England's provisional 30-man WC squad announced

Tremble, world. Or giggle.

England's 30-man squad for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup:

Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jack Brooks (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Harry Gurney (Nottinghamshire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Craig Kieswetter (Somerset), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Stephen Parry (Lancashire), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), James Tredwell (Kent), James Vince (Hampshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).

Dello wrote:Tremble, world. Or giggle.

England's 30-man squad for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup:

Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jack Brooks (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Harry Gurney (Nottinghamshire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Craig Kieswetter (Somerset), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Stephen Parry (Lancashire), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), James Tredwell (Kent), James Vince (Hampshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).

So basically, what they're saying is that it doesn't matter how many times we get beaten, or how many times Cook fails with the bat, there is no way he will be dropped from the England team. What if Hales, Taylor, and Morgan all make runs today and England win with Morgan as captain? Cook still comes back in and kicks one of them out? Its a disgrace.

I don't think I've ever seen such baseless backing of a player since I started following English cricket. Apart from the selectors, I literally don't think there is one person who thinks Cook should be captaining England to the World Cup.

His wife? His mum?

Well, even they must be having their doubts.

It's got to the stage whereby even though they went on and on about a good team spirit, a happy dressing room, and a team-orientated environment, it's quite clearly not about what's best for the team anymore. It's about the ECB and Cook being too stubborn to back down, and to hell with what's best for English cricket.

And I refuse to believe that everyone within and around the team is completely behind him. What about the poor sod who keeps missing out/getting dropped to accommodate Cook? That player/players must be bitter and annoyed at it all. It's just one good Hales, Taylor, or Morgan innings away from Cook's spot in the team being completely unjustifiable. Can you imagine the outcry if Taylor hits a hundred today, yet gets dropped for the next game to accommodate Cook? Imagine this scenario (and it's not completely out of the question)- Hales and Taylor both make hundreds (or at least 50+ scores), and captain Morgan finds form with a quick 50 not out at the end of the innings. England make a decent total and win the game. What then? Cook still comes back?

I heard whispers during the India ODI series that a couple of the selectors had serious doubts about Cook's ability to lead the ODI side to the World Cup. Those doubts can only have grown bigger by now.

Rant. F*cking. Over.

(maybe)

Every World Cup cycle the same happens. Talk of a new dawn, the plan ripped up a few times, then reverting to the same brand of JAMODI cricket we've been playing since dinosaurs were roaming the outfield at Lord's.

I actually hope to see us lose to associates these days in the hope it might change something. But even that doesn't register with those in power. Get a specialist ODI coach, a tough Aussie or Yarpie who will bring a different brand of cricket? Have a separate selection panel for limited overs cricket, with no loyalties to the Test regulars? Far too radical for Giles Clarke, Downton Shabby and co... 270 wins the majority of ODIs, in cloudy September conditions in England, so let's bank on the fact it will do in Oz and Snoozia, or the subcontinent or wherever else. We need to either make an effort at this form of the game or give it up. I certainly wouldn't pay £60-70 for a JAMODI ticket anyway.

At least Dernbach didn't make the 30. One positive anyway...

they should make it 20 man squads and then chop to 15. 30 man squads are such a waste of time.