Ashes 2010: England squad pen-pics (part 1)
With the England cricket team finally on the right track; having found their consistency, and the 16 man squad picked for the Ashes contest. A contest which will take place between arch rivals England and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, one of the best for England in years.
Let us take a quick look at the English squad and their ability to rattle cages in Australia.
ANDREW STRAUSS (captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Middlesex-c817; Age 33, Caps 77)
The opener for the English side and captain, Andrew Strauss seemed a little out of touch during their game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 at Lord’s in may, this summer. However he definitely has found his form against Pakistan and impressed upon the critics of the England
side with his leadership. Not only has he managed to keep his calm under extremely distressing controversies off the field but he has also managed to score very useful runs for his side. He was awarded man-of-the-series in the ODI’s against Pakistan which
was a very close contest between the two sides. England now is assured of Andrew Strauss and his ability to captain the side and engage in man-management under any circumstances.
ALASTAIR COOK (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Essex-c783; Age 25, Caps 60)
Alastair Cook was found worryingly out of form against Pakistan in the first few tests, however is century under stressful conditions against the Pakistan side at the Brit Oval has ensured that this man is retained in the Squad. With 12 centuries and 23
half centuries in 54 matches and a batting average of almost 45 his contribution to the side will be of utmost importance especially against Australia. He will be expected to switch quickly into gear, as there seems to be no specialist cover for a malfunctioning
opener.
JAMES ANDERSON (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lancashire-c806; Age 28, Caps 52)
James Anderson has been superb with the ball swinging beautifully against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the first Test at Trent Bridge against Pakistan this summer. However, what seems to be a worry is whether he would be able to do the same with a Kookaburra ball. Andersen
has this tendency to be strangely diffident at times especially for a fast bowler. During the Ashes his mind would be tested just as much as his body – of course noting how he has made the eerie decision of posing nude for a g*y lifestyle magazine just before
England was to Embark for Australia. He has stripped completely for the g*y magazine attitude, which could be considered a brave and clever move just before flying out to Australia. The public reaction to all this would be highly entertaining and interesting.
IAN BELL (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warwickshire-c862; Age 28, Caps 57)
Ian Bell is one English batsman who can safely be considered as one with a Rolls Royce batting technique. However until he actually took off on what was actually his last chance – producing a match winning hundred in Durban – the fear remained that he might
never actually deliver based on simply his potential. Bell is now approaching the most productive years for a batsman, however it will be absolutely no surprise to the cricket fans if Australia try to break into his head. Bell has played 57 Tests for his team
with a batting average of almost 43. His career includes 11 tons and 23 half centuries.
TIM BRESNAN (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yorkshire-c867; Age 25, Caps 5)
Tim Bresnan barely squeezed his way past his fellow Yorkshire all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajmal-Shahzad-c42489 for the spot of a 5th seamer. National selector Geoff Miller did not go into the nitty gritties of why Ajmal was left out of the 16 man squad. Bresnan however
might prove to be a gaping hole in an otherwise strong England side and will have a lot to prove before he is considered as a genuine Test bowler. The selectors might have preferred him over Shahzad maybe because of his ability to bat in the lower order as
well. However with a bowling average of 35 having taken only 14 wickets in 5 test matches is hardly an impressive record.
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