The emergence of Jonny Bairstow, the ginger magician, has given our ODI team a positive selection dilemma (for once). Which batsmen are going to get the call in the first international against India tomorrow? And what order are they going to bat in? Thank heavens Eoin Morgan is injured, or there would be a real problem.
We’ll quickly run down the candidates and assess their merits and drawbacks.
Alastair Cook. As captain, he’s a dead cert to play. He’s also Alastair Cook, so he’s doubly certain to play. It’s the one of the unwritten laws of the universe. If England are playing a cricket match, Cook must play. If he isn’t selected, gravity gets turned upside down and the galaxy implodes. At least he actually deserves his place in the ODI team now. Verdict: Has the No1 spot nailed dowm
Craig Kieswetter. I’ve got to be honest, I’m not a Kieswetter fan. He simply hasn’t done enough to convince me that he’s a long term solution at the top of the order. He’s always good for a quick twenty or thirty runs, but I fear his hands are too hard, and his technique is not adaptable enough to be a top international batsman. He’s lucky that he’s the keeper, because he doesn’t merit a place in the side for his batting alone. Verdict: Certain to play, but should he?
Jonathan Trott. Love him or loath him, Trott has a brilliant ODI record. He isn’t pretty, he isn’t particularly exciting (in fact he’s about as fun to watch as a period drama on BBC2), but he gets the job done. He’s also the reigning ICC cricketer of the year. He must play. Verdict: His name is written in stone at No3.
Ian Bell. He’s the Rolls Royce of batsmen, and arguably our best player in all forms of the game; well, he’s the most aesthetically pleasing at any rate. However, his ODI record is rather average to be honest. Will need to up his game if he wants to keep his place in the ODI team. The other question is ‘where does he bat’? He’s good enough to bat anywhere, but hasn’t shown it for a while. Verdict: For all his class, he’s a little vulnerable.
Kevin Pietersen. Hasn’t been at his best in ODI cricket for years, but he remains our most feared batsman. His career has taken a knock because people have tried to promote him to No3, a position his technique simply isn’t suited to. Good No.3s do not play exclusively off the front foot. There has been talk of KP dropping down to No.5 – to which I say ‘hallelujah’. KP is a natural five. He’s best against a slightly softer ball. Think of the Oval Test 2005 if you don’t believe me. Verdict: 99% certain to play, but you never know. Not exactly everyone’s cup of tea.
Ravi Bopara. Once the butt of a few jokes (outside Chelmsford that is), Bopara’s confidence is now high and he’s finally scoring valuable runs. Has looked a good player in recent outings, and has experience of the IPL so should do well in India. Verdict: Current form has to count for something, so Ravi will play.
Jonny Bairstow. Is he the X-Factor we’ve been missing? Not many batsmen produce match winning innings on their debut, and not everyone can score a ton in fifty balls. Jonny Bairstow can. England have been looking for a middle-order player capable of clearing the ropes for what seems like an eternity – hence the continued selection of Luke Wright for years. The ginger wonder should be given a run in the team to prove he’s the man. Verdict: Surely set to play – it would send the wrong message if he didn’t.
Samit Patel. Will he or won’t he play? Do we need his bowling? Will he fulfil his potential? Patel is a curious cricketer who raises more questions than he provides answers. Sometimes I think his bowling is useful. Sometimes I think it’s the very definition of buffet. He has talent with the bat, but No.6 is probably one place too high for him. Verdict: If Flower is in love with Scott Borthwick as much as many people suspect, Samit might be toast (or some other wholesome carbohydrate).
As you can see, selection for this series is a little tricky. One of Bell, Pietersen, Bopara, Bairstow and Patel is bound to miss out. What would you do? In my opinion, the solution is staring England in the face but they can’t see it: Bairstow should keep wicket. This would enable the selectors to pick their best batsmen, which means Bell replacing Kieswetter at the top of the innings. But will it happen? Will it hell. If there’s one thing we’ve come to love about England’s ODI side in the last decade, it’s our infuriating propensity to pick two wicket-keepers.
My team for Friday: Cook (capt), Bell, Trott, Bopara, Pietersen, Bairstow (wct), Patel, Bresnan, Swann, Dernbach, Finn
James Morgan
