Bopara to open?
Well it seems that atleast one person agrees with me that Prior shouldn't be opening. And there is a vague suggestion in this Cricinfo preview of the 3rd ODI that Pietersen might consider moving himself up to 3. While I agree that would be ideal, what does that say about England's pre-tour preparation if two matches into a series they rethink such a fundamental as where their best batsman bats?
If Pietersen moves up a slot it potentially allows England to bat Collingwood at 4 (assuming Bopara is considered an opener or specialist 8!) with Shah moving down to 6 (where he's been at his best for England) - something that Geoff Boycott was keen to see happen. Remember, Collingwood and Pietersen bat well together as I've burbled about before. So if Bopara opens and Pietersen moves to three, while I think it's scary that there has been a change of tactics so soon into the series, it could just rebalance the top 6 to ensure it includes England's 6 best ODI batsmen (on tour) - and no England supporter can argue with that no matter how much they may wish to debate the order.
Wouldn't it be nice if Vaughan found form so that we had a natural shot playing opener to select next summer?
2 comments:
The other area for a rethink was highlit by Micahel Atherton in The Times this morning.
He suggests that Pietersen doesn't rate spinners so that he wants to go with 4 seamers and Panesar in Tests whilst the opposition will probably go with 3 spinners on a turner.
Problem is do we have spinners of the right quantity and quality ?
We certainly can't compete with them for spinners after Monty, but Swann has to be a better bet on a turner than another seamer I reckon.
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