There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[D/L]

I remember someone in the England camp saying England wouldn't pick a keeper who couldn't bat in the England top six, just on his batting.

In that case, how was Prior ever selected?

[SaintPowelly]

I would recommend Wheater, his glovework is superb and batting can take a game away from anyone, unfortunately he seems to lack the common sense of when to reign it in abit.

If D/L is frustrated with how Prior bats, I don't think Wheater will calm him.

From what I saw of Wheater last season, I wouldn't describe his glovework as superb, though of course I have seen far less of him than Hampshire fans. While his batting is promising, I would not say, as of yet, that he has the maturity to be a consistant performer at domestic level, let alone at the highest level.

I've only seen him on TV and he's looked tidy and a few people I have spoke too have been impressed and think he is/will be a top keeper.

[Albondiga]

If Prior is coming to the end of his career can we have someone who is selected for his wicket keeping and not his batting? It should be possible if Stokes is going to be our allrounder.

[andy]

Wheater is a quality gloveman, always has been, only reason he couldnt get into essex side reguarly is because Foster is the best gloveman in the country..

[Albondiga]

Wheater is a quality gloveman, always has been, only reason he couldnt get into essex side reguarly is because Foster is the best gloveman in the country..

Then why is he not playing for England ?????

[sussexpob]

Wheater is a quality gloveman, always has been, only reason he couldnt get into essex side reguarly is because Foster is the best gloveman in the country..

Then why is he not playing for England ?????

Because Foster "is the best gloveman in England" is a myth on par with Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and the Easterbunny.....

[Albondiga]

Wheater is a quality gloveman, always has been, only reason he couldnt get into essex side reguarly is because Foster is the best gloveman in the country..

Then why is he not playing for England ?????

Because Foster "is the best gloveman in England" is a myth on par with Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and the Easterbunny.....

I take it that you're not a fan. I just want the best gloveman to play and not have one who has to get runs to make up for those that he gives away whoever he may be . If prior had stumped Warner on 13 it would have been a different game. It is not necessary to have a w!keeping allrounder if you're going to play Stokes and Bresnan.

[Kim]

Wheater is a quality gloveman, always has been, only reason he couldnt get into essex side reguarly is because Foster is the best gloveman in the country..

Then why is he not playing for England ?????

Because Foster "is the best gloveman in England" is a myth on par with Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and the Easterbunny.....

I take it that you're not a fan. I just want the best gloveman to play and not have one who has to get runs to make up for those that he gives away whoever he may be . If prior had stumped Warner on 13 it would have been a different game. It is not necessary to have a w!keeping allrounder if you're going to play Stokes and Bresnan.

Those days are long gone - mores the pity. Even in county cricket people like Bates and Johnson (Derbyshire). Hodd (Yorkshire) miss out to inferior keepers who bat better.

[Alviro Patterson]

With Stokes at number six, there is some scope to select an experienced keeper in James Foster or Phil Mustard for the England test squad as both have decent first class figures with the bat too.

[Making_Splinters]

Wheater is a quality gloveman, always has been, only reason he couldnt get into essex side reguarly is because Foster is the best gloveman in the country..

Then why is he not playing for England ?????

Because Foster "is the best gloveman in England" is a myth on par with Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and the Easterbunny.....

I take it that you're not a fan. I just want the best gloveman to play and not have one who has to get runs to make up for those that he gives away whoever he may be . If prior had stumped Warner on 13 it would have been a different game. It is not necessary to have a w!keeping allrounder if you're going to play Stokes and Bresnan.

Bresnan is not a test match number 7 and Stokes is far from a proven number 6.

Even at County level you have to be a decent batsman to hold down a keeping slot, see Wheater's replacement of Bates or Buttler's replacement of cross for example.

The last wicket keeper I can think of who was truely a terrible batsman but held a first team place in a decent county side was Sutton.

[Making_Splinters]

I would recommend Wheater, his glovework is superb and batting can take a game away from anyone, unfortunately he seems to lack the common sense of when to reign it in abit.

If D/L is frustrated with how Prior bats, I don't think Wheater will calm him.

From what I saw of Wheater last season, I wouldn't describe his glovework as superb, though of course I have seen far less of him than Hampshire fans. While his batting is promising, I would not say, as of yet, that he has the maturity to be a consistant performer at domestic level, let alone at the highest level.

I've only seen him on TV and he's looked tidy and a few people I have spoke too have been impressed and think he is/will be a top keeper.

Can only go from what I've seen / read. The Hampshire thread this year was hardly a glowing report for Wheater's batting or keeping.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The selection of a batting keeper with Prior worked well, because he gave us top six runs, and missed very little with the gloves. You might miss out on someone to stand up to a medium quick, which a special keeper might be able to do. But Prior showed, it's possible for a batter to be quite adequate behind the stumps.

Prior has missed little over the years, missing more than one (he went three years without dropping a chance standing back) as he did in Perth was unusual. Trouble is, those hankering after a specialist keeper might assume that another keeper might take every chance that Prior misses. Whereas in reality that is unlikely. Knott missed chances, as did Taylor. Russell missed far more than Prior has.

And England just won't pick a specialist keeper. If another batter comes through as able as Matt behind the stumps, we don't need one.

[m@tt]

The selection of a batting keeper with Prior worked well, because he gave us top six runs, and missed very little with the gloves. You might miss out on someone to stand up to a medium quick, which a special keeper might be able to do. But Prior showed, it's possible for a batter to be quite adequate behind the stumps.

Prior has missed little over the years, missing more than one (he went three years without dropping a chance standing back) as he did in Perth was unusual. Trouble is, those hankering after a specialist keeper might assume that another keeper might take every chance that Prior misses. Whereas in reality that is unlikely. Knott missed chances, as did Taylor. Russell missed far more than Prior has

There are far more medium pacers at County cricket, and fewer opportunities to stand up the non-spinners at international level. Colly and Bopara could be stood up to I think, but right now neither England, Australia or SA have such a bowler - everyone is 80mph plus.

In my view, a good keeper and excellent bat is going to give more rewards than an excellent keeper and poor batsman. Prior initially was a poor keeper and got dropped for it. Since his recall he has been very good and his batting has been arguably good enough for a top six place, especially when you consider other #6/7 combos we've had over the years. Perth was an unusual performance, though obviously still a very poor one and may force England's hand beacuse it isn't acceptable for him to be failing both disciplines.

[D/L]

The selection of a batting keeper with Prior worked well, because he gave us top six runs, and missed very little with the gloves. You might miss out on someone to stand up to a medium quick, which a special keeper might be able to do. But Prior showed, it's possible for a batter to be quite adequate behind the stumps.

Prior has missed little over the years, missing more than one (he went three years without dropping a chance standing back) as he did in Perth was unusual. Trouble is, those hankering after a specialist keeper might assume that another keeper might take every chance that Prior misses. Whereas in reality that is unlikely. Knott missed chances, as did Taylor. Russell missed far more than Prior has.

And England just won't pick a specialist keeper. If another batter comes through as able as Matt behind the stumps, we don't need one.

Prior has missed plenty over the years and, in truth, has little ability behind the stumps. Only his ability to pile on runs when they are needed have kept him in the side. His batting has very rarely helped us in a defensive situation.

[Albondiga]

I don't want to turn this into a "sack Prior" debate. There are others under performing but I will ask why we try to select the best batsmen (openers,3, 4 and 5) the best fast men and spinner but not the best Wicket keeper -Not only is it inconsistent but it doesn't make sense.

Wicket keepers get far more opportunities to take catches than any other player and a missed chance can cost dearly so why not the best keeper ????????