The Ashes 2013/14

[Broncoman]

This Australian team is a very good one but I still think the opening partnership needs some work. The opening partnership of Rogers/Warner is getting better but I'm still a bit nervous when they come out to bat. Warner can still get himself out taking things to seriously and Rogers can take a while to get himself set.

 

[Socnorb]

There are only two teams better than the Poms right now and we know that India tend to struggle in the Australian conditions, I very much doubt they could have wiped the floor against an Australian team that boasts Johnson in the form he's in.

There are concerns at the top, but I'd argue that right now is the worst time to do it. What kind of message are you sending the team? Gee, thanks for the winning the holy grail in Test cricket and now it's time to listen to the cuts.

Watson. Cut
G. Bailey Ohhh you better believe you're cut.
Smith I don't like you because you're from NSW, so you're cut too.

Alright team, now please make welcome a bunch of players who have been slightly tapping on the door this season! Hundreds? Who needs 'em when they're from Queensland!

If a player gets injured, by all means but let the Australians enjoy their success and consider changes in South Africa.

If it was any ol' Test series, I'm sure blooding a player or two in the dead rubber would seem appropriate, but this is the Ashes. Let the Aussies savour the moment.

Fair point. And I do like "slightly tapping on the door". I don't think this English side is a shadow of the side that toured here last. If there was one bowlers who could take advantage of a wobbly top order and if a couple of catches had been held it would be a very different series. Yes I know , there wasn't , and they didn't. If there was one more rock in the Aus batting I would feel more comfortable.
i would say we'll be without Watson and Harris for Sydney. Will be interesting to see how they're replaced. Personally now the series is won they should think of the future. Bailey will be safe for another test, but there should be pressure. My picks Doolan / Hughes. Faulkner / Bollinger

 

[Sproj]

I'd still go Lynn/NCN. Not against Faulkner by any means, in fact maybe even put Haddin at six and play Faulkner at 7 and NCN at 9.

 

[1910]

He had more than one injury. Who else do you recommend by the way? Because if you are suggestin Doolan, his record is not as good as Lynn. Aside from Hughes (who I'd have in the test side already anyway but as an opener), no one young has as good a record as Lynn. Maddinson and Silk would be close as is Cosgrove but he won't get selected. So who do you suggest?

His rubbish finish to the season before cost him his spot at the start of last season- his club form was also poor. Not injury. He was in the one day team and the Heat side through the year. He got hit by Bollinger in November and came back but never got picked for the Shield side.

Why does the side need changes? Why change with someone not doing better?

 

[Socnorb]

Just thought Faulkner May be better suited to a slow SCG. Plus NCN should be severely punished for taking the pietersen catch over the boundary in the first innings.;)

 

[Bull Shark]

When will the world end??

Translation ?

 

[Big Pete]

Yeah Beads, cluck for Chicken Little. :laugh:

 

[Socnorb]

:behindsofa:Have to admit could not watch or listen to the last 8 overs today . So glad to see none for 30. 200 still a tricky chase. Aus has a terrible record chasing

 

[Broncoman]

We have 2 full days of play to do it so time is no issue whatsoever te game will undoubtedly be decided tomorrow.

If I was boof I would instruct the guys to do it simply and safely. Defend the good balls and attack whenever you get the chance to. As socnorb said above our record chasing totals isn't that great. At the last Test of the 1997 series we were only set 123 to win yet were bowled out for 104.

 

[Sproj]

His rubbish finish to the season before cost him his spot at the start of last season- his club form was also poor. Not injury. He was in the one day team and the Heat side through the year. He got hit by Bollinger in November and came back but never got picked for the Shield side.

Why does the side need changes? Why change with someone not doing better?

We're talking changes because of injury, I thought that was fairly clear.

 

[Sproj]

We have 2 full days of play to do it so time is no issue whatsoever te game will undoubtedly be decided tomorrow.

If I was boof I would instruct the guys to do it simply and safely. Defend the good balls and attack whenever you get the chance to. As socnorb said above our record chasing totals isn't that great. At the last Test of the 1997 series we were only set 123 to win yet were bowled out for 104.

I see your point but the aggressive manner they played last night is the way to go. Players who have tried to be watchful have gotten out cheaply. Look at the way Haddin played the first innings and Cook in the second, they made runs. England are only effective when batsmen let themselves be strangled.

 

[Browny]

Plus we didn't look for singles enough

 

[Socnorb]

Haddin is in a class of his own in the "runs that matter"category.

 

[jarro65]

Going to be an interesting run chase for us today.

I'm pretty confident we can do it, but am still a little nervous all the same.

 

[Sproj]

Well we give away our first wicket. :(

 

[broncos4life]

**** you Warner.

Seriously, sometimes you think he has figured it out and is going to maximize his potential. Then he does something like this, swinging at a ball that didn't need to be hit and you realise he is still a very immature cricketer in terms of test cricket

 

[Socnorb]

Well done Buck. Invaluable experience, just what's required in this situation.

 

[Bucking Beads]

That T20 game Warner played seems to have muddled his mind. Rogers doing very well