I believe whether our attack is: Anderson, Broad, Sidebottom, Flintoff and Swann or Anderson, Broad, Onions, Flintoff and Swann, we will pose a threat. For me, well, Sidebottom is back to full fitness and is bowling quite quickly again, averaging high 80s in the T20, a good 5mph quicker than earlier in the summer. But Onions has already got 50 FC wickets and is looking so destructive. I'd opt for Onions, just.
Australia in England - 2009 Ashes Tour
- Thread starter Sureshot
- Start date
Will_NA
Chairman of Selectors
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2006
- Online Cricket Games Owned
Read my post above yours.
Themer
Chairman of Selectors
Yeah but Warne isn't a twat he's a legend, even if he's Australian.
If Harmison is back in form...from the looks of that last domestic match...he needs to come in for Broad. Broad offeres nothing...not even decent line and length. I can't believe you english rate him!! Sidebottom will go well against us I reckon...Anderson is better than he was but will be totally reliant on getting some decent conditions...Swann is probably the best spinner in world cricket at the moment (maybe Mendis has had more success but I think world batsmen wll eventually figure out that he just has 300 different ways of bowling a dead straight ball)...and if Flintoff gets fit then its a pretty good bowling lineup. Probably only on par or slightly worse with the Aussies however.
Bowling is definately england's strength...as it was in 05. Batting however is still very average...only really 2 guys in the lineup that are likely to score big. You have the likes of Bopara filling his boots against the windies..fair enough he hasnt had a chance against others...but he, like Broad, could be in for a very tought time as they face decent opposition for the first time. Who is going to be the keeper?? Do you think Foster might get a look in after his great keeping in the 20/20s?? Ive never really seen him bat but prior has been one of Engands only decent batsmen of late so maybe they cant afford to go with foster.
Bowling is definately england's strength...as it was in 05. Batting however is still very average...only really 2 guys in the lineup that are likely to score big. You have the likes of Bopara filling his boots against the windies..fair enough he hasnt had a chance against others...but he, like Broad, could be in for a very tought time as they face decent opposition for the first time. Who is going to be the keeper?? Do you think Foster might get a look in after his great keeping in the 20/20s?? Ive never really seen him bat but prior has been one of Engands only decent batsmen of late so maybe they cant afford to go with foster.
evertonfan
Chairman of Selectors
Lol I agree with most of your post but I wouldn't call Swann the best spinner in the world.
I don't agree on Broad - he has improved a lot in the last year and offers a good batting option too. I worry about Harmison in terms of consistency as he can be amazing one day and awful the next. Onions is looking like a starter with his CC form but I'd probably go:
Anderson
Broad
Onions
Swann
Flintoff
Anderson
Broad
Onions
Swann
Flintoff
evertonfan
Chairman of Selectors
I'm assuming an unjury is the same as an injury. 
OnlyClarkey
Club Cricketer
I don't like Harmison being brought back into the frame. I believe Sidebottom should come in as a straight swap for the, frankly, less than impressive Bresnan. I, personally, wouldn't bring Flintoff back in because odds are he'll suffer another injury and then we'll have to draft in Onions who won't have played due to Flintoff. Onions is in form, therefore I don't think we can risk taking him out.
On the batting front, I seriously hope Owais Shah is nowhere near this squad. I reckon our best bet would be to have Bell in the squad. Vaughan is in no shape to even be considering, in my opinion. He's past it, and as much as I love the guy he can no longer meet the demands of international cricket.
My squad for the first test would be :
Strauss (c)
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior (wk)
Swann
Broad
Rashid
Onions / Sidebottom (depending on CC form)
Anderson
I think it's interesting no major media has raised a debate about the wicket keeping position. After the T20 World Cup, I would find it very difficult to say goodbye to a class gloveman like James Foster. It's a weird one, because I always thought Foster's batting was more suited to 4/5 day games whereas Prior was primarly a one day batsman, yet their roles have been almost reversed. Just wanted some of you guys opinions on this one?
On the batting front, I seriously hope Owais Shah is nowhere near this squad. I reckon our best bet would be to have Bell in the squad. Vaughan is in no shape to even be considering, in my opinion. He's past it, and as much as I love the guy he can no longer meet the demands of international cricket.
My squad for the first test would be :
Strauss (c)
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior (wk)
Swann
Broad
Rashid
Onions / Sidebottom (depending on CC form)
Anderson
I think it's interesting no major media has raised a debate about the wicket keeping position. After the T20 World Cup, I would find it very difficult to say goodbye to a class gloveman like James Foster. It's a weird one, because I always thought Foster's batting was more suited to 4/5 day games whereas Prior was primarly a one day batsman, yet their roles have been almost reversed. Just wanted some of you guys opinions on this one?
Only 5 specialist batsmen is pretty brave. I know the two spinners arguement for Cardiff but I can't see England going for it.
I guess my only change would be Fred for Rashid though and his batting hasn't been up to much recently.
I guess my only change would be Fred for Rashid though and his batting hasn't been up to much recently.
Foster would average around 20-25 at the worst. Prior would average 40-45 at best. When you think about it I would take Foster as he is a far better keeper.
RoboRocks
Chairman of Selectors
Two spinners has to be a real possibility. Not only is the pitch going to turn but Australia's batsmen have struggled against spinners in recent times, with Paul Harris bowling them out in SA and Afridi and Ajmal causing them problems in Pakistan.
It's tough on Onions but he'll have to miss out if Flintoff is fit. Onions will probably get in the next test at Lord's in place of Rashid.
The 13 will be:
Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Rashid
Swann
Anderson
Onions
Sidebottom
It's tough on Onions but he'll have to miss out if Flintoff is fit. Onions will probably get in the next test at Lord's in place of Rashid.
The 13 will be:
Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Rashid
Swann
Anderson
Onions
Sidebottom
