Sri Lanka v England 3rd test at Galle

canveyshrimper · Dec 21, 2007

Yorkshire Blue said:
What could Ramps teach them about success at test level?

They've all scored runs at county level, its test cricket they are struggling with. Besides, if they just need an old head to teach them about averaging 50 in test cricket and being a truly sublime player of spin, the batting coach is Andy Flower, arguably the greatest player of spin ever.

Agree about Ramps.

If England had wanted an experienced test batsman then IMO Mark Butcher should have got the gig. A vastly superior test record to that of Ramps, as well as being 3 or 4 years younger. And bear in mind he wasn't dropped he lost his place through injury.

number11 · Dec 21, 2007

canveyshrimper said:
Agree about Ramps.

If England had wanted an experienced test batsman then IMO Mark Butcher should have got the gig. A vastly superior test record to that of Ramps, as well as being 3 or 4 years younger. And bear in mind he wasn't dropped he lost his place through injury.

Which was a great shame as he was in really good form at the time. Dunno if the info is available anywhere, but whilst his test average is probably lower mid 30's, he had an awful average when he first started, but after coming back into the side around 2001/02 he contributed well.

canveyshrimper · Dec 21, 2007

number11 said:
Which was a great shame as he was in really good form at the time. Dunno if the info is available anywhere, but whilst his test average is probably lower mid 30's, he had an awful average when he first started, but after coming back into the side around 2001/02 he contributed well.

Including his memorable 173 not out that won the Headingly Test against the convicts in 2001.

sufcintheprem · Dec 21, 2007

Cricinfo seem to have about the best sporting database you can get for free so I'd try that if you're interested in his yearly average (I think they have it somewhere)