Re: [U19 World Cup] Zimbabwe vs SA - Playoff

It may well have turned out well for us. losing to WI was not a bad thing because we're now in the Plate Final, which may be better than being knocked out in the quarters. Anything can happen in cricket but on the balance of probabilities I think we would have really struggled to progress, these remaining teams are very very strong.

I'm wishing a defeat on this West Indian team, but they are proof what problems two good quick bowlers can cause.

These top teams' bowling attacks all seem to be testing the middle order because they're all picking up 3-4 wickets by the 15-20th over. We dont have the depth to our batting that is necessary to succeed against the big guys. We've only played two strong teams and been beaten convincingly by the one and were a bit unlucky against the other. WI are a different team now though, they've definitely changed gear.

And you will usually see a top batsman (perhaps the second best?) walk in at 5. England have Curran at 6, and he's a fantastic batsman. We have 4 decent guys, no-one top drawer and ideally need to spread them out a bit, but don't really have that luxury.

England totally under-utilised Sam C. I don't know how many times he bowled his full ten overs? He should also have definitely batted in the top 4. Lawrence, Moores, Burnham and Curran. That's a serious batting line up.

Googly wrote:England totally under-utilised Sam C. I don't know how many times he bowled his full ten overs? He should also have definitely batted in the top 4. Lawrence, Moores, Burnham and Curran. That's a serious batting line up.

Yea I was thinking that.

Googly, if he was given the opportunity, and of course in an ideal world, would Sam Curran want to play for Zimbabwe or England?

Even if they got paid the same would someone really pick Zimbabwe over England if they were half Zimbo half Pommy ??

One would think living standards in England would be better and also the attraction of playing in big ticket matches like the Ashes would be a massive incentive ......

An English contract would probably be in excess of a million usd a year before all the trimmings vs what our Board offers?

That's before you consider the uncertainty that hangs over our future and the terrible problems we have as a country and community.

The only question is will Sam Curran be good enough to play for England and in which formats?

He bowls late left arm skiddy late in-swing at good pace which is really tough to deal with first up as a right hander. He didn't impress me that much as he lacked consistency and was too quick to revert to change-ups, but there's no denying his potential and when he has a purple patch he's outstanding. I just get the feeling he's a bit fragile under pressure and for some reason he keeps not getting exposed to it. He opens with the new ball and they are quick to take him off if it's not swinging or coming out of his hand too well and they bat him at 6? He's a sublime talent with the bat and I'm astonished that they are not giving him more exposure?? His problem has always been that he's too loose and always gives chances and batting him lower down a strong batting line up means that he will always have license to hit and not consolidate and they aren't doing him any favours and are missing an opportunity to mould a fine batsman. The reality is that he's never really under any pressure, his real test will come when he starts feeling tight and it is really tight and how he copes. I can tell you that it's always been a chink in his armour. He's made up for it by being so talented, but when you are with the World's best you need to p**s ice water. He had an amazing start at Surrey, but I think you will find the opposition will be a bit readier for him this season. No seasoned pro likes being rolled by a 17 year old and even in the English swing conditions he won't find the going quite so easy this season. He's also currently not good under the high ball, but that's easy to fix.

Having said all that my answer is that I do think he's destined for an English call up and probably quite soon, it's almost like it's pre-ordained. He may well captain England one day, he's got a great cricketing brain. Even the commentators blow smoke up his arse when he's on camera, and often when he's not getting it quite right, so there's this aura that's been created around him, which of course helps his cause hugely.

Curran will probably play a few ODIs and T20s and then be cast aside.