After 3 tests...

[DaRick]

Well, we do have the momentum right at this moment, but I'm (understandably) wary because of what happened 16 months ago at around this time - our batting order utterly squandered it (and Hauritz was left out, probably incorrectly).

I am worried about our top order. Barring Hussey and Watson, it is shaky. Neither of those two can be expected to succeed innings after innings.

Whilst Mitchell Johnson almost certainly will not be as bad in Melbourne or Sydney as he was in Brisbane, you can't really expect him to conjure up this sort of performance match after match. That being said, Harris and Hilfenhaus have been either penetrative or miserly, whilst even Siddle has had a little success being an enforcer (despite bowling poorly). Our bowling lineup finally looks vaguely coherent.

Even our batting has improved, shaky though it still is. Already Steve Smith has exceeded North's highest Test score, although he was probably not an ideal #6 - good to keep in once the Ashes is over, though the selectors could've done this a while back, rather than persisting with North.

 

[damochandler]

as well at leeds last year. mitch dominated and the next test he was more interested in trying to sledge broad. mitch is more hot than cold at the moment and we shouldn't be expecting him to be a force every test we haven't won this test yet and if we do lose this test after being in front by a mile. there should be an inquiry

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I am not very optimistic as far as the series goes.

The bowlers really do look like they are running into a bit of form as a unit, but I also think they have got absolute maximum reward for effort at the WACA, it would be a lot to ask to expect it to unfold like that for the rest of the series. England probably will not score as freely as in Adelaide again on this tour, but in syd/melb they won't get knocked over the way they have here.

Our batting so far has consisted of Hussey + one other moderately decent effort for him to build a partnership with in each innings. It is truly inspirational stuff, but all else being equal, all it does is put Australia in a position where we need either great bowling, or woeful pom batting to win.

It is a huge ask to expect Hussey to continue to deliver at this level for another two tests- if he does close out the series with 4 more stellar efforts, it would surely go down as one of the greatest individual ashes performances of all time. If he can't, then, all else being equal, we are just utterly stuffed.


What it all comes down to is we need is the top order to stand up, and make enough runs to give us better totals to bowl at in Sydney and Melbourne.

Neither am I, but at least they are showing some fight.

 

[amer]

What we need is a big, decisive innings from the champion Ricky Ponting. That's what we bloody need. I hope he's okay and can play at the G; ton up you legend!

 

[dan warna]

IF O'Keefe is the next great spinning hero, then NSW need to bite the bullet and play O'Keefe in the shield side dropping hauritz.

On early form the stats say he is an option, but lets see if he really is the next great spinning hope and its not just a statistical anomaly.

He's 24 ish? that's a decade of play in australian side if NSW have the balls to drop hauritz and give smith 18 months give the selectors are going to pursue slogger smith in the test side.

 

[Cousin Jed]

I'll reopen after the test is over.

 

[Cousin Jed]

As promised

 

[damochandler]

we have got them back yet. bowler have got to back it up in melbourne