Australia in England - 2009 Ashes Tour

[aussie1st]

Hilfenhaus is a swing bowler, but from what I've seen of him he tends to swing the ball out of his hand, not a late swinger like Anderson. I've not seen a massive amount his bowling though, so I could be wrong. They're definitely missing a class spinner though, Hauritz seems to be nothing more than a holding option.

Seemed that way but who knows maybe he will change in England. If not then hopefully he bowls that ball that goes into the right hander. That would make him less predictable which he is atm.

 

[mattfb]

Australia may be missing the swing bowler to complete their attack (along with the spinner). Is Hilfenhaus a swing bowler? I wouldn't underestimate Siddle... I'm pretty impressed by his temperament and the effort he puts in. I think currently Australia's pace bowling attack is a bit stronger than England's.

Johsnon can swing it at times and in England he might have a bigger chance of swinging it more often. I hope he can get the ball outside the right handers and swing it back enough to cause a bit of trouble. Hilfy is a swing bowler and if he plays I expect him to get soem movement. His accuracy and how he uses the swing is the problem. Hen hasn't had the greatest seasons lately.

Hilfenhaus is a swing bowler, but from what I've seen of him he tends to swing the ball out of his hand, not a late swinger like Anderson. I've not seen a massive amount his bowling though, so I could be wrong. They're definitely missing a class spinner though, Hauritz seems to be nothing more than a holding option.

Hilfenhaus's last few seasons haven't been his best though, so I'm not sure whether he will even be given a go. If he doesn't play the first few tests and Johnson can't get any swing then theres a big possibility he will play a bit later.

Hauritz is probably our best option atm because he keeps it tight and he can pick up the odd wicket or 2. He's likely to take 2 wickets each innings and occasionally he can get like a 5fer or something.

 

[sifter132]

^Yeah I think Hauritz will do OK too. We really have to play him with all the talk of England playing 2 tweakers. He'll be underestimated by the Poms and if they try to attack him he won't get nearly the tap that McGain did and will probably pick up a couple of pies in the process.
It wouldn't hurt the over rates either and we know how much Ponting worries about those ::::::::

As for the quicks, I think Hilfy, Lee, Siddle and Clark are all chances to play alongside Mitch. Depends how they look in the warmup games. Hilfy is probably 4th in that pecking order right now, but if he bowls threateningly in the 2 warmups, I think he'll get picked. He did his job well in SA, just as well as bloody McDonald who got all the hype about filling a role blah blah.

And of course, McDonald is the bolter. He could get a job at #7 as the 5th bowler, with Mitch, Lee and Hauritz and Siddle/Clark/Hilfy for example - that would be a decent tail. But Haddin would have to produce at #6. I hope not though, I'd rather play North or Watson and leave Haddin at #7.

 

[Hooper]

Weren't you here for the last one down under?

Yeah, he suffers from selective memory, something all English Cricket fans seem to have regarding their team, don't worry mate, hes fine..

 

[Will_NA]

Weren't you here for the last one down under?

Yeah, but I was a noob.

 

[mattfb]

As for the quicks, I think Hilfy, Lee, Siddle and Clark are all chances to play alongside Mitch. Depends how they look in the warmup games. Hilfy is probably 4th in that pecking order right now, but if he bowls threateningly in the 2 warmups, I think he'll get picked. He did his job well in SA, just as well as bloody McDonald who got all the hype about filling a role blah blah.

Yeah I agree with the Hilfy comment. If he can swing the ball at dangerous levels and really cause the good domestic players some trouble then he could jump ahead of Siddle. I think the warm ups are so important because apart from Mitch all the paces are equal chance. I have no idea at all how we will line-up tbh.

And of course, McDonald is the bolter. He could get a job at #7 as the 5th bowler, with Mitch, Lee and Hauritz and Siddle/Clark/Hilfy for example - that would be a decent tail. But Haddin would have to produce at #6. I hope not though, I'd rather play North or Watson and leave Haddin at #7.

Nah, not a fan of McDonald. I think North at 6 and Haddin at 7 is the best option. Something a bit like this:

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Clark

Like I said earlier I really have no idea, so that's just a rough idea of what I might do. The warm ups are really important though because the bowling could look quite different. I would open with Siddle and Johnson, with Siddle providing all out pace and seam with Johnson trying to get a bit of swing. Then Clark and Hauritz come on before North gets thrown the ball. Eventually the next part timer I would use if needed would be Clarke followed by Katich.

 

[Hooper]

21 days till the Ashes baby! I can't wait, Im so excited I've already picked my "Aussie for the Series", I'm supporting Hauritz mate, no one likes him...But aye, I'll support you during the Ashes.

This is my avatar and sig for the rest of the series.

 

[smssia0112]

I'm happy to see Watson playing personally, he's a good enough batsman to replace North anyway (not as good as North but not far off) and his bowling provides us with an extra option that could be useful.

Definitely want Clark opening the bowling, he was probably the best seamer in the world about a year ago.

Hauritz to play when it's spinning and Hilfenhaus when it isn't. Siddle might miss if it's really swinging but he's a gun, play him. Whatever happens though, just don't play Lee ever and we'll be fine.

 

[Skater]

England Lions v Australia will be live on Sky

 

[Sureshot]

Got the Aussies at Hove next Weds, going to be mental. Expecting about 20,000 across the four days, which for the County Ground is quite mad. We've brought in an extra fridge (industrial fridge, walk-in, not a home one ). Hope the weather is good, financial rewards are immense for us.

 

[Howsie]

England Lions v Australia will be live on Sky

Do you know if it's being shown around the world?

 

[aussie1st]

And of course, McDonald is the bolter. He could get a job at #7 as the 5th bowler, with Mitch, Lee and Hauritz and Siddle/Clark/Hilfy for example - that would be a decent tail. But Haddin would have to produce at #6. I hope not though, I'd rather play North or Watson and leave Haddin at #7.

I don't think our selectors have enough confidence in McDonald's batting ability so if he is going to play it would be as a bowler. He basically does the same role as Hauritz but the medium pace version.

 

[shravi]

I thought I would do a quick un-biased rating of each posistion.

Cook-Hughes
Strauss-Katich
Bopara-Ponting
Pietersen-Hussey
Collingwood-Clarke
Flintoff-North?
Prior-Haddin
Broad-Johnson
Swann-Hauritz
Sidebottom-Siddle
Anderson-Clark

4-3 to Aus.

Except that batting is predicated on partnerships and teamwork... It isn't as black and white as you've put it.

 

[sifter132]

I don't think our selectors have enough confidence in McDonald's batting ability so if he is going to play it would be as a bowler. He basically does the same role as Hauritz but the medium pace version.

Yeah that's my fear too. We have one of the world's best #8s in Mitch but no lets play McDonald at #8 instead...::

Stuart Clark is the slightly faster, but much more threatening version of McDonald and that's why I hate Ronnie was picked in the squad. It was OK in SA when we didn't have an accurate fast bowler, but with Stuart Clark back the need for the holding quick is gone.

 

[aussie1st]

Agree, with Clark in the side I don't see any need for McDonald. Johnson is more than capable in the Test arena and Siddle, Hauritz, Lee are all handy enough with the bat.