The Hindu : England selectors plump for youth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 30, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

England selectors plump for youth

By Ted Corbett

LONDON May 29. Boldly, as if they have thrown off all their inhibitions, the England selectors have gone for an unashamed youth policy by picking six uncapped youngsters for the one-day games against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and South Africa this summer.

They have gambled on Kabir Ali (22), Rikki Clarke (21), Robert Key (24), Richard Johnson (28), Anthony McGrath (27) and James Troughton (24).

James Anderson, who will not be 21 until the end of the tri-series, continues his youthful career; but by now he is the leader of the youthful choir and as near as any cricketer can be to making the opening bowling spot his own.

It is not surprising of course, particularly as Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart, Andrew Caddick and Nick Knight have said farewell to one-day internationals. As captain Michael Vaughan is only 28, a squad of lion cubs was only to be expected.

In an historical context, however, it is astonishing. Fred Trueman, Ian Botham and David Gower may have begun their Test careers in their early 20s but other great players from Wilfred Rhoes to Maurice Tate and Alec Stewart were all made to wait before they received the selectors' nod in their late 20s.

David Graveney and his panel have also recalled Chris Read (24), the only wicketkeeper — despite an injury which will not allow him to play for three weeks — and India-born batsman Vikram Solanki (27).

Darren Gough, aged 32, returns too and is expected to don the dual role of coach and nursemaid to the young charges.

"The bulk are under 30 and have been chosen with the next World Cup in mind,'' said David Graveney, the chairman of selectors. "We feel it is the right time to look at younger players and give them the opportunity to develop.

"Gough is an exception but he is a match winner and was badly missed in the World Cup. We also believe he can play a role by passing on advice to younger players. He is an icon, after all.''

Most striking of the selectors' choices is Read, who suffered a hairline fracture of the thumb playing for Nottinghamshire this weekend but who has been left in no doubt that he is the wicketkeeper to take the place of Stewart. James Foster, who toured India and New Zealand

18 months ago, has only been named as stand-by.

Read owes his selection entirely to the reports of Rod Marsh, former Australian wicketkeeper, head of the England Cricket Academy and recently brought to the selection committee in place of Nasser Hussain, the Test captain who volunteered to step down.

Marsh has given Read a glowing recommendation but so has the Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill who recently called him "the best 'keeper I have ever bowled to.'' Remarkable praise as MacGill also played in Tests alongside Ian Healy, one of the all-time greats.

Thorpe missing

There is a notable omission in the team, though. Graham Thorpe's matrimonial problems have caused him to drop out of the side repeatedly in circumstances which he must regret but he is now playing again for

Surrey. On Wednesday, he hit an unbeaten against Somerset in the

Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy tie, something which could not have been achieved by any other English batsman in the country.

His control was almost perfect, he used all his skills to force fielding changes and in the last 10 overs, he and Surrey wicketkeeper Jonathon Batty put on 99.

Of course, the selectors are making a point, particularly about

Thorpe's decision to tour Australia last autumn and his sudden withdrawal but England would be so much a better side if he was in either the Test or one-day parties. Moreover, if he continues to play in this vein, he will be difficult to ignore.

The one-day squad: Michael Vaughan (capt.), Marcus Trescothick,

Vikram Solanki, Anthony McGrath, James Troughton, Robert Key, Andrew

Flintoff, Ricky Clarke, Kabir Ali, Darren Gough, Chris Read, Ashley

Giles, Richard Johnson, James Anderson and Steve Harmison.

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