I don't wish bad luck on anyone but with Roland-Jones injured, Porter must be in the running for a ashes place. No English bowler is near him with wickets taken this season.[/QUOTE
For his sake I'd rather he debuted in an English home season as the ashes could be a chastening experience. He clearly deserves the chance though as he has been phenomenal this year and his record is well clear of any other English bowler.
I know people are worried about his lack of height and pace but Philander for South Africa has shown what can be achieved with cricket skills rather than physical gifts. (Actually, I wonder what his stats are like in Australia)
Mats 5
Inns 9
Wkts 16
Ave 30.12
Eco 2.82
SR 63.93
5Ws 1
MoM 0
MoS 1
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/zones/insights?insights=player&player_id=46935
his usual average is 22, strike rate 49 but the economy rate is similar. I'd also be worried about throwing Porter in to an away Ashes but he deserves to be in the conversation
I don't usually agree with removing a player's best match from their stats...but Philander's stats there in Australia are significantly boosted by a 5-21 on a damp greentop in Hobart last year. He's been ineffective on their traditional pitches that we'll face.
was at the M/sex game,either 72 or 73??Echo the Boycie sentiments.
1973 was the first year I saw an Essex match. Dad took me to the New Zealand Tour Match at Chalkwell Park.
I remember being back there in 1976 for a CCC match against Worcestershire. The day we racked up 499 in 100 overs. Boyce made a whirlwind 75, including depositing John Inchmore for about 28 in one over. Most disappearing way over the crowd and into the makeshift car park at the bottom end of the ground.
I even bowled a few deliveries at him in a pre-match warm-up at Southchurch Park. He was injured at that point, so wasn't playing, but had a net on the outfield and when the other players went into the pavilion to prepare for the match, he stayed out and let all us kids have a bowl at him, signing autographs afterwards.
He also had the most tremendous throw. Hurled in from the boundary at lightning speed, thudding into the gloves.
Always a bit of a hero and was sad he was taken at such a young age.
What an odd thing to be doing.
We have a CCC match starting tomorrow and Silverwood's strength has been his team-building skills in our 4-day format.
Our one-day side haven't done great.
Also, why would England need any help with their one-day side, anyway?
Why though.Why does Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes and the like need coaches.
Don't they know how to play cricket! :facepalm:
I'm all for a head coach, like at county level and when youngsters need some tips and adjustments on their skills, but surely once you reach International level, you should know what you are doing.
Never been a fan of Morgan. Not a fan of his captaincy, and it doesn't help that his batting has been woeful for a long time now. The weakest player in the team IMHO.