Ashes debate thread.

[Gilchrist]

Have you seen him play? I doubt it. He is a very good prospect.

 

[Gilchrist]

Michael Vaughan out of the Ashes.
From Cricinfo:
Michael Vaughan is likely to be out of this year's Ashes as he will undergo surgery for the fourth time on his right knee on Monday.

Vaughan has been ruled out for four to six months, which means that his participation in the forthcoming series in Australia this winter is highly unlikely. The first Ashes Test is in Brisbane on November 23, although he might be fit for the one-day series starting on January 12, 2007.

Dr Peter Gregory, the England team's chief medical officer, said in a statement: "Michael worked extremely hard with the support of the Yorkshire medical staff to strengthen the knee to the point where he was able to begin playing again. However, he has still been experiencing some discomfort in the knee and further surgery is necessary if he is to regain the level of fitness required for international cricket."


His progress will be closely monitored.
Full article here

Flintoff to captain?

 

[James219]

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.

Alright-

Leading Wicket Takers:

PC Worthington
MF Cleary
JR Hopes
SCG MacGill
DE Bollinger
SW Tait
AR Griffith
BA Williams
AJ Bichel
MS Kasprowicz
GJ Denton
SM Harwood
SR Clark
DS Lehmann
JN Gillespie
AC Bird
DJ Cullen
ML Lewis
MG Johnson

On statistical grounds along, those bowlers deserve an opportunity ahead of Johnson. Using common sense, you can pretty much take Worthington, Hopes, MacGill (probably should be picked, but never will be), Williams, Bichel, Denton, Lehmann and Mick Lewis out of the equasion.
Now, there's Cullen, Bird, Gillespie, Harwood, Kasprowicz, Tait, Bollinger and Cleary ahead of Johnson- four of those have been tried, and I doubt Kasprowicz and maybe even Gillespie will feature much in the ODI format anymore. Harwood was very impressive last season, Bird showed patches of brilliance whilst Bollinger was consistently good in the ING Cup. It's narrowed down, and from there it doesn't look to stupid to see Johnson as a prospect, because he's actually pretty decent, but not quite ready yet anyway, which is where I agree with you- however, a good FC year and some solid experience without the obstruction of injury should give a good indication of where he's really at. It was quite a good idea to bring him along for the tour of Bangla, to be honest.

Flintoff to captain?

Gosh, in theory, you'd think batsmen would have the slimmest chances of developing long-term injuries....terrible news for England, his captaincy really fuels the side, let alonge his class status at the crease, particularly in Australia if 2002/03 is anything to go by.
About Flintoff leading- I really don't know, and I wouldn't be in support of it. As this series has been so heavily anticipated, juggling three major disciplines, and having the burden of consistently brilliant performances looming over his head, will be a giant task. I'd probably opt for Trescothick or Strauss, because although Flintoff enjoyed relative success in India, he did that whilst playing the inspirational role over quite a young and inexperienced outfit, whereas this time the better part of the English players will be more mature at the top level, and need a different brand of leadership.
Anyway, I dunno how many English would actually want him in charge so as to allow him space to focus on his main areas of impact.

 

[aussie1st]

Bollinger is one that should be in our ODI squad ahead of a number of bowlers. Still not convinced of his First Class record, hopefully he shines this season as he didn't do much at all last season in Pura.

 

[Gilchrist]

Why do you keep on about Bollinger? He not that special. Jeez.

 

[andrew_nixon]

Taking advantage while I was away I see.

The Ashes start in November. That's still 4 months away, so why have we got this topic?

 

[duffarama]

I have reopened the thread because I see no problem with the discussion of a future event.

The 'next EA cricket game' thread is an example of this.
http://www.planetcricket.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18143
If that thread was created by an admin, surely discussion of future events is acceptable. :cool:

 

[Kev]

Agreed, a big part of big events like the ashes is the anticipation and built up.

 

[James219]

Why do you keep on about Bollinger? He not that special. Jeez.

And what makes Johnson that much MORE special? Trust me, he's pretty good, and probably does deserve the ODI opportunity ahead of some of the guys already tried and tested.

 

[Gilchrist]

I never said anything special about Johnson.

 

[IloveGilly]

Bollinger would probably be a much better suited bowler than Johnson. We've seen Johnson crack under pressure.

 

[Gilchrist]

What makes you think Bollinger wouldn't crack too?

 

[Kev]

Simon Jones his hopeful he may play in the Ashes after all. He expects to return to training in September giving him one month to prove his fitness.

 

[Skater]

Simon Jones his hopeful he may play in the Ashes after all. He expects to return to training in September giving him one month to prove his fitness.

I can't see him going myself. In September there will be hardly any Glamorgan matches for him to play in and if he goes down again in the first test, England would have lost a member of the squad.

 

[evertonfan]

Simon Jones his hopeful he may play in the Ashes after all. He expects to return to training in September giving him one month to prove his fitness.

Lets hope taht he is fit for the Ashes; The Aussies were almost clueless against him last summer.