Graham Thorpe

Jimmy must fix it more often

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:48:11 -0800

He might be inconsistent, but James Anderson produced one of the best opening spells I have seen in the third one-day international against South Africa at Port Elizabeth.

It has been a source of great frustration that Anderson rarely strings together a run of performances in a long ODI series.

As good as his display was in taking leading the tourists to victory.

Andrew Strauss's side won by seven wickets with 24 balls remaining, and that was largely due to Collingwood's superb 105, with Jonathan Trott's 87 also important. ...

Strauss must re-exert his authority

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:40:40 -0800

Andrew Strauss's return will be huge for England as they have really lacked leadership on the tour so far in his absence - he has a huge bearing on the team now.

Strauss (pictured) needs to fill his side with confidence because at Centurion they were very flat and timid, unlike the England we saw during the Ashes under the Middlesex batsman's leadership. ...

England need bravery to adapt

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:58:29 -0800

England needed to re-jig their batting order to reflect the match situation in the second Twenty20 at Centurion and they showed a distinct lack of flexibility in leaving it set in stone.

Alastair Cook's side unfortunately reverted back to their long-standing tendency to stick rigidly with plans, which is not at all helpful in the shorter forms of the game - they simply must learn to adapt. ...

Do not drop dangerous Denly

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:44:22 -0800

I have heard whispers that Joe Denly will be under pressure to score runs early on in the South Africa tour to keep his place - that is ridiculous.

When Kevin Pietersen returns there will be an almighty fight for places in that batting line-up, and if anyone is under scrutiny it should be Paul Collingwood.

I have heard murmurings that if Denly (pictured) does not perform straight away in South Africa then Jonathan Trott will be pushed up to open the batting with Andrew Strauss. ...

Banter and belief needed for Trott

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:57:09 -0800

One thing that can never be questioned regarding Jonathan Trott is his mental strength and that should ensure that he is a success in South Africa.

Anyone who makes the move to England must possess both a fiercely determined and immensely strong personality.

He may not have the same brashness of Kevin Pietersen, but do not underestimate his self-confidence or his ambition. ...

England can capitalise on SA complacency

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:29:04 -0800

Unlike most people, I genuinely think England are more than capable of beating South Africa in the one-day series.

England have always been a confidence side and if the squad can settle quickly then who knows how successful they can be against a South Africa side never lacking in that department.

I think South Africa may well be very complacent going into the one-day international series and the two Twenty20 fixtures; England can capitalise on that. ...

Unconvincing Cook a major gamble

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:22:16 -0800

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. ...

Experience eluded English teams

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:41:06 -0800

The two English sides - Somerset and Sussex - did not set the Champions League on fire, but that was mainly to do with their inexperience of playing Indian conditions.

There is not enough international experience in Somerset or Sussex's squads and that has probably counted against them as they