Paul Nixon, why?

Paul Nixon has been selected for the World Cup, despite offering practically nothing in the CB series win other than a jammy score of 49 against the Kiwis.  Yes I know it rescued a bonus point, but it was the least convincing rescue since the Americans took a pasting in Somalia and if you discount that score he averaged around 12 for the series. 

Much purchase is put on his battling personality and his verbals behind the stumps as having a positive influence on the team.  I know at least four bald blokes from my local who could stand in a field and swear at foreigners for a few hours, maybe they should call Duncan Fletcher.

more after the cut...

Nixon's selection, along with that of Michael Vaughan, leaves England in a situation where they will have two players in the starting eleven who are in there for reasons other than the amount of runs they can score or the number of wickets they can take.  Vaughan's influence as captain has been played up more than a three-year-old at bed time since the Ashes, so the fact that he averages 25 in ODI's is conveniently overlooked.  Vaughan does however have a proven track record of positively impacting on the team, I am yet to be convinced of Nixon's ability to do this.

I am not advocating a return of Jones or Read.  Jones in so woefully out of form it looks like his feet are tied together and his bat is attached to wide balls with string, and Read has had his confidence shredded by Fletcher - I fear his international career is over.  James Foster would be my selection, he has been performing solidly for Essex for years, his international chances were curtailed by Alec Stewart's lengthy career and his subsequent return from serious injury left the door closed to him first by Read, then by Jones, Read again, and now The Badger Nixon.

Foster will console himself with the fact thought that he is almost certain to start the first test match of 2007 for England against the West Indies.  I will find little consolation watching Nixon score 4 as we lose to Canada.

[lee calvert]