The Ashes 2010-2011

[Bucking Beads]

Hughes averages 50 in test cricket. It was moronic to drop him when Hussey had been under performing for 2 years. Hodges time is long gone but he had been knocking for years. Dussey always seems to make runs in Shield, I can't stand him... I'd happily have Steve Smith at 6 and Khawaja at 5 ahead of North and Hussey. The Selectors are taking Australian cricket down further that what the talent should be.

 

[Bannermania]

gimme Ferguson any day of the week.

 

[Big Pete]

The problem is if you persist with Hughes who was beginning to get exposed in the Test arena, you run the risk of losing a long term option.

Khawaja is a victim of Australia's poor preparation. He should've been in the team that played against the West Indies back last year but Australia continued to delude themselves by giving essentially the same squad from the Ashes series another chance to redeem themselves against minnows...

 

[Bucking Beads]

The problem is if you persist with Hughes who was beginning to get exposed in the Test arena, you run the risk of losing a long term option.

Khawaja is a victim of Australia's poor preparation. He should've been in the team that played against the West Indies back last year but Australia continued to delude themselves by giving essentially the same squad from the Ashes series another chance to redeem themselves against minnows...

What Hughes had 2 bad tests... He should have been given the Series at the very least. Imagine how much better balanced our side would be with Watson in the middle order with Hughes and Katich opening. Khawaja will get a run this summer IMO.

 

[Big Pete]

Hughes' faults were easily picked up though...give him time to work on his game in the domestic comp. and he'll be back.

I'm not entirely convinced Watson is an opener yet either...doesn't have the patience for mine.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Hughes' faults were easily picked up though...give him time to work on his game in the domestic comp. and he'll be back.

I'm not entirely convinced Watson is an opener yet either...doesn't have the patience for mine.

I'd much prefer to see Hughes learning on the job in tests rather than watch Hussey fail constantly. Watson would just be better down the order, he has been great at opener though.

 

[Big Pete]

My only problem with Watson is that he seems to give his wicket up too cheaply...he'll usually play atleast two or three really stupid shots or find away to get himself lbw'd.

Fair enough on Hughes, I don't agree but it just comes down to preferences. I'd rather see Khawaja in for Hussey than Hughes.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Siddle will play, FARK me... Bollinger has been told he won't be playing in the first test at the Gabba. The selectors are a joke. Anyone would be better than Siddle.

 

[ethos]

Siddle will play, FARK me... Bollinger has been told he won't be playing in the first test at the Gabba. The selectors are a joke. Anyone would be better than Siddle.

Such bullsh*t.

Bollinger's spot in the side should be set in stone. He's the best pace bowler in the country and is in the world ODI and Test top 10. And they've left him out, ridiculous.

 

[The Brizz]

Siddle will play, FARK me... Bollinger has been told he won't be playing in the first test at the Gabba. The selectors are a joke. Anyone would be better than Siddle.

Such bullsh*t.

Bollinger's spot in the side should be set in stone. He's the best pace bowler in the country and is in the world ODI and Test top 10. And they've left him out, ridiculous.

This again shows why Ricky Ponting is an appalling captain, because we all know it was his clout that got this selection over the line. Bollinger should be f#cking filthy with him!

 

[Major JW Hochstetter]

This is easily one of the biggest showings of favouritism I have ever seen in Australian Cricket.

The man love for Siddle shown by the captain (I bet he's had a MASSIVE say in this one) and the selectors is disgusting. He's done precisely zero to earn selection in the squad, and yet the selectors have clearly been looking for any excuse they can to include him in the final XI - like our best bowler apparently being 'underdone'. What a load of horse turd, this is the Ashes FFS.

For Australia's sake I hope Siddle contributes well, but this just confirms the complete ineptness of the selection panel and the justification of our current standing in Test Cricket.

 

[m1c]

Eh, I'm happy for Ponting to make retarded last calls on Siddle and Doherty if it means we will no longer have to put up with his captaincy if/when Aus lose the Ashes.

Hauritz was one of the biggest selection blunders in recent memory.

 

[Coxy]

Let's see.

Bollinger, 29 years old, 11 Tests, 49 wickets @ 23.79 with 2 5 wicket hauls
Siddle, 26 years old, 17 tests, 60 wickets @ 31.53 with 2 5 wicket hauls

So...6 extra tests for 11 extra wickets...
What a joke.

 

[Bannermania]

I am disapoint.

 

[Major JW Hochstetter]

So this is what the selectors consider to be our best attack for the most important series Australia plays in:

Hilfenhaus
Siddle
Johnson
Doherty

I am seriously lost for words. That's the best they can come up with. And to make matters worse, in their mighty wisdom they choose to overlook by far our best quick over the last 12 months for a bloke who's our worst quick and has barely played in the last 12 months.

I hope we tear the Poms a new one, but really, Strauss may as well start doing the sprinkler dance at the toss.

 

[m1c]

So apparently they are going for match fitness. They drop Bollinger (who is just returning from a short term injury) and are instead going to pick Siddle (who is just returning from a long term injury). [icon_shru

 

[Major JW Hochstetter]

Also interesting to note that apart from Doherty, this is the same XI that lost the last Ashes, and collectively have been shithouse ever since.

Consequences, etc :roll:

In that sense, it's clear that Australia is nothing more than a park Cricket club, rather than a national team.

 

[m1c]

Also interesting to note that apart from Doherty, this is the same XI that lost the last Ashes, and collectively have been shithouse ever since.

Consequences, etc :roll:

In that sense, it's clear that Australia is nothing more than a park Cricket club, rather than a national team.

In fairness no batsmen have demanded inclusion in the top team, whilst the bowling has improved to be world class.

I'm more than happy to continue with class players who have done job for years until some stakes their claim domestically. Smith is a bit player, Hughes never went on with it after he was dropped, whilst selectors justifiably want Khawaja and Fergeson to hammer out one more good year at state level to prove they are up to the task.

IMO the only real error selectors have made - before dumping Hauritz - was choosing North over Hodge. That's all well and good if it was merit based, however it unfortunately came down to who would best allow the team to carry a woefully out of sorts Johnson. Hodge is by far and away the best bat running around in the domestic comp and I can't blame him for giving the big F-U to selectors by retiring from 4 day cricket.

Hauritz with an average of <35 is world class. Warne and Murali created an illusion that quality spinners average in the mid 20s. Good spinners these days average under 35. Take out Watson, and Haurrie was Australia's player of the summer last year, whilst his failure in India is more norm than exception. What will happen if Doherty fails, back to Hauritz? Bollinger and Hilfy are quality and so is Mitch on his day.

The depth just isn't there.