Strauss gone

[Common as Mook]

Reports suggest (though potentially over-egged to make it more of a story) were that it was a rather imperious century. 163 out of a total of 317, next highest score 34 would suggest that it's not the same as the journeyman cricketers scoring hundreds every week...
I am not in the least bit surprised as he is an amazing talent - he has shown time and again that when he's in the mood (usually selfish reasons - personal point to prove) he is on another level.

I'm gutted that he has (seemingly) been a factor in Strauss going (if reports are true) and would not have him anywhere near the team again. As I've said on a previous thread on the matter, I really think it should be made clear that he is never coming back so all the inevitable rumours of a return everytime he scores runs are at least minimized. That way, the team can move on and whoever takes his place has less pressure from the ghost of KP looming in the background...

Windies reject and Australian journeyman Brendan Nash scored a quick hundred for Kent yesterday. Get him his passport checked sharpish!

 

[Simster]

KP or not, Strauss's time is up to be honest. We've not been good enough since the India series, and his form as captain is blatently hindering the side.

 

[CHAPPERS]

KP or not, Strauss's time is up to be honest. We've not been good enough since the India series, and his form as captain is blatently hindering the side.

I'm convinced giving Cook the captaincy will be detrimental to his batting too. He seems to really struggle when not fully concentrating.

 

[Simster]

I'm convinced giving Cook the captaincy will be detrimental to his batting too. He seems to really struggle when not fully concentrating.

I agree with you. The problem is that it needs to go to someone who walks into the side on form alone. Perhaps Jimmy Anderson?

Actually, Prior might make a good captain but I'm not sure how safe his position on the teamsheet is.

 

[ROSM]

The issue we have here is that KP believes that the england captain and management have been harder on him than others who have committed similar crimes. In his mind he believes:

Swann criticises KP in a book - no punishment
Broad and others 'collude' with a third party on spoof twitter site (and actively engage with it) - no punishment

yet he feels he cant say or do anything without getting pulled up for it.

What his persecution complex fails to recognise is that he has form and that his 'banter' is seen to the detriment of the team. he tried to get the players onside to outs Moores and failed - so they both went. He was a risk to the team that vaughan tried to avoid but was forced into it when Thorpe retired from test cricket. He failed to support Flintoff during the 2006/7 ashes series and so on and so on.

Now it seems he's done for Strauss - a popular leader amongst his team. I fear it makes a Pietersen comeback nigh on impossible now.

 

[larus]

When I heard on the radio this morning about the press conference and the assumption that Strauss was going to step down my reactions were (assuming this is the case):
1. Timing feels right; his form hasn't been that great for the last couple of years really.
2. I want to remember him for the great things he has achieved, and not any thoughts that he's stayed too long.
3. I don't want KP to get back to the team. The important word is team; and I feel as though KP maybe has caused a lot of friction, which cannot be good. Also, I agree totally with TLO's comments regarding him applying himself when he needs to for the team.

 

[Billy the Fish]

There are plenty of journeymen cricketers who score hundreds every week in the Championship. It means nothing.

Yet again KPs ego has taken down a good man. For Strauss read Moores.

Disagree with alot of this. Moores was a rubbish coach for England, and although Strauss has a great record he has been very lucky to be playing under Andy Flower who has masterminded Englands' rise to the top in the last 5 years.

Strauss is an average captain, he is far too defensive and it has cost us in the past. He hasn't made runs for a long time and I think it's a good time to staep aside.

This has nothing to do with KP, who will never play for England again.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

I agree with you. The problem is that it needs to go to someone who walks into the side on form alone. Perhaps Jimmy Anderson?

Actually, Prior might make a good captain but I'm not sure how safe his position on the teamsheet is.

I think Prior's place in the side is pretty much rock solid. He plays such an important role in the batting line up and is now regarded as a very good wicketkeeper

 

[CHAPPERS]

I agree with you. The problem is that it needs to go to someone who walks into the side on form alone. Perhaps Jimmy Anderson?

Actually, Prior might make a good captain but I'm not sure how safe his position on the teamsheet is.

God knows what the answer is. Unfortunately it looks like Cook is the only sensible option, because whoever steps into Struass' shoes as a batsman is going to have to score some runs, yet there is nobody really stepping forward for the job.

 

[ROSM]

I think Prior's place in the side is pretty much rock solid. He plays such an important role in the batting line up and is now regarded as a very good wicketkeeper

I'm not a fan of wicket keeper captains. Very difficult to drive a game from behind the stumps (in the same way as fielding at 3rd man or fine leg is not conducive either)

 

[keaton]

There are plenty of journeymen cricketers who score hundreds every week in the Championship. It means nothing.

Yet again KPs ego has taken down a good man. For Strauss read Moores.

I thought Strauss' awful performances with the bat and the team's poor performances since getting to number 1 might have played a part, but you're probably right it's because of KP.

And Moores needed to go, brilliant for Sussex, good for Lancashire, poor for England

 

[keaton]

I agree with you. The problem is that it needs to go to someone who walks into the side on form alone. Perhaps Jimmy Anderson?

Actually, Prior might make a good captain but I'm not sure how safe his position on the teamsheet is.

I'd say Prior's one of the safest in the team sheet along with Trott, Cook, Bell and Anderson. He's the best keeper and batsmen in the world.

 

[perseus]

Boycott gave KP a panning personality-wise on Radio 5. He did not think Strauss's batting was any good at the moment either.

 

[keaton]

Boycott gave KP a panning personality-wise on Radio 5. He did not think Strauss's batting was any good at the moment either.

Boycott talked utter shit about Yardy and should be ignored as much as possible.

 

[Simster]

I'd say Prior's one of the safest in the team sheet along with Trott, Cook, Bell and Anderson. He's the best keeper and batsmen in the world.

I won't argue. But the trouble with picking a keeper as captain is that you can only have one wicket keeper in the side, meaning that if a better player comes along capable of playing wicket keeper, then either you ignore that player or you have to change the captain to accommodate the new man.

On the other hand if the captain is a top batsman or bowler, it is easier to accommodate the captain when new blood arrives because there is room for 4 or 5 bowlers/batsmen.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

Boycott gave KP a panning personality-wise on Radio 5.

Two words spring to mind there, pot & kettle.

 

[The Large One]

And Moores needed to go, brilliant for Sussex, good for Lancashire, poor for England

But was that (largely) down to persistent fire-fighting with Kevin Pietersen?

 

[Common as Mook]

I thought Strauss' awful performances with the bat and the team's poor performances since getting to number 1 might have played a part, but you're probably right it's because of KP.

And Moores needed to go, brilliant for Sussex, good for Lancashire, poor for England

Strauss would not have resigned if it wasn't for the KP issue. Losing to SA is no blemish on anyone's record and he is probably still in the top 2 opening batsmen in the country.

 

[Common as Mook]

Strauss has a great record he has been very lucky to be playing under Andy Flower who has masterminded Englands' rise to the top in the last 5 years.

Strauss is an average captain, he is far too defensive and it has cost us in the past. He hasn't made runs for a long time and I think it's a good time to staep aside.

This has nothing to do with KP, who will never play for England again.

Strauss has helped to foster the team mentality that was lost after 2005. He should have been made captain for the trip to Aus in 07 and has overseen our rise to the top. Yes his form hasn't been great recently, but openers are always in the firing line with regards to form. You are more likely to get a good ball opening than when you come in at 200-3

 

[The Large One]

I won't argue. But the trouble with picking a keeper as captain is that you can only have one wicket keeper in the side, meaning that if a better player comes along capable of playing wicket keeper, then either you ignore that player or you have to change the captain to accommodate the new man.

On the other hand if the captain is a top batsman or bowler, it is easier to accommodate the captain when new blood arrives because there is room for 4 or 5 bowlers/batsmen.

Fair points, and I don't agree Prior should be captain. For a start he has little pedigree.

His role out in the middle is cheerleader, cattle-prod, sledger, catcher and stumper - as well as excellent sounding board and suggestion-maker to captain. He's like a vice-captain by proxy already.