OT - Ashes

[Tassie Devil]

Well the strenght of the Aussie state teams and the players would prove that we could provide a 2nd team of just as good talent that would if given the chance be up with the main team if allowed to compete in test like situations over a 12 month period.
As for the positions todays test player is a totally different player as today the daily scores are now as high as what was normally achieved over 2 days. Thus the team who wins the toss on a good wicket now pushes its player to attack as much as possible to try and squash any chance of the opponent winning. In reality the games have more interest as teams are either making hugh scores or lossing wickets and this keeps bums on seats.
I hope they dont stop this type of play.

 

[jen_32]

See how Ponting feels about a demotion to #4. I'd be surprised if the response was anything other than a stream of profanities.

Yep, exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

For what it's worth, I don't think that the selection of Watson compromises our batting that badly. Compared to Jaques, maybe, but definitely not when the alternative is Clarke. Don't forget that he made a double century in the Sheffield Shield final last year. The guy can bat.

See how Ponting feels about a demotion to #4. I'd be surprised if the response was anything other than a stream of profanities.

As we've both agreed, Ponting is the ideal #3 due to his ability to play both roles - dour opener and attacking middle-order batsman. Why mess with this?

If you're going to select Jaques, don't mess around with the whole order, just slot him in at #6. I have no objection whatsoever to selecting him ahead of Clarke.

Good post.

Watson's 1st class batting is better than Clarke's - his bowling is a bonus.

It is Jaques who can feel unlucky & should be in the side. Like you, I would bat him at #6, if he were to have replaced Watson, rather than unsettling the batting order.

 

[raikkonen]

Facts have it, that the best six batsmen in the country supposedly are Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Marto, Hussey, Watson. We do not need an all rounder with two blokes with 680+ and 520ish wickets between them. There is 1200 wickets right there - more than most test squads put together Id guess. Why not have Jaques get the exposure to the top level while we still have Warney and McGrath doing the job with the ball. 5th bowler is unnecessary, and if it is required Hussey and Marto, and even Punter at times are all capable of sending down some medium pace seamers. We have been and still are a successful team that has rarely had a 5th bowling option. Back in the day of Hayden, Langer, Punter, Marto, Waugh, Waugh etc. We won 16 tests on the trot with a squad based around that formula of 1 keeper, 6 bats, 4 bowlers

My XI: Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Jaques, Hussey, Martyn, Gilchrist, Warne, Lee, Johnson, McGrath, Tait 12th.

 

[spell_check]

Before I post, am I safe to give my opinion about Cricket on here?

 

[crowsarethebest]

Hussey, Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Martyn and Clarke are not the best 6 batsmans Australia have. Even thought I am a bushranger supporter, Lehmann would definately be in there... The fact is though, Boof is getting on a bit and when you are his age and not in the Test side, you have no chance. Can't wait.... Not long to go....Mitch Johnson in please.

 

[RooDog]

three tests in and

have been returned back to where it belongs...

 

[crowsarethebest]

YEAHHHHHHHHHH. Everyone is a legend in the Aussie XI.

 

[RooDog]

YEAHHHHHHHHHH. Everyone is a legend in the Aussie XI.

for the first time in history we have eleven/twelve australians of the year

 

[noddy]

three tests in and

have been returned back to where it belongs...

You were lucky.

 

[macca23]

You were lucky.

Yessir!!!

Three times in fact!!

 

[Mad Dog]

You were lucky.

I think it's about time the urn was burned to create a new trophy......"Ashes of the Ashes"

 

[RooDog]

You were lucky.

3 times in one series...

on a serious note, i only have respect for two of your players after this series.... one being Pieterson who i use to hate but he has stood up to has and batted superbly and Monty who has handled the whole situation with dignity and grace alot more than can be said for the Hodge family

 

[macca23]

3 times in one series...

on a serious note, i only have respect for two of your players after this series.... one being Pieterson who i use to hate but he has stood up to has and batted superbly and Monty who has handled the whole situation with dignity and grace alot more than can be said for the Hodge family

That's a bit harsh RD.

Hoggard definitely commands respect. Their one fast bowler who actually has got wickets consistently.

Cook and Bell are youngsters who have struggled but performed in Perth, while Strauss has copped 3 bum umpiring decisions on the trot.

Harmison was underdone, but is starting to regain fitness and form, and is a good bowler at his best.

Flintoff has under-performed badly, while Jones, Anderson and Giles can only be described as B grade rubbish. Amazing selections, particularly Jones and Giles.

I do agree that Pieterson is a colossus in their side - almost looks immortal at times, and Panesar is a very good spinner.

 

[RooDog]

That's a bit harsh RD.

Hoggard definitely commands respect. Their one fast bowler who actually has got wickets consistently.

Cook and Bell are youngsters who have struggled but performed in Perth, while Strauss has copped 3 bum umpiring decisions on the trot.

Harmison was underdone, but is starting to regain fitness and form, and is a good bowler at his best.

Flintoff has under-performed badly, while Jones, Anderson and Giles can only be described as B grade rubbish. Amazing selections, particularly Jones and Giles.

I do agree that Pieterson is a colossus in their side - almost looks immortal at times, and Panesar is a very good spinner.

maybe i just dont like england a whole lot

i still done rate bell, cook will be a good player in years to come but i question at full strength with Vaughan and Strescothick there would he play... maybe maybe not... Harmison is one that has never convinced me, rated highly in the last ashes series but didnt realy do that much when you look at the stats... Too much pressure on flintoff, shouldnt be captain needs to be free to play his game but way to stressed at the moment... i just dont like Hoggard, he was good in adelaide but average in the other two tests... agree on Jones Giles and Jimmy "i once took an odi hattrick" Anderson...

 

[RoosterLad]

I agree with RooDog here. England were rubbish. I thought this was supposed to be a huge, tough series and England were actually sending a decent side Down Under to 'defend the Ashes'. Their reign lasted 14 or 15 months or something, the shortest in history! How embarrassing.

Hoggard was ok, KP was their only decent batsman but the way he got out last day in Adelaide smacked of arrogance. Cook has one decent innings, Collingwood is apparently gritty but the way he batted in Adelaide was poor as well. They score their runs so damn slowly they never give themselves a chance of winning a test against the attacking Aussies.

Flintoff has bowled ok but his batting is rubbish. Their selection policy is abysmal too. Giles??? Monty is a much better bowler and actually has a bit of character about him yet they pick Giles cos he is a better bat? Bowlers are meant to take WICKETS for ********s sake. Jones is a selector? What the ******** are they thinking??? He has averaged about 10 so far despite being picked for his batting.

Mahmood hardly bowled at all last test so why even bother picking him? Jimmy Anderson ha ha ha my grog bogs are more menacing than him.

Harmison is a dud. Good at home, soft as ******** away, i mean an international cricketer who suffers serious homesickness? Soft!! Trescothick? Why even bother bringing him when hes just going to break down and have a cry then fly home? Another gutless Pom.

I hope we belt these ********** 5-0 cos they deserve it.

 

[noddy]

Yessir!!!

Three times in fact!!

First ball of the first day of the first test said it all.

I turned my MCC cricket cap back to front straight away.

 

[noddy]

My team for the first test.

Trescothick
Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Flintoff
Reid
Mahmood
Hoggard
Harmison
Panesar

They never did take my advice & it cost England the ashes

 

[noddy]

I agree with RooDog here. England were rubbish. I thought this was supposed to be a huge, tough series and England were actually sending a decent side Down Under to 'defend the Ashes'. Their reign lasted 14 or 15 months or something, the shortest in history! How embarrassing.

Hoggard was ok, KP was their only decent batsman but the way he got out last day in Adelaide smacked of arrogance. Cook has one decent innings, Collingwood is apparently gritty but the way he batted in Adelaide was poor as well. They score their runs so damn slowly they never give themselves a chance of winning a test against the attacking Aussies.

Flintoff has bowled ok but his batting is rubbish. Their selection policy is abysmal too. Giles??? Monty is a much better bowler and actually has a bit of character about him yet they pick Giles cos he is a better bat? Bowlers are meant to take WICKETS for ********s sake. Jones is a selector? What the ******** are they thinking??? He has averaged about 10 so far despite being picked for his batting.

Mahmood hardly bowled at all last test so why even bother picking him? Jimmy Anderson ha ha ha my grog bogs are more menacing than him.

Harmison is a dud. Good at home, soft as ******** away, i mean an international cricketer who suffers serious homesickness? Soft!! Trescothick? Why even bother bringing him when hes just going to break down and have a cry then fly home? Another gutless Pom.

I hope we belt these ********** 5-0 cos they deserve it.

Well it's nice to see we still have some people who believe in grace & class when they are the victors.

 

[RoosterLad]

Well it's nice to see we still have some people who believe in grace & class when they are the victors.

{edit} Your mob carried when you finally won the ashes.. handing out pathetic awards, posing with the queen, having a ********ing bus ride through london, not handling losing them so quickly very well are ya chum.

 

[noddy]

{edit} Your mob carried when you finally won the ashes.. handing out pathetic awards, posing with the queen, having a ********ing bus ride through london, not handling losing them so quickly very well are ya chum.

Now you have a nice day.

you poor boy

 

[RooDog]

They never did take my advice & it cost England the ashes

out of interest mate how do you see the team in the next 2-3 years...

Stauss- i rate this bloke just struggled down here a bit, i think it is true that you create your own luck at times, played some awful shots to get out...

Trescothick- i think gone, poor bloke, so talented but obviously just not right, feel really sorry for him, dont know who will replace him at the top of the order

Cook- good youngster still coming into the game, prefer to see him bat at 3, struggles at times against that niggling line outside off

Bell- still not convinced, as written in the last week maybe to technically correct at times for the modern game, could still become a good player but jury out on him

KP- the true super star of english cricket, like the way he goes about it, occasionally gets out to arrogant little shots like in adelaide but will more than not deliver the goods.

Flintoff- was starting to really become a good cricketer in the last ashes series and lead us to have a fascination of the all rounder, but really gone backwards and batting seems very hit and miss with him again...

Jones- gone what else can i say, insert Read here at last, unlucky to be dropped considering i think he averaged 40 with the bat in the past 12 months..

Harmison- never quite know what your going to get, i think he could be real good, once rated the best bowler in the world(may have been a tad lucky to be though) but just doesnt seem to perform now days until its too late... needs more overs in him all year round

Panesar- definately taken over from Giles, god knows why he wasnt played in the first two tests, definately one for the future could trouble players for the next 10-12 years

Hoggard- good consistant bowler but at times looks lost when it doesnt swing except in adelaide, needs to bowl like that more often

Mahmood- young and quick just needs to be given more time...

would like your opinion too Noddy

 

[TheLeftFist8]

As universally agreed, the English selections (and selection process on tour) have been atrocious. Not that too many will care about the poms but FWIW here is my preferred team for Melbourne:

Read to replace Jones. Statistically they are equal in terms of batting, and Read is regarded as the better keeper. I think sentiment from 2005 prevented this selection from ball one (see also selection of Giles...what a joke).

Mahmood to be omitted. It seems counterintuitive to remove a bowler from a line-up looking to take 20 wickets but the fact is their 4th seamer never gets enough overs, is not good enough when they do, and now with Monty bowling well, they are not needed to fill in the middle overs. I actually think 5 overs from KP just before the new ball would be more dangerous than Mahmood.

Flintoff to be demoted to number 7, especially while captain. Yes he can smash a ball but his technique is suspect, and he only averages 32 (though i realise his start to test cricket partly accounts for its very low level).

That leaves space for a batsman. Though he has hardly played, 2 tests of experience may be invaluable for young Joyce should he continue in the England side. Give him a decent go at number 5, with KP at 4, and Collingwood, who would be well suited to batting with the tail, at 6.

XI

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Joyce
Collingwood
Flintoff
Read
Hoggard
Harmison
Panesar

 

[noddy]

out of interest mate how do you see the team in the next 2-3 years...

Stauss- i rate this bloke just struggled down here a bit, i think it is true that you create your own luck at times, played some awful shots to get out...

Trescothick- i think gone, poor bloke, so talented but obviously just not right, feel really sorry for him, dont know who will replace him at the top of the order

Cook- good youngster still coming into the game, prefer to see him bat at 3, struggles at times against that niggling line outside off

Bell- still not convinced, as written in the last week maybe to technically correct at times for the modern game, could still become a good player but jury out on him

KP- the true super star of english cricket, like the way he goes about it, occasionally gets out to arrogant little shots like in adelaide but will more than not deliver the goods.

Flintoff- was starting to really become a good cricketer in the last ashes series and lead us to have a fascination of the all rounder, but really gone backwards and batting seems very hit and miss with him again...

Jones- gone what else can i say, insert Read here at last, unlucky to be dropped considering i think he averaged 40 with the bat in the past 12 months..

Harmison- never quite know what your going to get, i think he could be real good, once rated the best bowler in the world(may have been a tad lucky to be though) but just doesnt seem to perform now days until its too late... needs more overs in him all year round

Panesar- definately taken over from Giles, god knows why he wasnt played in the first two tests, definately one for the future could trouble players for the next 10-12 years

Hoggard- good consistant bowler but at times looks lost when it doesnt swing except in adelaide, needs to bowl like that more often

Mahmood- young and quick just needs to be given more time...

would like your opinion too Noddy

We have been beaten by a far better side whose only purpose was to annihilate who ever they faced.

I agree completely with your assessment although (at the risk of sounding like a whining pom) Strauss was given some dubious decisions by the umpires.

As for Bell he has shown what he can bat like when in a positive frame of mind & just has to learn not to be intimidated by the likes of Warne ( hard i know)

We were outplayed before the series began & life for the English cricket followers there after was all down hill, but of course we would never admit it.

At least the Barmy Army gave as good as they got it.

 

[RooDog]

We have been beaten by a far better side whose only purpose was to annihilate who ever they faced.

I agree completely with your assessment although (at the risk of sounding like a whining pom) Strauss was given some dubious decisions by the umpires.

As for Bell he has shown what he can bat like when in a positive frame of mind & just has to learn not to be intimidated by the likes of Warne ( hard i know)

We were outplayed before the series began & life for the English cricket followers there after was all down hill, but of course we would never admit it.

At least the Barmy Army gave as good as they got it.

Strauss did cop a couple of rough ones ala Martyn in england last time round... but i also see he struggles with the hook/pull shot, maybe just because it seems to be chappellis like main point this summer

you are right we were just totally focused and had a clear goal...

will be interesting to see how we go now without Warne and McGrath though