England in Australia

[Left_Hander]

I'd be dissapointed to see Clark dropped. Got four wickets all together and I think it would be good to see him retained. On the other hand, I'd hate to say this but Brett Lee should be dropped - Only one wicket and he was pretty expensive. Reminds me of the times when he got 1/200 against India 03/04.

 

[aussie1st]

I've actually been thinking along the same lines, Lee just has not been consistent enough or looked threatening thus his pace is actually assisting the batsmen and now putting fear into them. Our only problem is the next game is at Adelaide and Lee has shown he can reverse swing it which could be a useful tool on the road track.

 

[Chimp132]

anderson is a ok bowler, just he doesnt produce much excitement, like with harmy, he could be back in form in the next test wiv 85+ mph balls in the right area

 

[Simbazz]

Id say for Adaliade the England team will need to drop Harmison, but i know Fletcher will opt for Anderson to make way for Monty.

The Australian team will drop Clark and put in Mcgill.

If England dont play Monty, either with or without Ashley Giles, they are making a massive mistake because Australia have publicly said that they are aware of the Left Armers ability.

I think England will be in a hole if the two leg spinners play aswell because we have proved we can play spin all that well. But thinking Colly kind of trod on my point today used his feet really well to Warne, especially that shot early on where Warne flighted it up and Colly smacked it for four.

 

[Chimp132]

that inins from paul collingwood is what i have been waiting to see for a very long time, someone coming down the wicket to warne, makes it a hell of alot easier to play him imo. does the Adaliade pitch get cracks in it as big as Brisbane ?

 

[barmyarmy]

If we drop Harmison we have no chance of winning the Ashes. Why does everyone suddenly think that Anderson has bowled well?

 

[Simbazz]

From memory, my answer would be no, but its quite rare for Brisbane to get cracks which open up, never mind to the extent that Athers can fit his hand do the ruddy things

God, did you see right at the start of KP's innings on of Lee's bouncers hit a crack and seam, it looked more like Warne at 93 MPH

Mcgrath will have a field day if England are still there 4pm, as the sun will only open them cracks up more, and ive a feeling Warne will take a couple of wickets....Can we last the last sessions, or fail? I say we will lose, but i dunnom we have a chance of drawing the match....Or winning if KP goes 20/20 style, which i bloody hope he doesnt lol

If we drop Harmison we have no chance of winning the Ashes. Why does everyone suddenly think that Anderson has bowled well?

I dont, i just think he has stepped up to fill in Harmisons shocker.

Id go with Saj in Adaliade as its another bouncy track early on, he cant do worse than Harmy can he?

 

[aussie1st]

Adelaide will get cracks like any pitch but shouldn't affect the game that much. 4th and 5th days is where you get variable bounce with the ball usually keeping low with the odd one bouncing more than expected. It's quite a damaging wicket so you will get reverse swing but first 3 days should be very good times for batting.

 

[Simbazz]

Adelaide will get cracks like any pitch but shouldn't affect the game that much. 4th and 5th days is where you get variable bounce with the ball usually keeping low with the odd one bouncing more than expected. It's quite a damaging wicket so you will get reverse swing but first 3 days should be very good times for batting.

Most Australian pitches are very similar, they all do what Wickets traditionally should do. Be great for batting day 1-3, and then the spinners should dominate days 4 and 5 that is why Monty needs to be in the side!

 

[JamesyJames3]

If we drop Harmison we have no chance of winning the Ashes. Why does everyone suddenly think that Anderson has bowled well?

Couldn't agree more. Harmison has to play. Anderson bowled just as bad, too much short crap when he isn't quick enough to do that. Harmison is capable or turning a match on it's head unlike Anderson.

 

[aussie1st]

Couldn't agree more. Harmison has to play. Anderson bowled just as bad, too much short crap when he isn't quick enough to do that. Harmison is capable or turning a match on it's head unlike Anderson.

Add to that Harmison is a hit the deck player which is what is needed in Adelaide as it doesn't offer that much assistance to the pacemen.

 

[Simbazz]

Couldn't agree more. Harmison has to play. Anderson bowled just as bad, too much short crap when he isn't quick enough to do that. Harmison is capable or turning a match on it's head unlike Anderson.

In the first test the only thing he has turned is 2nd slips fingers.

I know everyone has there bad day, and he hasnt had enough overs beforehand, and i agree he should play, but another one like this test then he should go, even if we dont have an allout pace man, its better than conceding 130 runs.

 

[puddleduck]

I'm with you Colin, I can't for the life of me figure out why both commentators and some fans on here seem to think Jimmy bowled well. Almost every over he dropped one short and it's all very well pitching it up, but if the balls not swinging then he is just giving the Aussie openers driving practice.

Harmy has to play as to be fair to him he bowled a bit better in the second innings, and was unlucky at the start of the first that Freddie didn't go with an extra gully against Langer, I was screaming before he'd even faced a ball about that one!

Jimmy just looked too ineffective, he rarely beat the bat, and the amount of half-volleys and long-hops he dished up was shocking. A big shame really, as I was hoping after the India tour he would push on and perhaps fulfil his potential but alas injury seems to have sent him back a few steps.

About todays upcoming play, I have a horrible feeling Australia will take the new ball and that will be that, a couple of quick wickets while KP and Jones try to play themselves in again, and roll us over nice and quick. If however we bat at least another session or two, then there are some positives (however small) that England can take out of this test, and one massive positive that says things can only get better.

 

[evertonfan]

I'm afraid that even I think Anderson should be dropped. Seems he's just a one day specialist on recent form. Hopefully he'll get into some good form for the summer Tests although maybe we'll have Jones back for then. I'd bring Mahmood in because of the bounce and because of the batting which Fletcher seems to be basing all of his selections on these days. I'm not bothered whether it's Harmy, Anderson or Mahmood who play, just as long as we bring in the Monsta.

 

[Simbazz]

just as long as we bring in the Monsta.

To be honest i dont care if we use Strauss and Cook as our opening bowlers aslong as Monty gets into the first 11!