I have long been a fan of Robert Key. Partly, admittedly, because it is always good to see a man of a portly demeanour succeed. Partly because I admire his fluid batting style and partly because I suspect that underneath that mop of brown hair is one of the best cricket brain in county cricket.
RWT Key has played in 15 tests for England and averages 31. That's considerably lower than his key competition (Bell - 40.59; Collingwood - 44.20 Bopara - 49.62, Pietersen - 50.49 but ahead of Shah - 26.90) but his 15 tests were a number of years ago.
However, he has led Kent well for a number of seasons, has captained them to the T20 cup, has captained England A and has improved massively his batting since he was last selected for England. In the past five years, only Ramprakash has scored more first class runs and Key averages over 40 at that level. The fact of that matter is most cricketers get a second chance (and in some cases, any number of 'second chances') but Key, for whatever reason, isn't lucky enough to be one of the conveyor belt candidates of English batting.
Furthermore, and this is often forgotten due to the pie and burger jokes, he bats with an elegance not often seen in the county game, an elegance that belies his sturdy frame. He has superb timing and placement and bats with a beautiful, flowing style. He also plays with no small smattering of intelligence. Whilst I, like others, bemoaned his nudging and nurdling against Holland in the T20, he rarely gives away his wicket, and usually bats with intelligence - no flashy fours or smashed sixes.
Furthermore, and this is often forgotten due to the pie and burger jokes, he bats with an elegance not often seen in the county game, an elegance that belies his sturdy frame. He has superb timing and placement and bats with a beautiful, flowing style. He also plays with no small smattering of intelligence. Whilst I, like others, bemoaned his nudging and nurdling against Holland in the T20, he rarely gives away his wicket, and usually bats with intelligence - no flashy fours or smashed sixes.
He has exceptional cricketing brain, commands respect across the game, is an outsider (having not been picked over the last few years) but also is close to many of those in the current England squad. He was selected, earlier this year, to captain the MCC against Durham (usually an honour bstowed on the most highly thought of captain in the county game) and has a fine captaincy record.
Yes - there are issues. His closeness to Flintoff and, in particular, Harmison might not be a good thing. Others point to his poor batting record last season (although others realise that where his batting has dipped, Kent have benefitted for his general captaincy) and the fact that his current form is not fantastic. He is also not the fittest man in the county game.
In the pressure of an Ashes series, cool heads are necessary. I am a huge fan of Shah but a man who got so tense batting against the Windies that he gave himself cramp from holding his bat too tightly is surely going to be blown away by the banter, sledging and ferocity of the Australians. Bopara could take the series by storm or he could collapse. Bell is The Shermanator. Key offers decent runs, clever batting, a cool head and a captain's brain. If we were 10/1 against the Ozzies and Key came in at three, I'd be much calmer than I would be if Shah or Bopara were in that situation. That said, Bopara is the man in form and it would be wrong to drop him when he is in such good nick. Key, however, would be a useful squad man.
My view is that England could do a lot worse than have Robert Key in the squad (I think his brain would help Strauss enormously) and they almost certainly will do worse.
RCM
Yes - there are issues. His closeness to Flintoff and, in particular, Harmison might not be a good thing. Others point to his poor batting record last season (although others realise that where his batting has dipped, Kent have benefitted for his general captaincy) and the fact that his current form is not fantastic. He is also not the fittest man in the county game.
In the pressure of an Ashes series, cool heads are necessary. I am a huge fan of Shah but a man who got so tense batting against the Windies that he gave himself cramp from holding his bat too tightly is surely going to be blown away by the banter, sledging and ferocity of the Australians. Bopara could take the series by storm or he could collapse. Bell is The Shermanator. Key offers decent runs, clever batting, a cool head and a captain's brain. If we were 10/1 against the Ozzies and Key came in at three, I'd be much calmer than I would be if Shah or Bopara were in that situation. That said, Bopara is the man in form and it would be wrong to drop him when he is in such good nick. Key, however, would be a useful squad man.
My view is that England could do a lot worse than have Robert Key in the squad (I think his brain would help Strauss enormously) and they almost certainly will do worse.
RCM
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