Cricket Burble: Collingwood

23 July 2008

I reckon that of our top batsman he had the best test match !

Ed said...: I agree - surely he's a shoe in for the next test squad?; 24 July 2008 at 12:09
Anonymous said...: I don't know, the fact that he got runs after he was dropped, shows precisely why it was right that he was dropped: it gave him a chance to find form away from the spotlight. However, one innings doesn't suddenly mean he's back on test match form again. A good innings in the 4 day game would be a different matter. If you want a batsman who bowls a bit, what about giving Bopara his turn?; 25 July 2008 at 12:30
Ed said...: Bopara is certainly close, but for some reason the England management don't seem to rate his bowling. He's less economical than Collingwood but always seems more likely to take a wicket to me with his out swing - Kallis style.

The reason that I'd go for Collingwood personally is that he's a top catcher and fielder (I realise that Bopara is pretty handy too) but, more importanly, because he's a grafter. A 3-7 of Vaughan, Pietersen, Bell, Bopara and Flintoff has no backbone, a la Graham Thorpe.....Collingwood can play that role (which is why I would have loved to have seen him retained at 5 to hold things together and adapt as the situation demands).; 25 July 2008 at 14:13
Ed said...: I see Bopara just scored 103 not our for Essex so if he plays well today in the Twenty20 finals he could well make it back into the squad....; 26 July 2008 at 10:37

Cricket Burble