Will Fletcher admit he was wrong?

Question

Is it time for England coach Duncan Fletcher to own up to mistakes brought on by an over-defensive attitude?

How can you justify Geraint Jones taking Chris Read's place on the basis of his batting, when Jones's average in the 2006 season was 22.4 (no hundreds), and Read's was 42.7 (3 hundreds)?

And how much better would the prospect of Monty Panesar be in the 4th innings (which is about to start as I ask this question) than the ineffective Jimmy Anderson?

Answer 1

Of course the stubborn old goat won't admit he was wrong. In my opinion, Anderson has never been good enough. Why is Broad not on the full tour? I have a lot of "why?" questions actually. You have already asked two of them (why Jones?, why not Panesar?) but here are some more:
Why declare on what was only a slightly over par score for Adelaide (in the last 7 tests there Australia have got round about 500 in their 1st innings whether they were batting 1st or not, their lowest score in these 7 games being a paltry 403)?
Why was Harmison taken out of the firing line in the ICC and warm up games? He needs overs to get his action back.
But most importantly, why won't it stop raining here? Am I not depressed enough?

Answer 2

Given the outcome of this match I think Fletcher has got to make major changes, we have Plunkett and Mahmood and Panesar over there as well as Read, I think Harmie has had his chance, its time that some of the guys made way for a new breed.

How about bringing those four in for Harmison, Anderson, Giles and Jones?

Harmison has lost all confidence, Anderson has done very little with the ball, the point about Read is already made and we all know that Monty is a better bowler than Giles.

Answer 3

Tandy has some good points.

No he wont admit he was wrong, although he obviously was.

Should have played Monty, Should have played Reid - Jones missed (yet another) opportunity this morning to take a 5th wicket, which could have saved the match.

Why declare on 550? You have to do what Australia do and make a win un obtainable, put all the pressure on the other side. 550 is not unobtainable, Australia almost got there.

TAKE RISKS YOU OLD FART!!!!! The time for defence is totally over, you've lost two matches being defensive, you have to attack now and if that means dropping 3 players in the team, THEN DO IT!!!

Answer 4

so jones was selected ahead of read because of his batting hey? 1+10,great.Giles has lost this match for us remember the dropped catch against ponting.You cant blame the bowlers,this is a good batting pitch still as the aussies have proven and we just collapsed.if this series does not end up 4 or 5-0 i will be quietly happy

Answer 5

Now that's what I call a properly grumpy question, and Eng haven't even lost yet:))

But I see your point, and would tend to agree that Panesar should be there, although I like Jonesy and aint too bovvered about that one.

It's now only 2 overs gone with a run-rate of 6.5, but there goes the first wicket - rivetting stuff.....

Answer 6

How depressing is this? We should never be in a losing position after scoring 500 plus in the 1st innings. Strauss, Cook, Flintoff with the bat, Giles with the ball have all failed to contribute so far.
And now I 've got to go to work...

Answer 7

I fully agree with your views. By the way Australia have defeated England by 6 wickets and won the 2nd Test.

Answer 8

The sooner Darren Lehman takes over the better

Answer 9

because followers fantastically underrate him. /// To the Scottish guy - we do not ideas admitting at the same time as Scottish gamers are reliable. we are unlike you Scottish, IE we do no longer have a great chip on our shoulder and inferiority complicated....

Answer 10

he will never admit he was wrong