Future Prospects

Too Much, Too Young? 

 

It's seems like Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright have been around for ages. It's true in some way, both made their international debuts some 4 years ago and both have been in and out of teams since, unable to force a regular spot, but enough talent to warrant continued persistence by the selectors.

It seems strange that both are still only 26 and yet they both have been around the England setup for seemingly a age and they may just be running out of opportunities. But there is still hope for these two if you ask me. Lets take a look at England's last test team and when they broke into the team and when they cemented their place.

Andrew Strauss – Didn’t make his test debut until he was 27 and except for a brief lull in form in 2007 has been an ever present with very few lulls in form. 

Alastair Cook – Except for a dodgy stomach after two tests Cook has been an ever present, something of an anomaly from someone who started their international career so early at the age of 21.

Jonathan Trott – 28 on test debut, Trott benefited from a lengthy apprenticeship in first class cricket and has been an ever present since and is clearly trying to make up for lost time by amassing a long list of achievements.

Kevin Pietersen – Was 25 on test debut (although like Trott he had to have a long wait for full English status, unlike Trott he would probably have been selected earlier if he was qualified) and benefited from piling up runs in first class cricket, was clearly ready for international cricket when selected.

Ian Bell – Was comparatively young on debut at 22 but didn’t completely secure his place in the team until a couple of years ago in South Africa at the age of 27, having shown immense talent since his debut but frustrating all with his performances. Now mature and potentially England’s best batsmen.

Eoin Morgan – Test Debut at 23, now 24, but by no means has guaranteed his spot in the middle order for career. Still unknown whether he is good enough to make it at test level.

Matt Prior – Was 25 on test debut but after initially impressing was dropped but returned a year later at 26 a better keeper and batsmen and looks likely to hold the wicketkeeper position for many years to come.

Stuart Broad – 21 on debut and has been a relative regular since. Has still to perform consistently to the potential he possesses, averaging 35+ with the ball, and may find he gets a break from test cricket in the near future to return to county cricket and work on his game.

Graeme Swann - First went on tour at 20 but was deemed too immature and not good enough and didn’t return to test cricket again until 2008 when he was 29 and has gone from strength to strength since.

Chris Tremlett – Test debut at 25 and did OK but was too fragile both mentally and physically but after an extended sabbatical returned to great acclaim in the 2010/11 ashes at 29 and looks like the bowler everyone thought he should have been given the gifts that he had at his disposal.

James Anderson – Made his test debut at the youngest age of the current team at 20 but went through many troughs and peaks, in and out of the team, before finally fulfilling his potential in 2010 at the age of 28.

So the ages that the various player nailed down their spots in team are respectively as follows: 27,21, 28, 25,27,?24?,26,??,29,29,28

What does this say? Well that probably regardless of their previous failings, both still has time left to cement a place in the England line up. Whether they can make it is another question, and dependent on both their natural talent, their determination, and a fair slice of luck never goes amiss.

Friendly Return for Duncan?

So Duncan Fletcher returns and with potentially the top coaching job in cricket as the coach of India. He returns to the UK with somewhat mixed emotions for many. Personally I was a pretty big fan of Fletcher even through the tough times at the end of his tenure as England coach because in some respects he revolutionised English cricket. Making the team wholly more professional, picking out certain players who were capable of stepping up to the international level and somehow beating the best team of the last 20 years, Australia, is no mean achievement. For that he will always be remembered fondly; for a number of the press his return will bring about the chance to stick the knife in once again if things don’t go well for India. Obviously I hope England do well and win easily but I hope old Duncan doesn’t have too hard a time, although how much longer he will be coach if England win easily is anyone’s guess.

Test Considerations 

The first test is next week and England’s selection is likely to be easy with the exception of the last bowlers spot. It is likely to be one of Stuart Broad, Steve Finn or Tim BresnanBresnan are alike this season, having returned from injury problems they have both struggled for form and full match fitness. Both picked up wickets this week in county games without particularly impressing the assembled press. 

Tim Bresnan is the player I’d have third on the list, I still have doubts over his fitness and he has had a lack of first class cricket this summer. With only 4 bowlers and a lack of occasional bowlers it would be a disaster if Bresnan were to break down early in a match. He of course does add batting prowess, another positive for Broad over Finn but the top 7 is so strong at present that the batting skills of 8-11 shouldn’t come into much consideration. Broad has played a decent amount of first class cricket this summer but in general has struggled. He seems capable of the odd excellent spell but it’s interspersed with a series of average spells that see him shove a good percentage of his bowls down the leg side. Steve Finn, unluckily for him had no first class game this week and has had to satisfy himself with a couple of run outs in t20 where he has impressed with his pace and control. Personally I would like England to take a gamble with Finn; he is expensive but takes wickets, has had the best season of the three, and India have not seen him yet.