England in Australia

[Iron-Haggis]

I'd like to see the teams that Langerrox and MUFC suggested. But I don't see MacGill getting chosen for Brisbane, even though I think it would be a great idea. Somehow I think Johnson is going to be the man to be picked.

Anyone else find it amausing that a Langer and Hayden fan are arguing. They should be out on the pitch giving each other big hugs like the men themselves.

 

[aussie_ben91]

I don't have a problem with your discussion but it irriates me when you bring Hayden into the discussion because he is your favourite player

Alright, I'll try my outright best to assure that I don't talk about Hayden in any topic you view in ever again, apart from this one. Happy princess?

I think the Australian selectors might look for a pace bowling option a little too much. I mean MacGill if he plays will gets wickets and we normally struggle against Spin so much, that it would be the best choice. The only thing is that if MacGill plays then Watson will as they'll want a first change bowler. Watson would solve the problem at Number 6 though and surely with Warne and Lee capable of decent knocks, they can afford to take a risk on one batting spot. I'm not sure about Hayden, but there is no one else, so he'd be in by default. This leaves me with a team of:

Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Hussey
Gilchrist
Watson
Warne
Lee
MacGill
McGrath

I ask this question hoping I don't get jumped upon by a certain somebody but what's wrong with Hayden? Sure he went through a rough trot in the last ashes series but Ponting & Hussey are the only ones who've been batting better then him in the side this past year. And what do you mean he gets in by default? We have other opinons such as Jaques whose been averaging just under 60 in First-Class cricket and Hussey whose opened the batsman for his state his entire career.

On the otherhand I've been viewing some predictions such as Australia will win the Ashes something like 3-1. I disagree, I think if Australia win the Ashes I think it'll be something like 2 or 3 of wins to nill. I find it kinda odd that a few pommy fans think that we'll regain the Ashes but still think they'll gut out a win on the tour. I'm just curious as to why they figure they can win atleast one match in the series but yet not win the other 4. I mean if they are capable enough to beat us in one of the matches, what's saying they can't win another one or two and retain the Ashes?

 

[MUFC1987]

I ask this question hoping I don't get jumped upon by a certain somebody but what's wrong with Hayden? Sure he went through a rough trot in the last ashes series but Ponting & Hussey are the only ones who've been batting better then him in the side this past year. And what do you mean he gets in by default? We have other opinons such as Jaques whose been averaging just under 60 in First-Class cricket and Hussey whose opened the batsman for his state his entire career.

On a flat pitch, when the ball is doing nothing, Hayden is a great batsman, on a seaming wicket, or even when the ball is swinging, he can get out cheaply. He plants his front foot to anything that pitches on off stump and slanting away from him. Which is fine if it does nothing, because he can just drive or cut or whatever, but when it swings back in, he's in trouble.

I say by default, because apart from Hussey no one else has batted as an opener and I wouldn't want to risk Jaques in the Ashes (has he even played a Test yet?) Hussey is too good at 5 to replace him, hence why you're stuck with Hayden.

On the otherhand I've been viewing some predictions such as Australia will win the Ashes something like 3-1. I disagree, I think if Australia win the Ashes I think it'll be something like 2 or 3 of wins to nill. I find it kinda odd that a few pommy fans think that we'll regain the Ashes but still think they'll gut out a win on the tour. I'm just curious as to why they figure they can win atleast one match in the series but yet not win the other 4. I mean if they are capable enough to beat us in one of the matches, what's saying they can't win another one or two and retain the Ashes?

What are you trying to say? The Aussies are favourites, but we should win a match. Hell, we won one on the last tour and we had injuries coming out of our ears and our batsmen were struggling.

 

[aussie_ben91]

On a flat pitch, when the ball is doing nothing, Hayden is a great batsman, on a seaming wicket, or even when the ball is swinging, he can get out cheaply. He plants his front foot to anything that pitches on off stump and slanting away from him. Which is fine if it does nothing, because he can just drive or cut or whatever, but when it swings back in, he's in trouble.

Yeah that's true. But that's hardly an excuse, if any Test Match bowler can get the ball swinging or seeming around then you've got any batsman in the world in trouble.

I say by default, because apart from Hussey no one else has batted as an opener and I wouldn't want to risk Jaques in the Ashes (has he even played a Test yet?) Hussey is too good at 5 to replace him, hence why you're stuck with Hayden.

I don't see why you would want to replace an opening batsman whose ranked number 6 in the world anyway. But yeah, Jaques played in last years boxing day test match & a match in Bangladesh.

 

[langerrox]

Yeah that's true. But that's hardly an excuse, if any Test Match bowler can get the ball swinging or seeming around then you've got any batsman in the world in trouble.

not true, that separates the flat track bullies from the great batsman

 

[aussie1st]

I'd like to see the teams that Langerrox and MUFC suggested. But I don't see MacGill getting chosen for Brisbane, even though I think it would be a great idea. Somehow I think Johnson is going to be the man to be picked.

Anyone else find it amausing that a Langer and Hayden fan are arguing. They should be out on the pitch giving each other big hugs like the men themselves.

Johnson does seem to have come of age and we could use another wicket taker on the non spinning wickets. It's either him or Clark but since McGrath is back already may as well go with Johnson. Can't see them playing MacGill at the Gabba.

 

[Iron-Haggis]

I think Bracken should be in contention too. I'm a huge fan of Bracken and I think he deserves a decent chance to show what he can do at Test level, he is a proven ODI bowler. Against India he had them in trouble, but wasn't helped by poor fielding. Bracken, Johnson and Gillespie should be ahead of Clark, although to Clark's credit he has performed well in the Tests he has played.

Hayden is a flat track bully, but he still scores run under all conditions. He is one of the best batsmen over the last 10 years, not up there with Ponting, Dravid, Kallis and Tendulkar but not far behind and has been a huge contributor to Australia's success.

 

[RoboRocks]

Clark in my opinion has done well for Australia.
Seems to be very accurate and looks most likely to play in the ashes unless someone puts a performance in this ICC Champions Trophy.

 

[aussie1st]

The only guy from the Champions Trophy that could get the 3rd pace spot would be Johnson. Selectors just don't seem to rate Bracken for tests. Bracken would go well up in Brisbane though, thats where he got his best FC figures from. Clark is starting to throw away his position, got smashed in the Ford Ranger Cup match recently and is wicketless currently in the Pura cup.

 

[langerrox]

clark is a very average bowler that strives on confidence, i dont see him making any sort of a comeback, as with mick lewis.

 

[Iron-Haggis]

The only guy from the Champions Trophy that could get the 3rd pace spot would be Johnson. Selectors just don't seem to rate Bracken for tests. Bracken would go well up in Brisbane though, thats where he got his best FC figures from. Clark is starting to throw away his position, got smashed in the Ford Ranger Cup match recently and is wicketless currently in the Pura cup.

Actually Bracken's best FC figures of 7/4 were taken against South Australia at the SCG.

Mick Lewis should find himself lucky enough to of even played for Australia in my opinion. He is a good bowler at domestic level but really not close to international standards.

 

[langerrox]

agreed, he is pathetic and he is struggling at domestic level now. I don't recall him doing anything special to make his way into the ODI side?

 

[aussie1st]

Actually Bracken's best FC figures of 7/4 were taken against South Australia at the SCG.

Mick Lewis should find himself lucky enough to of even played for Australia in my opinion. He is a good bowler at domestic level but really not close to international standards.

Oh the memories are flooding back I remember him doing some damage over at the Gabba though.

Lewis was a good death bowler for Victoria and bowled well for them so deserved his call up but now hes been exposed and will never wear the green and gold again.

 

[shawnymike88]

Odd question...but does anybody from the US know if DISH Network will cover the Ashes? I have Dish, and they had pay-per-view coverage of England v. Pakistan this last summer and currently theyre covering the ICC Champions Trophy too...and their website doesnt say anything past the Champions Trophy..but if anybody has an idea I'd appreciate the help!

 

[irottev]

http://wwwc3.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/current/story/265920.html

I found this amusing.