How do you solve a problem like Owais Shah?

by Henry Mon 28 Sep 2009, 11:40

Can't field, can't run between the wickets, but he's right up there with KP as the cleanest striker of a ball in English cricket. Should he stay at three? Personally, i'd have KP at three and Shah at four when KP is fit again.

I think Shah is one of those players where you put up with a lot of crap in the knowledge that he'll probably win you at least one game a series with the bat.

by JKLever Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:22

Well, we'll stick with him if he keeps doing that....

Interesting point Nas made about Shah & Colly at 3 and 4 - saying this was our downfall in the Aus series - we should have had them there then as our most experienced players, not waiting till we were constantly in crisis.

It still looks a mediocre batting line up to me - just hope we continue to be positive like that and i'll be ok win or lose...

by Merlin Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:23

He's always been comfortable batting at 3.
Gives him just a little bit more time to play himself in.
He is also adaptable whereby he can either play a holding role (which he seems to be doing in this tournament thus far) or else go for the out and out attack-slog.
Certainly proving better than Bopara .... so far!

by JKLever Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:26

Ah, the old Bopara/Shah debate.

Proven to be a bit like two drunks scrapping over the last bit of meths Very Happy

by tac Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:29

Force him to leave the convent and marry an Austrian naval officer?

by Henry Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:32

Tac in Nuns and Sailors fantasy shocker.

by tac Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:34

Fantasy?

by JKLever Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:35

Ok, the nuns part...

by tac Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:36

by Henry Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:39

And there goes the thread..... Ok, it was partly my fault, but still....

Anyway-

Davies+
Strauss
Pietersen
Shah
Collingwood
Morgan
Flintoff

Looks half decent, and potentially destructive.

by taipan Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:40

by Guest Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:42

Would KP agree to open the batting, as have done SRT and Mark Waugh? Then we would have some proper top-order punch.

by Henry Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:45

I doubt he'd ever do it willingly. He still wants to bat at 5 FFS. I don't know why he's so reluctant to bat higher up. He's got the technique.

by JKLever Mon 28 Sep 2009, 12:50

Not really a slogger though is he? Not got the greatest T20 record for that very reason.

by Brass Monkey Mon 28 Sep 2009, 14:13

Yeah, you'd have to bat KP at 3 IMO. Still, I wouldn't be adverse to him opening. OK, he'll get the odd good ball dismissal but he'd also be able to smash it over the infield. It's just chickenish that he hasn't suggested it. If he hasn't - it's highly likely that the selectors brain trust has said 'No, we MUST have a keeper opening, Adam Gilchrist style coz that's why Adam Gilly was so good'.

I know, it's not the case now...

by holcs Mon 28 Sep 2009, 22:21

Basically, don't mess Ace about, give him a position high up the order and leave him to it!

He's been the most c0cked about England batter for the last 3 or so years!