Cricket

[tigers#7]

Re: Cricket

Not long to go now!!! ;D My starting eleven in batting order.

1) Langer
2) Hayden
3) Ponting
4) Clarke
5) Watson
6) Symonds
7) Hussey
8) Gilchrist
9) Lee
10) Warne
11) McGrath
12th man: Jaques

Gilly at number 8, what a batting line-up! Also 3 genuine seamers with Simmo part time and 2 spinners.

 

[poppa x]

Re: Cricket

Not long to go now!!!  ;D My starting eleven in batting order.

1) Langer
2) Hayden
3) Ponting
4) Clarke
5) Watson
6) Symonds
7) Hussey
8) Gilchrist
9) Lee
10) Warne
11) McGrath
12th man: Jaques

Gilly at number 8, what a batting line-up! Also 3 genuine seamers with Simmo part time and 2 spinners.

I see when you're coming from but I think the wise men will select more than 3 front line bowlers.  Although we probably only need 2 to beat the poms.

 

[tannerztigers]

Re: Cricket

I thought the Ashes at the G was sold out, I couldn't find any tickets on the net, but I rang ticketmaster this morning and managed to buy the general admittance tickets I wanted.  Apparently they have quite a lot of tickets still for sale.

I dont know about the general public but they just released 2000 more tickets to days 1,2 and maybe approx 4,000 left for 3,4 for the ACF (australian cricket family) Days 1 and 2 will be a sellout 98,000+ and day 3 should get 90000+ and day 4 should get 80000+

 

[skybeau]

Re: Cricket

Seeing its the cool thing to do...here's my ill-informed, probably-totally-wrong-but-who-cares idea of the team for next Thursday...

IMO, 9 spots are settled. Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Martyn, Hussey, Gilchrist, Warne, Lee, McGrath. The only wobble in there is Langer, with Jacques potentially ready to jump in. Martyn has a faint question mark, but Langer is the one who should be the most worried out of that bunch.

Now, two spots, 6 players. Symonds/Watson & Tait/Bracken/Clarke/Johnson.

Johnson won't play. Clarke has a faint hope, but should only play if Symonds is chosen. Clarke is McGrath's replacement, he's not needed while McGrath is still tossing them down. I would play Tait if Watson plays and Bracken if Symonds plays. Tait & Lee are our impact players, the wicket at all costs bowlers, bash the crap outta the batsman bowlers. I don't rate Watson as a wicket-taker just yet, so if he plays, he should join McGrath in the miserly role. If Watson plays, then Tait balances him. If Symonds plays, we can't have two out of three fast bowlers being aggressive styled, because if they get slapped, we're up the spout. And hence I'd choose Bracken over Clarke, just for that extra variety and direction that could be a factor.

My personal decision...I'd go for Watson & Tait.

Is 5 recognised bowlers (with Martyn's part-timers a distant possibility) enough, do you reckon? Or would we give Martyn the boot and go for a Michael Clarke? (silly question that one, of course we're gonna boot Martyn... )

 

[Bunnerz]

Re: Cricket

remember, england have the ASHES!!!

and are nice odds to keep em

 

[Scoop]

Re: Cricket

Marcus T sent home after his depression flared up.

No chance of playing in the first test, not sure about the rest of the tour.

Massive loss.

 

[mk33]

Re: Cricket

Good to see Hodge make 153 in front of the national captain, probably needs another 5 in a row to be considered again.

Martyn/Watson will be picked probably with Clark and Johnson fighting for last spot. I think they will try and envoke memories of Bruce Reid and play Johnson. Bracken is not feared and Tait is close but needs more bowling in him after injuries last 12 mths.

Personally I would like Jacques to play as he most in form bat in country either open or no 4 (if he opens I would like Clarke at 4), we are badly in need of youth and fresh enthuasiasm and need to play in form players.

Symonds should never be allowed ever again near a test arena.

 

[marella jube]

Re: Cricket

Don't think Trescothick will take any further part in this tour. Very sad & wish him well but imagine his international cricket future could be under question...A big blow for the tourists though the mooted replacement , Keys , is a good player but would be sorely lacking match fitness & unlikely to be considered for the Gabba. Cook to open with Strauss & Collingwood in the middle order.

Locals - Think most,if not all of the incumbents,will be given the 1st 2 tests,at least,to restate their credentials. Martyn must feel secure given his recent public statements,so can't see a place for M Clarke or Hodge.Seem desperate for a 'Flintoff type' so Watson to play & bat #6 after Hussey. As well as Johnson has started the season I'd have him behind Tait & S Clark for the 3rd fast bowler.Clark has done nothing wrong but Tait offers shock value re raw pace.Question is can we afford to carry him & Lee if they prove to be expensive,particularly as McGrath has not had much 4-5 day game time lately. Like to see Tait play 1st up but think at this stage,Clark may get the nod,though Tait has the tour match on the weekend to help change that thinking . M Clarke 12th man. Can't see a spot for Jacques unless the openers fail repeatedly. Series could be over by that time (before Melb + Sydney tests) .

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Cricket

Don't think Trescothick will take any further part in this tour. Very sad & wish him well but imagine his international cricket future could be under question...A big blow for the tourists though the mooted replacement , Keys , is a good player but would be sorely lacking match fitness & unlikely to be considered for the Gabba. Cook to open with Strauss & Collingwood in the middle order.

On top of the loses of Vaughn & Jones, there is now little doubt this English side is weaker than in England but I still don't think it will be any walk in the park.

Personally I don't rate Watson as a bowler much at all.
The quest for a "Flintoff" type has lead to a lot of time invested in this guy and the hype surrounding him doesn't match the output. He's a shadow of the bowler Flintoff is and who knows if he's as good a batsman at Test level.
The Pommie bats play Watson's type in England all the time. They will dine out on him from breakfast through to dinner.
Symonds also offers that pedestrian medium pace but also has the ability to bowl offspinners if required.
I'm not a big fan but if we are to persevere with an allrounder(I'd prefer we didn't) then "Roy" is my preferred option.

 

[Ready]

Re: Cricket

I'm not so sure Robert Key will now walk into the side.

England could look something like:

Cook
Strauss
Bell
Collingwood
Pietersen
Flintoff
Shah
GO Jones
Hoggard
Harmison
Panesar

Alternatively if an extra quick is called for, omit Shah, bump the 'keeper up one and play Anderson or Mahmood. Still not a bad side on paper.

 

[mb64]

Re: Cricket

Marcus T sent home after his depression flared up.

No chance of playing in the first test, not sure about the rest of the tour.

Massive loss.

Think its safe to say we won't see him for the rest of the tour.Big loss for the poms.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Cricket

1st Test squad of 13 named:

Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Damien Martyn, Mike Hussey, Shane Watson, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath.

Notable omissions Bracken, Gillespie, Symonds, Clarke, Jacques & McGill

Batting lineup looks settled & Watson will get a gig. Will just come down to a decision of the quicks.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Cricket

After the Poms jumping around like little girls against Tait last week, we are trying to terrify the Poms. Watch Freddie Flintoff compulsively hook his way out this summer.

 

[SfB_AkA._DeLiCiOuS]

Re: Cricket

I would like to see Watson, Johnson & Tait in the 11, but it won't happen.

 

[mb64]

Re: Cricket

1st Test squad of 13 named:

Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Damien Martyn, Mike Hussey, Shane Watson, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath.

Notable omissions Bracken, Gillespie, Symonds, Clarke, Jacques & McGill

Batting lineup looks settled & Watson will get a gig. Will just come down to a decision of the quicks.

Watson I believe will be found wanting in the batting dept but his bowling maybe okay,still to be convinced he is a test player.Jaques stiff,Langer should have been dumped,how many times does he need to be hot on the helmet.I reckon Tait will miss out with 12th man duties between Clark & Johnson.

 

[FightingFury]

Re: Cricket

Agree Mal Brown 64, Watson a better bowler but inferior batsman to Clarke.

Would have like to have seen Jacques,but never one minute expected it.
I'd like to see Tait have a go,but reckon Clark should be rewarded for good Saffa tour.
Not convinced about Johnson just yet.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Re: Cricket

Watson I believe will be found wanting in the batting dept but his bowling maybe okay

It's funny because I would have thought the opposite.

Will the neverending pursuit of an allrounder cause us to come unstuck?
Time will tell..

 

[marella jube]

Re: Cricket

We've backed ourselves into a corner with Watson.Flintoff is such a 'revelation' because,on performance,he's clearly one his team's top 2 (if not their best) bowlers as well as top 6 batsmen.Can't say the same (yet) of Watson with Clarke,Jacques,Hodge,amongst others,ahead of him with the bat & Lee,Tait,Clark,McGrath,Johnson etc,better with the ball.

Warne & Lee more value as 'bowling' allrounders (Even S Clark averaging 20+ this Shield season to date).M Clarke offers better batting balance + variety with the ball. Appears though that Watson has been earmarked to play the whole series with a pace bowler likely to make way for a spinner (MacGill) in later tests . His bowling then is the key & he needs wickets to justify selectors faith.Will he get enough work as one of 5 bowlers at the Gabba ? Symonds as 1st change last Summer had me cringing.I fear the same with Watson.

 

[FightingFury]

Re: Cricket

Good shout Marella, I was suprised to read that Watsons bowling average was about 70 and batting average was around 20.......I know he's just beginning his career,but not inspiring figures ATM.

 

[marella jube]

Re: Cricket

Still young & had a great season or 2 a few years ago with Tasmania but a succession of injuries have really stalled his development.

Happy to see him prove me & others doubters wrong but worry the weight of expectation,particularly in such an important series,may be too inhibiting . Team really needs to be firing in the 1st couple of tests to help give Watson the freedom & confidence to perform....Then again,it could be the 'making of him'....Looking forward to next Friday.