The Ashes 2010/11 in Australia

Phillip Hughes must play. North is far too inconsistent, you have to make contributions between hundreds, which he doesn't.
Watson, Katich, Clarke are the key batsmen, while I feel Hussey is a waning force. I certainly think Hussey and North have a lot to answer for, and there positions should be questioned. Callum Ferguson for mine is an improving batsman who could do a good job. Young Usman Khawaja is a very good batsman as well. Hughes is the best batsman in Australia not in the test XI, that's fact.

Originally posted by milkman I think Broad is overrrated with the bat, they tout him as the next Flintoff. He's got a hell of a long way to go before he is good enough to bat at 7. With the ball, everyone knows he is inconsistent, like Johnson, but when he's on song he's brilliant.

When you say 'They tout him as the next flintoff' who are they?
I remermber when he first broke into the England team as a young lad and certain people were asking the question could we have another flintoff in the making?? but to this day I know of no one who touts him as the next freddie. Personally I've only seen him have one good knock with the bat and that was in his last match. Infact up till this point he's been really poor with the bat as everyone knows, so to overrate first you have to rate and he's never done that in the first place.

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi I wouldn't go that far milky - but yes he should play ahead of North and Watson should drop to six. But it is a dilemma as Watson has been so good opening the innings. Dont think they can fix in Hughes at six. Ferguson should be in the test team come the next Ashes. I really like his approach to the game. Hilfenhaus remaining fit throughout the series will boost Australia's chances. Dont think Bolli and Johnson will be as effective. England also have a huge advantage in the spin department. There are clearly no favourites - which makes me wait for The Ashes to come soon.

The easy fix is if Ponting goes down the order. He's not the force he once was at 3. I'd bat Ponting at 5, like where Waugh used to bat, and have Katich or Hughes at 3.

Hussey whenever he goes, will not go alone. Punter will be along.

I think Katich at 5 is too low becuz he is the one who can score big and he takes his time so it wont be a good move and i agree with Milky Ponting will play alot more test matches but he might lose his captaincy if Australia lose Ashes.

Edited by mystery - 30 September 2010 at 12:05pm

You are right but Watson and Hughes both are attacking players which you dont need in Test matches and I think Smith is very good player. They can easily play him when Hussey goes that will make their bowling strong.

Pitches are so flat that you dont need great technique to be a good player.

is Hughes really as good as he is made out to be? I mean I have no idea, I haven't seen much of him but whatever little I have seen I was not that impressed, still he might be much better than what I think he is.

Is he really good enough to be the best batsman in Australia?

I agree with Milky the first time i saw him when he made hundred in final he was so impressive.He is a wonderful player he just needs time he will become a run machine.

Edited by mystery - 30 September 2010 at 2:13pm

ok guys, I only wanted to know about him, I don't know how good or bad he is, but yes now I remember he actually did well in the CLT20 last year for NSW but then that was T20 stuff.

If he is good enough then surely he must be given his chances, Watson can drop down the order while Hughes and Katich can open. Also it'll be a good idea to allow Hughes and Watson to open in ODI's, that'll be a very fine opening pair.

Originally posted by flipper Originally posted by milkman I think Broad is overrrated with the bat, they tout him as the next Flintoff. He's got a hell of a long way to go before he is good enough to bat at 7. With the ball, everyone knows he is inconsistent, like Johnson, but when he's on song he's brilliant. When you say 'They tout him as the next flintoff' who are they? I remermber when he first broke into the England team as a young lad and certain people were asking the question could we have another flintoff in the making?? but to this day I know of no one who touts him as the next freddie. Personally I've only seen him have one good knock with the bat and that was in his last match. Infact up till this point he's been really poor with the bat as everyone knows, so to overrate first you have to rate and he's never done that in the first place.

Over 1000 test runs at an average of over 28? Yeah, sure, he hasn't done anything to prove his worth with the bat

He still has a way to go, but the lad has proven that he has got a good technique, he just needs to keep putting in the hard work.

Watson once again proving his credentials with a 100 at the top of the order. He is a run machine right now and Aus would be mad to move him in the order.

As for Hughes the boy has potential, but he did fail twice against England. Whether Aus can (or want) to find him a place in this line up is another question. He will come good, and cement his place in the team, of that I'm sure. But he's still young...

You can definitely see Broad has potential with the bat, no doubt about that.  How good he uses it is another story.  The more I think about it, the more I see similarity between Broad and Jerome Taylor.  Both can bat although aint showing much result for it and can produce blistering spells.  Sadly though, one is playing all the time while the other is lazy not caring much about his fitness it seems.

Originally posted by milkman Best batsman not playing test cricket... that's what I said.

A good batsman, and I'd really like him to succeed, but I've noted some holes in his technique which the Englanders picked up on, if he's to succeed in his next chance at international cricket he needs to fix up that LBW/slip problem.

Milkie's suggestion of fiddling with the Aussie batting order is an interesting one. I agree that Hussey's not the player he was and he's not set India on fire in the latest test either. To accommodate Hughes is tricky - as Zuhair says , he's no number 6 , but will Ponting be okay with a drop down the order - I think not.  The outcome of the India series will have a massive influence on the selectors for the Ashes. If Australia win and continue to score 400+ first up , I don't see them changing very much. North needs runs , but a big ton will probably be enough to cement his place for Brisbane.  His bowling isn't top drawer , but he has the knack of breaking partnerships and mustn't be underrated by the English.