Third Test: Australia v England at Edgbaston

[Howsie]

No no no no no!
We can't go in with both Siddle and Johnson again, unless Siddle finds his line and length. But how can they ignore Clark's form not to mention his top class Test record.

I'd say Australia might be playing a few games here.

 

[pcfan123]

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Bell
Colly
Prior
Flintoff
Swann
Anderson
Harmison
Onions

This is what I think it will be, not necessarily what I want it to be

Swann can bat at 8 no problem, so we dont really need Broad. Might as well try to take wickets with Harmy and win the match with all the rain around. Otherwise the top 8 can easily bat for a draw too.

Now if Flintoff is injured its a whole different story.

 

[Therbs]

I'm going to Birmingham tomorrow and heading to Edgbaston for the first two days on Thursday and Friday. Looking forward to it, my fourth international match but my first Ashes match.

There's nothing like it. Ashes cricket for me is the ultimate, both in terms of atmosphere and competition. You won't be disappointed.

 

[sifter132]

No no no no no!
We can't go in with both Siddle and Johnson again, unless Siddle finds his line and length. But how can they ignore Clark's form not to mention his top class Test record.

But where do you draw the line? Is 2 bad games enough to toss the bowlers who were the FIRST 2 picked for the 1st Test? Is 2 bad games enough for Hughes to be punted? Could North be punted after 1?

The more changes that are made or even talked about, the more desperate Australia looks. Expect 1 change at most IMHO. There is too much arrogance and hubris in Australian cricket to make sweeping changes after 1 bad Test. Which is a GOOD thing. This is not the time to panic, 'back yourselves' would be the call from Nielsen and Ponting. There can be panic if Australia get wiped again at Edgbaston.


Remember, England had all the weather conditions in their favour at Lord's eg. cloudy/raining when bowling, sunny when batting. They won the toss too. Luck? Ponting's inside edge found the edge of leg stump, KP had a couple that missed. Injuries? Hauritz got a dislocation and missed time, Freddie was unhampered all game. Decisions? Ravi's got referred, Hughes' didn't. Pretty much everything favoured England last game. Improve the bad bowling 1st session of the match and the poor early batting in the Aussie first innings and you've got an even match. Sure anyone can play hypotheticals, I'm just saying Australia aren't far off, especially given the way they dominated the 1st Test.

 

[aussie1st]

But where do you draw the line? Is 2 bad games enough to toss the bowlers who were the FIRST 2 picked for the 1st Test? Is 2 bad games enough for Hughes to be punted? Could North be punted after 1?

You draw the line when you lose the match and when two of your pacemen continue to go at 4 runs an over. We can't afford to have 2 bowlers going at 4 an over, with Hauritz as our 4th bowler. That basically leaves Hilfenhaus to take the majority of the wickets.

 

[RoboRocks]

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Bell
Colly
Prior
Flintoff
Swann
Anderson
Harmison
Onions

This is what I think it will be, not necessarily what I want it to be

Swann can bat at 8 no problem, so we dont really need Broad. Might as well try to take wickets with Harmy and win the match with all the rain around. Otherwise the top 8 can easily bat for a draw too.

Now if Flintoff is injured its a whole different story.

We should stick with Broad for at least this test. He bowled okay Lord's, so we might as well stick with him. If he performs poorly then we can go to Harmsion.

 

[Howsie]

We should stick with Broad for at least this test. He bowled okay Lord's, so we might as well stick with him. If he performs poorly then we can go to Harmsion.

They wont drop him as long as they keep the series lead.

 

[barmyarmy]

I expect Clark to play for Mitch and I think Watson might some in for North but I've got no idea tbh.

 

[karnog]

I can't believe people think North should be dropped. 2 centuries on tour and he's still on the chopping block. Hussey's highest score is 75 not out. Hughes is 74. Hughes has shown terrible technical problems too. They keep going on about the centuries but if i recall North made one awesome one too in South Africa. These two should go before North. I think we keep our batting. I'm all for dropping Johnson if it means Clark has to come in. They keep yacking on about showing confidence well i reckon Clark's confidence would be shattered with the raw deal he's getting. Average of 21 and your still benched. Rubbish really. They need him. So make space. They have to make a tough decision. I agree that we shouldn't make sweeping changes.

 

[barmyarmy]

I think it's a balance thing tbh because Watson gives the extra bowling option. I don't see him as an opener so logically he has to come in for North or Hussey. From an English POV I'd rather he replaced Hussey as Hussey looks much more technically proficient to me than North.

 

[ajdude]

I can't believe people think North should be dropped. 2 centuries on tour and he's still on the chopping block. Hussey's highest score is 75 not out. Hughes is 74. Hughes has shown terrible technical problems too. They keep going on about the centuries but if i recall North made one awesome one too in South Africa. These two should go before North. I think we keep our batting. I'm all for dropping Johnson if it means Clark has to come in. They keep yacking on about showing confidence well i reckon Clark's confidence would be shattered with the raw deal he's getting. Average of 21 and your still benched. Rubbish really. They need him. So make space. They have to make a tough decision. I agree that we shouldn't make sweeping changes.

Are we forgetting Hussey's 150 against the Lions? I have no say on the selection of players though, too mind boggling; I'll leave it to Punter and Nielsen tomorrow night.

 

[piriyanth]

It's going to be a big headache for Ponting and Nielsen on who to choose for the final XI.

 

[Gilly Fan]

It'll be no change. They're too scared to make the big call and drop Johnson. We need Clark to play otherwise we'll get hammered.

 

[Hooper]

They are going to be pussies, Sean is right. They won't drop the Lillee lovechild.

 

[RoboRocks]

It's strange in a way. Australian selectors usually bring the axe down on players who aren't performing. If Johnson gets another go here he should count himself lucky.