Ramps Watch

JKLever wrote:I was called a farkwit the other day for suggesting that Ramps would probably make more runs in SL than Strauss.

I agree, he'd also make more runs than Bell and Cook I feel.

Cook for sure, Bell I think has improved his game against spin a lot.

Lets not go there though! We've done that debate to death

Yeah, true. I totally put paid to the debate will damn fine logic and you didn't know what else to say. A bit like filo on the Dazza H thread.

In contrast to my feelings about Ramps - would have to agree with Leo that Vawn was out of order dragging up Ramps's stats against the other young tykes in the England set-up.

There are certainly more subtle ways of making a point in public rather than rubbishing past stats - which I am prone to doing re Ramps - but for different reasons - Slurrey filth!!!
Two seasons racking up runs (albeit 50pct on a placid Oval track and on season in Div 2) ought to be taken into consideration in the bigger picture.

But always remember, Vawn has his own mandate and he has now positioned himself strongly within the hierarchy since Feltch's departure.

Drop Strauss?? Hmmm.. The question is - who then opens the batting?

Batfink Begins wrote:Yeah, true. I totally put paid to the debate will damn fine logic and you didn't know what else to say. A bit like filo on the Dazza H thread.

Thats talk!

But i'll not bite...

Merlin wrote:

Drop Strauss?? Hmmm.. The question is - who then opens the batting?

It should be Cook & Vaughan.

Can't see a Cook/Strauss partnership surviving much beyond the first 5 overs of Murali can you?

Mebbe ... tough call.
Wouldn't want to see Vawn opening though.
Think those days are long in the past.

I'd deffo keep Cook - always like his solid style .. and Strauss will get his form back - though I admit, he really was crap for both England and Mddsx this summer....

Like I said, tough call -....

If Bell must play in SL, he would be better off opening than at 6 surely?

Starting his innings against Murali is not something that's likely to go well for him.

JKLever wrote:Thats talk!

But i'll not bite...

G: "Bell hasn't scored that many pressure runs/left his mark on many games/done much against the better sides he's played.

J: "What about that game sometime, somewhere? His teammates were sh!t in Aus, so was he but a little better, means he's wicked"

Yeah!

If Ramps makes the squad, I'd prefer to see Bell dropped rather than Shah. Bell is a makeshift opener nothing more, nothing less - shoe-horned in for ODI's ...
How long would the nerves last watching him hesitantly push at balls just outside off stump time and time again before finally getting the edge that puts him out of his misery.

Shah is a far better batsman against spin - has a steel edged nerve and has come good regularly over the past six months (when given an opportunity). Perfectly suited to an SL tour ...

Leo wrote:If Bell must play in SL, he would be better off opening than at 6 surely?

Starting his innings against Murali is not something that's likely to go well for him.

What, chronic off-stump problem against fresh new-ball bowlers, with a new ball? If you say so Leonard.

I don't think your technique against pace makes much difference on those pitches - ask Ramesh. But I wouldn't pick Bell at all, I'm just trying to be diplomatic.

Cook
Vaughan
Ramprakash
Pietersen
Collingwood
Shah

Would be my top 6. Probably with Swann at 8 if he continues to perform.

Leo wrote:I don't think your technique against pace makes much difference on those pitches - ask Ramesh. But I wouldn't pick Bell at all, I'm just trying to be diplomatic.

Cook
Vaughan
Ramprakash
Pietersen
Collingwood
Shah

Would be my top 6. Probably with Swann at 8 if he continues to perform.

Think they've better new ball bowlers now though, would be incredibly cautious myself. Good top 6, I'd go with that.
As for Swann, he's only two more games to go, so I'd say his decent 1st 3 showings have put him in.

Im getting a bit worried that the Ramprakash train seems to be gaining momentum. Come on people! Wake up! It's a bad move!

Why? Strauss isn't doing well, so you get the best batsman playing in the domestics and now it is Ramps comfortably.

Henry wrote:Im getting a bit worried that the Ramprakash train seems to be gaining momentum. Come on people! Wake up! It's a bad move!

I know what you're saying Trev - the 'for the future' style of selection has worked such a treat that we've beaten only the West Indies and a defunct Pakistan team in the last two years. Hardly an endorsement, especially as the likes of Sidebottom would never have gotten in using that rationale.

Well, the "Lets give Ramprakash another go" policy of the 90's was hardly a roaring success either.

Henry wrote:Well, the "Lets give Ramprakash another go" policy of the 90's was hardly a roaring success either.

Yeah. It is really funny though, isn't it? How some people cannot recognise the difference between now and 10 years back, in the condition of pitches or the lack of calibre of bowling attacks or the distinct difference in Mark Ramprakash.

How do we know that Ramprakash is any different now to 10 years ago? It's not like he didnt score a shitload of runs in county cricket 10 years back. I remember back in 2001 when he was recalled for the 386th time, people were talking about the ,"New, relaxed Mark Ramprakash." And he did moderately ok for a while, before collapsing in a nervous heap again.

He wasn't scoring like this.

And anyway, he was fine against everyone except New Zealand after 1997. At least, when he wasn't stuck in to open by Funcwit.

Im pretty sure he wont tour, though. In an interview recently, when questioned about Ramps' possible inclusion in the winter touring party, Vaughan said words to the effect of,"Well, we can recall a 38 year old who averages 27 when most of the guys in the team are averaging 40+, or we can give one of the younger guys a chance."

Im pretty sure Vaughan wont be pushing for Ramps when he meets with Graveney and co.

Also, England have already got one fairytale comeback story out there in Graeme Swann. I dont think the cricketing Gods will take kindly to them trying to push for another one.

Henry wrote:Also, England have already got one fairytale comeback story out there in Graeme Swann. I dont think the cricketing Gods will take kindly to them trying to push for another one.

Well, there's comebacks as in "the cnut of a bloke who had selectorial input before had a grudge against me, the new bloke hasn't" and there's "I've improved out of sight of recent times" comebacks.
Swann has been the best OD spinner for the last 5 years as I mentioned time and again. Time and again!

Only sh!twits who're f**king clueless would think it's rampant one-eyeing from my point of view. As was the same with Monty. As is the same with DJG Sales.

As is the same with DJG Sales.

Who?

Merlin wrote:As is the same with DJG Sales.

Who?

Y'need a bit of explaination? Let us not get silly.