The Backyard Ashes thread

[Viva la Mattner]

could mods please sticky this.

post your opinions and thoughts during the series here.

whats your predictions for the first test and the series??

I think going into the series we are quite vulnerable, quite an inexperienced bowling line up without Lee for the first 2 tests, and besides Stuart Clark most of bowlers havent bowled a great deal with the Duke ball in England.

IMO the batting lineups for both sides are quite even, Hughes is our key man in this division has been consistently making runs during the county season for Middlesex and I think he could be in for a big series.

For England I fancy Ravi Bopara to be their leading scorer, been in sensational form of late and could be in for a high scoring series and take the next step in his test career.

Bowling wise, our biggest hope is Mitchell Johnson should be able to get a few scalps with the new ball and hopefully recapture his form of South Africa.

England, well IMO its a toss up between Sidebottom and Swann.
I think Swann will be very effective in the 1st test at Sophia Gardens due to the pitch being prepared for spin and perhaps quite dusty etc..
but later in the series I think Sidebottom should stand up for England and be there highest wicket taker for the series.

Prediction: 2-2 series draw (But wouldnt surprise to see England pinch it)

 

[Vader]

could mods please sticky this.

If the thread proves to be popular then it will stay on the first page by virtue of regular posting. If not, then it wasn't worth stickying in the first place. Either way, I don't see the need to sticky the thread at this point in time.

 

[jo172]

The Graham Manou Appreciation Thread >>>>>>>>> This one

Looking forward to it, my tip would be the Mother Country 2 -1 with Rain ruining the other tests to a draw.

Australia don't have the class or flexibility needed to win outright.

Only Australian i'm expecting big things from is Mitchell Johnson, will do it with the bat and the ball.

 

[Punchy Bassett]

Peter Siddle to be our secret weapon, I don't know why our 'inexperienced' bowling line up keeps getting mentioned, had no troubles in South Africa and looked ten times better without Lee. And please no Hauritz if he plays we are screwed.

 

[Vader]

had no troubles in South Africa and looked ten times better without Lee. And please no Hauritz if he plays we are screwed.

Agree on both accounts. I don't understand why Hauritz is even in the squad - he's barely Shield level. Should have taken an extra batsman (Callum Ferguson) instead.

We need to recognise that we don't have a spin bowler worthy of the name. Then we need to get over it. Having done that, we plan around it - bring in an extra batsman and get used to the idea of using 3x part timers instead of one really bad full-timer.

 

[bus24]

Australia 3-0.

I know we've been obviously weakened since 2006/7 - but our team is still laughably superior in comparison.

If we can beat South Africa away from home, then we can batter these fairies into submission.

Their bowling lacks penetration, and their batting is mediocre at best.

 

[jo172]

Peter Siddle to be our secret weapon, I don't know why our 'inexperienced' bowling line up keeps getting mentioned, had no troubles in South Africa and looked ten times better without Lee. And please no Hauritz if he plays we are screwed.

Agree on both accounts. I don't understand why Hauritz is even in the squad - he's barely Shield level. Should have taken an extra batsman (Callum Ferguson) instead.

We need to recognise that we don't have a spin bowler worthy of the name. Then we need to get over it. Having done that, we plan around it - bring in an extra batsman and get used to the idea of using 3x part timers instead of one really bad full-timer.

Agree with all this.

Can't help but think Hilfenhaus will be the man for English conditions. However, will they have the nouse to play him ahead of one of Hauritz/Clark/Siddle?

 

[Punchy Bassett]

Agree on both accounts. I don't understand why Hauritz is even in the squad - he's barely Shield level. Should have taken an extra batsman (Callum Ferguson) instead.

We need to recognise that we don't have a spin bowler worthy of the name. Then we need to get over it. Having done that, we plan around it - bring in an extra batsman and get used to the idea of using 3x part timers instead of one really bad full-timer.

Just look at the state he is based in NSW, it really is as simple as that. And not taking an extra batsman over is pure crazyness on a five test tour. Someone is bound to get injured.

FWIW this is my preferred lineup:

Hughes
Katich
Punts
Fairy Boy (Clarke )
Hussey
Haddin
McDonald
Johnson
Hilf
Siddle
Clark

The main strike bowlers McDonald to assist (and whose stump to stump bowling could well surprise in England) and then Clarke, North Katich to bowl the spin. Katich especially the Poms can't handle leg spin.

 

[Punchy Bassett]

Agree with all this.

Can't help but think Hilfenhaus will be the man for English conditions. However, will they have the nouse to play him ahead of one of Hauritz/Clark/Siddle?

Agreed, Hilf did nothing wrong in South Africa either and sorted out Duminy on more than one occasion who no one could get out down here. I would play all three mentioned except the token NSW crap option. (Hauritz)

 

[Drummond]

Agree with all this.

Can't help but think Hilfenhaus will be the man for English conditions. However, will they have the nouse to play him ahead of one of Hauritz/Clark/Siddle?

Siddle was rested for the final tour match because his spot was already guaranteed. I really llike Sidsy, gives it his all and is an 'angry' bowler, can always do with those. I'm expecting big things from him this series although in saying that, conditions probably won't do much for him.

Johnson, Siddle, Clark and Hilf would be my attack, but you know they'll go Hauritz ahead of Hilf.

I'm confident we'll win the series, I'll say 2-1. Can't wait.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

Australia 3-0.

I know we've been obviously weakened since 2006/7 - but our team is still laughably superior in comparison.

If we can beat South Africa away from home, then we can batter these fairies into submission.

Their bowling lacks penetration, and their batting is mediocre at best.

not so sure about that, on his day Sidebottom can be very dangerous as is Flintoff. You also get the feeling a bag isnt far away for Panesar he is due.

In regards to the batting well Bopara is on fire of late, and Ian Bell has notched some very impressive scores in county cricket recentley, and as we all know Flintoff and Pietersen can turn a match in a session

 

[Punchy Bassett]

Siddle was rested for the final tour match because his spot was already guaranteed. I really llike Sidsy, gives it his all and is an 'angry' bowler, can always do with those. I'm expecting big things from him this series although in saying that, conditions probably won't do much for him.

Johnson, Siddle, Clark and Hilf would be my attack, but you know they'll go Hauritz ahead of Hilf.

I'm confident we'll win the series, I'll say 2-1. Can't wait.

He reminds me a lot of Craig McDermott, Siddle does. Love the way he just keeps on coming in full pace, and don't drop a catch of him thought he was going to walk down the pitch and hit one of our slip fielders in S Africa who dropped a chance of him!

 

[Riggy1]

we'll keep the replica ashes, with the original staying in with the MCC

Depends if we keep it with 2 wins 2 draws and 1 loss, or if it is 1 win 3 draws or 1 loss

 

[Alex99]

Lot more confident in the Aussie winning now Brett Lee isn’t playing.

2 – 1 but don’t know who.

 

[raikkonen]

Hilf got the nod over Clark! Didnt see that one coming!

I like tho!

 

[brucetiki]

Currently I'm watching Michael Jackson's funeral. Later tonight hopefully I'll be watching the start of England's funeral

 

[RoosterLad]

Hilf got the nod over Clark! Didnt see that one coming!

I like tho!

Hussey you star!

 

[Alex99]

Out - 1 for 21

And when the hell did that fat bastard become a sir? When did Ian Botham get a knighthood?

It even said 'Sir Ian Botham' on the TV.

 

[brucetiki]

And when the hell did that fat bastard become a sir? When did Ian Botham get a knighthood?

It even said 'Sir Ian Botham' on the TV.

Couple of years ago I think.

 

[smoovy]

Siddle will be our best bowler this series. I am already concerned with Johnson, he is looking very ordinary indeed. His mother isn't helping matters either with her disgraceful comments.

 

[aneale]

Siddle will be our best bowler this series. I am already concerned with Johnson, he is looking very ordinary indeed. His mother isn't helping matters either with her disgraceful comments.

He couldn't be any worse than Nathan Hauritz. On his best day he'd struggle to get a grade cricketer out if they were batting with a fence pailing.

When he comes on, the Umpire announces to the batsmen it's "right arm shit"

 

[amer]

Boring game so far.

 

[smoovy]

He couldn't be any worse than Nathan Hauritz. On his best day he'd struggle to get a grade cricketer out if they were batting with a fence pailing.

When he comes on, the Umpire announces to the batsmen it's "right arm shit"

Well just after I posted that, Johnson produced an awesome over to get rid of Strauss.

I agree Hauritz, you hardly fear him. I don't see what he can do that North/Katich/Clarke can't. I would have played McDonald and just got him to bowl stump to stump, but the selectors screwed up by not playing him in any warm up matches.

 

[Vader]

I agree Hauritz, you hardly fear him. I don't see what he can do that North/Katich/Clarke can't. I would have played McDonald and just got him to bowl stump to stump, but the selectors screwed up by not playing him in any warm up matches.

I'd go so far as to say that those 3 are all better than Hauritz, even if they're only part timers. And I don't have much time for Katich's bowling either, which says how poorly I rate Hauritz.

 

[Punchy Bassett]

Hilf easily our best bowler last night very unlucky to not have the Skunk out on more than one occasion.

Siddle's late wickets vital, that's why he should be in the team, never ever gives up.