Ashes debate thread.

[evertonfan]

Is this Johnson bloke you're talking about, Mitchell Johnsen? Because from what i've seen of him isn't special. But again, I don't get the chance to see Australian domestic cricket, so i'm sure you lot have a better view of him.

 

[A_Whitey]

Ah, forgot 'bout Tait! Yeah, he's a real chance to star in the upcoming Ashes, and although the English dealt with him quite well last year, will pose a massive threat if on-song and fully prepared for the contest. There were glimpses of his quality in the 4th and 5th tests, with some great wickets to his name, but his figures were hampered with inconsistency. But, if he performs well in the approaching A games, he probably will be a favourite- the English only need to see the ING cup final of 2006 to know what he's capable of. The selectors will be seriously worried about bringing him in purely on the basis of raw pace, but to be honest, there's much more to him than that. Johnson, well I doubt he'll star in the tests this summer, but if he strings together convincing shows in the A games and in the Pura/ING, should play a part in the VB series.

Taits action will surely leave him with spine damage in the future, there's too much strain on it.

 

[evertonfan]

How can you be so sure? For all you know he could have a very strong vertebrae.

 

[aussie1st]

Is this Johnson bloke you're talking about, Mitchell Johnsen? Because from what i've seen of him isn't special. But again, I don't get the chance to see Australian domestic cricket, so i'm sure you lot have a better view of him.

Yea thats him. Lillee rated him a Once in a lifetime bowler. From what hes shown thus far definitely overrated because of that statement. Right now only one youngster has come through and shown he will be a force in the future in Tait.

 

[evertonfan]

Yea thats him. Lillee rated him a Once in a lifetime bowler. From what hes shown thus far definitely overrated because of that statement. Right now only one youngster has come through and shown he will be a force in the future in Tait.

Yep, I agree with Tait, he looked dangerous in the Ashes. Only problem with him though, is that he is a strike bowler who will concede runs as well as get wickets. IMO, the best way to use him would be to only bowl him for short 4-5 over spells, so that he can take a wicket or two.

 

[Gilchrist]

No, if you saw Johnson bowl in Bangladesh, he was very good, got extra bounce, I can see why he was rated.

BTW mods, can you sticky this thread please?

 

[aussie1st]

Yep, I agree with Tait, he looked dangerous in the Ashes. Only problem with him though, is that he is a strike bowler who will concede runs as well as get wickets. IMO, the best way to use him would be to only bowl him for short 4-5 over spells, so that he can take a wicket or two.

Well thats how we basically used him in the Ashes. Should go much better in Aus as he'll be much more use to the conditions. If we took him we probably need an all rounder just incase he doesn't go so well.

 

[kodos]

Yea thats him. Lillee rated him a Once in a lifetime bowler. From what hes shown thus far definitely overrated because of that statement. Right now only one youngster has come through and shown he will be a force in the future in Tait.

Agreed, he is massively overrated but I guess we should all give him time to develop into the international stage. Both Johnson and Watson I believe are massively overrated.

 

[valvolux]

Taits action will surely leave him with spine damage in the future, there's too much strain on it.

Heh, what's going to happen to Malinga then?

I think forget about Tait, Johnson, Bracken and Kasper. The 3 seamers i'd have are McGrath, Clark and Lee with Dizzy in reserve. The key will be the use of Macgill - i think we can safely assume England aren't going to figure out how to play spinners in time for the ashes, playing Macgill and Warne together is going to be one heck of a tempting option. I think the biggest mistake we could make is leaving him for the SCG as we usually do, as it could all be too late. Of course if he were to play, you'd think we'd have to maybe look at Watson to come in as the 3rd seamer at the expense of a better batsmen - this i'm not so keen on, as Watson clearly isn't up to this sort of standard yet. I really wanted to unleash Symonds on them as well, but I think he blew his last chance which is a dead shame...he'll do it in the one dayers still i guess. At least we have AB back as a selector to talk some sense into Merv Hughes, so i'm confident the right choice will be made.

The 3 guys i'm worried about most in england are Hoggard, Pietersen and Flintoff (and Jones if he were playing). KP because he will lift his game 50% for the aussies, and 50% higher than how he's currently performing is pretty darn scary. Flintoff because he has the wood over Gilchrist at the moment which is a key for them, and Hoggard because he is going to pepper our openers pads with inswingers....although how much it swings out here could make a massive difference. These are things we obviously didn't prepare well for though last time, so i hope it's not all golf and wine in their break this time.

England's form though is woeful. If they were to bring over the exact same team that started the 4th test in the sort of form they were in, I'd be a little more worried. The team and form that they look likely to take to Australia, doesn't worry me at all. Does seem a little bit like their rugby team - if you give them the highest congratulations and honours after one win, there's no need to turn up the next season...and England certainly haven't turned up to cricket. They are going to have to hope that they get all of their players back, because it's now quite clear the depth that was all hyped up after india is actually only ankle deep. At this rate even our state sides will give them a walloping (as they usually do anyway) which is not the sort of cricket i was looking forward to.

 

[genghis_khan]

this is all part of the English plan (apart from losing Jones)......go half-heartedly and then when the ashes roll around go full steam ahead.

england will try and match australia's batting...australia will try and match england's pace bowling with Warney floating around to give Aus the edge.

 

[cricketmad09]

Is this Johnson bloke you're talking about, Mitchell Johnsen? Because from what i've seen of him isn't special. But again, I don't get the chance to see Australian domestic cricket, so i'm sure you lot have a better view of him.

You're right. He is useless. Worked out that there were about 20 blokes with better bowling stats than him in the ING Cup last season...and there is only 6 teams aswell.

 

[James219]

Yeah, but Lilee made the now infamous comment, meaning he HAS to be selected!
But seriously, when people say he's, by far and away, the most dangerous left-arm seamer going around in Aus, it sorta gives the nation a bad image. Bollinger's posted far better performances over his entire ING career, and even without the assistance of statisics, is a far more dangerous bowler, with at times, more pace than the Queenslander. Johnson is by no means useless, and it's not his fault he's been talked up and selected when perhaps others were in line for the gig- he's actually a very talented player, despite so many judging him on glimpses- but I feel Australia are growing a little too pre-occupied with the prospect of being there to develop the perfect left-arm pace bowler....
By the way cricketmad, stats aren't the only gauge of quality, especially early on in one's career and when one is still overcoming past injury plagues.

 

[Gilchrist]

Mark Cleary? He is very underrated with the ball, and he made his maiden first class century against Tasmania last season for SA.

 

[Gilchrist]

*Bump* Ashes will be close, I will chancge my avatar to Flintoff is England win the Ashes.

 

[cricketmad09]

Yeah, but Lilee made the now infamous comment, meaning he HAS to be selected!
But seriously, when people say he's, by far and away, the most dangerous left-arm seamer going around in Aus, it sorta gives the nation a bad image. Bollinger's posted far better performances over his entire ING career, and even without the assistance of statisics, is a far more dangerous bowler, with at times, more pace than the Queenslander. Johnson is by no means useless, and it's not his fault he's been talked up and selected when perhaps others were in line for the gig- he's actually a very talented player, despite so many judging him on glimpses- but I feel Australia are growing a little too pre-occupied with the prospect of being there to develop the perfect left-arm pace bowler....
By the way cricketmad, stats aren't the only gauge of quality, especially early on in one's career and when one is still overcoming past injury plagues.

Clearly, but if there are about 20 players with better stats, then it is safe to say that he is not the best option going around in the country.