By Fat Tony - 19 June, '02
June 19 2002

An England fan analyzes his side's batting strengths. Trescothick gave India plenty of grief at home in the Tests several months back.. but what about the rest? Trescothick

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Currently England's highest ranked player, in the World rankings. Strengths:Is equally a good player of pace and spin. Favourite shots the cover drive and the slog sweep off the spinners. Main Weakness - Does not move his feet, he also likes to work the ball through third man early in his innnigs, he also brings the bat inside the line of the ball when letting the ball go through. All 3 can lead to a catch in the slips or gully.

Vaughan

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Once touted as the perfect replacement for Atherton, but has now shown that he has an aggressive streak. He is an beautiful driver of the ball of the front and back foots.Main Weakness: Tends to play at balls outside offstump, and is troubled by left-handers bowling over the wicket. Also has the propensity to be dismissed in a strange or soft fashion.

Butcher

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The biggest challenge to Thorpe as the premier batsman in the team. Comes into the India series, having scored 2 centuries and a 94 in his last 3 innings. Is a good player of pace and spin. Likes to drive off the back foot through the covers and straight off the front foot. Prefers to cut, rather than pull, and will sweep or come down the wicket to spinners. Weakness: Once making corrections to his technique, there seem to be few problems with his batting. He like any left-hander does not like the ball outside off stump. As an opener by trade, the spinners will trouble him early in his innings.

Hussain

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The 'Real' Captain Courageous. Can be gritty or aggressive depending on the circumstances. A good player of pace and likes to drive the seamers through the covers or pull or hook them through backward of square. He also likes to come down to the spinners and is good with the sweep shot. Weaknesses: Can be a victim of his own aggression, often throwing away his wicket after setting himself up well. He plays with an open bat face when driving, and so always gives the slips a chance.

Thorpe

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The premier batsman in the England team. Equally good against pace and spin, and likes a challege, as witnessed by his impressive record against the Aussies. A very smart player, who likes to work the ball around, quick between the wickets, and has a range of shots to choose from. Closing out Thorpe will always be a key to India's success. Weakness: Has a tendency to be undone by good slower balls, or yorkers. Also is continously working singles, so if India is able to stop him manipulating the strike, they will put a lot of pressure on him.

Stewart

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Is like a fine wine, gets better with age. A talented strokemaker, who has all the shots. Is also the best keeper in the country, and rarely has bad day on the job. Main Weakness: Good spin bowling. Likes to just thrust the pad forward and is a big batpad man. He is also can be a victim of his aggression, a noted member of the happy hooker club.

Flintoff

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Can hit the bowl hard and far, and has the potential to play some big innings that can turn matches. Weakness: Still finding his way in the top league. His technique is far from solid, especially against spin. Also the manner of his play, will always keep the bowlers and the fielders interested.

Tudor

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Possess a better technique then Flintoff, but not the self-belief, the shots or the power. Could develop into a handy all-rounder, only time will tell.

The rest

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Giles, Gough & Caddick all have 40+ scores, but they are hit or miss men. On their day, they may flay the bowling, but more regulatly they will surrender their wicket for handful of runs. Hoggard will put up much more of a fight, possessing the best defensive technique of the 4, but won't score many runs in the process.