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England v West Indies 1st Test
The displays of Bell and Pieterson through the series
demonstrate what a terrible decision was made when Thorpe
was discarded. At 36-2 today the one guy who would have
tempered my nerves would have been Thorpe coming at 5. It's
not too late and given the series situation, the selectors
should bite the bullet and bring him back for the finale.
And of course winning the Ashes on his home ground would cap
a magnificent test career. I even thought he bowled a decent
outswinger, but it's a decent No 4 that England need and I
don't think he is the answer. Technically, I would say that
he plays at too many balls outside the off stump without
moving his feet and his whole demeanor is of somebody that
feels a little out of his depth. His hook shot today was
awful.
I hope he comes good as I don't subscribe to the 'chop and
change' mentality that ruined English cricket for so many
years, but I am far from convinced that he is the answer.
Bell , batting at 4 has the lowest average of the recognised
batsmen and will be lucky to retain his place as a batsman .
Rest of his cricket is good , but not getting the scores
needed to justify selection as a no 4 , to bring stability
and a guaranteed good knock every time he goes to wicket.
Thorpe for instance would have not left England vulnerable
today , which in my opinion was largely due to Bell's
indiscriminate hook attempt which gave the Aussies hope . In
an England team brimming with self-confidence main defects
are Bell's batting and Jones's wicket-keeping . No team is
ever perfect , but both these need some attention.
Bell clearly has potential, but in a situation such as
yesterday's did not have the experience and confidence to
handle it. This will come and we should persevere, however I
see absolutely nothing wrong with bringing back Thorpe for
the most important Test in the last 20 years as he is the
one man standing who has been there and done it before.
There are similar(ish) precedents, Cowdrey aged 41 being
called up to fly to Australia in 71.
The simple question is who would you prefer to be walking
out @ No.4 for England at the Oval if your life depended on
it ? Thorpe or Bell ?
The reality is the selectors will stick with Bell and Thorpe
would probably refuse if asked!
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