English Cricket Thread

[Durhamfootman]

He's been solid enough with the ball, I think, without tearing up roots, but he's averaging 70 with the bat and seems to be captaining quite well

they might be trying to mend bridges, or the phone calls might simply be a tick box exercise to deflect some of the post ashes bowling selection criticism. Who knows with England

[Arthur Crabtree]

Isn't this the classic bad management strategy. Picking the side you should have selected last time.

Bit like my FL teams.

[sussexpob]

Isn't this the classic bad management strategy

All the usual ECB propagandists are out in force this week in the press, suddenly talking about the need for Robinson to mend broken relationships in the dressing room and the coaching staff that he destroyed with his terrible attitude, the sudden appearance of which indicates they are printing stories on demand of ECB towers again.

It would help if Rob Key could get his story straight, because originally we were told 0/30 in one game where spin opened the bowling at each end in all innings was tragic form unbecoming of a test player after a year he'd been England's statistical best bowler. Then it was the fact Robinson was fit and couldn't bowl overs anymore. Then when he sent down the 2nd most overs in the county season, it was because he didn't have pace. And then when the speed gun showed his pace hadn't changed, it was specifically that he couldn't bowl 9 over spells without his pace dropping by the 7th over.

And now they are playing the KP card? In fairness to Andy Flower, if he had something to say about discipline and professionalism, I would be at least half listening, but not sure this pack of clowns who think gong on beach holidays and starting fights in the street with members of the public or nightclub bouncers have much input to give on this.

[sussexpob]

Jacob Bethell's interview with Nasser and Athers this week was pretty enlightening about England's coaching. When asked about the work he was doing at the IPL, Bethell rambles on about the fact that Indian coaches are much more hands on, and that they do audacious things like give players lots of information on what they are doing or how to approach things, whereas England just "filter out" all of this bullsh*t and let players get on with it, and that they don't "tell you much". Bethell indicates its a cultural difference, saying Indian players grow up being bathed in information from coaches. Bethell then cites an example of Dinesh Karthik using net sessions to do bizarre things like setting plans of attack against certain types of bowlers, or certain key players line and lengths, as an example of the type of complex information Indian coaches inform players on.

In other words, Bethell seem's a little mystified that for the first time in his elite level professional career, that he's actually being coached. Sorry Jacob, but coaches actually working on plans of attack tailored to situations, and actually giving you information on your game is, er, just coaching. Its not a specific weird thing Indian's like.....or not something that Dinesh Karthik just invented.

I guess if you weren't being coached by a guy who things a beach holiday teaches technique, it wouldn't feel so alien.

[Durhamfootman]

Marcus North is to be the new England selector, seemingly. Presumably he will stay in place at Durham as I've seen nothing suggesting that he might be on the move

that might scupper Gay and McKinney's chances of breaking into the team

[Durhamfootman]

first time the role has been filled by a non-English person

[andy]

How does everyone feel about it?? I was surprised when I heard the news but not sure I'm against it he's been a part of county cricket for since 2018 I believe with Durham so he has a good idea who's about in county cricket just suprised they didn't go for an Englishmen but see how he gets on

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not bothered by an Aussie being appointed- and anyway a Kiwi is leader of the team so it would be an odd place to draw the line. He should be judged on whether he's industrious, competent, honest and compassionate. Good luck!

[sussexpob]

I don't think you can get anything more ECB than hiring a selector who works full time in Division 2 cricket. He will, quite literally, not be watching any of the top level of the English game, so what exactly is the point? He can be as competent as he likes, but he's judging an inferior level.

Still, apparently Darren Gough and Steven Finn were the others strongly considered, and neither of those come across as the type suited for Administration.

[sussexpob]

Having said that, I dont think this appointment is really about him being selector, as much as its about him being integrated into the ECB system with a view of future elevation up levels. He seems to be highly rated in coaching/administration circles, and was apparently nearly hired when Rob Key got the job, so I reckon the ECB are looking to get him in the door and away from Aussie cricket with a view to making him the next Key replacement.

As stated above by AC, I also couldn't care less if descended from outer space - hire the best people available to you, irrespective of where they come from.

[Durhamfootman]

It is now expected that he will cease to be at Durham once the appt is confirmed. There is, apparently, a 6 month notice period, but it is likely that Durham will waive that

[andy]

Sarah Taylor has been named England's fielding coach for the series Vs NZ

[andy]

Andrew Flintoff looks set to be named Sydney thunder new head coach

[Durhamfootman]

I think Marcus North takes up his new role and leaves Durham tomorrow

[Durhamfootman]

Sarah Taylor has been named England's fielding coach for the series Vs NZ

I'm pretty sure that this is the first time a woman has been a Men's coach. I'm certain that she became the first woman to play in a Men's team in Australia

Bit of a trail blazer