Newcomers Compton and Root can help England to forget KP
GIVEN that, in their words, there are still some issues to resolve with Kevin Pietersen, England selectors have done the right thing in omitting him from the winter tour of India. Clearly the desire to iron out differences has not been great enough to get it done – if that is even possible – so all in the national set-up must now forget about Pietersen for a while.
I’m a huge believer that weight of runs should get you in the England side so I’m really pleased that Nick Compton – an ambitious, confident lad – received a call-up. Joe Root, the other uncapped batsman included, also deserves his chance. When you ask around in cricket circles who’s good, he is a name that comes back at you time and again.
The only question I’d raise is whether selectors might have taken a younger spinner. Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar are getting on now and it’s the one area in which England need to be find new talent.
Of more immediate concern is the World Twenty20, where, unlike some, I think England have a big chance of defending their title. Luke Wright, Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan are among several T20 specialists who have performed well over long periods. One man can change a game and England have players who can do that. Conditions will suit of course better suit teams from the subcontinent, but two years ago, in the Caribbean, the finalists were Australia and England.
Andy Lloyd is a former England Test cricketer. He has acted as captain and chairman of Warwickshire.