Keeping vs Batting

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mas cambios

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Keeping vs Batting

The debate as to who should be the keeper for England continues to rage with the pair of Mustard and Ambrose the latest additions to an ever growing list.

The big question is what should be England be looking for? Should they have a keeper who can bat or batsman who can keep? Both are pretty specialist areas an each in their own right can change the outcome of a game.

There are numerous stats around detailing the number of runs that each of the misses have cost England in recent years, but we must also remember the runs that each batsman has contributed (ok, some more than others :p).

So, the big question: You're captain of a team, what do you go for?

A batsman who can keep (will average 30 but drop 3 out of 7 chances) or
A keeper who can bat (will average low 20's but only drop 9 out of 10 chances) or
Something completely different!
 
Re: Keeping vs Batting

As a bowler, I'd take the specialist keeper anyday :p

Much more heartening for a bowler to see your catches taken than dropped, big morale boost. Maybe it's a bit selfish, but hey, I'm captain :p
 
Re: Keeping vs Batting

I would have to agree with you but then again I can also see the benefit of having a Gilchrist type batsman at 7.

It's a tough one all right.
 
Re: Keeping vs Batting

Yeah, at county or international level it's really close but tbh at club level, where the bowlers tend to dominate, the number of runs saved or prevented by a good keeper is generally a lot bigger than the number they would score. Maybe its just with the scottish pitches though ;)
 
Re: Keeping vs Batting

That's another way to look at it - how does it affect you at club level.

I play (mostly) on reasonable pitches, but then again, I reckon I have about 30 plus catches (at least one a game) dropped a season, so a good keeper is a must.
 
Re: Keeping vs Batting

As a keeper im going to say keeper :p.

catches can win matches and tight fielding can be worth more than agood innings. it makes sense to help 4/5 bowlers then 1 place in the batting order
 
Re: Keeping vs Batting

At club level I would say the better skilled keeper is more important. Mainly because everyone can bat a bit but chances are like gold dust.

At Test level it's harder to say. What we are really looking for is Adam Gilchrist aged about 25 born in Ipswich ;)
 
Re: Keeping vs Batting

From personal choice; I would prefer a genuine Keeper.
Tits & bits type of keeper are risky to play with and we are facing with such kind of problem now.
 
Re: Keeping vs Batting

at the international level the requirement these days is a keeper who can take 9/10 catches and average in the 40's. that gives the option to play an extra bowler in the team.
 
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