Spanky condemns lacklustre Saffers.

Red wrote:Harmison's Smith's almost 30 and I still vividly remember his impotence here.

One wonders why.

taipan wrote:

GordoninPortsmouth wrote:
This era (basically the Flintoff era) is a talent rich one for Eng.

Didn't England just lose a home series?

you lost at home in 2004-5, doesn't mean you weren't untalented

GordoninPortsmouth wrote:

The'll really have problems after 2012.

Broad could be batting at 6 and a front-line bowler by then.

I'm sure Graeme Smith just hangs on every word from Spanky, like the rest of us.

skully wrote:I'm sure Graeme Smith just hangs on every word from Spanky, like the rest of usred.

Fixed

GordoninPortsmouth wrote:

JKLever wrote:

GordoninPortsmouth wrote:
The'll really have problems after 2012.

That's assuming no-one breaks through. 4 years is such a long time - I couldn't tell you who will play then?

Well you'll need a player of the stature of Flintoff I feel.

You'll always pursue the 5-man attack (well you have the last 50 years) and that strategy is completely dependent on the quality of the linkman.

Flintoff, Botham, Bailey - yes
Pringle, Capel, Irani - no

Agree, I think Flintoff is the linchpin - the key. I can't see Broad ever exerting the same influence as Flintoff with either bat or ball. He has shown he can score quickly but I doubt he'll be destructive in the way Flintoff can be and he has shown very little in tests with the ball to date. Even in one dayers he has followed up good days with ordinary days. Obviously with youth there is improvement but his rather lean frame is getting a bit of a pounding early on.

If Flintoff was injured again I could see England's fortunes flagging. It's not only what he brings to the team with bat and ball, it's more his x factor quality and what he does to the team's confidence.

JKLever wrote:Red...... KP & Fred haven't played that much together in the past 2 years.

We're not suddenly a 'great' ODI side - but the balance looks so much better.

The bowling is more threatening with Flintoff/Harmison 1st change too.

How will Harmison go outside England though? I'm not just talking about the homesick factor, also how much the pitches suit his bowling. They certainly didn't in Australia and it's questionable whether they will in Asia.