Simple article really, Alistair Cook should relinquish the England captaincy for the good of the team and to focus on his batting. He hasn't got the tactical nous or ingenuity to win tests for his team. If a test is in the balance, with Cook at the helm, England will lose more often than not. I think England should bring in James Foster as Wicket Keeper and interim captain, until a more permanent solution is found. Why? Because I think England have most of the pieces to be competitive in the upcoming series against India, except the most important piece: a good, or at the very least a competent, captain.
And another thing, England need to bring in a proper spinner. The management seem to have their heart set on an immediate replacement for Swann, which there isn't at the moment. The sensible option is to settle for a competent spinner, of which there are a number around the county circuit. England won the 2005 ashes without a real match winning spinner, but with Ashley Giles, someone who could keep it tight, build pressure and was capable of taking wickets as well, without the ability to really rip through teams. Gareth Batty has been on good form of late, Danny Briggs also is having a good year with the red ball. Fantastic spinners they may not be, but they are a better spin option than Moeen Ali, and if the test at Headingley showed us anything it's that England need a captain and a spinner, and those two players offer viable options, in the absence of Monty Panesar.
Cook Out
posted on 3/7/14
"England need to bring in a proper spinner"
You think???
Joking aside, the spin situation is desperate right now. I'd be tempted to take another chance on Rashid. He struggled first time round but he's becoming more consistent and looks a much more mature bowler these days. Whoever we choose we need to give them time. None of our spin contenders are going to become world class wicket takers overnight, if at all, but we should show confidence in them and not hoik them straight back out after a couple of dry innings'.
Can't argue with much you said about Cook
posted on 3/7/14
An interesting point about Rashid. I think giving time is important, even more so with leg spinners. Still, I'd pick the man in form, and those men are, as far as I can tell from cricinfo statistics, Gareth Batty and Danny Briggs.
posted on 4/7/14
Agree about Rashid, his batting has also improved a lot but above all he actually spins the ball both ways.
He used to go for a few runs but this season he seems to be bowling a tighter line, which is vital at international level.
He turns the ball which puts doubt in the batters mind, I would give him another try, he is at an age where he needs to take his chance.