As England prepare for their last match for the Cricket World Cup, I am still puzzled as to why they bothered to take James Tredwell on tour.
Considering they have suffered loss after loss, with their latest against Bangladesh knocking them out of the tournament altogether, did they not consider a change of plan?
Yes, I can see many reasons why they should have taken him on the tour. He is, after all, statistically England’s best ODI bowler.
All the successful teams in the tournament so far have fielded at least two spinners, and I don’t mean two part-time spinners.
As I recall, in one of England’s warm-up matches, Tredwell was asked to stop bowling because he was taking too many wickets.
But the function of spinners is not just to take wickets, it is to control the run rate, such as New Zealand veteran Daniel Vettori versus India. Tredwell has usually been capable of this for England.
Given the appalling mediocrity of England’s bowling attack, which was obvious from early in the tour, and England’s stated belief in flexibility, why did the selectors stick their heads in the sand?
Few of the England players have come out of this debacle with any credibility, so I suppose at least Tredwell’s reputation has at least remained untarnished. But what a waste of talent.
13th Man
Guest
Agar has bowled brilliantly in recent shield games.
Don Freo
Guest
You haven't noticed him bowling WA to victory in the last four games? Are you living under a rock? You must be the only person in Australia who has not noticed his performances. Either that or you are an English selector. What's this obsession with drinks? Haven't you had enough?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
He has a total of one wicket of a player who could be selected for tests as a batsman (and one more of an all rounder) without being utterly humiliated. Agar is just not worth discussing unless you need a bloke to carry drinks.
Matt
Roar Rookie
This really sums it all up. England selectors don't know what they're looking for.
Don Freo
Guest
You are defeating your own argument here. One look at a scorecard will correct you. Have you seen the shield performances this year? Top order batsmen defending...no one out slogging. Quality spin bowlers like Lyon, Agar and Ahmed dismiss batsmen in rearguard contests. If you don't know the game, don't bother commenting. You advertise your own bankruptcy of understanding. Others can read this and laugh at you.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Reasons to pick Agar: he might get a few tail enders out trying to slog. Reasons not to pick Agar: competent batsmen put the rubbish he bowls to the fence at low risk.
Don Freo
Guest
Oh...and why do you say that? You don't follow cricket?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Sure it makes sense, the only thing Agar should be selected to do is carry drinks.
Don Freo
Guest
Huh? Did you miss out a sentence or something? That makes no sense.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
"Unless a left arm orthodox can bowl like Ashton Agar, they have no future carrying drinks for the best eleven." Fixed that for you Don.
Don Freo
Guest
Unless a left arm orthodox can bowl like Ashton Agar, they have no future.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Many teams have been able to get more than 10 overs of spin in to good effect, but it's usually been with a slow left arm orthodox and an offspinner. That being the case, why was Tredwell in the squad ahead of Stephen Parry unless Ali was under serious consideration to be dropped.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The English selectors.. well I can't work out their logic, their squad as a whole didn't make much sense.
Antiwhippy
Guest
Spin has not been their problem. Moeen ali was doing basically the job tredwell would have done. It's their pacers that's the problem.
Craig Watson
Guest
Could say the same about our Xavier Doherty. He has played only one match or is it two? Pointless selecting a specialist spinner if you are not going to play him.I am sure Tassie could use his services in the final shield match of the summer.