Our response to the recent article on The Cricket Blog about England’s ODI keeping situation.

I think it is fair to say in this age of wicket keeping that you are not going to get picked purely on your keeping ability. Selectors will always be looking for a Gilchrist, Boucher or even a replacement for our very own Stewart. Someone who can be safe with the gloves and score you runs with the bat, usually from coming in down the order but not a necessity.

I agree with Miles, we are in one of the best situations we have been for many years, probably the best since Stewie was doing the job. Many have tried, most have had either short term success or none at all. Geraint Jones was meant to be the next big thing, but after a decent Ashes summer he disappeared into injured insignificance. Ambrose never really shone, didn’t do much wrong but forgettable.

Prior has turned a corner for me, after the poor Sri Lanka tour he worked hard on his glove work, and last summer for the Ashes was spectacular with both bat and gloves.

So Prior or Kieswetter? Both should be in the team, at the moment at least. There is no one in better form that Kieswetter so why wouldn’t we play him? And Prior has earnt his place. Who keeps? Well that depends, having two very capable keepers puts us in a nice spot. Scenario time: England batting first, Kieswetter carries his bat for 150, of course we let Prior keep to give the lad a break. Alternatively if Prior makes runs and Kieswetter is in a better physical state to keep then he does it. If we are fielding first and Kieswetter is going to be opening then his responsibility in the team is to go out and make big runs, therefore Prior should be keeping.

One person who I think deserves a mention is Foster. He is by far the best out and out keeper we have, in previous matches he has got as many wickets are bowlers from his excellent keeping alone. He should be considered for the T20 team as those moments of brilliance can really change a game.

Onto our ODI team for the Bangladesh series:

Cook*, Kieswetter, Pietersen, Morgan, Trott, Collingwood, Prior+, Bresnan, Swann, Broad, Sidebottom.

Comments on Miles’ team, I don’t think you can drop the stand in captain. I have faith in Cook as a one day player, maybe not against the Aussies or Indians, but against Bangladesh he will do fine. Broad is the best ODI bowler we have (behind Jimmy). Also, I wouldn’t have Tredwell in as the second spinner, if I was to go down that route I would be using Rashid instead, mainly for his ability to contribute with the bat as well.

Comments on my team, one spinner, Trott and KP can get some overs in if the wicket requires it. They may need to bowl anyway as Colly may not be able to get through 10. Big consideration is Prior, would depend how the bowling attack faired, but would think about swapping him out for Wright.