Only bad can come of these three "NatWest challenge" one dayers for England. England have already done enough to demonstrate they are a worthy opponent and will push the Australians this English summer. We have pretty much all agreed on that over the passed weeks. So now, they have to front up against the Aussies again in three more one dayers.
I would not expect that, even if England win all three one dayers, by substantial margins, that they would be considered favourites going into the test matches. Only time, and serveral wins can ever see them favourites against the world champs. No number of one day wins will ever take them passed the Aussies, until the win a test series. That being said, should Australia walk out and thump England in two or three of these one dayers, while not having a huge positive impact on Australia, in could have a negative impact on England. This could have been what Ricky Ponting was getting at when he said the schedule suited Australia.
England are therefore, as we say here "on a hiding to nothing". I don't feel they can improve their position alongside the Aussies more than they already have, but should their top order fail anymore times, it could damage them for the tests.
I guess from Australia's point of few, either Gillespie can find some form, or he can make a decision on his immediate future a little more easy. Watching who is selected between Gillespie, Kasprowicz, and Watson may give us an indication of the selectors intentions for the test.
I mirror the thoughts of many other bloggers, bring on the tests...
England can only lose from this odd little one day series.
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4 comments so far...:
That's an interesting assessment, Stu, and pretty accurate too. England may gain some confidence if they do well in these 3 one-dayers ... but it also gives the Australians valuable match time ahead of the Tests.
Why, oh, why do England bowl their best 2 bowlers 1st and 2nd change? It just gives Australia a head start.
England did gain some browny points over the Aussies in the 1st one dayer. So its not as if England cant gain any thing and Australia cant lose any thing.
Also agreed with cricketers and people on blogosphere - bring on the tests!
Bring on the tests alright...
But I am not so sure about the utter pointlessness of these atches.
In the larger picture, I suppose I do. But say, as you did, that England win 3 zip. If that happens, and the likes of Gillespie and the top order continue to look lacklustre, it can only be better for England.
The cap on England's confidence and Australia's lack of it has, surely, not been reached....
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