Australia in England - 2009 Ashes Tour

[ZexyZahid]

Yeah probably, but I think Watson will bat above Haddin.

I was agreeing more with the team selection of Howie then his choice of batting position. But yeah, the Australian allrounder, whoever that will be, will bat higher then Haddin.

 

[Howsie]

Wouldn't Haddin be a better batsmen of the two, and I have a real strong feeling that if fit Lee will play in the first test.

 

[angryangy]

Australia are finally spoilt for choice again, but it may be unfortunately so, after a successful Test series in South Africa. Clark and Lee might seem like obvious inclusions, but on form, so too are Johnson and Siddle. Betwixt them all, seam and swing, all-rounder and specialist, there might be a spinner keen for a turning Cardiff pitch. Who makes room for that? I doubt the final lineup for the 1st Test will be decided for many weeks.

 

[smssia0112]

Lee will be played for certain, because the selectors still believe he is a good bowler, but he shouldn't be, because he isn't. He was a good bowler when his pace could still threaten the opposition, but since the India tour he has lacked any penetration.

At Cardiff, I'd play Clark, Johnson, Siddle and Hauritz with Watson the AR. Hilfy to come in for Hauritz when it doesn't turn. Lee to carry drinks.

 

[Inbox24]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Lee
Siddle
Clark

 

[jordox]

My Australian team (taking into consideration I don't really know current form of the players) would be:

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Hodge
Haddin
Johnson
Lee (if he's okay)
Hauritz
Siddle

Get rid of the all rounder spot. Hodge should fill number 6. I know it wont happen, but that would be a stronger team than putting in the red head. However, if Watson is fit I'd want him in.

I hope England stick close to their current team against the Windies, and that they don't try and redo the 2005 team (Like Ponting reckons) - because many of those players are out of form.

I'm backing an Australian win, but hoping for an English one.

 

[Skater]

Haha, I love what Bob Willis has been saying.

Brett Lee "is nowhere near as fast as he was four years ago".

Nathan Hauritz "is not even fit to lace Robert Croft's boots now".

Andrew McDonald "is more like Ronald McDonald when it comes to being an all rounder".

 

[King Pietersen]

Shane Watson struggles to stay fit for a fortnight nowadays.

Bob Willis is a legend. Shame we're going to lose and he's going to be made to look a tool.

 

[Skater]

This is easily the worst Australia squad to come here for 30 years, though, regardless.

 

[King Pietersen]

Aye, just a shame we've not got another year with Flower at the helm to really build some proper confidence. Smashing a crap Windies side will give them some confidence, but I'd rather have seen them play a few more decent sides and beat them before an Ashes series. It should be close, but I can see Australia winning the series unfortunately.

 

[jordox]

This is easily the worst Australia squad to come here for 30 years, though, regardless.

Yes, but not compared to the current crop of international teams. The Australian teams that came to England in the past (under West Indies dominance) were better than the current team, but if you compare them to other line ups from the same era, the current team is stronger.

If that makes any sense at all.

 

[angryangy]

This is easily the worst Australia squad to come here for 30 years, though, regardless.

No that's stupid. Australia between 1984 and 1988 were terrible.

 

[Jakester1288]

Well, after changing my mind a bit from my previous teams.

For spinning tracks:

1. Phillip Hughes
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Hussey
5. Michael Clarke
6. Shane Watson
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Peter Siddle
10. Nathan Hauritz
11. Stuart Clark

I have decided to include Hauritz, because that's just the logical thing to do.

Not offering much spin:

1. Phillip Hughes
2. Simon Katich
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Hussey
5. Michael Clarke
6. Shane Watson
7. Brad Haddin
8. Mitchell Johnson
9. Brett Lee
10. Peter Siddle
11. Stuart Clark

If Watson isn't fit or isn't bowling North would be my replacement, for both sides.

 

[piriyanth]

Its rubbish that Andrew Macdonald was selected over Andrew Symonds.

 

[Jakester1288]

Its rubbish that Andrew Macdonald was selected over Andrew Symonds.

No it's not. Andrew Symonds has done what since returning from injury? I don't see how he is a dead given TBH, he hasn't made any runs in his domestic cricket outings for Queensland let alone for Australia. McDonald, in the few matches he has played, had played (particularly bowled) well, and is in better form than Symonds. I don't agree with him being in the squad, because we don't need 3 all rounders, but I would much rather him to an out of sorts Symonds.