4 August 2008

Strauss and Pietersen

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!

1 comment:

Ed said...

Yes, he has certainly had two excellent captains to learn from so let's hope for a miracle....

I 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).