Shah v Taylor

Date released: 27 June 2008

The last of our player by player analyses compares batsman with batsman. Representing England, Owais Shah. In the Black Cap corner, Ross Taylor.

The two will be on opposite teams at Lord's on Saturday for the final one-day international, when England take on New Zealand at Lord's.

Radley runs the rule over the openers Shah will feel right at home at 'The Home of Cricket', where his team, Middlesex are based.

However, Taylor is no stranger to Lord's having spent time here as an MCC Young Cricketer.

The expert

Who better to run the rule over the two middle-order men that Taylor's former mentor? Step forward, MCC Head Coach, Clive Radley.

'Rad' scored over 25,000 first-class runs during his cricket career.

Owais Shah

Batting stats - 40 ODIs; 3 at Lord's

^{Stats from CricInfo's StatsGuru}

Right at home: Shah is a regular at Lord's Owais Shah is a great batsman to show my players in the Young Cricketers how to play.

His technique is rock solid; he's big; strong and is not afraid to take on the bowling when it's needed.

He's batted well in this series too. He was unlucky, I thought, not to get a 50 in the win up at The Riverside [Shah was out on 49] and his partnership with Ravi Bopara at The Oval was one of the few highlights in a generally poor team performance.

He's right at home at Lord's too and his stats back that up - his average doubles when he's here. Playing at a Ground where you're comfortable, know the pitch and conditions really helps.

I look at Owais as a good, old fashioned batsman. I've already commended his technique but he's level headed too. He's not a dasher, not in the conventional sense, though he can score quickly if it's needed - but using solid cricket shots, rather than pure strength.

If I have to pick holes, I'd say his fielding isn't his best suit - but he knows that and works really hard at it and has improved it a long way from where he was a few years back.

Another good example: you're never too old to improve your game.

As a Middlesex man, I'm delighted to see him really seizing his opportunity with England.

Ross Taylor

Batting stats - 42 ODI matches; 0 at Lord's

^{Stats from CricInfo's StatsGuru}

Back to Lord's: Taylor knows Lord's well I couldn't be more pleased for and more proud of Ross.

The first minute I saw him play I knew he had a lot of talent.

When he was here as a YC (Young Cricketer) he was always a good striker of the ball. I'd say, in all my years of coaching he hits the ball as well as anyone - and Sir Ian Botham and Mark Waugh have been here.

Taylor always seems to find the sweet spot on the bat, in a variety of shots.

I'd love to lay claim to all his talents but he's improved a lot since he was here. He's more judicious in his shot selection for a start.

Like a lot of young players he was a little too eager early in his career but he's biding his time a little better now.

He plays the straight ball well too and has a great pull shot.

He's a cracking fielder too. Back in his time here he was a brilliant slip catcher and I'm not at all surprised to see him in the Kiwi cordon.

I suppose I have to pick a weakness... he's not that great at bowling!

If there is a chink in his armour though, something for the England bowlers to aim at, its to catch him with a straight ball early on.

Taylor likes to play his shots and if they can catch him walking across his stumps early on, they might get him LBW.

Once he's got his eye in though, he'll play those straight balls well so, like any batsman, it's just outside his off stump were they might get him nicking one.

The verdict

It's a tough call. Shah from my old county, or Taylor from my own coaching.

I've got to pick Ross Taylor really - it doesn't say much for my own coaching if I don't! But all diplomacy aside, I'm greatly looking forward to watching both of them bat on Saturday.

What do you think? Would you pick Taylor over Shah? If not, why not? Send us your comments and opinions, we'll publish the best ones: live@lords.org