Nominate your XI (both sides) for the First Ashes Test 2010/2011 (nearest the pin)

[Johnson#26]

As above. :)

[Gazza_11]

Watson
Katich
Ponting (c)
Clarke (vc)
Hussey
North
Haddin (wk)
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Only one change, with Hilfy in for Harris. AS much as I love Siddle he's going to have to earn his place back in. We might go four quicks, but Haury doesn't deserve that. Clarke to four seems like a good move right now, with Hussey adn Ponting in the twilight of their careers, plus I feel number 5 will better suit Hussey in his recent test match batting slump. North should have locked his spot up for a while in New Zealand, but a poor showing in England against Pakistan and strong form in domestic cricket from some younger candidates (White, Bailey, Ferguson, etc) could see him fall out.

[pistonbroke23]

Katich
Watson
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
White
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bollinger
12th Hilf.
Time to stop kidding our selves about north.We have better players in the system.Depending on sheild form i think Hughes,Smith,Mcdonald,Wade,Patterson,Mckay,Bailey,Heal, should be there abouts for bad form or injury.

[stmookeyj]

Watson (would prefer him at 6 though)
Katich
Ponting
M.Hussey
M.Clarke
North (they'll pick him regardless of form, they must love him)
Haddin
S.Smith
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger
12th: Siddle


ENGLAND
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell (Can't find an AR suitable for the role, and Bopara shouldn't get a game for Ringwood 4th Grade)
Prior
Swann
Broad
Bresnan
Anderson
12th: Sidebottom

[Grimwood]

STRAYA
Watson
Katich
Ponting*
Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin+
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Rough on Siddle, but I think Hilfenhaus brings a bit more guile to the attack. Batting seems solid, but if North looks shakey then I could see White brought in to give a bit more power at 6.

INGERLAND
Cook
Strauss*
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior+
Bresnan
Swann
Broad
Anderson

There's plenty of scope for change in both the batting and bowling as Flower has already hinted that the likes of Broad, Collingwood and Swann will be rested at times this summer. I'd like to see Onions in there, but his injury situation doesn't look good.

[Doodlesweaver]

STRAYA
Watson
Katich
Ponting*
Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin+
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Rough on Siddle, but I think Hilfenhaus brings a bit more guile to the attack. Batting seems solid, but if North looks shakey then I could see White brought in to give a bit more power at 6.

INGERLAND
Cook
Strauss*
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior+
Bresnan
Swann
Broad
Anderson

There's plenty of scope for change in both the batting and bowling as Flower has already hinted that the likes of Broad, Collingwood and Swann will be rested at times this summer. I'd like to see Onions in there, but his injury situation doesn't look good.

I don't want Watson opening. Drop North and send him down to 6. But I don't particularly want Hughes opening either. Who else can we sneak in to open with kat?

[Grimwood]

I don't want Watson opening. Drop North and send him down to 6. But I don't particularly want Hughes opening either. Who else can we sneak in to open with kat?

M.Hussey? Rogers? Jaques? Three guys with good records opening in Shield cricket.

I'm not keen on Watson opening either, but I doubt the selectors will change.

[TigerGlory]

No need to fix what isnt broken.

Watson opens unless it becomes an issue for him. :thumbsu:

[Kim Hagdorn]

I don't want Watson opening. Drop North and send him down to 6. But I don't particularly want Hughes opening either.

Lay off the crack.

[Bomber Bears]

What it will be?

Katich
Watson
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Hauritz
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Harris (12th Man).

Although could easily be Harris or Siddle for Hilfenhaus if he isnt fit, but that's the side i would choose and will be pretty close to the mark.

England? Hmm

Cook
Strauss
Trott
Pieterson
Collingwood
Bell
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
???

Englands going to need a better seam attack to win IMO, although will be a much harder threat than some of the team's we've played since the ashes. Genuinely slightly concerned about this tour, Watson is certainly yet to convince against the swinging ball, North just bashed NZ around and we still dont have any decent spin, with Smith's bowling a good 3-4 years off being worthy (although he could push for a batting spot in place of North) and Hauritz, whilst OK against paki's, one of the worst batting lineups i've seen, struggles to take the wickets when it counts.

[Bomber Bears]

I'd love to see a firing Harmison playing TBH. He was very very good in that Oval test last year, and he seems to want to go, but i dont think he'll be picked.

[Grimwood]

England will really be hoping that Finn shines up pretty quick and that Onions gets some cricket at the end of the English summer.

[courtjester]

This is what I'd like to see:


S.Katich
M.Hussey
S.Watson
M.Clarke
R.Ponting (c)
S.Smith
T.Paine
N.Hauritz
M.Johnson
B. Hilfenhaus
D.Bollinger



Hussey- to take the responsibility of opening for the rest of his time (he was an opener once...)
Katich- solid as.
Watson- should become our number 3 post Ponting, Watson is better opening or at 3 than at 6, likes the pace. Start the transition now.
Clarke- move to 4, where he belongs as a batsman.
Ponting- down to 5, where he can steady the middle and bat with Smith.
Steve Smith- North has been giving us SFA, might as well blood someone young, exciting, who can field brilliantly and bowl a bit.
Paine- I could go either way with Haddin, but I kind of think why not make the call now while there is still a lot of seniority in the team.
Bowlers- pick themselves. Other contenders are Harris and McKay.

[mansize rooster]

watto
kat
punter
marto
smith
hadin
ritz
Johno
Hilfy
bowlninger
sid

[Doodlesweaver]

watto
kat
punter
marto
smith
hadin
ritz
Johno
Hilfy
bowlninger
sid

Who is marto?

If you mean Damien Martyn, I feel unwell. If you think Haddin at 6 is a good call, I feel unweller.

[steviej]

M.Hussey? Rogers? Jaques? Three guys with good records opening in Shield cricket.

I'm not keen on Watson opening either, but I doubt the selectors will change.

Rogers would never get back in the Test team.. not a team player at all
Watsons role should be in the top 3 from here on in. He is very strong in the V against pace bowling, play him in the position that suits his batting

[Bomber Bears]

This is what I'd like to see:


S.Katich
M.Hussey
S.Watson
M.Clarke
R.Ponting (c)
S.Smith
T.Paine
N.Hauritz
M.Johnson
B. Hilfenhaus
D.Bollinger



Hussey- to take the responsibility of opening for the rest of his time (he was an opener once...)
Katich- solid as.
Watson- should become our number 3 post Ponting, Watson is better opening or at 3 than at 6, likes the pace. Start the transition now.
Clarke- move to 4, where he belongs as a batsman.
Ponting- down to 5, where he can steady the middle and bat with Smith.
Steve Smith- North has been giving us SFA, might as well blood someone young, exciting, who can field brilliantly and bowl a bit.
Paine- I could go either way with Haddin, but I kind of think why not make the call now while there is still a lot of seniority in the team.
Bowlers- pick themselves. Other contenders are Harris and McKay.Tim Paine? You have got to be ****ing shitting me. Lets drop the guy averaging near 40 with the bat (40.5 in FC cricket) and with keeping that has gotten better and better for the guy who averages a tick under 31 in first class cricket, and has shown nothing worthy of being chosen? For the Ashes no less, the most important test series for a while.

This is one stupid idea.

[Grimwood]

It looks as if Collingwood and Broad have been rested for the first test against Bangladesh, so we get a little look at who is next in line and pushing for an Ashes tour spot. Finn and Shahzad are seemingly in, but there's no sign of Sidebottom. Eoin Morgan is the 6th batsman rather than Bopara, Carberry or Kieswetter.

So England's top 5 test bowlers would appear to be Broad, Bresnan, Shahzad, Anderson and Finn at this moment. Onions would obviously be in the mix if he was fit.

Extremely dark horse? Simon Jones bowled 15 overs at good pace for Hants second XI last week...

[The Governor]

Here is my AUSTRALIA TEST XI v England

Shane Watson
Simon Katich
Ricky (CAPTAIN)
Michael Clarke (VC)
Marcus North
Stephen Smith
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle
Ben HIlfenhauss
Doug Bollinger

I have gone with a four man pace attack with Shane Watson to provide support to the four paceman.

The big suprise is Stephen Smith. Yes, we lack a leg spinner and if you look at the past great Australian sides, a successful leg spinner is the vital ingredient for long term success at test level. Stephen Smith is ready to play test match cricket, and with the great SK Warne to tutor him, I think he is an improved proposition than Nathan Hauritz.

Heh, the great Warwick Hadfield could have bowled Australia to victory against Pakistan!! If Nathan Hauritz could bowl Australia to victory, the great Warwick Hadfield could bowl Australia to victory on the SCG!!!



THE GOVERNOR

[Notorious_29]

P.Hughes
S.Katich
R.Ponting
M.Clarke
M.Hussey
S.Watson
B.Haddin
M.Johnson
N.Hauritz
D.Bollinger
B.Hilfenhaus

[Doodlesweaver]

I'd drop North before Huss. They are both unreliable, but Huss has the best hands in the team. North seems to regularly shell catches in slips. Huss should be at 6 if they must use Watson to open.

[eddiesmith]

Australias is very predictable barring injury
Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

They have made it clear thats the side they want, England is a little more difficult
Cook
Strauss
KP
Collingwood
Morgan
Bell
Prior
Swann
Broad
Bresnan
Anderson

Would prefer Sidebottom to Anderson but not going to happen unfortunately

[Spudregus_87]

Us
Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Them
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Collingwood
Morgan
Prior
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Sidebottom

[The Reaper]

Tim Paine? You have got to be ****ing shitting me. Lets drop the guy averaging near 40 with the bat (40.5 in FC cricket) and with keeping that has gotten better and better for the guy who averages a tick under 31 in first class cricket, and has shown nothing worthy of being chosen? For the Ashes no less, the most important test series for a while.

This is one stupid idea.

I'd agree with you that they should stick with Haddin for the Ashes but I would rather they look to replacing him in the near future. Very much prone to brain fades and his keeping will never be great.

Australian Team
1. Watson
2.Katich
3.Ponting
4.Clarke
5.Hussey
6. North
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Hilfenhaus
11. Bollinger

Side is quite obvious in my opinion. With only a few tests between now and the First Test, North is the only batsman who could possible lose his spot.
If Hilfenhaus regains fittness and form he will be selected. I doubt that the selectors will go with 4 pacemen + Watson unless there is a tropical storm in Brisbane.

England

1.Strauss
2.Cook
3.Pietersen
4.Bopara
5.Collingwood
6. Prior
7. Swann
8. Broad
9. Bresnan
10. Anderson
11. Onions

[Blue Dimension]

The scary thing is, that batting lineup is the exact same lineup that lost us the Ashes in England. I remember going into the 06(?) Ashes and thinking that there was no way in hell that England would come close to beating us.

Right now I'm far from confident, in fact I could see England winning back to back Ashes if all goes well for them.

[Doodlesweaver]

The scary thing is, that batting lineup is the exact same lineup that lost us the Ashes in England. I remember going into the 06(?) Ashes and thinking that there was no way in hell that England would come close to beating us.

Right now I'm far from confident, in fact I could see England winning back to back Ashes if all goes well for them.

Yes, so can I. And the batting line-up that is prone to collapsing and lost us the Ashes is going to line-up like little lambs all over again.

Of course the old line if you remove the head... Flower is no fool, Punter will be offered multi-opportunities to pull his way to destruction before he is set. And he will take them.

Hussey is still not at all confident in test matches and North? Who knows?

[jk20]

does no one rate ryan harris? yes it was only against nz but ever since coming into the team hasn't put a foot wrong i rekon its a bit harsh not even giving him a chance

[eddiesmith]

As you say, it was only NZ, doesnt really have the record to back him up plus added in his history of injury and lack of first class matches in the last 12 months, how would he go in a 5 test series crammed together like the Ashes is?

Plus Bollinger, Hilfenhaus and Johnson are ahead of him. Which of Hilfy or Bollinger would you drop for Harris?

[Bomber Bears]

As you say, it was only NZ, doesnt really have the record to back him up plus added in his history of injury and lack of first class matches in the last 12 months, how would he go in a 5 test series crammed together like the Ashes is?

Plus Bollinger, Hilfenhaus and Johnson are ahead of him. Which of Hilfy or Bollinger would you drop for Harris?Personally, Mitchell Johnson:)

Harris should be 12th man, Hilfenhaus a better bowler, harris seems to be a good Bichel/Kasper type, comes in at a pinch and does a good job, but i dont think he's up to being a full time member of the side (mind you, better than Siddle).

[Doodlesweaver]

The scary thing is, that batting lineup is the exact same lineup that lost us the Ashes in England. I remember going into the 06(?) Ashes and thinking that there was no way in hell that England would come close to beating us.

Right now I'm far from confident, in fact I could see England winning back to back Ashes if all goes well for them.

Even scarier, Punter has started giving it large in the press about how it is a 'different' team now as compared to the 11 that fronted at the Oval.

If only that were true. I'm a bit tired of the hubris that the summer of playing injury hit and just plain messy teams has induced.

[SouthSwans]

AUSTRALIA
1. Shane WATSON
2. Simon KATICH
3. Ricky PONTING
4. Michael CLARKE
5. Mike HUSSEY
6. Marcus NORTH
7. Brad HADDIN
8. Mitchell JOHNSON
9. Nathan HAURITZ
10. Doug BOLLINGER
11. Ben HILFENHAUS
12th: Peter SIDDLE
____________________

ENGLAND
1. Andrew STRAUSS
2. Alastair COOK
3. Jonathon TROTT
4. Kevin PIETERSEN
5. Paul COLLINGWOOD
6. Matt PRIOR
7. Samit PATEL
8. Graeme SWANN
9. Stuart BROAD
10. Jimmy ANDERSON
11. Steven FINN
12th: Ryan SIDEBOTTOM

[Grimwood]

England wish that Samit Patel was up for selection. 2 years ago he was Nott's best batsman, then he got dropped, then he got told he was too fat and now he's struggling to get into double figures.

If he'd just lost some weight the first time around he'd probably have played in those tests against the Windies last year instead of Tim Bresnan.

[holybishop]

I have gone with a four man pace attack with Shane Watson to provide support to the four paceman.

lmao what are you an Australian selector? Thought you would have learnt from the last ashes test that four man pace attacks dont work. Why Australia seems to be the only team with such a fixation on pace just bemuses me. :rolleyes:

Australia XI
Marsh
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
White
Watson
Haddin
Hauritz
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

England XI
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Collingwood
Morgan
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn

[Bomber Bears]

Only playing 10 players are we?

[Doodlesweaver]

lmao what are you an Australian selector? Thought you would have learnt from the last ashes test that four man pace attacks dont work. Why Australia seems to be the only team with such a fixation on pace just bemuses me. :rolleyes:

Australia XI
Marsh
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
White
Watson
Haddin
Hauritz
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

England XI
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Collingwood
Morgan
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn

Shaun Marsh? You really are a Fremantle fan aren't you?

Considering how he can be dominant in state level 20/20 (including IPL) I've never seen him play a really great innings in one day cricket for Aus.

[holybishop]

Shaun Marsh? You really are a Fremantle fan aren't you?

Considering how he can be dominant in state level 20/20 (including IPL) I've never seen him play a really great innings in one day cricket for Aus.

Are you kidding me? He literally had Hayden's test opening spot sown up until he got injured, which opened the door to Hughes.

[Jimthegreat]

Who I think they'll pick....

Katich
Watson
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Hauritz
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

Harris (12th Man).


My team.....

Katich
Watson
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Haddin
Smith
Hauritz
Johnson
Harris
Bollinger

Hilfenhaus (12th Man).

Harris bowls with real pace, bounce and pressure that suit our conditions more than Hilfenhaus. Done nothing wrong to be left out IMO. Given it's a close battle with Hilfenhaus, Harris' batting adds a little more depth. Smith averaged 77 with the bat and took wickets later in the season with his leg breaks. I believe you can't leave those blokes out but they will. Smith gives us balance for all weather and pitch conditions irrespective of whether they pick Harris or Hilfenhaus. With Watson as well it makes 4 quicks and 2 spinners without losing anything from the batting.

[SouthSwans]

I like your teams, would love to see the second one at some point during the Ashes. Where does Siddle fit in your scheme of things? White? Ferguson?

[Doodlesweaver]

Are you kidding me? He literally had Hayden's test opening spot sown up until he got injured, which opened the door to Hughes.

Can you show me some evidence that 'He literally had Hayden's test opening spot sown up'? He has never monstered it at state level as Hughes did to get his call-up.

Why are you sure it was in the bag apart from injuries?

[holybishop]

Might be hard for you but try to cast your mind back to the ODI series that happened after Hayden retired. His form in that series was going so well that most cricket commentators at the time said he will get Haydens spot.

[Doodlesweaver]

You seriously think that on the back of a couple of ODI series that, despite his mediocre Sheffiled/Pura Cup form at that time, they would have given him the test match job of opener even though Hughes was racking up the kind of stats that Shaun Marsh can only dream of still?

I'm afraid I pay almost no attention to the nine commentators, they appear as cheerleaders to a man and it's rare to get much sense out of any of them.

I'm no fan of Hughes, I feel like it's watching a tail-ender open for Australia his technique is so rotten, but to give him his due he gets out there and scores runs.

[The Reaper]

Might be hard for you but try to cast your mind back to the ODI series that happened after Hayden retired. His form in that series was going so well that most cricket commentators at the time said he will get Haydens spot.

I do recall him opening for Queensland for half the season and scoring about 20 runs.

Perhaps in this instance you are confused with Phil Jaques?

With Watson it was more that the selectors were trying to find him a position in the team.

As it is I still remain unsure whether Watson's great record as a test opener is an indication that he has become a class opening bat or that a good batsman, when in form will score runs regardless of where he bats

[Cousin Jed]

He was talking about Shaun Marsh not Watson

[The Reaper]

He was talking about Shaun Marsh not Watson

:o

I saw the 'Sha', a mention of poor Shield form opening and then a good record opening in ODIs and assumed he meant Watson.

In regards to Shaun Marsh I will be surprised if he is ever Test Class.

[Doodlesweaver]

:o

I saw the 'Sha', a mention of poor Shield form opening and then a good record opening in ODIs and assumed he meant Watson.

In regards to Shaun Marsh I will be surprised if he is ever Test Class.

I agree, he doesn't seem to be temperamentally sound enough.

Lovely batsman to watch when batting well, but that is never enough. And he is 26 now.

[eth-dog]

AUSSIES
Watson
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

POMMIES
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Collingwood
Bell?
Prior?
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Sidebottom