So there we have it: the brave new world. Looks rather like the crap old world to me, but beggars can’t be choosers I’m afraid.
I suppose the decision to remove Graham Gooch from his position of batting coach is enough change for the next ten years. Or am I just being a cynical? (Yes I am)
I feel a little sorry for Gooch to be honest. He was a brilliant batsman and is obviously a very good batting guru.
However, all good things must come to an end. With the exception of Ian Bell, all England’s senior batsmen have been in decline over the last two years. Cook, Trott and KP used to average 50. Now it’s more like 46.
Meanwhile, the team itself hasn’t made big runs (in excess of four hundred) since Goochie had his own hair.
Consequently, I think England have got this decision spot on. Fresh ideas are needed. Alastair Cook should also get some credit for finally ending his lifelong love affair with Goochie. It must have been a hard decision to make.
Now we move on to the ODI squad. All those fans who were calling for dramatic change in personnel were always going to be disappointed. At the end of the day, the players who got thrashed in Australia, and then Bangladesh are, rather unfortunately, the best available.
I’m still a little underwhelmed by the squad overall – we have been crying out for a more dynamic opening partnership for donkey’s years – but I can almost understand the selector’s caution: we might need scores of 300+ to beat the best teams in the World Cup, but on UK pitches in May, 250 is usually more than competitive.
If England are still picking a negative team later in the summer, I think it’s fair to put the boot in then. However, I’ve got a sneaking feeling they might experiment with Moeen Ali at the top of the order anyhow. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Ali’s presence could be one explanation for the exclusion of Lumb, who will probably never play for England again. He can walk into the sunset with an ODI average of approximately 55. That’s our third highest ever! Perhaps he’s considering some form of age discrimination claim?
The other two talking points in the squad were the inclusion of James Tredwell, who has been picked despite the fact he’s currently remodelling his action – that’s right folks, the cupboard’s so bare that we’re selecting guys who can’t get in their county teams – and Harry Gurney.
I’m a little mystified by the selection of the latter. His stats in county cricket are, how can we say, slightly better than dreadful but marginally worse than poor. He’s also 27 years old, so he’s hardly a young pup. His List A average of 34 at an economy rate of 5.5 is based on a solid body of evidence.
I can understand England wanting a left-armer in the side, especially considering the exploits of the tattooed weirdo this winter, but if we don’t have one good enough then why bother? I wouldn’t advocate my inclusion in the England side just because the selectors think a bald history graduate with a penchant for venting his spleen in public forums might add some variety.
The final thought I’ll leave you with concerns Jimmy Anderson. His presence in the squad certainly makes the bowling look better on paper, and dramatically reduces the possibility of Moores losing his first game in charge, but shouldn’t he retire from ODIs at this point in his career?
Jimmy has spent the last two years looking absolutely exhausted. Personally I think he should focus on first class cricket at this point in his career. It’s not like his stats in ODIs are that brilliant anyway (although they’re decent). It’s a thought anyway.
Have a good weekend everyone.
James Morgan
James – you need to let go of Jimmy, he’s just not that great. A test bowling average of 30 plus puts you in a league of ok’s, something England does not need.
I have posted previously before that Jimmy Anderson is overrated, yet English supporters have this dilusional image of Jimmy being a great – read the numbers folks, he ain’t.
England need to take some pain for a year or two, get a settled side, then build.
Was Moores a good choice? I have no idea, but all I have read in your wonderful website (I mean that) is that he has little respect. Your call I guess, but make sure you return the favour if he is successful. But the problem really lies with Giles Clarke – get him out, then there could be some better public support and aura around the team. He’s creating a bad connection with supporters, which in turn will start upsetting Sky, sponsors and the marketing people. Who wants to sell an ugly product? The best product is a successful team.
A starting point in the new “era” – stop picking expats and nuture local talent!
Thanks for your thoughts Doug. Entertaining as always. To be fair to Jimmy, his stats aren’t a fair reflection because he had an awful time for 2-3 years when he was younger. If you look at his stats between approx 2008-2014 I think you’ll find they’re very good. Ask Sachin Tendulkar whether he thinks Anderson is overrated :-)
I agree with your comments about Gooch but I think they beg the question why does David Saker still have a job? To be fair, he probably got the best out of Anderson and Broad and he was unlucky with injuries to Tremlett and Bresnan. On the other hand he must have had a role in the “lets take tall fast bowlers to Australia” fiasco, ruined Steven Finn and has not brought through any new fast bowlers. (It’s probably not his job to unearth and nurture new fast bowling talent but I’m going to blame him anyway because he’s mates with Shane Warne)
Although it does take guts/balls from Cook to say to his hero that he is being sacked I cannot help but chuckle at this. It is clear that sacking Gooche was mainly Moores’ decision and Cook just went along with it because he’s not the sort of person who would argue with a coach. If it wasn’t Moores decision then England would have got rid of Gooch in January – he has had no involvement with England since then.
Not only does it annoy me that Cook has let Moores get what he wants immediately (although I think Gooch had to go) it may also reveal something more significant. If the trend continues then Moores will just get his way all the time. The captain should be the important man in the side and make the big decisions with a little help from the coaches. Moores should be there to guide Cook & co, not make calls on his behalf.