Buzzin Cricket

As we well know, most of the discussion since England’s heavy defeat to South Africa in the second test at Headingley has been about selection issues regarding the England team. Should Darren Pattinson be playing? Why is Tim Ambrose batting at six? What is Andrew Flitntoff’s role in the side?

Well, with regards to that final question, it appears that Andrew Flintoff is happy with the role he had in the Headingley test match. The Lancashire man has said that he is ‘pleased batting at seven’. Andrew Flintoff said that after spending time at the crease, he could see himself batting at six again in the future – but not just yet.

This, of course, means that unless England replace a front-line bowler with a front-line batsman or Matt Prior is brought in to bat at six – the out of form Tim Ambrose will be forced to for fill this crucial position in the batting line up once more. I would put a lot of my cricket betting money on Tim Ambrose being very uncomfortable in this role and to be honest, I feel sorry for him. Why should Andrew Flintoff pick and choose where he bats while Tim Ambrose has to fill the gap?

I’m not saying that Tim Ambrose would turn down the chance to bat in the top six for his country, but I think that he knows it doesn’t exactly help the balance of the side. That was clear to see during the four days in Yorkshire.

In my opinion, the outcome of the last test match could have been a lot different if the selectors made different choices in the lead up to the game. Despite being out of form, I think Paul Collingwood was dropped at the wrong time. Ryan Sidebottom’s injury should have allowed Andrew Flintoff to be a straight swap for him. Meaning that six, seven and eight would have been filled by Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff and Tim Ambrose – much stronger wouldn’t you agree? Stuart Broad would have been at nine and instead of a long tail it would, on paper, look like a solid batting line up.

The selectors name the squad for the next test tomorrow and I am intrigued as to who they will choose. Ryan Sidebottom will presumably come in for Darren Pattinson, but as for the batting positions of Tim Ambrose and Andrew Flintoff, it will require Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood or Matt Prior to be called upon if things are to be shaken up a little bit.