Matt Prior has announced that he is taking a break from England duty for the rest of the summer. He's doing the right thing, but now what concerns me is who England will select to replace him. They'll select Buttler, but they shouldn't. Why? Because in the longer form of the game, he is neither a great batsman nor keeper. His FC average is 33. OK, this season he is averaging a tad over 40, but does an average of just over 40 over only nine games prove his pedigree as a first class batsman? I don't think so. Over a period of more than 5 years as a professional cricketer he has played only 56 first class matches, and made only 4 centuries. And the argument that he was batting low in the order doesn't really wash either, because he wasn't usually playing as a keeper when he was at Somerset, he was batting in the middle order. Which brings me onto the second reason he shouldn't be picked: his keeping. I think it is widely acknowledged that Buttler is not a great keeper. Some might say "neither is Matt Prior, but his runs made up for it." Now, that was true, but there is no guarantee that Buttler will get those kind of runs and his keeping is not up to the standard where you could select him on that basis.
So here's what I'm suggesting. Don't call up Buttler now, and let him have the rest of the season at Lancashire to refine himself as a FC batsman. Instead call up one of James Foster or Steve Davies. Both of these are proper Keepers who are in decent form with the bat, they are averaging 37 and 39 respectively, which is perfectly acceptable for a keeper. More importantly, though, they are both excellent keepers.
Prior taking a break
posted on 24/7/14
"batty is over the hill"
This is indicative of ECB thinking. The ECB are looking for a long term answer, which Batty certainly isn't, however as a short term call up, he's the man in form and the same goes for Briggs. They've both been bowling well in the CC and been taking wickets, which can't be said for Rashid.
posted on 25/7/14
comment by Jezzer (U4205)
posted 18 hours, 34 minutes ago
"batty is over the hill"
This is indicative of ECB thinking. The ECB are looking for a long term answer, which Batty certainly isn't, however as a short term call up, he's the man in form and the same goes for Briggs. They've both been bowling well in the CC and been taking wickets, which can't be said for Rashid.
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Briggs and Batty are both playing in Division 2, and before you say there is no difference, the gap in class is huge. Sides that come up from Div 2 generally go straight back down again. Also the ECB in their glorious wisdom decided that DIV 2 should use a different ball to that in Div 1.
Another argument is that hampshire & Surrey both produce decks that are conducive to spin whereas Yorkshire who have the strongest seam attack in the country don't have too. If putting a 36 year old guy in the side is your answer then I thank the lord you are not in charge
posted on 25/7/14
"Briggs and Batty are both playing in Division 2, and before you say there is no difference, the gap in class is huge"
Moeen Ali Plays in div 2, doesn't seem to have stopped him doing alright.
Another argument is that hampshire & Surrey both produce decks that are conducive to spin whereas Yorkshire who have the strongest seam attack in the country don't have too
The Oval might spin, But that can't be said for the Rose Bowl, in any case, Even is they did both spin, they represent two of the next 3 tests, so surely it would be logical to put a spinner in on a supposedly turning track in their home conditions?
"If putting a 36 year old guy in the side is your answer"
Age isn't relevant if the call up is temporary, just for this series. It's even less relevant for a spinner.
posted on 26/7/14
comment by Jezzer (U4205)
posted 16 hours, 40 minutes ago
"Briggs and Batty are both playing in Division 2, and before you say there is no difference, the gap in class is huge"
Moeen Ali Plays in div 2, doesn't seem to have stopped him doing alright.
Another argument is that hampshire & Surrey both produce decks that are conducive to spin whereas Yorkshire who have the strongest seam attack in the country don't have too
The Oval might spin, But that can't be said for the Rose Bowl, in any case, Even is they did both spin, they represent two of the next 3 tests, so surely it would be logical to put a spinner in on a supposedly turning track in their home conditions?
"If putting a 36 year old guy in the side is your answer"
Age isn't relevant if the call up is temporary, just for this series. It's even less relevant for a spinner.
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Moeen gets in the side as they tested him to see if he could be used as our main spinner, personally I see him as a back up spinner in the same sort of bracket as Samit Patel who for the record is a better batsmen than Moeen. Moeen has been the stand out Div 2 player for sure but look at the quality of the bowling attacks.
The Rose Bowl is a turning track, just look at how Hampshire load their side with spinners, its pretty clear.
Batty & Briggs are spinners who need batsmen attacking them to get wickets, in tests you wont get many wickets caught long on or on the boundary.
England need to face the fact that currently we don't have the kind of spinner who can bowl sides out, in fact there arent many sides out there who do. Ajmal is the one that stands out and to be honest he wouldn't look out of place with a baseball mitt on
posted on 26/7/14
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posted on 27/7/14
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posted on 27/7/14
You Can't make comparisons with 4 day and T20 and one day. It's a completely different game.
In first class matches this season the Rose Bowl has looked green but has played like a road. It looks like that is what the test pitch is as well. It ain't no spinners paradise, but still offers something if you bowl well. With four proper seamers, England might just get away with not playing a spinner, but I think they will miss the containing role that the spinner could provide.
posted on 1/8/14
should have done the decent thing and stepped down at the end of the sri-lanka series.. Prior was obviously not fit.
Buttler looks to be huge prospect and his glove work was excellent when he was behnd the stumps.
posted on 2/8/14
I would say Buttler just about as competent as Dhoni with his glove work!
posted on 2/8/14
dhoni looks like he has oven gloves on.