
I would have picked Strauss for both the Tests and ODIs. He has already won a test series and is what England need in the middle order for ODIs, ie. someone who can bat for 30-40 overs holding the batting together whilst the others adopt a more aggressive approach, similar to Thorpe and Fairbrother's roles in the past. He has done this before in the ICC Champions trophy four years ago when he scored a hundred against Australia when Flintoff hit a quick fifty.
However, I'm not disappointed that Pietersen was selected. It should herald an exciting moment in English cricket as there is a bit of the unknown about his captaincy and whether we will witness exciting innovations.
Having played under Vaughan and Warne, he might surprise his doubters!
Yes, he has certainly had two excellent captains to learn from so let's hope for a miracle....
ReplyDeleteI hope he didn't absorb too much of Flintoff's tactics in the 2006/07 Ashes though (even allowing for the fact he was captain of a team that wasn't as good individually).