The Mighty Eagle
Team Captain
Paul Nixon Age 36
The wicketkeeper who is currently taking the job was a surprise selection for the CB series and the world cup. He has lots of energy behind the stumps and is a strong aggressive batter. He also brings lots of experience to the team, despite few international caps.
Chris Read Age 28
The best glovesman in the country has never got the chances that he deserves. Has the glove skills to match any international keeper but is unproven with the bat on the international stage. However, if he gets a long run in the team then he should start to prove his batting skills.
Geraint Jones Age 30
He came into the team in 2004 to replace Read as he was deemed a better batsman. His glovework remained a doubt, but improved in 2006. However, he quickly lost his batting form and was dropped in favour of Read. If he can get his batting form back he might regain his place and he is very encouraging behind the stumps. But has he had too many chances?
Matt Prior Age 25
The most gifted batsman out of the keepers, he got a chance in ODIs only as a specialist bat. He was badly out of form and quickly discarded. If he can improve his glovework he could become a serious candidate for the job.
James Foster Age 26
James Foster is the most gifted at both jobs. He was only 20 when he made his England debut, yet has had few chances since then, due to injuries and form. He is equally talented at both jobs and would be a good compromise between a keeper and a batsman.
Steve Davies Age 20
Picking Davies would be a pick for the future. He impressed last season at Worcestershire and found himself in the academy squad touring Australia and features now on A tours. He may need more experience though before stepping up to the international stage.
Niall O’Brien Age 25
Why not? Like Joyce before him, O’Brien is aiming to qualify for England and has been playing for Ireland in his qualifying period. He is a good keeper batsman and he has Nixonesque enthusiasm behind the stumps.
Jon Batty Age 32
Very much the outsider, but seeing Nixon in the team will give him hope. He has been consistent with the bat in the past seasons for Surrey and is capable with the gloves.
Personally I would go for Read, because he is the best gloveman and with spin bowlers such as Panesar and possibly Rashid and Lawson in future years it is important. He is a capable batsman if he is given the chance.
The wicketkeeper who is currently taking the job was a surprise selection for the CB series and the world cup. He has lots of energy behind the stumps and is a strong aggressive batter. He also brings lots of experience to the team, despite few international caps.
Chris Read Age 28
The best glovesman in the country has never got the chances that he deserves. Has the glove skills to match any international keeper but is unproven with the bat on the international stage. However, if he gets a long run in the team then he should start to prove his batting skills.
Geraint Jones Age 30
He came into the team in 2004 to replace Read as he was deemed a better batsman. His glovework remained a doubt, but improved in 2006. However, he quickly lost his batting form and was dropped in favour of Read. If he can get his batting form back he might regain his place and he is very encouraging behind the stumps. But has he had too many chances?
Matt Prior Age 25
The most gifted batsman out of the keepers, he got a chance in ODIs only as a specialist bat. He was badly out of form and quickly discarded. If he can improve his glovework he could become a serious candidate for the job.
James Foster Age 26
James Foster is the most gifted at both jobs. He was only 20 when he made his England debut, yet has had few chances since then, due to injuries and form. He is equally talented at both jobs and would be a good compromise between a keeper and a batsman.
Steve Davies Age 20
Picking Davies would be a pick for the future. He impressed last season at Worcestershire and found himself in the academy squad touring Australia and features now on A tours. He may need more experience though before stepping up to the international stage.
Niall O’Brien Age 25
Why not? Like Joyce before him, O’Brien is aiming to qualify for England and has been playing for Ireland in his qualifying period. He is a good keeper batsman and he has Nixonesque enthusiasm behind the stumps.
Jon Batty Age 32
Very much the outsider, but seeing Nixon in the team will give him hope. He has been consistent with the bat in the past seasons for Surrey and is capable with the gloves.
Personally I would go for Read, because he is the best gloveman and with spin bowlers such as Panesar and possibly Rashid and Lawson in future years it is important. He is a capable batsman if he is given the chance.
