“I am not sure he has the right attitude for ODI cricket”
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Legendary West Indies pace bowler Michael Holding has questioned England’s decision to include batsman Gary Ballance in their World Cup squad.
Holding’s comments come after Ballance scored 10 runs in both of England’s World Cup matches against Australia and New Zealand.
“I am not absolutely sure that they have the right team,” Holding said on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Point. “There are guys who I have seen play for England in recent times who should be in this team. Alex Hales – OK he hasn’t done a lot but he has the capability of doing a lot better than some of the guys in this team.
“I am not sure Ballance is a one-day cricketer. I think he is a fantastic Test batsman…I am not sure he has the right attitude for ODI cricket.”
However, England batsman Jonathan Trott believes that the national selectors should refrain from “chopping and changing” the squad just because a few players are not performing.
“You have to make a decision,” Trott said. “You can’t start chopping and changing now one you are in the World Cup. You have to select the team and back the players.
“All the upheaval or the indecision about Alastair Cook being captain or Morgs being captain and players being swopped [in the order] and team changes before the first game… uncertainty is something you don’t want with regard to selection… but when you don’t win games you don’t always get certainty. You are always searching for the formula to get you across the line.
“Ballance has only had two games. What message would that send? It was a bit of a surprise when we all saw the line-up for the Australia game – it has been a bit difficult for him. He is a good player with a fantastic Test record. I think he has the potential to do very well in one-day cricket.”
When asked if England would be able to beat Scotland on Monday in Christchurch, Holding laughed and said: “Let’s not get carried away. That’s where they need to rebound. England need to go in there and play some serious cricket now.”