England’s opening problems after Strauss – Opinion - Part 1
The lead up to the tough, upcoming series against India has been dominated by various issues, of varying degrees, for the England management. While some have been resolved in due course, the air on a few will be cleared once the tour concludes in late December.
As the former Poms’ players term it, the series will represent the final-frontier, the conquering of which will be considered as among the all time highs for English cricket. The buildup has been nothing but scratchy, where the team has been embroiled with
internal conflicts and controversies.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964 has again disjointed
a solid opening pairing for the Poms, which stood together on no less than 117 occasions, notching up 4711 runs at a reasonable average of 40.96.
The long-standing opening partnership was arguably the best during it’s time, and also remained http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alec-James-Stewart-c43081 by fair distance. Together
they ensured that the team reached the summit of Test cricket; however, they too found things a touch difficult when playing on spin-dominated tracks.
To play http://www.senore.com/Cricket/David-Ivon-Gower-c52869, way back in the mid- 1980s.
So a tough ask awaits them and given the fact that they recently relinquished their Test supremacy, they need a good showing in the coming months in order to remain in the top 3. After resolving the off-field disputes, their major concern will be to find
a suitable replacement for Strauss.
In doing so, many options will need to be taken into consideration. Do they need five bowlers? Do they want a bowler who could bat? Or do they want an uncapped player to make a mark in the upcoming series.
In naming the squad, the ECB have indeed left the door open for the management to try all sorts of combination. They have been shrewd in the sense that the three practice matches, which are too much in any stretch of the imagination, will allow their players
to get well equipped to the slow turners of the subcontinent as one cannot deliberate http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 wanting green tops.
For starters, they will indeed look to find a permanent partner for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/IJL-Trott-c1576.
The latter distant himself from the debate after claiming that he would prefer to bat at his customary no.3 position. Trott has every right to say that as he has made that position indispensible, scoring over 2500 runs at an impressive 50.49 since making
his Test debut in 2009.
"I've enjoyed batting No.3 in my career, since my second Test match when I was put in that position, and I feel like I've done a pretty good job there," Trott told Sky Sports News about his England preference. "But, if asked to open I'd have to - or I'd
like to - do what the team wants me to. No.3 is my preference but we'll just have to wait and see. I don't think it will come to that."
Continued...
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