- ponting is not in form (recent champions tropy)/ponting against big swingers of thwe ball
Has averaged 78 in tests since the end of the Ashes, scoring 1483 runs, including 8 centuries. Has also scored 10 fifties and 2 centuries in ODIs since the Ashes. Mind you, if ODI form is overrated, why you bother to mention the Champions Trophy is beyond human comprehension.
- hussey is not in form (ditto)/hussey against quality spin
1000 runs in both forms of the game in the 14 months since the Ashes. Got his first ODI hundred in September. I suppose you decided he wasn't scoring fast enough, so therefore he wasn't in form. He did the job required and at no point was he a liability.
- gilchrist doesn't perform in tests
Performing enough to get in around one decent score per series.
- lee is off his mark in tests (in comparison with odis which he usually nails but hasnt in the champtiosn trophy)
Again, has in fact been bowling well in tests (52 wickets in 12 matches, average of 27) if you pay attention to the big picture. One should never forget that in spite of leaking runs he took wickets in the Ashes, which is what he is employed to do. A fast bowler of unintimidating height is rarely going to look good in India and Bangladesh.
- bracken is off his mark in tests (doesn't swing as much)
Bracken was off his mark in tests two years ago on lifeless surfaces, yet still managed miserly economy. Not getting wickets is one thing, but it's very difficult to bowl inaccurately and go for less than 3 an over. Nevertheless he displayed all the swing you need one morning against the West Indies at the Gabba and I'm sure he has his foot in the door to play there again. All in all, I'm impressed you can rate a test career of 5 matches so dilligently.
- selectors will only pick macgill in 1 test
I totally agree
Because MacGill and Warne were selected together in 5 tests last summer
Because at least three of the pitches are looking like they will take spin far better than pace
Because the English are renowned for their vulnerabilities against elite spin bowlers and leg spin in general
- odi form is so overrated (johnson/watson)- maybe even mcgrath!11010!
Sigh.
- clarke has gone downhill in tests
And what an illustrious career it was. Is this actually important if he doesn't play a game?
- langer was in mad form from 2001- early 2005 but then got dented by the poms (usually avgs abt 50 from 01-05 but only avged 40ish in last ashes)
His body got dented more last season than his average was by England. However, you're right, he should be shamed that he performed well in only three matches against England. He is Bradman incarnate, after all.
- warne may not reproduce his 05 form
He might forget how to play cricket, too. You never know, they all might forget how to play. Or worse, maybe someone will step on a cricket ball.
- the signs from 05 looked ominous as we could not rip through top orders (strauss trescothick) that easily liek we usually do
Did alright at it when we had two fit and in-form bowlers at the top. Even then, I don't care if you think McGrath is out of form, the pressure he generates is something beyond form entirely.
- flintoff going crazy and avg 50 wit bat and 20 wti ball despite career avg of around 30s
I honestly don't know where to go with this. Do I explain that players occasionally play better than their career averages, or that sometimes players just improve? Maybe I could simply say that he averaged 40 with the bat and 27 with the ball for the series. Good figures, but your hyperbole is no good here.
Why not Hoggard factor? Or Harmison factor? Are these guys just unproven randoms? Yeah, England are bringing a test team over, how about it, it includes players that can play well from time to time. What isn't likely is that a single bowler (particularly an inexperienced spinner) is going to dominate. What is more likely is that they might produce a concerted and sustained bowling performance that will create chances to win matches.
- danger that aus may become a team which wins against all teams in tests except england
What a fitting end. That's not a reason for losing, that's the result of losing. Can you really imagine Ponting after a match saying "well we realised the danger of losing to England and just fell apart! The danger really ripped through our middle order!"
