Unofficial Buildup to the 2010/11 Ashes

[angryangy]

You could argue that selecting Hauritz did NSW's attack no harm...

 

[TumTum]

Was just checking the 06/07 scores, and found out that Ponting made 447 runs in the first 2 Tests

TumTum added 16 Minutes and 30 Seconds later...

Collingwood is tipped 2nd highest wicket-taker for this series by betfair behind Swann, hmm...

 

[Themer]

Collingwood is tipped 2nd highest wicket-taker for this series by betfair behind Swann, hmm...

Really?

 

[TumTum]

Haha now he is equal with Swann. Mitch is 3rd.
Betfair.com: Online Betting, Sports Betting, Horse Racing, Football | Bet Poker, Casino & Games

 

[angryangy]

I guess the main difference in that market is that you can only back and lay the specialist bowlers, so it's almost like 4 of a different currency.

 

[War]

Nielson puts heat on North, Hussey | Fox Sports

Looks like the usual talking up a candidate then seeing no changes for the 1st Ashes test. I really don't see the selectors changing the side.

If North at least isn't dropped as most people want. Those idiot selectors would have conclusively proven they are incompetent.

War added 5 Minutes and 26 Seconds later...

I am siding with aussie/war on this that we need a 4 man pace attack, but only for the Gabba. Looking at the domestic games there and also the Test vs WI last year the pitch is a seamer's paradise. In fact I will be very surprised if we do select Hauritz, Nielsen & Co already are saying that Hauritz might[ miss out.

4 quicks for every test thank you. Spinner only for Sydney & maybe Adelaide. But that spinner definately not be Hauritz.

Looking forward to see how Doherty, Krejza, O'Keefe do on the FC circuit this season.

 

[aussie1st]

Ponting has a known weakness early by going to far forward and it leads to a few nicks and some LBW. As the commentators say though, once he gets going he is hard to get out. Although now it is slightly easier since he doesn't have full control over his pull and he can get out to the spinners still. Plus he doesn't mind the odd run out or two.

If North at least isn't dropped as most people want. Those idiot selectors would have conclusively proven they are incompetent.

Hes a definite starter for the Ashes after his 100, no point even suggesting he will be dropped now.

As for the 4 man attack, as Sifter has pointed out, we would need one of the batsmen to do some spinning. That looks to be North now that hes a definite.

 

[War]

Hes a definite starter for the Ashes after his 100, no point even suggesting he will be dropped now.

As for the 4 man attack, as Sifter has pointed out, we would need one of the batsmen to do some spinning. That looks to be North now that hes a definite.

That FC hundred means nothing really. We have had a good look @ North in tests for the past 18 months & its pretty clear what he is all about. Which is very inconsistent batsman that is the opitimy of all of AUS batting collapses, retaining him just makes the middle-order weaker.

AUS would have a excuse if the batting depth wasn't available & no choice was left but to retain him. But thats obviously is not the case & since better players like Hughes, Khawaja & Ferguson are around.

Thats what made AUS the best team in the world between 95-2006/07. Batsman had to sweat it out in shield cricket & when the got the chance in tests, they needed to hold onto by showing a strong level on consistency or else lose a place. Retaining North would go againts this logic totally.

Plus no AUS dont need a batsman to do some spinning in a 4-man pace attack, although it could be useful for the obvious potential over-rate issue. But i'd back the AUS 4-man pacee attack of Bollinger/Hilfy/Johnson/Siddle ATS once they bowl to potential to own ENGs batting line-up more often than not in the Ashes, thus such a problem with the overates due to ENG posting alot of big totals may not be an major issue IMO.

 

[aussie1st]

That FC hundred means nothing really. We have had a good look @ North in tests for the past 18 months & its pretty clear what he is all about. Which is very inconsistent batsman that is the opitimy of all of AUS batting collapses, retaining him just makes the middle-order weaker.

To the selectors it will and they are the ones that matter.

Plus no AUS dont need a batsman to do some spinning in a 4-man pace attack, although it could be useful for the obvious potential over-rate issue. But i'd back the AUS 4-man pacee attack of Bollinger/Hilfy/Johnson/Siddle ATS once they bowl to potential to own ENGs batting line-up more often than not in the Ashes, thus such a problem with the overates due to ENG posting alot of big totals may not be an major issue IMO.

It's always handy having that spinner option in the side when you go the 4 man attack. Just see the last Ashes test, 5 wickets to North while our seamers were struggling.

 

[sifter132]

^Particularly when the other options: Clarke and Katich, are unreliable with their ailments.

The thing that FC runs do is instill confidence. North's got 3 things going for him:
1) recent runs: 100 for WA, 100 in India, 90-odd in Ryobi Cup
2) did well in 2009 v Eng
3) can offer some spin as a 5th bowler. Probably wouldn't be needed too much at Brisbane if the pitch in the Test is like yesterdays though...

Hussey has NONE of those things going for him AND he's over 35 now. His confidence is shot, and I think one of the only reasons he's still around is that he's been under the radar with the constant complaining of fans about North. That and he's a senior player. But senior players need to be shoved sooner or later.

My gabba team has 4 quicks, and no Hussey. Usman or Ferguson to replace.

 

[War]

To the selectors it will and they are the ones that matter.

Unfortunately yes. But of course that doesn't mean they will be right. Pretty much all of us & every other AUS fan would say North should be dropped.

It's always handy having that spinner option in the side when you go the 4 man attack. Just see the last Ashes test, 5 wickets to North while our seamers were struggling.

Well yes. But thats a risk i'd be willing to take. Since i reckon more often than not once the 4-man pace attack constantly play together & bowl to potential such a scenario which occured @ Oval 09 wont happen. You would see more Headingley 09 & in SA 09 performances.

War added 2 Minutes and 9 Seconds later...

^Particularly when the other options: Clarke and Katich, are unreliable with their ailments.

The thing that FC runs do is instill confidence. North's got 3 things going for him:
1) recent runs: 100 for WA, 100 in India, 90-odd in Ryobi Cup
2) did well in 2009 v Eng
3) can offer some spin as a 5th bowler. Probably wouldn't be needed too much at Brisbane if the pitch in the Test is like yesterdays though...

Hussey has NONE of those things going for him AND he's over 35 now. His confidence is shot, and I think one of the only reasons he's still around is that he's been under the radar with the constant complaining of fans about North. That and he's a senior player. But senior players need to be shoved sooner or later.

My gabba team has 4 quicks, and no Hussey. Usman or Ferguson to replace.

Ye ATS i'm dropping both Hussey & North as well. I was willing to let Huss start the Ashes, but he is beginning to worry me now. So my team for the 1st test:

Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Katich
Khawaja/Ferguson
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Hilfy
Bollinger

 

[sifter132]

I'd be worried about Katich v Swann with that lineup. Last Ashes Swann got Kato playing for turn 2-3 times when it was an arm ball for a couple of LBWs and maybe a batpad too. And Kato certainly wasn't scoring freely either, he got bogged down against Swann from memory. So there could be trouble there. That was with Katich opening, where he should have had his eye in before facing Swann - and it was with a good thumb too

And Hughes needs to make some runs to get into my XI. Kids got talent yes, but he needs some confidence and runs to be ready to make the most of any chances he gets IMHO. Last time he got past 50 was against NZ in March - that's a while. He hasn't played many innings since then, but it's at least 5, maybe 10 and that's probably enough failures for his confidence to have dipped a bit.
*OK, just looked it up. He played 6 county innings and 2 40 over innings in England in Aug & Sep, HS of 38. And he's played 2 Ryobi innings and 1 Shield innings this summer, HS of 16. So 11 innings without a 50.

 

[angryangy]

The way a lot of modern tours are structured, being a backup batsman is a hindrance to selection as much as it is a boon. Hughes was certainly robbed of a game by touring India.

 

[Varun]

I can't see the Aussie squad on cricinfo. Has it been selected yet?

 

[War]

I'd be worried about Katich v Swann with that lineup. Last Ashes Swann got Kato playing for turn 2-3 times when it was an arm ball for a couple of LBWs and maybe a batpad too. And Kato certainly wasn't scoring freely either, he got bogged down against Swann from memory. So there could be trouble there. That was with Katich opening, where he should have had his eye in before facing Swann - and it was with a good thumb too

And Hughes needs to make some runs to get into my XI. Kids got talent yes, but he needs some confidence and runs to be ready to make the most of any chances he gets IMHO. Last time he got past 50 was against NZ in March - that's a while. He hasn't played many innings since then, but it's at least 5, maybe 10 and that's probably enough failures for his confidence to have dipped a bit.
*OK, just looked it up. He played 6 county innings and 2 40 over innings in England in Aug & Sep, HS of 38. And he's played 2 Ryobi innings and 1 Shield innings this summer, HS of 16. So 11 innings without a 50.

Yea true about Katman. But as we know with his thumb well as shown by his performances againts quality spin in his career, he is one of AUS best batsmen againts such bowling. So i'd back him to find a way to counter Swann. But of course it may still end up being a very close contest between them.

On Hughes. ATS i dont think think he needs to prove & score that heavily like a Ferguson, Khawaja, North, Hussey domestically before he gets a recall TBH. He has already proven himself on the international stage in general & wasn't out of form when he last played. So for me i'd back him to step it up when he puts on the baggygreen again if hopefully picked for the 1st test.