by sussexpob » Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:00 pm
Not going to be a popular analysis, but....
Collingwood was hugely over-rated. His averages look very basic when we start removing performances vs non-test teams, where he hits quick runs at good averages. Against test teams, hes cutting a low 70s SR in the 2000-10s, which lets be frank, isnt putting him in a decent team that many times. Average is low 30s. He was the classic finisher, just a shame for England he was in the mould of Michael Bevan and not Buttler, ie stuck in the previous generation of tactics. He'd get nowhere near the team now. Just like in tests, it seems Collingwood has innings that stick out that adapt peoples memory. Consistently he just wasnt a good enough bat. Bowling added something, and an excellent fielder, but this isnt enough in ODIs to put you in a top 5 position.
Trott - Great average. Id hesitate to say this was because most opponents didnt want to remove him, because his endless batting usually damaged England's chances of winning. Trott was rubbish, an anchor man in an era where anchormen had been replaced by the Kohli's of this world. England got rid of him and became instantly better.
Im going for Morgan. Hes lightyears a better player than the other two. While Trott meandered around batting like a granny doing her shopping, who do you think was left to win the game with the rate climbing like Everest coming in after? Morgan.
A couple of stats are telling on this. When Morgan plays and England win, he averages 45 and SR at 95. When England lose this average dips into the 20s and SR80. It shows that Morgan's performance really seems to matter for England, and always has. He was the lifeguard in that team of Strauss, Bell, Trott et al...... they munched through 30 overs, then Morgan came on. He didnt bat well, England lost.
Average of 38 and SR near 90...... for a person often relegated or required to be a late order hitter, thats fantastic. Hes had lean periods, but everyone does. At his best, he was as exciting and brutal as any batsman England have had, inventive and talented.
Very surprised how little respect he gets from England fans.
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