Gooch out. b. Cook

[redgunamo]

I thought they were supposed to be best mates.

[Berni]

Besides, Gooch has always been thick as two short planks.

[Rich]

[Classic Jorge]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/70656000/jpg/_70656081_oguchi_onyewu.jpg

[Luis Anaconda]

more secure than ever - one of only three players guaranteed a place in the team (maybe four if you count Broad, but fitness worries make that a big if imo). He's got rid of the only real rival to his crown and with a new coach is an ally (albeit one with a record of selling captains down the river). There really is no alternative - don't think Joe Root is going to be asked to captain Yorkshire again soon let alone England :-)
Not saying I think he should be in that secure a position but it does appear that way

[Luis Anaconda]

Flintoff. Bowling unchanged from one end and using both reviews within his first over - nightmare. Bowlers bowl, r, batsmen captain. Speaking of which I see young Vince hit another ton yesterday - definitely one to watch

[redgunamo]

[Ashberto]

Describing his bowling as 'fast'.

[Ben.]

if Gooch was batting coach or is he batting coach for ODI's?

What baffles me is the whole thing seemed to be based on the top order only playing when they had to wearing the bowlers down then cashing in later on yet Strauss retires and nobody leaves anything.

[Luis Anaconda]

and regular partner which will take some of the pressure of him as a batsmen. The loss of Trott really is huge as well and now it seems Bell won't bat at three - preferring to bat four :rolleyes:

[redgunamo]

back-to-back Ashes works.

[Luis Anaconda]

bit of pace - particularly if there was someone who was working class at the other end

[71 Guns - channeling the spirit of Mr Hat]

:jorge:

[Ben.]

I can see how Strauss plus if Trott had issues going in to the series, that's two of the top three base up in the air.
Still don't know why they went for Carberry though, if they weren't happy with Compton i'd have probably gone for Chopra.
With you on Vince btw, I think he is the best young player we have, above Root, Stokes etc bit like when they took a punt with Vaughan and Trescothick his average (though it's decent now) isn't everything.

[Luis Anaconda]

I think Robson will open with Cook with Root, Bell, Ballance and one other - depending on Stokes's fitness. All a bit new and up in the air though :-(

[Luis Anaconda]

[Ben.]

Hope so, will at least make it worth watching to see how he goes.

How good is Robson?

I like Malan as well he just seems to have stalled over the last few years.

[Luis Anaconda]

doesn't even bother with one-day cricket. I love watching Malan bat but he hasn't got the first class runs to back his talent

[Ben.]

That's encouraging at least, only discovered the other day he has a brother who plays for Leicestershire, when they played Kent.
Although it's impossible to judge anybody's capabilities on the basis of a match against Kent.
Malan's best knocks seemed to be in one day, he's seriously talented though.
Similar to Shah and Morgan in that respect, Middlesex seem to have had a few like this.

[Pokster]

wasn't pretty.. other team got 155/2 in 16 overs we were 39/9 in 16... the haqrsh reality that playing cricket can be crap hit home to some of them

[Rich]

Plus my average is below 78mph :-(

[Ashberto]