Debate: does Crouch deserve starting spot at World Cup?

Richard Neale

Peter Crouch came off the substitutes’ bench to score twice in the second half to rescue England, who beat Egypt 3-1 at Wembley after trailing at the interval.

The revival preserved England’s unbeaten home record under Fabio Capello and marked their 500th international victory.

No one has ever seemed to rate Crouch, who has never been a cast-iron first choice for club or country at any stage during his career. Even now, he has dropped behind Roman Pavlyuchenko in the pecking order to partner Jermain Defoe at Tottenham Hotspur.

But Crouch’s double took his tally for England to 20 goals in 37 internationals, even more impressive when you remember that many of those appearances have been off the bench. Isn’t it time he got the recognition his scoring record deserves and should be not be starting England’s opening World Cup match with the United States on June 12?

This was the final match for some of the fringe players to impress in an England shirt before Capello names his pre-World Cup training squad on May 16.

Obviously Theo Walcott has been injured for much of this season and Leighton Baines was only in the starting line-up because of Ashley Cole’s injury and Wayne Bridge’s subsequent withdrawal, but did either do enough to deserve a place among England’s World Cup 23?

And what about the treatment of John Terry, who was loudly booed when the team was displayed on Wembley’s big screen and when he first touched the ball. Was it merited, or underserved by a player who has never given less than 100 per cent for his country?

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