Retiring at season's end .. Paul Collingwood (already mentioned I think), where will Durham be without him ? and Jonathan Trott .. two England stalwarts over the past decade or so .. happy days chaps
Plus James Foster who has been a magnificent servant to Essex. Had his batting been a bit stronger he would have been the England keeper for a good few years. His last Test was as long ago as 2002 against Australia - and the only player still turning out in the pro game from that side is Marcus Trescothick who will be 43 on Christmas Day.
Perhaps I do Foster a disservice so far as his batting is concerned. He averaged 36.69 in the first class game - we are picking the likes of Jennings who has an average of 33.95.
Perhaps I do Foster a disservice so far as his batting is concerned. He averaged 36.69 in the first class game - we are picking the likes of Jennings who has an average of 33.95.
At the time he was up against Jones and Prior, as well as Chris Reed, who would get in the England team now as batsman.
Fosters wicket keeping was world class, only man to stump Sachin in a test match :-)
James Foster is undoubtedly the best wicket keeper of his generation. He would have played far more for England if he hadn't been such a troublemaker in his younger years.
James Foster is undoubtedly the best wicket keeper of his generation. He would have played far more for England if he hadn't been such a troublemaker in his younger years.
That didn't stop Swann being recalled - he didn't play but was brought into the squad in 1999 as a 20 year old but then didn't actually play 'til 2008. Foster was 22 when he played his last Test.
Perhaps I do Foster a disservice so far as his batting is concerned. He averaged 36.69 in the first class game - we are picking the likes of Jennings who has an average of 33.95.
At the time he was up against Jones and Prior, as well as Chris Reed, who would get in the England team now as batsman.
Fosters wicket keeping was world class, only man to stump Sachin in a test match :-)
The prevailing wisdom over the last 20 years, starting with Stewart, has been to choose the best batsman/keeper, and train their keeping skills.
It didn't really work with Jones, while Prior was dropped for his poor keeping skills, but then came back and became a decent enough keeper. Bairstow is another who has worked on his keeping skills after being picked as a keeper
James Foster is undoubtedly the best wicket keeper of his generation. He would have played far more for England if he hadn't been such a troublemaker in his younger years.
always heard good things about him even before he played for essex ....not a troublemaker to my knowledge but please clarify if you know better
James Foster is undoubtedly the best wicket keeper of his generation. He would have played far more for England if he hadn't been such a troublemaker in his younger years.
That didn't stop Swann being recalled - he didn't play but was brought into the squad in 1999 as a 20 year old but then didn't actually play 'til 2008. Foster was 22 when he played his last Test.
good point .. thing is that ever since WW2 there has been a preference for a 'batsman who can keep' rather than a 'pure wicketkeeper' .. a few (e.g. Knott) excelled at both .. this was discussed in the recent obituary to John Murray, Murray v Parks, the better batsman getting the gig .. Whereas Swann was by far THE best spinner in the country when he was called up after a long hiatus
James Foster is undoubtedly the best wicket keeper of his generation. He would have played far more for England if he hadn't been such a troublemaker in his younger years.
That didn't stop Swann being recalled - he didn't play but was brought into the squad in 1999 as a 20 year old but then didn't actually play 'til 2008. Foster was 22 when he played his last Test.
Swann was just a petulant youth (and still is!), Foster upset a lot of important people plus there weren't many alternatives in the off-spinning department and as we know, these days wicket keeping is no longer a specialist position sadly.
Strauss is stepping down as Director of cricket, with Andy Flower taking over in the interim. Seems this is primarily to do with Strauss' wife's cancer, which I hope she makes a full recovery from.
Talking of left armers, Reece Topley has left Hampshire.
A shame that his career has been wrecked by injuries
Wow, to join another county? Presumably not. Feel for the guy - was only watching a replay from 2 years ago of ODI involving him a couple of nights ago.
Who will be the next England Director of Cricket, now that Andrew Strauss has stepped aside and Andy Flower's tenure will run only until the end of the year?
I would like to see one of Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Paul Collingwood or Alistair Cook.
In reality, it's probably too soon for Cook, Collingwood might be seen more as a coach than a director and Hussain's remuneration (he'd have to give up Sky commentary) would probably be too much). So maybe Vaughan will get the gig, in time to win the World Cup in England and to extend England's home Ashes winning run dating back to the season he started it in 2005.
Should Vaughan be the next England Director of Cricket? And, if not, then who?
Who will be the next England Director of Cricket, now that Andrew Strauss has stepped aside and Andy Flower's tenure will run only until the end of the year?
I would like to see one of Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Paul Collingwood or Alistair Cook.
In reality, it's probably too soon for Cook, Collingwood might be seen more as a coach than a director and Hussain's remuneration (he'd have to give up Sky commentary) would probably be too much). So maybe Vaughan will get the gig, in time to win the World Cup in England and to extend England's home Ashes winning run dating back to the season he started it in 2005.
Should Vaughan be the next England Director of Cricket? And, if not, then who?
I've been saying for years that Nasser should be involved in the England set-up. Maybe he's been approached and doesn't fancy it. He has a nice job but I'd like to think he has the balls to come out of the comfort zone of the commentary box. Other than him I'd like to see Atherton given a crack.
Who will be the next England Director of Cricket, now that Andrew Strauss has stepped aside and Andy Flower's tenure will run only until the end of the year?
I would like to see one of Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Paul Collingwood or Alistair Cook.
In reality, it's probably too soon for Cook, Collingwood might be seen more as a coach than a director and Hussain's remuneration (he'd have to give up Sky commentary) would probably be too much). So maybe Vaughan will get the gig, in time to win the World Cup in England and to extend England's home Ashes winning run dating back to the season he started it in 2005.
Should Vaughan be the next England Director of Cricket? And, if not, then who?
Who will be the next England Director of Cricket, now that Andrew Strauss has stepped aside and Andy Flower's tenure will run only until the end of the year?
I would like to see one of Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Paul Collingwood or Alistair Cook.
In reality, it's probably too soon for Cook, Collingwood might be seen more as a coach than a director and Hussain's remuneration (he'd have to give up Sky commentary) would probably be too much). So maybe Vaughan will get the gig, in time to win the World Cup in England and to extend England's home Ashes winning run dating back to the season he started it in 2005.
Should Vaughan be the next England Director of Cricket? And, if not, then who?
Who will be the next England Director of Cricket, now that Andrew Strauss has stepped aside and Andy Flower's tenure will run only until the end of the year?
I would like to see one of Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Paul Collingwood or Alistair Cook.
In reality, it's probably too soon for Cook, Collingwood might be seen more as a coach than a director and Hussain's remuneration (he'd have to give up Sky commentary) would probably be too much). So maybe Vaughan will get the gig, in time to win the World Cup in England and to extend England's home Ashes winning run dating back to the season he started it in 2005.
Should Vaughan be the next England Director of Cricket? And, if not, then who?
Alec Stewart
Oh please! Mr Cliche himself. Not a very imaginative suggestion. He's far too Sgt Majorish.
Comments
Fosters wicket keeping was world class, only man to stump Sachin in a test match :-)
It didn't really work with Jones, while Prior was dropped for his poor keeping skills, but then came back and became a decent enough keeper. Bairstow is another who has worked on his keeping skills after being picked as a keeper
Whereas Swann was by far THE best spinner in the country when he was called up after a long hiatus
A shame that his career has been wrecked by injuries
Feel for the guy - was only watching a replay from 2 years ago of ODI involving him a couple of nights ago.
I would like to see one of Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Paul Collingwood or Alistair Cook.
In reality, it's probably too soon for Cook, Collingwood might be seen more as a coach than a director and Hussain's remuneration (he'd have to give up Sky commentary) would probably be too much). So maybe Vaughan will get the gig, in time to win the World Cup in England and to extend England's home Ashes winning run dating back to the season he started it in 2005.
Should Vaughan be the next England Director of Cricket? And, if not, then who?
Not a very imaginative suggestion. He's far too Sgt Majorish.