time for fozzie

[jimmy]

Matt prior steps down, time for the best wicketkeeper in the world to take his place.

[Valentines Park]

The days of specialist England wicket keepers are over.

Foakes has more chance than Fozzy.

[jimmy]

And K.P to return as captain.

[DaveE]

Matt prior steps down, time for the best wicketkeeper in the world to take his place.

"It is all up to Matt," said Cook. "If he is up for carrying on playing for England - and he has been a fabulous player for England - then he has a place because I think he is best wicketkeeper-batter in country.

So Cookie obviously doesn't rate Fossie then ?

[firehazard]

...
"It is all up to Matt," said Cook. "If he is up for carrying on playing for England - and he has been a fabulous player for England - then he has a place because I think he is best wicketkeeper-batter in country...

Thus Cook skilfully undermines whoever steps up to replace Prior, now Prior's decided himself that he's not "up for carrying on". Well done.

[Valentines Park]

Prior's England career is over.

Cook's fulsome praise is just a eulogy.

[IanS]

Matt prior steps down, time for the best wicketkeeper in the world to take his place.

"It is all up to Matt," said Cook. "If he is up for carrying on playing for England - and he has been a fabulous player for England - then he has a place because I think he is best wicketkeeper-batter in country.

So Cookie obviously doesn't rate Fossie then ?

Cook was in a no-win situation. He has to try to preserve team spirit. He could hardly say "It's about time Prior recognised he was past it and there are heap load of better 'keeper-batsmen around the counties"

[IanS]

...
"It is all up to Matt," said Cook. "If he is up for carrying on playing for England - and he has been a fabulous player for England - then he has a place because I think he is best wicketkeeper-batter in country...

Thus Cook skilfully undermines whoever steps up to replace Prior, now Prior's decided himself that he's not "up for carrying on". Well done.

No. Whoever is selected as Prior's replacement needs to demonstrate that he can justify his selection. Buttler, if selected, might struggle with the gloves. Foster would be a huge surprise and might struggle with the bat. But Haddin was recalled by Australia at the age of 35 and is still going strong. Foster is a mere 34.

One more reason for selecting Foster is his experience. Several young players (Root, Robson, Ballance, Stokes) have come into the team. A mix of youth and experience is needed to steady the England ship.

But I'll be amazed if he is selected.

[Andy]

Notice how the Aussies tend to go for youth in most departments, but when it comes to captains and keepers...

I think Fossie would upset Andersen and Broad, two of the 'undroppables'. Not that this would be a bad thing.

[afinetickletoleg]

Matt prior steps down, time for the best wicketkeeper in the world to take his place.

"It is all up to Matt," said Cook. "If he is up for carrying on playing for England - and he has been a fabulous player for England - then he has a place because I think he is best wicketkeeper-batter in country.

So Cookie obviously doesn't rate Fossie then ?

Cook was in a no-win situation. He has to try to preserve team spirit. He could hardly say "It's about time Prior recognised he was past it and there are heap load of better 'keeper-batsmen around the counties"

Exactly. People have to appreciate the politics (lying) involved when answering such questions.

I would go for Foster as the short term solution and bat him at 8. Stokes could move up to 7 seeing as most pundits view him as a batting all-rounder, not that his performances back that up in this series.

[firehazard]

...Cook was in a no-win situation. He has to try to preserve team spirit. He could hardly say "It's about time Prior recognised he was past it and there are heap load of better 'keeper-batsmen around the counties"

But there are ways of doing/saying it. And by proclaiming Prior as "the best", surely he's saying that whoever replaces him won't be as good - not the best way to build confidence there?

[Andy]

The days of specialist England wicket keepers are over.

Foakes has more chance than Fozzy.

Would you call Haddin a specialist? He's not bracketed with the likes of Gilchrist, but performs rather too well at 7.

[Diatribe]

So, Butler has been selected, despite Cook having attemped to undermine his capability in the past in order to maintain the mutual admiration society inclusivity of his cronies. At least he won't be able to restrict his bowling.

Even with my bitter hatred of everything about this septic isle, I never for a second  in my darkest hours envisaged supporting an indian cricket team, I guess that's the sort of effect Cook has on one.

[IlfordEagle]

Even with my bitter hatred of everything about this septic isle, I never for a second  in my darkest hours envisaged supporting an indian cricket team, I guess that's the sort of effect Cook has on one.
[/quote]
That's an Indian cricket team that won't even accept the DRS despite every other Test playing country doing so for some time. The irony is that it would probably benefit them overall, also a country who often cynically manage just 10/11 overs an hour in India with spinners bowling, who also have come apparently crooked administrators running their game & also in the ICC, Oh & they also have the dreaded IPL!!

[IanS]

The days of specialist England wicket keepers are over.

Foakes has more chance than Fozzy.

Would you call Haddin a specialist? He's not bracketed with the likes of Gilchrist, but performs rather too well at 7.

Especially against England with a batting average of 43 - good enough to be a specialist batsman. But overall, his average is 35.