Dropped Collingwood forced to fight back

Andy Flower and the England selectors have not been afraid to make big calls. James Anderson didn’t play in the World Twenty20, Kevin Pietersen was dropped last summer and Steven Finn left out during the Ashes after taking 14 wickets. They made another in Melbourne on Sunday when Paul Collingwood, England’s most capped one-day player, was omitted for the first match against Australia.

Although Andrew Strauss said Collingwood remained firmly in their plans for the World Cup – the final 15-man squad will be named on Wednesday – he added that there would be no quick return. This omission wasn’t dressed up as rotation or resting, this was a clinical dropping because Collingwood isn’t currently part of England’s best one-day side.

Full story: ESPNcricinfo

 

Woakes slots straight in to England’s winning unit

Image by megara_rp via Flickr

Paul Collingwood, the England captain, had never seen Chris Woakes bat before his match-winning innings against Australia in the opening Twenty20 and went on the advice of coach Andy Flower as to which position the debutant should take. It proved another perfect decision from Flower as Woakes hit an unbeaten 19 from No. 9 to secure a one-wicket victory at Adelaide.

Woakes, 21, earned his chance in the Twenty20 and one-day squads after Stuart Broad‘s stomach injury picked up during the second Ashes Test ruled him out of action until at least the World Cup. It wasn’t expected that Woakes would play a major role but he was given an outing against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra then preferred to Chris Tremlett in the Twenty20 side. Now he could yet be making a late bid for World Cup selection.

Full story: ESPNcricinfo

 

Related Articles

• Unlikely England hero Chris Woakes delighted with contribution (independent.co.uk)

Post-Perth thoughts – don’t panic England fans (via Chasing Australia)

Some post-Perth thoughts England aren’t as good as they were in Adelaide, or as bad as they were in Perth. They’ve been on an upward curve under Andy Flower, and they’re still on that. Sometimes a heavy defeat can be an excellent way to refocus and banish complacency. We know England struggle against pace … Read More

via Chasing Australia

England likely to keep four bowlers (VIDEO)

Policy has worked for 18 months says Flower

Andy Flower hints England may rest Steve Finn

Image via Wikipedia

England will stick with four bowlers for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne but coach Andy Flower has hinted paceman Steve Finn could be rested.

The 21-year-old is England’s leading wicket taker in the series with 14 but was expensive in the third Test and looked exhausted to many observers.

“I think we expect a lot of these young men, to come in and shoulder a lot of responsibility,” said Flower.

“A five-Test series is hard on everyone – for the fast bowlers even more so.”

Full story: BBC Sport