The Ashes Tour 2009
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Topic: The Ashes Tour 2009
Posted By: -JP-
Subject: The Ashes Tour 2009
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 8:15am
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With 50 days to go, Australia have named their 16-man squad, as follows: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Graham Manou, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson No huge surprise there - only thing I would say is that the English may prefer facing Andrew McDonald to Andrew Symonds. I have to say, it's pretty much the squad http://www.cricketworld.com/australia_in_england/article/?aid=20614 - I predicted they'd pick , save for McDonald coming over as a second all-rounder, I really thought they'd pick another batsman for the future like Callum Ferguson or even give Brad Hodge another chance, or go with Symonds and Watson. |
Replies:
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 8:36am
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I'm happy that Symonds hasn't been selected JP - now that Gilchrist and
Haydn have gone , Symonds is the one Aussie batsman who could change a
game in one session. That's not to say that it's not a strong
squad - it's filled with talent , but the spinning department is
mediocre. What's the phone number of the top Indian curator ? ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: dips_december
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 8:38am
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Nice squad there. I am sure Hodge would have added more value than McDonald. He has not done wonders ever since his test debut but his seam bowling and control might have tilted it in his favour. Relatively inexperienced team which makes England firm favourites. I am backing them to win and regain the Ashes this time around. Australia won't give up wihtout a fight and I'd dearly love to see Michael Vaughan in that English squad. ------------- |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 9:16am
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Firm favourites is a tad optimistic Dips - but I liked it !
England can be flaky , especially when batting and I'll be a lot
happier if , after day 1 in Wales they're 320-2 (or even 3!)
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 9:48am
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England - firm favorites? Far from it Dips. Yes, it won't be anything like the previous Ashes, but you can't say England are the favorites.
I don't think McDonald will get a game that easily. They will play without a spinner and Huaritz will have to warm the benches. North, Katich and Clarke should be good enough for the spin duties. Phil Hughes will be a real bonus for the Aussies. He has scored millions this County season and England will regret it in the years to come. Katich Hughes Ponting Clarke Hussey North Haddin Johnson Lee Clark Siddle ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 9:49am
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I don't see Watson making the squad unless it is for one of Clark or Siddle. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 10:29am
Good team there Zuhair. Dips is absolutely nuts to call England firm favourites, it wasn't that long ago that they were losing to W.I. KP has mediocre form of late, Strauss looks like a guy who would crumble against tough opponents, Collingwood is hot and cold and blokes like Onions and Anderson are either untested or inconsistent. My biggest problem with the Aussie selection is McDonald. He is primarily a bowler, so having him there along side 5 test class fast bowlers seems superfluous. Hauritz will only play if Watson gets a game I think, and unfortunately that would be at North's expense. I think the team that Zuhair picked will be the one playing in the 1st test, with exception to any injuries before the series. Batting til 9 virtually with Johnson and Lee at 8 and 9, both capable with the bat and Lee did quite well with the bat in 05. 4 very good, capable quicks. All very different bowlers, but only Lee out of those extracts a reasonable amount of swing, although Johnson is improving in that realm. While the steadiness of Clark, the pace of Lee and Johnson - plus the fact Johnson is left handed, and the consistent effort + economy of Siddle will be refreshing. North, Clarke and Katich will all play minor roles with the ball. Hughes, Katich and Ponting in the top 3 looks fantastic, and a middle order of Hussey, Clarke and North is not too shabby - an inform Hussey will make a huge difference. Hussey was excellent in the last Ashes here in Australia and while he hasn't played a test in England, he has played ODIs there and has a fantastic County record. Australia are the favourites here according to the bookies, only slightly, but still favourites. Australia are slightly ahead in my opinion, calling England firm favourites is the kind of comment you expect from someone who knows nothing about cricket. ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 11:01am
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If the sun shines (and apparently it will!) Graeme Swann will be key -
the left handers nightmare and they've plenty of 'em! In
Anderson , we have the best swing bowler on show and if conditions suit
, then Hilfenhaus must come into the equation.
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 11:30am
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Swann will be the key but he won't be as effective as he was against a bunch of guys not interested in serious cricket.
England have a problem in the middle order and one should not look much into Bopara's heroics. I do not rule out Bell or Vaughan being recalled in the 34d or 4th test. Their bowling looks decent though. Anderson, Broad and Swann are good enough bowlers. Flintoff will remain vulnerable because of his fitness. Aussies look a much more settled team for my likings. I hope there is an Ashes competition which went really good for me last year and I won the 1st prize. Looking forward to it again. JP? ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 12:11pm
A whole TWO innings since his last Test 100 
2 centuries in the last home Ashes, 3 in South Africa, 3 in India is crumbling? |
Posted By: dips_december
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 12:41pm
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Fair call but I expect England to deliver the goods this time. It will be interesting to see how Lee goes about after playing loads of T20 cricket and without much practice in the longer version of the game. Plus the whole squad will be tired after playing the T20 World Cup while most of the English faces will be fresh. And there won't be any Shane Warne around to mesmerize the batsmen this time round either. Australia will depend heavily on Ponting, Katich, Clarke, Hussey, Lee and Johnson while England have played well as a unit. England certainly looking a lot better than the Australians. ------------- |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:08pm
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Your opinion mate. But Aussies certainly do seem to have a more threatening bowling attack. I agree with Clobs that Strauss has been tremendous of late and I expect him to continue his good run of form. But the worries come from the middle order. I have a feeling this thread will have well over 300 posts even before the Ahses gets started :p ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:19pm
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If anybody thinks KP is in tremendous nick then you'd be kidding, he's not playing at his best. I've seen Ponting pull off hundreds and he's playing far from his best. WI wasn't a huge test, yet KP didn't do enough. Strauss has hot and cold patches. He gets his tons in batches and then has a bit of a drought. Dips comments are quite frankly ridiculous. Yer, obviously the Aussies will be way more tired than the English players *rolls eyes* ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:19pm
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:21pm
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Cool down milky. Dips comments might be optimistic but not ridiculous mate. He has his own reasonings. come ashes and we will get to know. It is too early to predict the margins, but England are not winning the Ashes for sure. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:22pm
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I don't know, is it just me or is it every time Australia comes up in conversation the Indians always seem to take the 'other side'/
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:24pm
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Lets wait for the Australia Pakistan series then. Will be interesting.. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:26pm
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Oh no, that's when Dips will start calling Australia the best team in the world...
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:28pm
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Which they are no doubt. But Pakistan will have support of Sam any day. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 1:35pm
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Australia's reformed bowling attack is very decent. It's missing spin, but that pace line up is very strong. Australia's batting is certainly the better of the two sides without a doubt.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:19pm
Hey MiNi, when you are finished belittling Dips for daring to have a different opinion to yours, perhaps you could enlighten us on the relevance of Pietersen's current form (which is fine, incidentally) to a series that doesn't start for 6 weeks? For someone who apparently suffers prolonged droughts, it's interesting to note that Strauss has a better hundreds to Tests ratio than anyone in the Australian team excluding Ponting, who is only marginally better. I'm sure Mike Hussey and Clarke would love some of Strauss' "droughts". |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:33pm
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Well, I'd say Aussies surely has got something wrong to start with and that's the ommission of Andrew Symonds. He's the sort of bloke that will play the Gilchrist role and he's done it quite a bit of time already in his not to long test career and he seems very lucky with umpiring decisions too. Plus, he bowls spin and the Aussie attack is already full of pacers so the logical choice would have been Symonds, both that he has done things already and he adds another thing to an already weak spin attack. I guess Symonds ill discipline is still playing on the authorities minds!
Secondly, Australia are favourites in my eyes. The only thing England have over them is a better spin bowler. Hughes, Katich, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke forms a very classy top and middle order. Hopefully for the English (and my sake too), they can exploit the fact that Hussey and Ponting is no where in the sort of touch they were say two years back. The Aussies pace attack looks good with Lee, Johnson, Clark and Siddle. The Aussies cupboard is wide off options, the only trouble is that probably have the worse spin bowler of all the international teams now and yes, I even think Benn is a safer option than Hauritz! ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: dips_december
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:34pm
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A passionate Aussie over there. Well milkman I am not underestimating the Aussies one bit and I know they will not give up without a fight. Australian team looks balanced but the English team looks stronger. Strauss and Cook have been in great touch and Bopara has been a revelation of late. KP can change a match on his own any day and has just shown glimpses of returning to form. Collingwood's a fighter and Prior has been ever-consistent with the bat and if Flintoff is fit and raring to go then god save the Aussies. Swann has done wonders ever since he has come into the test team and is more than a handy bat lower down. Anderson and Broad have relished the opportunity to bowl with the new red cherry and Onions has bowled his heart out and has had a dream debut. England will have fresh faces in Cook, Strauss, Flintoff(if fit), Prior and Onions while Australia will have only Hughes and Katich. ------------- |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:41pm
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On the Pietersen debate of form, I don't think he's really out of form, he's got some good deliveries from the Windies that would have knocked over any new batsman to the crease however, I think he's been a bit too reckless with his batting. When he was on 97 in Jamaica, he wanted the ton in style and threw it away with a very wreckless slog. Heard he did something similar with the 49 he made in Durham in that last test. He's doing a Ramnaresh Sarwan at the moment and that is wasting form. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:48pm
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If Flintoff is fit, and is managing to make runs England looks 5 times better. Flintoff just gives this wonderful balance that's hard to beat, a guy like Bresnan is never going to be in his class. Onions is still inexperienced, but anyone who can get wickets on debut from the get go has some sort of talent. The English bowling attack is a whole different make up to what the Aussies have seen before. Obviously Anderson has played against Australia, but the likes of Onions, Bresnan, Swann, Sidebottom, Broad don't have much/if any experience against Australia. I dare say that this isn't the worst thing. Simon Jones hit Australia like a ton of bricks, and we had only seen him very, very briefly in Brisbane back in 2002/3 before he got injured. Jones was for England, what Bond was for NZ when playing Australia. I still don't understand why I can't criticise the English batting line up. The way they batted in WI was appalling, and all of a sudden Bopara gets runs and England have this amazing line up? Surely not. Pietersen is in okay form, sure, but I have to concede he will lift somewhat when the Aussies go to England. Whether or not he'll get runs will depend on how well he can handle the pace. Warne got him a few times bowled and LBW in 05, but there's no one close to Warne's ability in the Aussie attack. Collingwood and Strauss to me, this is my opinion, don't ostracise me for saying this, but they aren't very consistent. Collingwood had 2 amazing tests against Australia in 07, then the last 3 games he did nothing. I think that kind of emphasises how he plays. Hundreds to half century ratio doesn't always mean the world. Strauss is a fantastic player, but I think he's suspect against good fast bowling, as are all players and he will be tested. That's what I mean. I really do think it will be the young guys that will shine for England. Cook and Bopara will make a lot of runs, if anything more than guys like KP and Strauss. My money is on Australia, because I think on paper they have a stronger side. I don't think spin will play a huge part, and Giles who was in England's winning side in 05 was handy, but not matchwinning. Swann will be decent, he has a wonderful style, and Australia's performance against good finger spin has been extremely poor. So perhaps there will be more influence then I think with regard to spin. An England attack of Hoggard, Sidebottom, Onions and Anderson would look quite special + thrown in Broad and a fit Flintoff. ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:52pm
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Hoggard? I thought his days were over. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:53pm
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That's what the English selectors have said. I think they were unfair.. he has great shape.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 3:20pm
Apologies to Dips, over passionate on my part. I respect your opinion, but wholeheartedly disagree. I expressed my feelings in an inappropriate manner. Pietersen is England's most dangerous batsman, and he has proven his worth against Australia's best bowlers. Regardless of form he'll do well, but he's not at his best. I predict he'll score at least 2 tons in the 5 test series. Michael Clarke's average is tipping 50, and about a year ago it was low 40s.... Michael Hussey has had a lean trot, but this is after 3 years straight of being a run machine.. perhaps we should give him a break? He has shown great form in ODIs though... What do you mean by "Hey MiNi"... my name is Miles, and as a result i got the name milky (which in turn became milkman). I'm 6'2", not exactly "mini". ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: -JP-
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 3:22pm
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Peter Moores' biggest contribution to English cricket has been ending Hoggard's international career. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 3:24pm
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Hoggard is fantastic. Bowl for 'ya day in day out. Like I said before, he has fantastic shape and is great with the new ball. Plus he has experience and would be the only bowler, if Freddy isn't fit who helped beat Australia in 2005. I'm glad his not there, because I think he's dangerous though. The number of times he's trapped the Aussie left handed openers LBW is astonishing.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 4:42pm
| It's interesting that since being jettisoned, Hoggard has not exactly set County cricket alight. You could argue that his heart's probably not in it, but you would have thought, early last season at least, he would have been busting a gut to prove the selectors wrong, but he hasn't done so. |
Posted By: -JP-
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 5:04pm
| Fair point. Given the way he was treated and completely ignored once he had been dropped, I would imagine he knew he was never going to be getting back, which can't do wonders for the motivation. |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 6:32pm
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Quite right JP. He was just back from injury and if you expect someone to be back at their very best right away, you need to be shot! Make it worse, if the bowler is one who relies on rhythm... ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 9:32pm
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I was going to make a new thread about this, but since this one is here now I will just use it to talk about MEMORIES OF 2005. It's almost a cliche now to talk about the greatest series etc, but this one truly was up there. I've posted these photos before but what the heck. The first big day of the tour for me was June 11, when the Australian machine rolled into Grace Road Leicester for a one day warm up. Determined not to miss out I arrived at the ground a couple of hours before play to find it was already busy. And there, on the field were these players, THE players, the mighty Australia. The first ones I picked out were Lee and McGrath, and gazing across the field I hadn't noticed a player suddenly using the fence right in front of me to perform some stretching. I grabbed my camera. "Give us a smile Matt" I could tell right away that he desperately wanted to ignore me, taking just that little bit too long to acknowledge my presence, but his manners got the best of him - yes even Matthew Hayden has some, and he offered me the tightest lipped of smiles and a muttered "cheers mate" when I thanked him.  I strolled across to the other side of the ground in time for Ricky Ponting to stroll past offering a cheery "How ya going folks?", and watched with great interest the various different groups observing their practices. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Hayden, Ponting and Damien Martyn going through a drill whilst Shane Watson stood in the background looking like they'd told him he wasn't allowed to join in.  As the players went back to the dressing room a big crowd gathered and all the Australians - with the notable exceptions of Gilchrist and Lee - made a great effort to sign as many as possible. McGrath and Gillespie were especially hospitable and went out of their way to greet everyone.    Poor Michael Hussey didn't fare so well when having signed an autograph for an old bloke, the guy looked at the signature then asked loudly "Are you Matthew Elliott?". Hussey's mood and ego were quickly repaired when a slightly more knowledgeable punter reminded him of the 250+ he'd scored here for Durham a few weeks earlier. After the toss a big cheer went up with the news that Australia would bat - the last thing we all wanted was to see our lads rolled over for 75 and the Aussies knock them off in 10 overs. Sadly Gilchrist and Ponting both failed, but Hayden looked imposing making a century, whilst Martyn was a joy to watch, all off which set up a Symonds onlsaught as he made 92* off 59 balls, the last 60 or so coming in about 20 deliveries. As the innings went on it was nice to see that the 12th Man, Katich chose not to hide away in the dressing room, but stood out among the spectators, chatting away happily with anyone who wanted a word.  Come the Leics innings, Lee opened up with a seriously rapid spell and gave poor old Darren Maddy a real working over, whilst Gillespie - and this is really not with the benefit of hindsight - looked horrible. Only Paul Nixon and Otis Gibson offered any kind of resistance, but as the day wore on plenty of fun was still to be had as the banter went on between the crowd and the Aussies - Lee and McGrath were fielding closest to me and gave as good as they got, all in good spirit of course. A couple of other things that impressed me were even long after the game was dead as a contest, Hayden found himself fielding long off at both ends, and was sprinting into position between overs, while Michael Clarke made a point of going 20 yards beyond the rope between overs to sign autographs, forcing himself to also have to sprint across the field to get back into position.  Those Aussies did look awfully good, surely England had no chance against them? |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 4:36am
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Great pics Clobs!!!
And Aussies do look horribly good yet again - any chances England? ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 4:58am
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Wow , that's amazing stuff Clobs!! One time I was at the MCG and I was in the front row and Michael Hussey was training in front of me and he was more than happy to say G'day. Seems like a hospitible bloke. Matthew Hayden is surprisingly friendly, but he seems like a very focused guy, so maybe he was just focusing on his training. Simon Katich surprises me, didn't think he was the type to go around having a chat to the crowd. Looks like some great memories. 2005 Ashes was the best ever series, but nonetheless it was heart breaking being an Aussie supporter at the time. Also lost be a few bucks to my English mates  ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 6:43am
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Lovely stuff Clobs , I've always found Aussie sides approachable and
friendly. One evening they were at Forresters , a popular pub here in
CT. My pal Bill was there with his son , James (yep they're Scottish!)
and the youngster was mad keen to get the autograph of Warne. Bill sent
him over (the lad was 11) and Warne said he didn't do autographs!
Steve Waugh saw this and went to Bill's table , introduced himself and
then took the lad's autograph book. 10 minutes later he returned it
with ALL the Aussie squad's signatures , including Warne's ! Nice touch huh. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 6:48am
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Sounds great.
I also have the autographs of the Australian team that visited Pakistan back in 194-95. I was doing the ball picker duty during that famous Karachi test and I remember I had god times with Tim May. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 6:50am
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Tim May! What a character!? Our best offie for a long time, perhaps he taught you a couple of things Zuhair? Had a tendency to pull of some really decent spells. That story of Stephen Waugh is awesome Sledger... but I just wonder why your mate is taking his young lad to the pub !! ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:06am
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It has a nice beer garden matey - no kids in the pub !
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:14am
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I was never a Tim May fan actually. Yes he was a master of tight bowling but he never amazed me. Saqlain was the guy who made me bowl off spin. But Tim May was a nice bloke, gentle and friendly. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:18am
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May gave it a rip and in tandem with a young Warne, gave cricket a nice
boost after enduring 11 overs an hour of Windies bombardment.
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: betterpolo
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:23am
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England have for a long time now been in a regular pattern. We can beat NZ and Windies, especially in May in England, but can't beat anyone else. I haven't seen anything to suggest this pattern will change. Wonder when the last time was we went into an Ashes series without a fast bowler who averages below 30?
Best I'm hoping for is a competitive series to be honest. Regarding Tim May - the Ashes tour where he and Warne bowled together was a very interesting one and showed how spinners can bowl as a partnership. His presence definitely seemed to help a younger Warne. Seem to remember May talking about the huge callouses on his fingers which he said he used to gain traction on the ball 
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Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:27am
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Yep , apparently he didn't get it to go until his spinning finger was really sore! As for the upcoming series , I think England will be competitive and Anderson will come of age - it'll be the making of the lad. ------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:28am
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Has to be Darren Gough, he averaged around 28 or 29 I guess. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: -JP-
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 10:07am
| I'm fairly sure that Harmison and Hoggard averaged under 30 just prior to the last Ashes. Flintoff and Jones would have been close. |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 10:54am
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History now points unerringly towards a home win in the Ashes – England have always won the urn after demolishing sub-standard opposition in a two-match early season series. Admittedly, this conclusion is based on the rather unscientific single previous example of 2005, but a fact is a fact. When you factor in that this West Indies team is better than the 2005 Bangladeshis, it becomes clear that England are all set to improve on their Ashes performance of four years ago, and win by at least 4-0.
They are, after all, unbeaten in six now, and coming off a run of three consecutive home Test wins. Australia, by contrast, are in disarray – they lost their most recent Test, have not won a series in England for eight years, have never won a Test in Cardiff, are bringing a squad with only one front-line bowler who has ever taken a Test wicket in England, have never won the Ashes with a player called Nathan in the squad, have not beaten the old enemy without a leg spinner for over 25 years, have never beaten England while there has been a black American president, have not won the urn when a Labour government in Britain has been within a year of being voted out of office, and traditionally struggle when a Queen has been on the throne for 57 years (England’s glorious win in 1894-95 will be preying on their minds day and night). A further incontrovertible statistical truth is that England have never lost a home Test match finishing in May (10 wins, 4 draws), leading to the unarguable conclusion that the ECB should have crammed the entire five-Test Ashes series into this sacred month, to be followed by a 53-match one-day international series to bring the summer to a lucratively rousing climax. Andy Zaltsman at his very best ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 11:00am
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: kirankri
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 12:51pm
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I feel, it would be an exiting contest this time. Difficult to say who are the favorites. But I think it depends on the nature of the wickets and the conditions. If the conditions are favorable for batting and spin, I would put my money on England. Seaming tracks would probably help Aussies more. In my opinion, England's batting (if the ball swings) and spin bowler looks better than Aussies, while Australian seamers look better than the English Seamers. Of course, if Flintoff is at his best with the ball, it would be advantage England even on seaming tracks.
Coming to the individual players, I expect Katich, Clarke, Hussey, Lee to do well for Australia and Strauss, Cook, Bopara, Flintoff, Broad and Swann to do well for England. I doubt whether Huges would have a good series if the ball swings.
All in all, would be an exiting series and looking forward to top quality cricket.
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Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 5:01pm
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If the conditions suit bowling, I'd definitely put my money on Australia. It's not like the Windies bowlers who can't swing the ball or know where to land it plus the Aussies can bat, except when it comes to finger spinners it seems. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 5:04pm
Quite right Sledge. Some of my cricketing pals told me they bowled to the Aussies batsmen in the nets when they were here and they gave them advice and even let them have a go at the gatorades in their ice box. Local bowlers usually bowl (in the nets) to any touring team that come here so there are quite a few lucky local bowlers back here. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:04pm
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Another 2005 MEMORY for you all :) A few weeks after that last encounter, Leicestershire's reward for being abjectly dumped out of the one day cup was a 3 day fixture against the Australians as a warm-up for the forthcoming 1st Test at Lords. Having been at work on Day 1, I rolled up for the evening session. Strolling across the car park I all but walked into a stocky blonde fellow trying to get away from a crowd of pursuers. "Aww look, I have to go somewhere, I'll be back in a bit" he said somewhat exasperated. "But Warnie, you're my hero" whined a teenage boy. The blonde mans shoulders slumped as he realised there was no way out of this without looking bad and he was quickly surrounded. Leics had already been bowled out, and the Aussies were just starting their innings. Hayden's form was already showing creaks during the one dayers against England, and of course would only get worse during the Tests that followed, but here he played absolutely beautifully until he passed 50, at which point he started trying to smash everything and perished sooner after. For Australia the prime aim for the match was to get time in the middle for Justin Langer who had just joined the squad, and Michael Clarke who hadn't done much in the ODI's. The latter looked in horrible nick though, and it just wasn't to be - these 2 photos were taken only a few minutes apart;   Langer went through to the close untroubled though, and would have been pleased with his start, though you would never have thought so are he strode off, looking like he was about to hit me  The next morning I arrived bright and breezy, bringing my sons along so they could say they had seen the great Australians in the flesh. Immediately it was apparent that the mood around the squad was nothing like as outgoing as their previous visit. Their warmups were conducted out of sight in the private practice area and there was a marked reluctance to sign any autographs at this stage of the day, though Ponting clearly understood his ambassadorial role sufficiently to do the bare minimum - and I do mean bare minimum; one of my boys was a bit slow to offer up his autograph book and was duly ignored by Ponting. I got chatting to an old guy next to me who revealed he was a Warwickshire member up for the day. He had a list of Leics players he wanted autographs from - basically any that had played international cricket, and he asked me to point out those players to him, which I did, and also insisting that he get the signature of an 18 year old bowler who had only played a couple of games at that stage, as I was convinced he would be playing for England before too many years had passed. His name was Stuart Broad, and even back then was a very impressive young man to chat to. Aftab Habib fared less well when the Warks member told him to have a good innings that day. He looked at me incredulously, muttered something about not batting today then shuffled off. I didn't have the heart to tell the old boy that Aftab wasn't even in the team! The cricket passed serenely as Langer, Ponting and Martyn all made centuries, all very effortlessly, and they were ruthlessly professional as they went about it. Leics had a young Australian on trial for this match, but with figures of 25-0-136-0, it's fair to say that Jason Krejza looked anything but a Test prospect at that stage of his career. Hayden had brusquely brushed off the Warks member when asked for an autograph before play, but on his way back from a net he showed a different side to his character by sitting on the outfield and signing everything for a large group that gathered, whilst insisting they all kept down so as not to obstruct the view of the people behind and pointing queue jumpers towards the back of the line. I got him to sign the photo I had taken of him the previous time and was surprised how humble he came across this time. (Contrastingly, Katich had earlier just given me a dirty look and turned away when I proferred my photo of him for signing!). Leics kept chipping away through the day, a big highlight being Broad showing that though inexperience he was already a thinking bowler by going round the wicket and promptly cleaning up Adam Gilchrist, Freddie Flintoff style. Taking a stroll around the ground mid-afternoon - possibly to get away from ex-Chancellor Kenneth Clarke, who had plonked himself down next to me for a while - I once again managed to practically bump into Shane Warne, this time emerging from a practice session, which had clearly worked him hard judging from the sweat pouring from his head. He declined to stop for a couple of people approaching him as I carried on around the boundary. As I got back to my seat I noticed he had taken station in front of the pavilion, where a very English queue had formed. I grabbed my lads and told them this was the one they wanted to get above all others and the great man also indulged me with a photo.  With hindsight I should really had got someone else to take it and got myself in the photo too, but never mind. He seemed happy enough to have joined the squad, as did Stuart MacGill who looked quietly amused at my then 5 year old thrusting an autograph book in his direction. Less approachable were Tait and Haddin, both of whom came across as insufferably arrogant. The saddest sight of the day though was Jason Gillespie. Having been the friendliest of the lot the last time, this time he spent the entire day sitting alone on the balcony looking extremely unhappy with life and ignoring all greetings from below. His tour, of course, was only going to get worse. I missed the final day due to playing myself, but the match petered out into a draw, on the back of a very brisk double hundred from Leics' short term signing, Chris Rogers, who no doubt enjoyed showing what he could do. |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:34pm
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Good stuff Clobber. I suggest JP add you to his team and let you have a dig at this professionally. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 7:40pm
| I'm very cheap too! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 21 May 2009 at 11:23pm
JP's excuse will be the recession is really having a hit on them.  ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 2:45am
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That's plain fantastic. I guess some of the Aussie players, and at times all of them are very arrogant. But like all of us, they have mood swings or are trying to focus and are less approachable. Certainly some blokes are always humble, guys like Lee and Gilchrist are among the most laid back guys in Aussie cricket, that's for sure.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 4:52am
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Dean Jones was brilliant mate. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 5:31am
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Where, in the commentary box? ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 5:37am
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Yes, for most of the Asians, he is brilliant in the box as well. But he was a humble guy on field as well. ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 5:52am
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I enjoyed his commentary too, always kept me listening to the tele! Is it he who used the quote "going, going, GONE! Geez, that's a big hit!" ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 5:57am
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Dont gimme Dont gimme aah damn it...Dean Jones speaking for ganguly when he got plumb in front vs Pakistan in Karachi test of 2006 ------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 6:07am
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haha, that one is funny. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: betterpolo
Date Posted: 22 May 2009 at 10:10pm
Looks like I'm the resident doomlord on this one then 
Funny thing is, over the years I've developed a habit for optimism when it comes to English cricket - which is normally spectacularly misplaced but never mind. My belief that England will be slaughtered this summer is just that - genuine belief - rather than unwarranted pessimism or a desire to be contrary. Just want to be clear on that 
I do acknowledge, however, that if Jimmy Anderson is now genuinely the real deal that could be enough to swing it (as it were) if he has a fit Flintoff backing him up. I'm willing to put 50p on this if anyone really wants to put their money where their mouth is. |
Posted By: DontGoogleMe
Date Posted: 31 May 2009 at 7:21am
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Pfft, aus have got this easy. We have the whole package, minus spin. Lets look at the top order: Phil Hughes: Youngest player ever to score a centure in both innings. And that was against South Africa, the second best side in the world. Simon Katich: First Aus opener since M.Taylor to carry his bat the entire innings Ricky Ponting: Need i say more? Not as good as he used to be but still a force to be reckoned with Then we've got the middle order: Michael Clarke: Averages a bit under 50 plus has some handy left arm finger spinners Michael Hussey: "Mr Cricket". Due for some good form, so watch out! Marcus North: Scored a century on debut plus has some good spin up his sleve. Proven in first class. Shane Watson: His test record doesnt do him justice. He would be a very good all rounder if he could just stop getting injured. If he doesnt get injured this tour he'll do good. Andrew McDonald: Bowling allrounder who was very good in south africa at tieing up one end while the strike bowlers do their work at the other. Minus the 3rd test he performed well in SA Now the tail: Stuart Clark: He was the bowler of the series last ashes, and has an average of 22.96. Bit risky though since hes just coming out of injury Brett Lee: Extremely fast man who can swing it both ways. Same as Clark, bit risky coming out of injury. Have to wait and see Peter Siddle: Did anyone else see the wicket agains SA where he ripped the middle stump right out of the ground, securing chain and all? Ben Hilfenhaus: Dont know much about him, cept hes supposed to be a swing bowler, so he should do good in english conditions, if he gets a game that is. Weve got better Mitchell Johnson: People say Dale Steyne is the best fast bowler in the world. I beg to differ. Bowles fast, aggressivly and is starting to swing it around. Plus hes might as well have made 2 centuries (99* and a centure). Nathan Hauritz: Hmm, only good thing i can see about him being in the squad is it kept Brice McGain from getting in. *shudders at the memory of the last test in SA*. So thats pretty much why Aus will win |
Posted By: Clobber
Date Posted: 02 June 2009 at 11:59am
| great, no need to bother playing the series now after such a scientific analysis. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 02 June 2009 at 12:17pm
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Google, the players in the Aussie side are very good on paper, but how often do all those players perform well at the same time? Australia have done well in England traditionally with a good seamer and a proficient spin bowler. Clark is comparable to McGrath, someone like McGrath is easier to replace... but what about our spin attack? England to me don't quite look as good as they did pre 2005, pre 2005 they looked like a test team, not that they don't now. England's pace attack I dare say is not as dangerous as it was in 2005, whcih is really what nailed Australia to the wall, but it's up there with the best. ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 02 June 2009 at 1:01pm
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I can see why google is excited, the only bare option for the Aussies is in the spin department! Panesar should now migrate to Aussies are try paying someone to be his grandmother over there. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 02 June 2009 at 1:48pm
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Anybody told the kid that only eleven can play ?
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 02 June 2009 at 3:43pm
Nah, in Australia we have this dodgy game called "Aussie Rules" football. You can play with 14 men, so I guess he thought it was the same 
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 02 June 2009 at 6:07pm
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Haha, Aussie rules Cricket so you can't really blame him. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: DontGoogleMe
Date Posted: 06 June 2009 at 3:10am
haha pretty sure i know that ;) Just doing an analysis of the best in the aussie squad. Ive been waiting for the ashes for years |
Posted By: Max Power
Date Posted: 09 June 2009 at 1:36pm
More than 2 years??!  ------------- There's 2 ways of doing things - the right way, and the MAX POWER way! BT&OBCC |
Posted By: young shiv
Date Posted: 10 June 2009 at 12:30am
There is no keeper in your squad mate
------------- 100 posts YEAH |
Posted By: -JP-
Date Posted: 10 June 2009 at 10:09am
Some would say there's no keeper in the Aussie squad either. 
------------- |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 10 June 2009 at 10:22am
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If England play Prior then the same can be said about them. I dare say Paul Collingwood looks better behind the stumps !!!
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: DontGoogleMe
Date Posted: 10 June 2009 at 12:41pm
OH ****. well Haddins a champ i guess, nothing spectacular but he gets the job done |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 10 June 2009 at 1:39pm
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Look Google, Australia is very strong on paper. We lack a good spinner, I think you can get away with it more easily in test cricket because variety tends to be more handy in situations where you wish to stem the momentum, which is an issue in the shorter format. However, England are sporting a reasonably strong batting line up and I feel Hauritz's conservative and defensive style is not going to cause England a hell of a lot of issues. On the flipside, I feel Swann will cause Australia some headaches because there is this unusual weakness that Australian batsmen have against finger spin - be it Paul Harris, Johan Thrower, Singh, Panesar, Vettori... you name it. Swann will be a key player and I also think he'll play a role with the bat, because I feel that both teams will rely on their lower order a great deal. Swann , Pietersen and a fit Flintoff are 3 of the main players and an in form and confident Bopara will make things even more testing for Australia. If Clark and Siddle are on song alongside Johnson then one thinks the England top order will face a few headaches, and I hope that the wickets won't be as flat as they were in the last Ashes for the sake of both fast bowling attacks. I can defintely see Watson being picked ahead of North if Australia choose to play Hauritz. Watson's batting is good enough for the no.6 or 7 spot and his bowling would be handy. It will be interesting to see if Katich does a lot of bowling. Apparently he gets a bit stiff in the back when bowling too much, but he has a very good style for a part timer and there's a lot of Michael Bevan about him with regard to his effectiveness. If Simon Katich can do some bowling along with Hauritz and Clarke then I think we'll have a little bit extra variety. Albeit, Ponting is the least imaginative captain when it comes to bowling changes - the complete opposite to Stephen Waugh, that's for sure. Would have loved to see Krejza play. He has a poor first class record and he played in England before in the County stuff and did poorly and that would have contributed to his exclusion, but I think he's one of those players that just lifts to the occasion when it comes to tests and he's a hell of a lot more aggresive. While the poor treatment of Beau Casson the chinamen bowler has not helped Australia one bit. ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 10 June 2009 at 5:11pm
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Beau Casson has a bit of talent, got a googly, toppy and the leggie - fact is, his leggy didn't turn much neither did his googly and his accuracy isn't that on song either. MacGill use to get some criticism for giving away the 4 ball per over but oh yeah, they'd which he was still around now! ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 11 June 2009 at 3:00am
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Yer he got pushed out, but really it was because he got injured and just couldn't regain his touch - it happens, and that fact was that he was in his mid 30s too. MacGill was expensive, but he ripped them so far and had some really good variation and drift. My biggest criticism of him was that he had less control than desirable and that his line was always middle stump, but a leg stump like would have been much better for getting the nicks and the bowleds with his kinda spin. We definitely miss him and he'd still be around I reckon if it wasn't for that poor show against SL at home and then that WI series in WI.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: flipper
Date Posted: 11 June 2009 at 9:55am
Sorry but Shane Watson is not good enough for a baggy green, in my opinion. I really don't understand how he makes the one day squad? He always looks terrified when starting his run up to bowl. Theres got to be better than him surely? ------------- Warwickshire County Cricket, Edgbaston Birmingham England. County Champions 2012 |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 11 June 2009 at 2:55pm
Well, his time was up, poor form did it for him but other than that, he was a terrific spinner. Nevermind the rank long hops and full tosses, he still use to get wickets at a quick rate and at a good average too! He pretty much came around the wrong time, he sure would have been glad to be in his early parts of his career now. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 11 June 2009 at 3:19pm
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43 tests is a fair show SW and whenever he played in tandem with Warney he really did upstage him. Furthermore, he proved that 2 leggies can indeed play in the one side and it's so ironic that we had 2 fantastic wrist spinners in tests + Hogg in ODIs and no we have all but nothing. Always a fan of MacGill, enjoyed watching him bowl - shame he ain't around, defintely would have troubled England. I dare say though, if he was a finger spinner he would have played more than 43 tests, especially a lot more tests with Warne.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 11 June 2009 at 3:30pm
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Well, maybe, it was always hard to see another spinner getting in the show when you had the incumbent Mcgrath plus there was Jason Gillespie who was wonderful before the Ashes 05 and Kasprowicz was playing well too. I think during that 05 Ashes though, MacGill and Warne should have been playing together seeing McGrath was the only performing pace man so it wouldn't have hurt to lose the services of Gillespie, Kasprowicz, Tait. I did enjoy watching MacGill too, had a wonderful googly that had some sharp dip and spin.------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: betterpolo
Date Posted: 11 June 2009 at 6:40pm
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208 wickets at 29, strike rate of 54.
If he was English he'd be one of our all-time greats! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 11 June 2009 at 8:18pm
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Those are terrific stats, strike rate better than Warne`s own but I think MacGill benefited a lot with Warne from the other end, meaning he always had to up his game if he had to stick around. MacGill looked a slacker to me and I don`t think he would have been the same without the competition - it`s just my feeling, I would never be certain of it though, his time is up.
Ignore what I just said, if competition don`t drive anyone, then nothing will - I guess that`s why the other teams are pretty poor, no body to drive the others for a spot, Windies team a great example and that`s why Sarwan can get away with gifting away his wicket for such an immensely talented batsman. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 12 June 2009 at 3:44am
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MacGill's average definitely began to boom out towards the end as he became more expensive and took less wickets. Great strike rate though and if you don't expect your spinner to leak runs then he's really not a wicket taking bowler is he? Warne is a freak in that he could contain and take wickets - it's all about control. Warne's control for a wrist spinner was equal to that of a finger spinner , that's for sure.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 12 June 2009 at 4:44am
200 wickets is a mean feat BP - he's probably in our top 10 highest wicket taking bowlers. He's going to stick around in history as they guy playing opposite Warney. ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: Sledger
Date Posted: 12 June 2009 at 5:58am
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So Freddie is back and taking wickets! Nice return for the big
man - two scalps against the County Champions. In an interview after
the day's play he said he'd been painfree. That's some good news after
the pasting by the South Africans !
------------- Mental disintegration works for me !! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 8:52am
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Can't see him playing all 5 tests though...he doesn't have it in him now..
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 10:35am
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I can't see Lee playing a test unless we get desperate or there's an injury... KP won't play 5 tests either, he's not right at all with that achillies.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 10:55am
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True that. Lee on his current form won't make it in the playing eleven.
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 10:59am
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Yer I want our attack to be: Johnson, Siddle, Clark and Hilfenhaus. 3 very different bowlers - 2 highly experienced ones in there and 2 less experienced but effective. Siddle has played tests in 3 countries now, so he's picking up more and more experience and has done very well in his 7 tests - hope to see more of him, top Victorian talent. Hilfenhaus will swing that duke like crazy and Johnson is really got this inswing to the right handers happening. I don't see Hauritz playing... I feel that a full pronged pace attack can work in England - England won the last Ashes with quick bowlers, Giles didn't really do a hell of a lot realistically. North, Clarke and Katich can be used as change ups and Ponting better use them. If Hauritz plays ahead of say Hilfenhaus, then Watson should come in for North in order for there to be an extra quick option. ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 11:00am
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McDonald shouldn't play either - he is mostly a bowler, and even Lee would be a better option... and Lee can also bat as well, just like McDonald.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: zuhair_abbasi
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 11:16am
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Now that is going too far mate. Lee ain't that good a batsman. He is fine but McDonald is a hell lot better than Lee. He should not be playing though.
------------- http://thecricketinsight.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 11:21am
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If they pick Macca it will be for his bowling - I still think Lee is a better bowler and I don't see Macca's batting doing a hell of a lot anyway, don't think Lee would do any worse with the bat. But yer, of course McDonald is a better batsman overall.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: spin wizard
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 1:12pm
Something is wrong with his head it seems, he gets out too wrecklessly now. ------------- In troubled times, being philosophical helps a great deal, it helps you to remain sane and not do any further damage. |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 16 June 2009 at 1:31pm
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Well it's not just that, he is seriously injured and he's forcing himself to play... that's never a good thing. KP is the main star, especially when Flintoff only has his bowling dimension working for him - could he be like England's McGrath of 2005?
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: bladescape
Date Posted: 17 June 2009 at 7:02am
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Johnson is the main bowling option for Aus,Siddle will back him up,but Hilfenhaus hasn't really impressed me.
Hughes and Katich will be the main points of the batting line up,Ponting and Mike Hussey aren't really in good enough form. Clarke could perform,but I'm not to confident on that department. ------------- You know, I'm trying to decide whether to change my siggy or not... |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 17 June 2009 at 8:07am
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Clarke had a great summer up until he went to RSA where he did have a lot of opportunies. Hussey has been out of sorts in tests, but actually looked good in the ODIs which was odd. Ponting did extremely well in the MCG and SCG tests and that was only 4 or 5 tests back. I agree, our openers are both in form and are immensely talented - Australia will rely on them a lot.
------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |
Posted By: milkman
Date Posted: 17 June 2009 at 8:14am
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Michael Clarke in his last 9 Tests (3 against NZ, then the 6 against RSA) Career averages
He's shown some good form... along with those 2 x 100s are those 2 x 90s scores that he got. ------------- Ideal cricketer: Bowl like Warne, bat like Tendulkar, field like Jonty!! |