Pietersen to be named as England captain

ooh, Strauss has come into 5's from 12's in the betting....

Merlin wrote:BTW - he is on record as saying he rates Bell as world class ...

Clearly a world class cricketing brain then.

It's probably been said, but Freddy Trueman would be turning in his grave to see that two Saffies are competing (and ahead of everyone else by the length of the straight) for the mantle of English captain.

skully wrote:
Do you think he'll thrive on the pressure, or be gradually worn down by it?

TBH, I think he won't feel as much pressure on himself as a captain. He'll be oblivious to outside influences, but I do think his batting will suffer - if the rest of the team keeps batting like they have.

skully wrote:It's probably been said, but Freddy Trueman would be turning in his grave to see that two Saffies are competing (and ahead of everyone else by the length of the straight) for the mantle of English captain.

Skulls, it's called divide and conquer.

Merlin wrote:BTW - he is on record as saying he rates Bell as world class ...

**groans, holds head up, eyes roll upwards**

F*ck me, I totally forgot about that.

**slaps head**

Sack him.

Brass Monkey wrote:

Merlin wrote:BTW - he is on record as saying he rates Bell as world class ...

**groans, holds head up, eyes roll upwards**

F*ck me, I totally forgot about that.

**slaps head**

Sack him.

PMSL ....

As long as he's never said that Vaughan should be retained . . .

skully wrote:It's probably been said, but Freddy Trueman would be turning in his grave to see that two Saffies are competing (and ahead of everyone else by the length of the straight) for the mantle of English captain.

Fark off with the 2 saffies will you Skulls.

Strauss is comparable to Andrew Symonds

Whatever. I personally tire of this Saffie shit. Strauss is smack on English, KP isn't but he's playing for a team that he has a great desire to play for. It's the same f*cking thing.

Settle boys, no intention to hit a raw nerve. Merely a statement of fact. FST would be spewing.

FST came from a different era, this is a different country.

JKLever wrote:FST came from a different era, this is a different country.

I'm sure there are many that are rather fond of that era and it's results.

JKLever wrote:FST came from a different era,

Which is why he is turning in his grave?

JKLever wrote:FST came from a different era, this is a different country.

Did he ever comment on Tony Greig?

Yeah skulls, but it's a bit like saying Richard Nyren would be turning in his grave at all the over-arm bowling and vertical batting.

skully wrote:It's probably been said, but Freddy Trueman would be turning in his grave to see that two Saffies are competing (and ahead of everyone else by the length of the straight) for the mantle of English captain.

FST actually played under one Test captain born in Bangalore and another born in Milan so I don't think he would actually be bothered, or as he might have said:

"Ah dunna care if he wa' born on fookin' Mars, as long as we beat the boogers!"

(Pardon the vernacular).

Righto lads, I get your drift. [backing away slowly]

I'd pick Stauss but filling the ODI vacancy too makes KP a dead cert. I beleive KP is a more thinking player than he is given credit for and will do ok. To do well though he needs the backing of Freddie and Strauss, the other senior players.

Reuters confirm it's KP.

"I am very thrilled and excited to have been given the opportunity to captain England," Pietersen said in an ECB news release. "It's a huge honour for me and a terrific challenge for me at this stage of my international career.

"I have learned a great deal about leadership from playing under both Michael and Paul (Collingwood) and fully appreciate the level of responsibility that comes with the job of captaining your country.

"My immediate priority will be this week's fourth test and I will be devoting all my energies to ensuring the team is properly prepared and plays to its full potential starting on Thursday."

THICKEDGE wrote:Reuters confirm it's KP.

About 9 mins later than everywhere else...

4th Saffie-born player & 3rd Hampshire-registered player to be appointed England captain.

Good luck to KP.

THICKEDGE wrote:"I am very thrilled and excited to have been given the opportunity to captain England," Pietersen said in an ECB news release. "It's a huge honour for me and a terrific challenge for me at this stage of my international career.

"I have learned a great deal about leadership from playing under both Michael and Paul (Collingwood) and fully appreciate the level of responsibility that comes with the job of captaining your country.

"My immediate priority will be this week's fourth test and I will be devoting all my energies to ensuring the team is properly prepared and plays to its full potential starting on Thursday."

he added ... "Get me Nike, Addidas and Woodworm on the phone. I want to see what their increased sponsorship offers are.
And tell my mate Dinga I'm nominating him as my vice captain. That is all, and thanks for coming."