Ashes - Your First Test Team

[Jars458]

Haydyn
Langer
Ponting
Lehmann
Martyn
Steve Waugh
Gilchrist
Warne
Bichel
Gillespie (If not fit - Brad Williams)
McGrath

12th man - Jimmy Maher


Waugh of the Mark variety and Brett Lee have to go

Selectors must stop picking the side on reputation.

I would move Martyn up the order to five and Steve down to six.

 

[SeinDude]

My test team for 1st Ashes test:

1. Matthew Hayden
2. Justin Langer
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Mark Waugh
5. Steve Waugh - Captain
6. Damien Martyn
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Shane Warne
9. Brett Lee
10. Jason Gillespie (if fit)
11. Glenn McGrath

12th Man: Andy Bichel

Andy Bichel is unlucky to miss out but Brett Lee should be given a couple of tests at home to show what he is capable of before dropping him. Obiously this also depends on the fitness of Jason Gillespie.

I think both the Waugh brothers should retain their places in the team for the moment, but Darren Lehmann is ready and waiting for his chance which will come soon enough.

Cheers!!
SeinDude

 

[DaveW]

Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting (c)
Darren Lehmann
Martyn Love
Simon Katich
Adam Gilchrist
Andy Bichel
Shane Warne
Jason Gillespie (Brad Williams on stand-by)
Glenn McGrath

 

[hourn]

Originally posted by DaveW
Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting (c)
Darren Lehmann
Martyn Love
Simon Katich
Adam Gilchrist
Andy Bichel
Shane Warne
Jason Gillespie (Brad Williams on stand-by)
Glenn McGrath

no Martyn??? his form's not great but it hasn't been prolonged like it was for the Waugh's.

my team,

Matt Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting
Martin Love
Steve Waugh
Damien Martyn
Adam Gilchrist
Andy Bichel
Shane Warne
Jason Gillespie
Glenn McGrath

Brad Williams 12th man

 

[clucas91]

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Mark Waugh
Steve Waugh
Lehmann
Gilchrist
Warne
Gillespie
Bichel
McGrath

12th man: Martyn

 

[Navy Master]

1st test

Openers - Langer and Hayden
3. Ponting
4. Martyn
5. Lehmann
6. S. Waugh
7. Gilchrist
8. Warne
9. Bichel
10. Gillespie
11. McGrath
The 12th Man, Williams

Sick of Brett Lee not getting wickets, sick of Mark Waugh throwing his wicket away for not much

 

[bluechampion]

team.

The eleven.

1- Hayden
2- Langer
3- Ponting
4- Lehmann
5- S.Waugh
6- M.Waugh
7- Gilchrist
8- Warne
9- Bichel
10 -McGrath
11- Innes

12th man - one of Martyn / Lee / Hauritz

Gillespie in if fit.

This is the perfect series to blood one or two youngsters. To give them the taste of the big time. I suggest the bowlers in particular given the heavy schedual and the looming world cup. No disrespect to the English, but we have bigger fish to fry.

 

[lamby29]

My 11

1. Hayden
2. Langer
3. Ponting
4. Martyn
5. S Waugh
6. Gilchrist
7. Lehmann
8. Watson
9. Warne
10. Bichel
11. McGrath

12th Man : Gillespie/Lee

Watson in the team as he is a pretty good all-rounder.
I have always felt that Australia's tail is a bit long so the inclusion of Watson could fix that.

Mark Waugh and Brett Lee have to go.

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Originally posted by clucas91
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Mark Waugh
Steve Waugh
Lehmann
Gilchrist
Warne
Gillespie
Bichel
McGrath

I agree with all but the order!

Mine is
Hayden/Langer
Ponting
Lehmann
Mark Waugh
Steve Waugh
Gilchrist
Warne
Gillespie (lee in if dizzie's injured)
Bichel
McGrath

 

[bunsen burner]

There really are some people who aren't too clued up about cricket here:

Damian Martyn: Anyone who thinks he should be dropped has rocks in their head. I guess some people don't like him and they let that cloud their judgement. The guy has an average of nearly 50!

Watson: Firstly, he isn't up to it, and secondly, the Aussies have dominated for years without an allrounder. Why bring it one now? Fair enough if Watson's middle name was Botham, but it isn't.

1. Hayden
2. Langer
3. Ponting
4. Martyn
5. S Waugh
6. Lehmann
7. Gilchrist
8. Warne
9. Gillespie
10. Bichel
11. McGrath

In: Lehmann, Gillespie
Out M.Waugh, Lee

* I thought Mark Waugh should have gone over a year ago. I don't think it is wise to have to greats retire at the same time

** Lee needs a re-train. Keeping him in the team is bad for his and Australia's long term. I don't rate Bichel, but Lee has to go for a while and there are no up and comings who are in form.

*** Lehmann gets the nod, but there are plenty of others just as worthy (Maher, Love, Katich, Hussey, Hodge). I think we need someone pretty young, and there is no one who is in form who fits the bill. I would like to have Lehmann have a go before Katich gets a long term gig.

 

[hourn]

Originally posted by bunsen burner
Damian Martyn: Anyone who thinks he should be dropped has rocks in their head. I guess some people don't like him and they let that cloud their judgement. The guy has an average of nearly 50!

Yea agreed there. Martyn doesn't deserve to be dropped although his last two series have been very ordinary indeed. Has a few poor tests to start the Ashes series and there will no doubt be words spread through the media.

Watson: Firstly, he isn't up to it, and secondly, the Aussies have dominated for years without an allrounder. Why bring it one now? Fair enough if Watson's middle name was Botham, but it isn't.

Agree there as well. Not upto as of yet, maybe in a few years time.

1. Hayden
2. Langer
3. Ponting
4. Martyn
5. S Waugh
6. Lehmann
7. Gilchrist
8. Warne
9. Gillespie
10. Bichel
11. McGrath

In: Lehmann, Gillespie
Out M.Waugh, Lee

agreed except Love were Lehmann is and Love at 4, Martyn at 6.

* I thought Mark Waugh should have gone over a year ago. I don't think it is wise to have to greats retire at the same time

Agreed

** Lee needs a re-train. Keeping him in the team is bad for his and Australia's long term. I don't rate Bichel, but Lee has to go for a while and there are no up and comings who are in form.

Paul Rofe is very young (born 1980) and was one of the leading wickettakers in Sheffield Shield last season. I swear to god i've mentioned his name about a dozen times on this board. In order of Australian quicks it goes 1. McGrath, 2. Gillespie (whose form is absolutely terrible), 3. Bichel/Lee, 4. Bichel/Lee, 5. Williams, 6. Rofe.

*** Lehmann gets the nod, but there are plenty of others just as worthy (Maher, Love, Katich, Hussey, Hodge). I think we need someone pretty young, and there is no one who is in form who fits the bill. I would like to have Lehmann have a go before Katich gets a long term gig.

Martin Love's form from last season was unbeliavable and there is no reason why he couldn't keep it going. Although Lehmann is probably more deserved because of long-term brilliance, i think Love should get the nod because he can take a more permenant spot in the Australian batting line up.

 

[BUBBALOUIS]

this is mine

Elliott
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
S.Waugh
Lehmann
Gilchrist
Warne
Gillespie
Bichel
McGrath

 

[Brad Goodman]

Taylor
Elliott
Boon
M Waugh
Bevan
Border
Moody
Zoehrer
May
Angel
Alderman

We would still win.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Re: 1st test

Originally posted by Navy Master
Openers - Langer and Hayden
3. Ponting
4. Martyn
5. Lehmann
6. S. Waugh
7. Gilchrist
8. Warne
9. Bichel
10. Gillespie
11. McGrath
The 12th Man, Williams

Sick of Brett Lee not getting wickets, sick of Mark Waugh throwing his wicket away for not much

100% agree with you side. Similar to Jars too, but reckon Martyn should bat ahead of Lehmann.

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Lee definatly needs some time back with NSW to get his sh*t together. But geez, we need in the future when McGrath goes.
(McGrath retiring is a scary thought)

M.Hayden
J.Langer
R.Ponting
D.Lehmann
S.Waugh (c)
D.Martyn
A.Gilchrist (vc)
S.Warne
A.Bichel
J.Gillespie
G.McGrath

 

[bunsen burner]

Re: this is mine

Originally posted by BUBBALOUIS
Elliott
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
S.Waugh
Lehmann
Gilchrist
Warne
Gillespie
Bichel
McGrath

Elliott? The guy who has had his chances and isn't up to it? Why would you break up Hayden and Langer who are Australia's first good opening partnership since Taylor and Slater.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention - Hayden and Langer have the best opening partnership record in history. Yes, better than Greenidge and Haynes.

And there's more! Traditionally the hardest spot to bat is #3. Ponting is the first good #3 we have had since Boonie. Why would you move him?

I would suggest that your irrational views indicate that you are in denial. Elliott must be your favourite player. Let me bring you down lightly - THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY IN THE WORLD THAT ELLIOTT WILL (OR SHOULD) MAKE THE ASHES TEAM, yet alone squad.

Are you aware that he had to give up his Victorian vice-captaincy because of his bad form? I think maybe you are dellusional and need help.

 

[clucas91]

Elliott did top the 1997 Ashes tour batting averages including a fine 199. He was dropped pretty soon after that...Pretty harsh.

 

[hourn]

It was a bit harsh on Elliot getting dropped when he did, but whats done is done and Hayden and Langer have since picked up the ball and ran with it while Elliot is still about 15 yards behind them.

But in saying that, I wouldn't be all that dissapointing if Elliot was given another test run if there was some injuries to our top order batsmen. But in terms of forcing his way back into the team through form, well i dont think that'll happen.

 

[Deestroy]

1. Hayden
2. Langer
3. Ponting
4. Lehmann
5. S. Waugh
6. Martyn (hasn't done much lately, but who better could be brought in?)
7. Gilchrist
8. Warne
9. Bichel
10. Gillespie
11. McGrath

12th man - Williams

 

[DaveW]

Elliott hasn't done enough in recent times to deserve a spot in the Test side. Hussey, Maher and Cox are all better chances.

 

[bunsen burner]

Elliott wouldn't even come into the selectors considerations at the moment. He is way way down the batting pecking order.

 

[hourn]

Elliot isn't all that off the boil.

Had a top season last season - was right up in the runscorers of the Sheffield Shield at a healthy average, and although 25 and 21 isn't a great start to the season, its not the worst.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by hourn
Elliot isn't all that off the boil.

Had a top season last season - was right up in the runscorers of the Sheffield Shield at a healthy average, and although 25 and 21 isn't a great start to the season, its not the worst.

Boil or no boil, he wouldn't even enter the selectors minds. Hayden and Langer are under no threat as an opening pair, so there would be no reason to consider Elliott. Jimmy Mayer is different because he can play down the order and is in red-hot form at the moment.

 

[hourn]

Originally posted by bunsen burner

Boil or no boil, he wouldn't even enter the selectors minds. Hayden and Langer are under no threat as an opening pair, so there would be no reason to consider Elliott. Jimmy Mayer is different because he can play down the order and is in red-hot form at the moment.

yes true they're not going to drop them for a while to come, but if an injury happend to one of them, Maher would be the replacement. Then if a second injury came to Maher or the remaining opener who would come in then do you think??

I think it could go either way between Elliot, Blewett and Hussey. And either selection wouldn't dissapoint me as there are pro's and con's about both.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by hourn



yes true they're not going to drop them for a while to come, but if an injury happend to one of them, Maher would be the replacement. Then if a second injury came to Maher or the remaining opener who would come in then do you think??

I think it could go either way between Elliot, Blewett and Hussey. And either selection wouldn't dissapoint me as there are pro's and con's about both.

Selectors don't look that far down the track. They cross those bridges when they come to them. Like I said (and you did too), Elliott is way down the pecking order. I reckon Cox would get a call up before Elliott too.