Posts Tagged ‘Andrew Strauss’
England’s batsmen are in danger of becoming a running joke
Why does running between the stumps prove such a difficult task for England’s cricketers?
Even without the running joke of Owais Shah England still managed to lose three wickets to run-outs as they succumbed to a humiliating four-wicket defeat against South Africa A in their only Twenty20 warm-up before Friday’s first international.
The fact England went from the already precarious position of 75 for five to 82 for eight in the space of 11 balls, as Matt Prior, Luke Wright and Tim Bresnan decided to throw away their wickets, is just astonishing.
These cricketers have been playing the game for years – surely they have a sense of when a run is available? Apparently not.
Matt Prior was one of three run-outs in England's defeat to South Africa A
It is a problem which England’s coach Andy Flower needs to iron out and quickly. For if Andrew Strauss’ men are to beat the number one side in the world they cannot afford to lose their wickets in such casual fashion.
Tuesday’s defeat does not bode well for the business end of the tour. The run-outs are clearly a frustration to the England management as there is clearly plenty of talent in the dressing-room.
Admittedly England were not at full strength and had some relatively inexperienced players but that is no excuse.
They have been good in the field of late but it is their under-par performance with the bat which is starting to put unwanted pressure on them.
Whether it is a case of a seriously bad run of luck or a worrying mindset, England need to stop losing wickets so unceremoniously or they might as well concede defeat to South Africa now.
“In many ways this is why you have practice games before the actual main event,” he said.
Having already played a fairly busy summer programme you would think England are well practiced by now but this does not seem to be the case.
England’s top order needs a fresh look
ENGLAND’S dismal one-day record looks far from getting any better as they continue to make the same mistakes time and time again.
After being well and truly put to the sword by Cameron White’s maiden one day century on Wednesday, Andrew Strauss’s team has clearly not taken any confidence from reclaiming the Ashes.
Excluding Strauss, who has been the personification of world-class consistency, England’s batsmen have failed miserably all summer.
The team has relied heavily on the bonus runs of the lower order and their ability to economise runs in the field.
Critics will point to the team selection and specifically the questionable faith placed in players such as Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior and Owais Shah and the decision to play Tim Bresnan instead of the in-form Adil Rashid.
The timing of the third power play will also be debated and understandably so. During the first three defeats it has been the bowlers who have been left to try and exploit the fielding restrictions and this just should not be the case.
Granted England are without their star hitter in Kevin Pieterson but it is a team sport and they should be able to compete without him.
There seems to be a willing to try new bowlers, yet as far as I can tell there is a reluctance to replace the batsmen.
Joe Denly was picked in the squad but was unfortunate to become victim to England’s football warm-up curse but haven’t the likes of Stephen Moore or Steven Davies been given a chance to show what they can do.
Alastair Cook might even be worth a punt given that consistency is what is needed. Strauss supposedly was not flash enough to play in ODIs but he has proved everyone wrong. Why can’t Cook?
The current crop is just simple not producing the goods and failing all too frequently.
If England are to save any face from the remaining four ODIs then a drastic change at the top order is needed.
The guys currently occupying the top slots are evidently not feeling enough pressure and need to be told their place is not certain.
aquestionofsport 