"David Lewis" <lewis@rmplc.co.uk> wrote in message news:bf1nr8$up$1@newsfeed.th.ifl.net...
>
> Mark Banfield <aocg00@xtreme.pipex.net> wrote in message
> news:bsm8hv4qr2v8iuv2j1r6s0lp0rugv2khh1@4ax.com...
> > On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 18:44:09 +0100, "David Lewis" <lewis@rmplc.co.uk>
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >Cricketislife! <cricketislife@rediffmail.com> wrote in message
> > >news:qe68hvgj1fdc0db8veick2tdcp7o9gcqnp@4ax.com...
> > >> On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:57:20 +0100, "David Lewis" <lewis@rmplc.co.uk>
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> >Check Flintoff's early stats come to
> > >> >that.
> > >>
> > >> I read that Boycs wants flintoff to open the batting
> > >>
> > >
> > >I doubt whether his technique's good enough against the new white ball.
> > >
> > >
> > >> / 'Boycott, in an article reviewing England's one-day home season for
> > >> Tuesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper, wrote: "For me Andrew Flintoff
> > >> has been a revelation and shown he is England's most valuable player.
> > >> "Personally, I feel we need to experiment to find his best batting
> > >> position. He can do so much damage so quickly that I would like to see
> > >> him tried as an opener."Adam Gilchrist of Australia moved from Test
> > >> middle-order to one-day opener with amazing results.
> > >> "Like Gilchrist, Flintoff could soon put the bowling side on the
> > >> defensive and wondering what the hell has hit them," former England
> > >> opener said.'/
> > >>
> > >Did Gilchrist open for his state side before doing the job for Aus?
> > >
> > >
> > Don't know about that ; but he's been opening in ODIs since at least
> > January 1998, and didn't make his Test debut until November 1999 so
> > Boycott's got that one the wrong way round.
> >
> > Flintoff shouldn't be considered as an opening bat until we find at
> > least one other player who can be as dangerous as him in the slog
> > overs.
>
> I'd keep him where he is, apart from when we're playing in
> India/SL/Paksitan.  On those wickets, you could argue for him playing in the
> top 3.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana were very effective in
the
1996 World Cup in the subcontinent, but I don't think they were very successful elsewhere, where
more self-restraint is required. We already have one destructive opener in Trescothick. A partner
capable of playing the anchor role would usually be more suitable.
-- 
David North
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