Cricket World Cup;have we got the right stuff?

[lindsay ormerod]

Well; we have got the squad announced now but are we taking the right players?
In case you haven't seen the 15 they are;
Vaughan
Flintoff
Panesar
Collingwood
Bell
Nixon
Bopara
Anderson
Pietersen
Strauss
Dalrymple
Plunkett
Joyce
Mahmood
Lewis

Not sure about the wisdom of taking only 1 stumper and I would've plumped for Mal Loye over Bopara. I am dubious about Jimmy Anderson too,granted he's a local lad and a lovely bloke too but he seems to pick up injuries for fun. The rest of the squad are no doubt all on a high after the last 3 victories; let's hope Colly continues his rich vein of form and that Bell and Strauss find some consistency ! We may give it to the Aussies yet again! (please please please !!)

[Sparkologist]

I have never seen Bopara play, so I cannot say whether or not he is better than Mal Loye. I have seen Loye play many times and the adopted Lancastrian would have made the plane to the Windies, if I were picking the team.
In the absence of Marcus Trescothick, we need someone at the top of the order to take the attack to the opposition during the opening 10 overs of the England innings, when the fielding restrictions are in place.
Over the last 2 summers, Loye has been one of the most consistent & heavy scorers in the English game.

In reply to your last statement, Lindsay, judging by the efforts of Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy this weekend, they will be taking an early exit from the Cricket World Cup along with Scotland and Kenya.