Graham Thorpe

Graham Thorpe

Unconvincing Cook a major gamble

Wed Nov 04 11:22AM

I am very unconvinced by the selection of Alastair Cook in the one-day and Twenty20 squads - it represents a huge gamble from England.

It is nothing but a risky move from the management and he has to show something in a coloured England shirt that he has not shown before.

I saw him hit a good century in the Twenty20 Cup for Essex against Surrey this season and was impressed, but he has never looked authoritative enough for England in the limited-overs formats.

Can he really step up at international level and take bowling attacks apart such as South Africa's? I do not think so.

He is still a relatively young lad and England continue to throw him forward - I think they could well be asking too much of him.

If England earmark him to open the batting then he has to play with real freedom and not be remotely cautious - it is the problem area for Andrew Strauss's side.

England have always struggled with their slow starts in limited-overs cricket and to have Cook opening will put big pressure on him to play in a manner which does not come naturally to him.

Cook has to take a very different approach mentally and leave his natural instincts at the door, only then will his selection be vindicated.

I am pleased that Sajid Mahmood has been handed another opportunity as he has a lot of potential.

A few years ago he was incredibly raw but since then he has added a bit more class to his bowling, which has really helped.

Previously he was too blunt and just an out-and-out fast bowler, but now he has good variations and a better grasp of how to bowl in different conditions.

Mahmood should become a good asset for England and I think he has a future in the Test side too if he can perform in the one-dayers.

He is one of the few bowlers on the county circuit who bowls seriously quick and if he can become a more confident performer then South Africa will be scared of him.

It is, of course, one thing bowling with good potency in domestic cricket, but he certainly has the tools to take that into England's winter tour.

The selection of Jonathan Trott is also a tough one because he will have a huge level of expectation on his shoulders.

He is set for a very vociferous reception by the South Africa supporters, much like Kevin Pietersen experienced in 2005.

Can Trott handle that as well as KP did? England's selections have thrown up more questions than answers, but Cook, Mahmood and Trott all need to make their mark, and quickly.

  • Comments1 - 8 of 8

  1. I hate this nonsense we keep hearing about batsmen "playing their natural game". Any batsman playing at international level should be able to adapt to a variety of situations. If you don't have the ability to attack the bowling when required then you are not good enough. Likewise, if you don't have the ability to block out a draw when required, then you are not good enough. Half the problem with England's batting is that we ask too little of our batsmen in this country.

    bob.edge64From bob.edge64 on Wed Nov 04 07:53PM

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  2. But has Cook got what it takes to adapt to different situations against the likes of South Africa?

    ever.hopefulFrom ever.hopeful on Wed Nov 04 08:52PM

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  3. I reckon Trott will be able to handle the reception from the South African supporters - he is a tough character.

    ever.hopefulFrom ever.hopeful on Wed Nov 04 08:53PM

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  4. Cook has lots of natural talent. Let's hope he can step up to the plate, we need him to!

    parksfieldsFrom parksfields on Wed Nov 04 09:56PM

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  5. Maybe Cook needs a chance to prove himself again in the shorter versions of the game. 50 overs I think he maybe ok, but 20Twenty I don't think so.

    Mahmood!!! I'm not convinced with. You need to be accurate in one day and 20Twenty games and I don't think he is. He'll be way to expensive.
    Being fast but off line means the balls hits the ropes quicker. A world class batsmen will hit him to all parts.

    I hope I'm wrong though...

    helmethunterFrom helmethunter on Thu Nov 05 09:33AM

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  6. When Cook first appeared on the international scene he was a natural born test batsmen accumulating 7 test centuries by the age of 23. Then team coach Peter Bores made in my view a cardinal mistake and put him in the ODI side and since then his test batting has suffered as illustrated by the drought of centuries and often being dismissed by playing at balls he would previously left. He may well have improved as a limited over batsman at county level at least, but there is little doubt that it has been at a heavy price test wise, so much so that to the discerning observer his test place should be if not in doubt then very much under pressure. Instead they have given him a meal ticket with the vice captaincy and a subtle nod "yer in for life son".

    stevedon7From stevedon7 on Thu Nov 05 09:42AM

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  7. Cook is a technically competent batsman and improving despite not neccessarily proving that recently. the modern trend in ODI's is to play "proper Batsmen" rather than the early days of "pinch-hitters". Cook fits into this mould but I agree he should concentrate on ironing out some technical problems in Tests(much like Srauss faced 12 months ago) and prove to the doubters that he can develop into a truly world class performer at the top of the order for England.

    mgh0302From mgh0302 on Thu Nov 05 12:09PM

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  8. Cook,He has been brilliant for Essex this year 1 day and 20/20. Its a myth that Cook does not play 1 day cricket well. He need support from some of the others in the team Collingwood in particular.

    buttyhomeFrom buttyhome on Fri Nov 06 09:56PM

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