The Ashes Blog

1 | The Binocular

July 25th, 2009 at 12:24 am

Big loss.

Move Colly to number 3 so he can bat defensively all day.

Move Ravi to 4.

Find a number 5.

Read my opinion on the matter

2 | Wanderer

July 25th, 2009 at 7:03 am

We will miss KP because he can get runs and score them fast.

But we won’t miss an injured KP.
Due to his injuries, it was like playing with a passenger at Lords – so hopefully Ian Bell will improve things.

I’d put Bell at 3, Colly at 4 and have Ravi to 5 (seem to struggle at 3).

I fear losing Freddie more – he will be a massive massive loss if he fails to make it…

3 | David B

July 25th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

While Kevin Pietersen is England’s best batsman, a fit Ian Bell is a better bet than an injured KP. Whatever England do, they won’t put Bell at three, because his record is poor there. However, his past performances at five have been very good.
Some are suggesting that Bopara be dropped or placed lower down the order. Yet he scored three centuries against the West Indies earlier in the year, two of them at number three. I know everyone says that that was “only” against the West Indies, but to be honest the Australian bowling in the first two tests was not better than recent West Indian bowling. Hilfenhaus was good, but no better, Siddle was a dramatic mixture of very good and bad, Johnson was, for the most part, awful, while Hauritz was better than anyone dared hope, but is probably not a match winner.

4 | SallyAnne

July 30th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

Kev wasn’t doing anything in the last 2 tests anyway,but there was always that thought of when will he really fire..l was sorry to see him go,as l like to watch him bat.I think people should remember when they say Aussie bowlers are not doing much,they actually have taken more wickets than England have,l think the count is England 26 Australia 35.As for Johnson l also have the feeling of when will he fire,and l somehow think soon he will click.He really is an awesome bowler when he is firing.

5 | richard williams

August 8th, 2009 at 5:00 am

Re: KP and misperceptions – how the English media has been doing the job of Aussie sledgers…

Sorry but there is tremendous naivety in a couple of the other comments here, in respect of KP, when they say that a ‘fit other better’ is better than a ‘crocked Pietersen’ who was like ‘carrying a passenger’ at Lords.

The reason it’s naive is that the ‘crocked KP’ was contributing decent runs even in that state of lack of health – an average of 37.5 for his two Tests. The other batsmen who are potential replacements (and several in the remaining middle order) are doubtful to score anything like this for their average in the rest of the series. Ian Bell? Now we’re half way through the fourth test we’ve seen what he’s capable of – it’s not very good! Bopara who is one of the remaining batters? his ‘contribution’ so far has been almost worse than negligible – and he must be one of the worst-performing players to still be playing after 3.5 tests, with his average with the bat.

The reason people are making that comment about the crocked KP is basically the negative portrayal in many quarters that KP has been getting in the press. The media have been on his back. The media has been doing the job of Aussie sledgers, whose work it is to try and bring the opposition down. So you get people who’ve read that stuff, who haven’t observed the statistics and the averages, who actually believe it and think he did poorly when crocked!

As Warne put it, better to have a crocked KP in the side given what he does in that state, than a fit Bell or others.

6 | Alan

August 10th, 2009 at 10:42 am

Having lived in the UK for 9 years I have to say that…

I would hate to be an English sportsman/woman… becasue the media and public apply so much pressure on their people that it is horrible and very unsportsman-like. The media are so quick to pounce that I am sure they unsettle their own for the sake of a few extra sales at the newsagents. When speaking to friends, ex-colleagues and listening to the UK commentators it’s as though they are prepared to win at all costs even if they can cheat and if it’s not going their way there is this blame culture which everyone knows is so destructive. In my opinion this is a shame as they really are a great sporting nation but they let themselves down all the time.
I was at Edgbaston last summer when England played South Africa and actually stayed at the same hotel as the English Cricket team (Hyatt Birmingham I think) At breakfast the team ate with the general public (which was nice) but what surprised me was that they didn’t sit together as a team, they went off in little groups with their favourite mates. It is so apparent that each person is an individual and pulls in his own direction – the lack of team spirit was so apparent.
Watching the Aussie team at the end of their win in the 4th test made me have faith in the team. They stood together, shook hands, congratulated one another and worked as a team…after a slow start to this ashes they have really shown their metal…! Well done guys!!!

7 | Alan

August 10th, 2009 at 10:57 am

To add to the above, I have the following to suggest.

England stop relying on one or 2 players. Yes, KP is a brilliant batsman and Flintoff a great influence and all-rounder but for heaven’s sake get you act together and use some common sense.
Build a pipeline of great players, give them a chance to get experienced, foster local tallent in your county teams (above foreign players), build some team spirit and leave the politics out of it….!

Oh, and most of all play with honesty, dignity and fairness – that way you can always hold your heads up high and change the way the world sees you by starting a new era of decent, honest English cricket – Win or Loose

8 | TheAshesBlog.com

August 10th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

Great comments there, Alan. Thanks mate.