Emergency selection - an English viewpoint

Emergency selection - an English viewpoint

It’s like the good old bad days. Not for a while have England entered the latter stages of a Test series in disarray with talk of a team overhaul in the air. The humiliation at Headingley was so bad that the demand for Mark Ramprakash is entirely understandable.

The mirth this is causing in the Australian camp and media is equally justified. It does reveal a degree of panic that suggests the home side are in no fit state to win back the urn. Bringing back a batsman who hit two tons in his previous 52 Tests, just short of his 40th birthday can only really be described as a panicked, emergency selection.
But that is the scenario England have played themselves into. They were not just beaten at Leeds, they were hammered, the match lasting less than 200 overs – I should know, I was there for the brief third day. Money not very well spent.
Although the proposed selection of Ramprakash reveals the dearth of batting talent in this country, it should be remembered that the Surrey run machine is a special case for a special occasion.
Ramprakash is far more likely to score significant runs at the Oval than Ravi Bopara or Ian Bell, helping England to upset the Fifth Test odds (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/ashes-odds-australia-favourites-to-retain-the-urn-090809.html) in the process. That is why he is being considered. Rob Key and Jonathan Trott are in the frame for the same reason, and, for the record, it's a far safer Oval Test bet (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/) that they will get the nod.
The 16 runs England’s three, four and five amassed from their six innings at Headingley is the lowest ever by an English middle order in Test cricket. Change is needed.
Any Aussies getting carried away by England’s predicament should note their own team’s selectorial issues. At least Ramprakash has not been touting himself for a recall like Justin Langer, who seems determined to get involved in the series in one way or another. Just make do with taking the Don’s first class run scoring record Justin.
Stuart Clark should not have been left out in the first place and the success of Shane Watson as a makeshift opener should not disguise the Phillip Hughes mistake – dropping a young gun after three innings is as English a knee-jerk reaction as you would ever wish to see.
It would be typical of Ramprakash’s England career if the selectors manage to time his return to guarantee the most possible pressure. One Test, an Ashes decider, with only one other batsman in nick; no pressure Ramps.

Ponting is only a pantomime villain

Ponting is only a pantomime villain

The unkind treatment Ricky Ponting has received from the English crowds has prompted the media over here to leap to the Aussie skipper’s defence. The boos and jeers that have generally greeted Punter’s arrival at (and departure from) the crease is deemed to be disrespectful to one of the game’s great players.

However, the stick Ponting gets should not be taken too seriously. It has snowballed throughout the series, thanks partly to his complaints of English gamesmanship at Cardiff and his dissent at his dodgy Lord’s dismissal, but largely because he is seen as an easy target.

Ponting is seen in England as a man with a fiery temper – his reaction to the Gary Pratt run out at Trent Bridge in 2005 is still fondly remembered – and many fans are jumping on the bandwagon of Ponting-baiting.
He is also targeted because of his stature in the game. He is the last real link to the great Aussie teams of the last two decades – a bit of abuse now feels like a way of repaying the past Ashes humiliations that he has been integral to.
Ponting’s standing in the game is recognised. He was warmly applauded on passing Allan Border’s Test run record by English as well as Australian fans at Birmingham and his achievements and talent do not go unnoticed. English spectators know they are watching one of the great batsmen.
He is right to wear the treatment as a badge of honour. We know he is the big wicket in the opposing team and the booing can be taken as a sign of respect. Ponting would much rather have the jeers than the journalists’ sympathy.
However, the jeers will become cheers at the Oval. Like all pantomime villains he will be applauded off the stage. Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne – no strangers to a bit of stick in England - were given a standing ovation when they signed off at the Oval in 2005 and Ponting, who will surely not tour this country again, will get the same treatment.

Make sure you have a look at the Fourth Test odds (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/ashes-betting-preparing-for-life-after-freddie-sta-210709.html) before any Headingley Test betting (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/).