time to take a rest Alastair
Cook gets more and more like the character in the 'Peanuts' cartoon strip, the one who walks around with his own rain cloud hovering over him and no-one else .. no runs, poor captaincy, dropped dolly catches .. time to take a rest Alastair
Apologies if I've got this wrong or if I've been whooshed here, but wasn't the kid with a cloud in Peanuts just a dirty kid?
^^^^ You're right M'lud .. extensive research reveals that the Peanuts character was poor little PigPEN .. my 'man' Joe Btfsplk was a feature of the more obscure 'Lil Abner' cartoon strip ((:>)
^^^^ You're right M'lud .. extensive research reveals that the Peanuts character was poor little PigPEN .. my 'man' Joe Btfsplk was a feature of the more obscure 'Lil Abner' cartoon strip ((:>)
Last ODI this morning. Finn dropped for Gurney, Bopara dropped for Hales. Pundits have no idea what order England are going to line up in with Cook, Ali, Hales, Root all capable of opening alongside Taylor and Morgan.
Seems bizarre to drop our number 6 - all rounder and innings finisher - to accomodate Cook, effectively. Hey ho.
Downton gave the biggest indicator this morning that Cook stays, come what may, as captain for the World Cup. All based on past glories and the fact that this is "his" team. As if either of those factors are sufficient for him to keep his place in the side!
Why drop Bopara? Grossly unfair that. Cook/Morgs way less deserving of a place.
The selectords are probably justifying the decision, in their own heads and without reference to the form of Cook and Morgan, that they haven't been bowling Bopara in SL. For the balance of the team in Australia, where we won't be bowling three spinners, his involvement could, however, be invaluable.
The cynic in me says that perhaps Cook thinks, if he doesn't bowl Bopara and he also doesn't get a big score, it's easier to drop him ;-(
Why drop Bopara? Grossly unfair that. Cook/Morgs way less deserving of a place.
Prob determined that Bopara is almost a shoe-in for the side and therefore giving others an opportunity. I wonder if we'll see another Cook failure with the bat? - they're certainly giving him enough opportunies to score the score that will keep him in the team for another 10 failures with the bat.
Comments
For all the reservations about Morgan he does do it, albeit not as often now as we would like, whereas Cook simply never has. And who at the top of these batting line ups do the selectors feel the opposition would fear most?
Hales/Cook
Ali
Taylor
Root
Bopara
Morgan
Buttler
One will either get out early or use up valuable time in the batting power play. The other will either get out, or get a very quick 20 or 30 or even produce a match winning knock at a run a ball or less.
Extras are also becoming an issue again. 8 wides in the innings to Sri Lanka's 1.
We can do well at the World Cup if only they would swallow a couple of bitter pills.
Hales, Moeen Ali, Taylor, Root, Bopara, Vince, Butler, Broad, Woakes, Tredwell, Anderson.
Does bringing in newer and younger players that aren't on a contract, cost more?
To be honest I really doubt it but it's worth thinking about I suppose.
I can't believe the numbers are big enough or the ECB struggling, financially.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30463310
When does he realise that we(the people who ultimately pay his wages) dont want him in the team?.
and here he is ..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Btfsplk
:-)
Seems bizarre to drop our number 6 - all rounder and innings finisher - to accomodate Cook, effectively. Hey ho.
Woakes 14
Mendis 9
Dilshan 9
Jordan 8
53-0 off 7
Jayawardene hooks Gurney to fine leg. I didn't realise my curse worked on every team...
55-1, 8 overs.
If he's retiring about a year like that, do you reckon it's at the forefront of Cook's mind too?
Nothing in the conditions and would expect SL to post around 320.
I like the bloke, and I'm 100% behind him in test cricket, but this is just a farce in one day cricket now. He is not a one day batsman, or captain.
Sangakkara out for 33
120-2 off 23.5
Ali bowls Mathews for 20 with a quick straight one.
The cynic in me says that perhaps Cook thinks, if he doesn't bowl Bopara and he also doesn't get a big score, it's easier to drop him ;-(
I wonder if we'll see another Cook failure with the bat? - they're certainly giving him enough opportunies to score the score that will keep him in the team for another 10 failures with the bat.