Essex boys run rampant

[undyingking]

May I just quickly say how nice it was yesterday to see two Essex players batting together for England, both scoring centuries. THey've been playing together since county under-13s, and while Alastair Cook got picked up for stardom quite early, we wondered whether Ravi Bopara might be one of those players whose face isn't felt to fit the national team. I guess the presence of former Essex great Andy Flower in the coaching setup has helped him in. With Foster and Napier in the England one-day / Twenty20 squad, this may be the most represented Essex has ever been.

I was trying to think when Essex might last have had two batsmen playing Tests for England. I think it would have had to be back in the early 80s, with Keith Fletcher and Graham Gooch. And they only really played one series together -- these two could be knocking out partnerships for the next 15 years.

Sadly, it'll count against Essex's chances of promotion to the first division of the County Championship: but we are prepared to make the sacrifice!

Comments

[onebyone.livejournal.com]

And this lamentable state of the captain not being from Essex needs dealing with, so we can get back to normal. Apparently Gooch and Hussain only did 5 and 4 years each, but it felt like longer. I guess Cook isn't old enough yet.

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

I guess Strauss has a couple more years in him, if he doesn't have another disastrous fall-off of batting form. Cook should be good and ready by then.

[mr-malk.livejournal.com]

Cook certainly seems to be earmarked for future captaincy, in much the same way that ... er ... Trescothick was a few years back.

For now I'm just hoping Strauss settles into the role. I think he has the potential to do so, even if Boycs doesn't. He comes across as personable, level-headed and fairly intelligent, which in theory are all good characteristics for a captain. What he really needs is a settled first XI, who are comfortable in the England set-up, and playing to their potential. Continuity in a word.