Sorry, couldn't resist.
A sub-headline on the BBC Sport website declared Liam Plunkett's inclusion in the Test squad a "surprise recall", but the prize for biggest surprise of all surely goes to Luke Wright being handed a pair of full England whites.
To be honest, I hadn't even considered it as an option, and at first assumed it a misprint born of a desire to break news of the squad before anyone else. It wasn't, and I'm coming round to the conclusion, why not?
For a start, he seems to have replaced Tim Bresnan in the curious replacement-for-Flintoff-but-won't-actually-play role, which is fair enough. Bresnan had a weak West Indies at his potential mercy during his only two Test appearances back in May. He did fine, and has since impressed in 50-over cricket, but for a bowling all-rounder, he's failed to convince that his primary skill offers enough threat in any form of the game. Does Wright's?
It remains to be seen, and probably won't be answered during the four Tests in South Africa. Unless England are battered into changing the make-up of their side, this tour is likely to be fruitful only in terms of experience. The following tour of Bangladesh seems more likely for a potential debut.
He made the right noises, as anyone not named Chris Gayle tends to do, in an interview with Spin Magazine back in September last year, saying: "Ask any young cricketer what their dream is and I would still like to think that it is about playing Test cricket for England. For me, Test cricket is the ultimate goal."
Wright has yet to forge a relationship with the middle-ground in his 25 ODIs and 14 T20Is so far; he's been all or nothing. From big-hitting, high-pressure batting and tight and bright bowling, to the briefest of contributions, he's been in and out of the team, shunted up and down the batting order and used at the death here, discarded there, with the ball. Throughout though, he's shown signs he belongs.
He bowls at 85 mph, can swing the ball, took 21 wickets in eight Championship matches (div 1) this season, hits big when needed, but also has seven first-class centuries from 57 matches, and has shown glimpses of stickability in the 50-over game. He fields brilliantly too.
No doubt he'd relish the opportunity to play eye-catching innings for his country, without a constant battle against time, overs remaining, and the need to resort to the sort of innings-ending shot which saw him clean-bowled by Peter Siddle during his impressive 48 against Australia last Friday.
In a word, or four, he's worth a chance. And more importantly, I didn't end on a pun. Just couldn't find the Wright one.
I think he might get a go - He's on form, he's got a chance to shine in the ODIs before hand, and we've got a one paced bowling attack with neither GO or RS inked into the side.
ReplyDeleteAs for Harmison, he's been given too many chances in the side, never managing to get near his form of 04 and 05. But the selection of plunkett just shows the lack of depth of talent, unless he's got significantly better since when we last picked him..
He could go straight into the team, in a way I hope he does, just don't think he will. Could easily be wrong.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I've seen Plunkett this season he looks good, more consistent. Still v young, and with v similar figures to Harmison - who we often hear terrified county attacks this season - definitely the right choice of the two. Couldn't agree more about Harmy - it's just such a shame because if he was with it, and bowling anything like he did in 2004 then he gives us something we don't have. That was 5 years ago though, and he's been on the wane ever since. Plunkett seems to have matured, he looks good for an early lbw shout or two, only worry - as with the rest of the attack - being can he break through on a good batting day when SA are 350-3? can any of our bowlers? not convinced Saj is any less inconsistent than ever!