Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Players => Topic started by: langer17 on December 29, 2012, 07:35:19 AM
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This day has gone from bad to worse. First a true icon of the game passes away and now Mr Cricket has announced that the next test at the SCG will be his last. Have been a massive fan of Hussey's ever since he started and it will be a hard to find a replacement that can match his level.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/598950.html
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mike-hussey-to-retire-from-international-cricket-at-the-end-of-the-summer/story-e6frf7jo-1226545039045
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WAIT WHAT!!!!!!?
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Cantbelieve it was looking forward to seeing him in the ashes.
Even more pressure on Clarke now as middle order vulnerable?
Maybe should have gone earlier to blood. Players before ashes or stayed for ashes?
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Wow, more big news from Oz. I too thought he would play the Ashes. That's a big boost for England...
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I am staggered he has retired now. he is still scoring runs, the Aussies will be weaker without him next summer!
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I am staggered he has retired now. he is still scoring runs, the Aussies will be weaker without him next summer!
Will make our ashes victory against you guys that much sweeter ;) ;) :D
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This came as a massive surprise!! He is still in very good form and it seemed like he would just keep going on.
Sad to see him go as he is one of my favourite players.
He has done a great job for Australia in the years that he has played. Great career.
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An abrupt news, he was treat to watch and affectively "Mr Cricket," a man who wholly deserved this name.
He will be missed.
Hats off to him as he bowed out on high note which is scarce these days.
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Pity he didn't get his break earlier in his career.. He would be up there with the leading runs scores in the game
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Wow amazing decision for me, Johnson to bat at 6? Haha brilliant.
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Wow, I had to check when I read this that I had not somehow fallen asleep for a very long time and woken on April 1st....could have sort of understood if he had gone during that slump in form two years back, but he has looked absolutely excellent all year!
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Clarke will feel a very lonely guy at 5 now, maybe he should bat 3/4/5 and 6 that's the only way around it I think.
Replacements?
Ferguson?
Quiney?
Watson at 6?
Doolan?
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I would say Usman Khawaja should be accommodated in the side now..
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Thats whatmakes this decision even more strange - Hussey has been succeeding in a side filled with mediocre players (Clarke apart) and with almost no ccredible competition for his place...
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I see this is similar to Sachin. Sachin seems to be criticised for carrying on way past his best. Perhaps Hussey feels that he is starting his decline and wants to go out at the top of his game. He may feel that his performances will not be at his high standard for much longer.
The fact the mediocrity of the lads filling his spot should not affect his decision.
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The fact the mediocrity of the lads filling his spot should not affect his decision.
Spot on mate
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The Ashes will be a walk over for England now.
Hussey is a truly amazing cricketer.
Will go out well and truly on top of his game.
The bowlers will bowl Oz into winning positions, but the batting without Hussey....oh the horror!
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I wonder if he's fallen out with somebody?
Doesn't seem like the right time just yet - I wonder if he has been influenced by punter leaving the set-up
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Who knows - may be that he is just tired of the treadmill even?
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Wow massive surprise. One of my all time favorite players, shame he didn't get a chance earlier after amassing thousands of first class runs. Definately won't be the same without Huss and punter playing for oz anymore...
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Thats whatmakes this decision even more strange - Hussey has been succeeding in a side filled with mediocre players (Clarke apart) and with almost no ccredible competition for his place...
Hussey has put family first over cricket. The reason that there are no credible candidates for Hussey spot is that talent is very thin on the ground in Aus, reason being is that the AFL (Australian Football League) is taking most of the very good cricketers as there are simply more opportunities playing AFL compared with cricket really sad but true and it will only get worse.So good news for the English and on top of that junior numbers here in Aus have dropped by a third as parents turn their back on the game.
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Wierd how cricket seems to be declining in Australia - for so long it seemed to be almost a rite of passage for youngsters there. Any sensible suggestions as to why this is?
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http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-sri-lanka-2012/content/current/story/598849.html
And this is where one writer thinks Australia are up to...
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Wierd how cricket seems to be declining in Australia - for so long it seemed to be almost a rite of passage for youngsters there. Any sensible suggestions as to why this is?
Parents hate it as it takes so much time out of their weekends for their kids to play where AFL is done in 90min and the admin of cricket are useless and if you talk to any top up and coming kids who can play both games hands down they will choose AFL as the AFL has 600 contracts where cricket has 24 contracts all at the same money. My Son is in this boat and he will choose AFL without doubt. It simply comes down to the limited opportunities and poor admin of cricket. I feel they turn more players over to give more opportunities as they mindful of the poor numbers coming through the system. A decade or so ago lads all played footy and cricket as almost a right of passage now they must choose at 18 thats if they are any good which 9 times out of 10 cricket looses to the AFL.
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Parents hate it as it takes so much time out of their weekends for their kids to play where AFL is done in 90min and the admin of cricket are useless and if you talk to any top up and coming kids who can play both games hands down they will choose AFL as the AFL has 600 contracts where cricket has 24 contracts all at the same money. My Son is in this boat and he will choose AFL without doubt. It simply comes down to the limited opportunities and poor admin of cricket. I feel they turn more players over to give more opportunities as they mindful of the poor numbers coming through the system. A decade or so ago lads all played footy and cricket as almost a right of passage now they must choose at 18 thats if they are any good which 9 times out of 10 cricket looses to the AFL.
I think it's fair to say you are judging one state... Victoria.. The home of AFL... Not many juniors play AFL at all here in NSW.. All cricket and Rugby League here.
In my area there is one AFL club that I know of.. There are 100's of rugby league clubs and just as many cricket clubs
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Interesting that League is the dominant code in Autralia rather than Union. Again, any ideas as to why?
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I think it's fair to say you are judging one state... Victoria.. The home of AFL... Not many juniors play AFL at all here in NSW.. All cricket and Rugby League here
Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Southern NSW
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Interesting that League is the dominant code in Autralia rather than Union. Again, any ideas as to why?
Better game lol
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Better game lol
If you live in the western suburbs of Syd its league if you are educated and from a public school its union all the way
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Better game lol
except it isn't. And I say that as a proud Yorkshireman from the Home of the sport....
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Numbers have been hit hard in 4 states in Australia due to AFL and no doubt that in QLD and NSW due to rugby or which ever code junior numbers are being hit and hit hard.
There are so many options now for talented kids
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except it isn't. And I say that as a proud Yorkshireman from the Home of the sport....
To watch union here if it isn't international level then it is a very ordinary game to watch
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There are so many options now for talented kids
To be fair, its the same here - kids are also pressured to choose a direction very early in the piece.
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Numbers have been hit hard in 4 states in Australia due to AFL and no doubt that in QLD and NSW due to rugby or which ever code junior numbers are being hit and hit hard.
There are so many options now for talented kids
I think you are wrong in my opinion John.. Just my opinion of course.
The game isn't just for talented kids looking for a career.. Never has been.. If numbers have in fact declined I would say it is due to the bad run by the Australian cricket team over the last few years... Watch the numbers grow when Australia are back on top again... Whenever that may be
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I imaging the chance to play EPL would drive kids away from cricket.
Cricket needs to create more opportunities for young kids as the game will end up being second rate. Australia is finding this out the hard way as they will get an old fashioned hiding again in Eng this year and if there not careful again in Aus at the end of 2013
The current Aus team is simply awful!!
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cricket is only going down hill on Ausralia I live in the north shore of NSW and here AFL is on the rise as well as Union, cricket is more of a time filler for many juniors. And its worse in all other states.
Atleast we have a strong Grade Cricket Structure.
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I think you are wrong in my opinion John.. Just my opinion of course.
The game isn't just for talented kids looking for a career.. Never has been.. If numbers have in fact declined I would say it is due to the bad run by the Australian cricket team over the last few years... Watch the numbers grow when Australia are back on top again... Whenever that may be
I am talking about the elite end not the kids who have a hit and giggle which is great. At CA they know they are being hit hard by the like of the afl and that has come from James Sutherland hence the creation of the Big Bash which has opened the door for more opportunities.
The AFL has 600 contracts available similar in the NRL at an average of 300,000 per year.
You can earn $2000 a game playing country football.
CA offer 21 yearly contracts. Why play cricket!!
If you play grade cricket only 4 players that can be payed the rest do it for free.
If you can play both games what do you choose, not cricket and that is happening right around the country thats why we are so (No Swearing Please). Sport today is professional and cricket needs to follow other codes or it will die a natural death and that needs to be the three tiers of cricket in Aus which is International, state, and grade cricket
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cricket is only going down hill on Ausralia I live in the north shore of NSW and here AFL is on the rise as well as Union, cricket is more of a time filler for many juniors. And its worse in all other states.
Atleast we have a strong Grade Cricket Structure.
You are so right its not a serious sport anymore. Grade cricket here has been hit hard in Vic by the AFL as standard is awful!!
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Interesting that League is the dominant code in Autralia rather than Union. Again, any ideas as to why?
Perhaps it is a recent thing - Phil Vickery and Andy Sheridan annihilated the Australian front row in 2007, maybe after that they didn't fancy proper scrums ;)
Can't believe this news about Hussey, the England boys must feel like having a party. All we need now is for Michael Clarke to be abducted and 5-0 here we come :D
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Interesting that League is the dominant code in Autralia rather than Union. Again, any ideas as to why?
AFL (Aussie Rules) is the dominant code in Australia.
Crowd numbers go: AFL (out ahead by a country mile), League, Soccer then Union (the last three could be chopped an changed, but AFL is miles ahead)
By Participation it is: Soccer, AFL, League then Union.
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AFL (Aussie Rules) is the dominant code in Australia.
Crowd numbers go: AFL (out ahead by a country mile), League, Soccer then Union (the last three could be chopped an changed, but AFL is miles ahead)
By Participation it is: Soccer, AFL, League then Union.
Agree
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To watch union here if it isn't international level then it is a very ordinary game to watch
Surely you don't include super rugby in that? That is a very high standard of club rugby
Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either
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Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either
I don't want to be inflammatory but this does perhaps tap into that Australian thing that they sook when they're not winning... ;)
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Surely you don't include super rugby in that? That is a very high standard of club rugby
Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either
Super Rugby excluded... I wouldn't really call that club rugby
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Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either
I think I already alluded to this above
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Surely you don't include super rugby in that? That is a very high standard of club rugby
Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either
Success breeds success which is true here. But Cricket Australia have dropped the ball here, if you dont create the opportunities then you will not attract the best talent most of them are playing AFL.
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I think we are way off topic by the way
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Super Rugby excluded... I wouldn't really call that club rugby
It's a similar set up to the prodirect league, it's certainly not international which was the original statement
To be fair I can remember back in 2003 the participation in Australia was far higher in league then union, or at least that was their excuse ;)
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It's a similar set up to the prodirect league, it's certainly not international which was the original statement
To be fair I can remember back in 2003 the participation in Australia was far higher in league then union, or at least that was their excuse ;)
League has always had a higher participation rate than union probably as union is played by the ruling elite ;) But when you play Aus in rugby be it union or league you are only playing two states NSW and Qld
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I think we are way off topic by the way
Perhaps thats why Huss retired?
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I think we are all agreed that no Hussey = the death of cricket in Australia
Happy days :D
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It's a similar set up to the prodirect league, it's certainly not international which was the original statement
To be fair I can remember back in 2003 the participation in Australia was far higher in league then union, or at least that was their excuse ;)
Quite a lot if international participation though
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Perhaps thats why Huss retired?
I think he probably retired cause he is almost 38 years old and his family need him more than Australian cricket
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I think we are all agreed that no Hussey = the death of cricket in Australia
Happy days :D
Just remains for us to stamp on the hed of the corpse....
...actually, I feel uncomfortable about this. Firstly because I don't like to see once great teams emasculated in this way (anyone remember when the Windies used to be a bit decent?) and secondly because you never know what might happen....
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May have been said already but Australia have also lost one of their best fielders.
I'm not sure there will be anybody as good as Hussey was flying in the air through the gully region.
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It will be interesting to see what pans out over the next 6 to 12 months. Even more interesting to see if Clarke can get any better than he already is... By the end of his career he will go down as the 2nd best batsman the game has ever seen... And the best Captain.
Ok boys now shoot me down.. Haha
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May have been said already but Australia have also lost one of their best fielders.
I'm not sure there will be anybody as good as Hussey was flying in the air through the gully region.
True - and he retained his athleticism late into his career, which is pretty unusual...
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It will be interesting to see what pans out over the next 6 to 12 months. Even more interesting to see if Clarke can get any better than he already is... By the end of his career he will go down as the 2nd bet batsman the game has ever seen... And the best Captain.
Ok boys now shoot me down.. Haha
Tell you what, if he can keep his side winning and build a team that really challenges the top sides then he will deserve some serious plaudits as a captain. As a batsman, for me, the longer he stays at five the less credibility he has claiming to be a genuine great...
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Tell you what, if he can keep his side winning and build a team that really challenges the top sides then he will deserve some serious plaudits as a captain. As a batsman, for me, the longer he stays at five the less credibility he has claiming to be a genuine great...
I admire his captaincy because he plays to win... He declares at the right time so that the opposition think they can still win... And if they are god enough they can... He doesn't get 600 or 700 run leads only for the opposition to block the match to a draw... And he is such a relaxed captain and has improved his batting average since taking over the captaincy
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I don't think he should move from five, for me. his is an exhausting job and the recovery time between fielding and having to strap on the Mums and Dads is important.
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I admire his captaincy because he plays to win... He declares at the right time so that the opposition think they can still win... And if they are god enough they can... He doesn't get 600 or 700 run leads only for the opposition to block the match to a draw... And he is such a relaxed captain and has improved his batting average since taking over the captaincy
I have to say he has impressed me greatly as skipper - he seems to be one of those blokes who takes to teh job quite naturally and is not fazed by it; perhaps the ego that all of those senior Australian players disliked when he was a kid is pandered to by the responsibility. Either way, yes, he plays the game the right way and seems keen to make things happen, which is how I like to see the game played.
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I don't think he should move from five, for me. his is an exhausting job and the recovery time between fielding and having to strap on the Mums and Dads is important.
Sorry mate, don't agree with that; plenty of skippers have opened successfully, which is the extreme example of no recovery time.
Yes, if he was playing in a great line up he could dictate where he bats. But he isn't - Warner, Cowan, Hughes is a potentially fallible top three, Watson should be at six and whoever they bring in (Khawaja?) will need time to get used to Test cricket. He should lead from the front and say "look guys, I'd prefer to bat five but the team needs me to bat higher..."
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What will their ashes team look like now?
Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson
Clarke (c)
Khawaja/Quiney
Wade (wk)
Siddle
Hilfenhaus/Pattinson
Johnson/Cummins/Starc
Lyon
Lots of pace options but lack in the spin department and the guy who replaces Hussey will have large boots to fill.
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A ton of pace options - remember Bird, Hazlewood etc are missing from the above.
But one spinner who doesn't turn the ball and may well be supplanted by Maxwell shortly.
And four out of six batsmen, minimum, with question marks over them...
And thats before India...
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You could argue that Clarke should take responsibility and bat at 4 but he obviously has no confidence in the top order or the players around him. Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting both started their careers batting in the lower middle order and at the right time moved up when they were the senior players and had to lead by example. If at 32 Clarke doesn't do it now he never will. That saying his captaincy is superb when he is ahead of the game but hopefully he will be tested in the back to back Ashes series.
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It came a shock to myself when I read about this! The man has been on form! After reading the article though, I can understand that he has a family to take care of and spend time with. I find it pretty hard to believe he is 37 now, as he started playing for Australia around the time I started cricket! It will be nice to see him retire on a high rather than when his form dips. :)
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Better game lol
No, dumbed down game so that Aussies and Yorkshiremen can understand it!
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The fact that in England the game is pretty much played between clubs from two counties says alot for its following over here, not saying it isn't popular just no where near the exposure of the other form.
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The fact that in England the game is pretty much played between clubs from two counties says alot for its following over here, not saying it isn't popular just no where near the exposure of the other form.
I've always thought of League as a game played by people who don't/can't understand Union - its exciting enough to watch live, but there is no great craft to it.
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Nick Maddinson should be given a crack
But he has not got the stats to back that up.
Has anybody i mean Cowans hardly has high stock.
A shortage i may say they brought back Hughes who i suspect will get found out again when the call climbs on him
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Nick Maddinson should be given a crack
But he has not got the stats to back that up.
Has anybody i mean Cowans hardly has high stock.
A shortage i may say they brought back Hughes who i suspect will get found out again when the call climbs on him
Maybe Doolan in there somewhere
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i know it only runs scored but nobody speaks pick me do they
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=7544;type=tournament
Aye your right about Doolan
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I think currently only Clarke would get into the English side at present playing for Australia
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What has Callum Ferguson done wrong? He looks better than Quiney and more experienced than Khawaja and in form and more importantly he's not injured or carrying a niggle.
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inability to score 100's.
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I think wade is good enough to bat at 6 from what he's done so far, going on the Jackson Bird pick the Aussie selectors will go for form over past glories so Doolan, Khawaja and Ferguson should be in the mix
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There problem is they have no guys in the top 7 who consistanty score 100's in any form of cricket bar Clarke
Just seen Wade has 7 in his career hardly top 6 material
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Could Wade be used as an allrounder and Haddin brought back into the side?
Haddin has 2 centuries and is averaging 67 in shield this year
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Massive shock this. As a West Aussie, he's one of my all time favourite players. And to go when he's arguably in the form of his life? Yeah, didn't see it coming.
As for replacements, Khawaja appears next in line, but I just wonder, with Watson breaking down again, whether they shouldn't use this opportunity to blood a young all rounder like James Faulkner.
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Seems Australia are cluthching at long shots.
It is a shame to see the Aussie at such a low ebb
A good ashes contest is essential to good cricket order.
I'm not saying Australia will not win them but at this moment in time they look a long long way form even competing
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Why not Moises Henriques?
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Why not Moises Henriques?
He'll be busy doing a Queen reunion tour probably....
(http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Moises+Henriques+CLT20+2012+Champions+League+eFsT5oknuHql.jpg)
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr4e0i2Na21qkq0nf.jpg)
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Wow, more big news from Oz. I too thought he would play the Ashes. That's a big boost for England...
His wife had their 4th child earlier this year, and that child was born 3 months prematurely. He has presumably decided that family is more important than cricket.
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His wife had their 4th child earlier this year, and that child was born3 months prematurely. He has presumably decided that family is more important than cricket.
Big call that, eh lads? ;)
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Seems Australia are cluthching at long shots.
It is a shame to see the Aussie at such a low ebb
A good ashes contest is essential to good cricket order.
I'm not saying Australia will not win them but at this moment in time they look a long long way form even competing
You might be right - but whilst Khawaja, Doolan and Ferguson all have average averages, they are not worse than either Tresco or Vaughany who were both chosen to play for England when average in the high 20's (from memory).
Was that "clutching at long shots" - or inspired selection as many around here now proclaim?
I would be giving both Khawaja and Ferguson a crack.
Whilst the AFL has drained Australia of young quality cricketers (Jonathon Brown, Brett Deledio, Shannon Hurn to name a few), it cannot be forgotton that this year Australia was a finalist in the U19's WC and winners two years ago when Mitch Marsh was captain...so some young kids evidently are coming through. The Australian U19's pantsed the English U19's which comprised Reece Topley, the Overton's and Bell-Drummond - all highly rated. Of course it has to be factored in that England will top up these promising young players with some of the stars who represented South Africa in this years World Cup.
If I was the Oz selectors, I would punt on this kid ahead of Khawaja or Ferguson:
Joe Burns:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/326632.html
I would also invest heavily in this kid too:
Kurtis Patterson:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/505110.html
Maddinson has huge potential too, just needs to spend a couple of seasons playing County Cricket to improve his game.
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I agree Vic get them involved, the Aussies can't afford to wonder if they are good enough if they never play them.
Also to further on your consistent SA 2nd XI joke, we have fielded more Asian born players than Saffers so they will more than likely come from there as opposed to South Africa.
AUSTRALIA: Billy Murdoch, John Ferris, Sammy Woods, Albert Trott, ‘Gubby’ Allen, Adam Hollioake, Ben Hollioake, Jason Gallian, Tim Ambrose.
SOUTH AFRICA: Basil D’Oliviera, Tony Greig, Ian Greig, Allan Lamb, Chris Smith, Robin Smith, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ian Trott.
WEST INDIES: Lord Harris, Pelham Warner, Roland Butcher, Norman Cowans, Wilf Slack, Gladstone Small, Phillip DeFreitas, Devon Malcolm, Chris Lewis, Neil Williams, Joseph Benjamin.
NEW ZEALAND: Andy Caddick.
INDIA: K.S. Ranjitsinhji (‘Ranji’), Edward Wynyard, Richard Young, Neville Tufnell, Douglas Jardine, K.S. Duleepsinhji (‘Duleep’), Nawab of Pataudi, Sr., Errol Holmes, Norman Mitchell-Innes, George Emmett, Colin Cowdrey, John Jameson, Bob Woolmer, Robin Jackman, Nasser Hussain, Minal Patel.
PAKISTAN: Usman Afzaal, Owais Shah.
ZIMBABWE: Graeme Hick, Paul Parker.
KENYA: Derek Pringle.
ZAMBIA: Phil Edmonds, Neil Radford.
GERMANY: Donald Carr, Paul Terry.
ITALY: Ted Dexter.
PERU: Freddie Brown.
HONG KONG: Dermot Reeve.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Geraint Jones.
DENMARK: Amjad Khan.
I hope you take this as lightheartedly as it was intended to be.
:D
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As an Englishman (not that it matters :) ) I fell for the game on the back of the Ashes. I loved watching some of the class players both sides had (Ponting, Langer, Clarke, Hussey, Flintoff, Vaughan, Tresco, Warne, McGrath). It may have zero baring but I put a lot of stock in how good England, South Africa and Australia sides are to the strength of world cricket. South Africa are good but not awesome, England are good but not awesome.. Australia are not struggling.. To me world cricket is weaker than I've ever seen it before (can only remember back to 2000 ish onwards).
Anyway, I get a lot of stick at work for this but my second team is Australia (they are just Brits with a different accent! :) ), and I think this transition has been coming since 2006/7 (when the big legends retired basically). It's going to take them a while to nurture the next generation of batsmen and bowlers.
My worry which has been mentioned is the fact less people are playing the sport in generally (both in the UK and Aus), I know more people are playing it in England than did 10 years ago but it's still not that many. Far too many clubs folding each year etc.. Not sure what can be done other than the ECB putting more effort into grass roots clubs (rather than the bigger ECB Clubmark clubs) and really trying to get people (kids AND adults) involved in the game. I think youth is the future BUT I do hate how adults are basically just forgotten or written off if they are not quite good enough etc
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I agree Vic get them involved, the Aussies can't afford to wonder if they are good enough if they never play them.
Also to further on your consistent SA 2nd XI joke, we have fielded more Asian born players than Saffers so they will more than likely come from there as opposed to South Africa.
AUSTRALIA: Billy Murdoch, John Ferris, Sammy Woods, Albert Trott, ‘Gubby’ Allen, Adam Hollioake, Ben Hollioake, Jason Gallian, Tim Ambrose.
SOUTH AFRICA: Basil D’Oliviera, Tony Greig, Ian Greig, Allan Lamb, Chris Smith, Robin Smith, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ian Trott.
WEST INDIES: Lord Harris, Pelham Warner, Roland Butcher, Norman Cowans, Wilf Slack, Gladstone Small, Phillip DeFreitas, Devon Malcolm, Chris Lewis, Neil Williams, Joseph Benjamin.
NEW ZEALAND: Andy Caddick.
INDIA: K.S. Ranjitsinhji (‘Ranji’), Edward Wynyard, Richard Young, Neville Tufnell, Douglas Jardine, K.S. Duleepsinhji (‘Duleep’), Nawab of Pataudi, Sr., Errol Holmes, Norman Mitchell-Innes, George Emmett, Colin Cowdrey, John Jameson, Bob Woolmer, Robin Jackman, Nasser Hussain, Minal Patel.
PAKISTAN: Usman Afzaal, Owais Shah.
ZIMBABWE: Graeme Hick, Paul Parker.
KENYA: Derek Pringle.
ZAMBIA: Phil Edmonds, Neil Radford.
GERMANY: Donald Carr, Paul Terry.
ITALY: Ted Dexter.
PERU: Freddie Brown.
HONG KONG: Dermot Reeve.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Geraint Jones.
DENMARK: Amjad Khan.
I hope you take this as lightheartedly as it was intended to be.
:D
Dont forget the Irish.
On the note of topic, sad to see Hussey go, it has been a pleasure watching him in fine form
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Maddinson has huge potential too, just needs to spend a couple of seasons playing County Cricket to improve his game.
Do love how you expect us to train up your internationals for you but never reciprocate the favour...
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Do love how you expect us to train up your internationals for you but never reciprocate the favour...
Yeah I thought State and Grade cricket was the breeding ground for test cricketers? Not anymore
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Yeah I thought State and Grade cricket was the breeding ground for test cricketers? Not anymore
no, it has always been county cricket...
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No, dumbed down game so that Aussies and Yorkshiremen can understand it!
Like :D :D :D
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His wife had their 4th child earlier this year, and that child was born 3 months prematurely. He has presumably decided that family is more important than cricket.
I think that those of us who are parents (and some of us who aren't) his decision would be an absolute no brainer given this fact.
My worry which has been mentioned is the fact less people are playing the sport in generally (both in the UK and Aus), I know more people are playing it in England than did 10 years ago but it's still not that many. Far too many clubs folding each year etc.. Not sure what can be done other than the ECB putting more effort into grass roots clubs (rather than the bigger ECB Clubmark clubs) and really trying to get people (kids AND adults) involved in the game. I think youth is the future BUT I do hate how adults are basically just forgotten or written off if they are not quite good enough etc
There's no a huge amount the ECB can do here as its happening in other sports as well. This is more to do with the financial crisis, and smaller clubs whether they be Rugby, Cricket or Football folding due to loss in sponsorship from local companies who have to cut costs or decreased bar revenues due to people not being able to afford to put money over the bar after a game, on top of this paying subs both season and match subs take a hefty dent out of people's pockets so when people decide they can no longer play because they can't afford to you not only lose members but another of your main revenue streams.
On the plus side to this I know of a few rugby clubs and my cricket club where they have benefited from the smaller clubs folding by growing due to an influx of players from the folded clubs. Where I'm playing now has gone from 4 to 6 Saturday sides in 2 seasons, and could potentially field 7 if no one got injured, went on holiday, observed Ramadan!
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I personally regard Mr Cricket as a legend. Yes he's not got he runs etc to compare to Ponting and co BUT.. He would have if he'd have been playing test cricket 6/7/ or 8 years earlier.
Sad loss for the international game but his family reasons are totally justified. I've not got children but can still see why he'd want to spend time with them.
Be interesting to see who Australia find to replace him though. Fielding wise, team ethic wise and of course.. Batting wise.
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I personally regard Mr Cricket as a legend. Yes he's not got he runs etc to compare to Ponting and co BUT.. He would have if he'd have been playing test cricket 6/7/ or 8 years earlier.
Sad loss for the international game but his family reasons are totally justified. I've not got children but can still see why he'd want to spend time with them.
Be interesting to see who Australia find to replace him though. Fielding wise, team ethic wise and of course.. Batting wise.
Yeah totally agree the bloke had 15000 first class runs before getting picked...
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I personally regard Mr Cricket as a legend. Yes he's not got he runs etc to compare to Ponting and co BUT.. He would have if he'd have been playing test cricket 6/7/ or 8 years earlier.
Sad loss for the international game but his family reasons are totally justified. I've not got children but can still see why he'd want to spend time with them.
Be interesting to see who Australia find to replace him though. Fielding wise, team ethic wise and of course.. Batting wise.
Not sure you can replace a Hussey...he kind of was the accidental hero. An after thought.
He was originally selected as a fill in for the injured Justin Langer for the first two tests of the summer partnering Matty Hayden at the top of the order.
In his first test he looked nervous and failed. In his second test he struck an attractive century and he never lost his place playing 78 consecutive tests - a remarkable testament to his durability.
He had two years where he looked to be almost gone...only to produce when his back was against the wall. Hussey's last two years has been exceptional.
I am going to miss him marshalling the tail...and this crisp cover drives and classy pull shots.
Mike Hussey - the unsung hero.
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I for one think this swings the balance massively towards England not just for the home Ashes which i expected us to win comfortably, but also for the return series shortly afterwards back in Aus, which will be a tougher test, less so now the finisher/rescuer of Australias batting is gone.
As i see it. All we have to do is let Warner have a slap, get a quick 50 and out, and deal with Clarke and Watson, there isn't much else for England to worry about.
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I agree Vic get them involved, the Aussies can't afford to wonder if they are good enough if they never play them.
Also to further on your consistent SA 2nd XI joke, we have fielded more Asian born players than Saffers so they will more than likely come from there as opposed to South Africa.
AUSTRALIA: Billy Murdoch, John Ferris, Sammy Woods, Albert Trott, ‘Gubby’ Allen, Adam Hollioake, Ben Hollioake, Jason Gallian, Tim Ambrose.
SOUTH AFRICA: Basil D’Oliviera, Tony Greig, Ian Greig, Allan Lamb, Chris Smith, Robin Smith, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ian Trott.
WEST INDIES: Lord Harris, Pelham Warner, Roland Butcher, Norman Cowans, Wilf Slack, Gladstone Small, Phillip DeFreitas, Devon Malcolm, Chris Lewis, Neil Williams, Joseph Benjamin.
NEW ZEALAND: Andy Caddick.
INDIA: K.S. Ranjitsinhji (‘Ranji’), Edward Wynyard, Richard Young, Neville Tufnell, Douglas Jardine, K.S. Duleepsinhji (‘Duleep’), Nawab of Pataudi, Sr., Errol Holmes, Norman Mitchell-Innes, George Emmett, Colin Cowdrey, John Jameson, Bob Woolmer, Robin Jackman, Nasser Hussain, Minal Patel.
PAKISTAN: Usman Afzaal, Owais Shah.
ZIMBABWE: Graeme Hick, Paul Parker.
KENYA: Derek Pringle.
ZAMBIA: Phil Edmonds, Neil Radford.
GERMANY: Donald Carr, Paul Terry.
ITALY: Ted Dexter.
PERU: Freddie Brown.
HONG KONG: Dermot Reeve.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Geraint Jones.
DENMARK: Amjad Khan.
I hope you take this as lightheartedly as it was intended to be.
:D
No worries mate!
I must say that many of those guys cannot be considered Indians or West Indians when they were clearly the off spring of expats...Lord Harris was probably born on some plantation in the West Indies and all those Englishmen born in India (Cowdrey, Woolmer etc) were born there while their fathers were members of the ICS.
The guys born in Germany would have been the sons of Army officers stationed there...and I am not sure what Dexters story is for being born in Italy - son of a diplomat?
Pringle and Edmonds etc were the sons of expats. Places like Nairobi in Kenya still have sizeable expat communities.
Strauss and Pietersen on the other hand both have Afrikaaner fathers, so it is a little different to the above.
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Just watched Hussey's press conference...the bloke was in tears when talking about his wife and his kids.
Two long tours plus the IPL this year = too much time away.
Still wants to play for WA next season it appears.
A genuinely nice guy on and off the pitch - I am going to miss him.
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I for one think this swings the balance massively towards England not just for the home Ashes which i expected us to win comfortably, but also for the return series shortly afterwards back in Aus, which will be a tougher test, less so now the finisher/rescuer of Australias batting is gone.
As i see it. All we have to do is let Warner have a slap, get a quick 50 and out, and deal with Clarke and Watson, there isn't much else for England to worry about.
I have to agree.
Without Hussey's ballast, Michael Clarke will run out of partners more often than not.
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I for one think this swings the balance massively towards England not just for the home Ashes which i expected us to win comfortably, but also for the return series shortly afterwards back in Aus, which will be a tougher test, less so now the finisher/rescuer of Australias batting is gone.
As i see it. All we have to do is let Warner have a slap, get a quick 50 and out, and deal with Clarke and Watson, there isn't much else for England to worry about.
I wouldn't be overly concerned about Watson who's test average is a lowly 39.. He really needs to start converting starts into big scores. Becoming unimpressive
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I wouldn't be overly concerned about Watson who's test average is a lowly 39.. He really needs to start converting starts into big scores. Becoming unimpressive
I rate him, always have. Shame he is so injury prone.
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I rate him, always have. Shame he is so injury prone.
Don't get me wrong I rate him too... But his performances aren't being converted into big scores like they should be... He is a great talent but needs to start showing it.
Lets face it a test average of someone everyone rates as one of the best isn't overly impressive at 39 is it?
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Don't get me wrong I rate him too... But his performances aren't being converted into big scores like they should be... He is a great talent but needs to start showing it.
Lets face it a test average of someone everyone rates as one of the best isn't overly impressive at 39 is it?
The Aussie commentary team on the sky sports feed have been discussing it at length during this Sri Lanka series. His average as an opener is in the 40s and none of them are sure why he has been moved.
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Averaged 43 in 20 odd innings when he was a specialist opener and didn't bowl. Converting issue aside, he should go back to opening and Cowan should go.
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H.S. AV
year 2005 3 4 0 81 31 20.25 212 38.20 0 0 0 8 0
year 2008 5 9 0 176 78 19.55 400 44.00 0 1 0 25 1
year 2009 7 12 1 716 120* 65.09 1318 54.32 1 6 1 101 1
year 2010 11 22 1 897 126 42.71 1783 50.30 1 8 0 114 8
year 2011 6 11 0 265 88 24.09 455 58.24 0 1 2 43 2
year 2012 6 11 0 346 83 31.45 779 44.41 0 3 1 35 3
season 2004/05 1 1 0 31 31 31.00 62 50.00 0 0 0 4 0
season 2005/06 2 3 0 50 24 16.66 150 33.33 0 0 0 4 0
season 2008/09 5 9 0 176 78 19.55 400 44.00 0 1 0 25 1
season 2009 3 5 0 240 62 48.00 437 54.91 0 3 0 41 0
season 2009/10 7 13 1 686 120* 57.16 1251 54.83 1 5 1 89 6
season 2010 2 4 0 64 31 16.00 134 47.76 0 0 0 10 1
season 2010/11 7 14 1 706 126 54.30 1446 48.82 1 6 0 87 2
season 2011 3 5 0 87 36 17.40 128 67.96 0 0 1 16 0
season 2011/12 5 10 0 288 88 28.80 605 47.60 0 3 2 34 4
season 2012/13 3 5 0 153 83 30.60 334 45.80 0 1 0 16 1
Couple of good years but thats about it
Oops that didn't work out
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The problem Australia have is that, Clarke aside, there are no bankers in the Australian order, though I suspect Watson is the second name on the list. But - if Cowan plays he has to open and the same probably applies to Warner (because he has always batted there) - they also have Hughes (who is naturally an opener) amongst the incumbents, and the likely next cab, Khawaja, is a number three in state cricket...
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http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/599046.html
Further evidence that Watson may not even be a part of the line up...
This looks pretty woeful for the Aussies...
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[url]http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/599046.html[/url]
Further evidence that Watson may not even be a part of the line up...
This looks pretty woeful for the Aussies...
It smells of disarray doesn't it?
Given that we have crushed Sri Lanka and performed admirably against SA, just failing to land teh knock out blow that would have won us the series, the retirements of Ponting (expected) and Hussey (shock) have left a huge hole.
With the exception of Clareke, this is the weakest looking Australian top six I have seen since the Packer exodus left us with a virtual 3rds eleven representing us.
Wade is capable and the fast bowlers are extremely promising...but the batting? Oh the horror!
The punters in the last 24 hours have abandoned Australia in droves in the betting for next years Ashes.
Tells you everything you need to know.
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I still wouldn't rule Australia out completely - mainly because the last time I did that they won 5-0 and I looked like a bit of a muppet - but I do think that they will struggle to win a 5 test series next Summer.
You imagine the personnel needed for the tour - seven batsmen, an all rounder, two keepers, five seamers, two spinners....
Well, the seamers will see consierable competition for places. If they are fit Siddle, Pattinson and Starc are shoe ins and Hilfenhaus will probably travel as the "safe bet" whilst the final slot will be hotley contested between Cummins and Harris (if fit), Johnson, Bird and Hazlewood. And there are two decent keepers in Wade and Haddin...
But there it kind of ends. Only three of the batting places are "taken" - Clarke, Warner and Watson (again if fit) - the spinners all share an inability to turn the ball and there is no real standout all rounder (I suspect Maxwell may do this and second spinners duties myself)
Yes, England have some selection issues themselves - but they amount to which six of eight batsmen to go with and who their third seamer might be...
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I rate him, always have. Shame he is so injury prone.
I rate him until he gets to about 40 odd!
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Watson was moved from the opening spot to allow him to bowl more. Bowling and then opening the batting means he has little or no rest, and Clarke admitted that he found it hard when the opposition was 8/9 down and he had him bowling, he needed to give him a spell to allow him time to rest up for when he bats. Every time Watson braks down, it's when he had the ball in his hand. I feel his days as an all-rounder are gone, much like with the Waughs started to get injuries when bowling, they pretty much stopped altogether and became specialist batsmen, Mark Waugh moved from medium pace to offies in order to take the strain off his back. I'd rather Watson averaging mid-high 40s as a specialist bat, which he is very capable of, rather than averaging mid-30s, bowling and then getting injured every couple of Tests.
Talk is that we might be looking at more experienced options for the India/England tours, with Hussey's younger brother David (36) a shock chance for a Baggy Green. Has scored bucketloads of runs in domestic cricket here in Australia and in England...
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yes bring Dave Hussey in i like him i like him alot scored the best 100 i have ever seen at the Scg for the Bushrangers.
However he has a slight problem with the rising ball if i remember rightly of the quicks.
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yes bring Dave Hussey in i like him i like him alot scored the best 100 i have ever seen at the Scg for the Bushrangers.
However he has a slight problem with the rising ball if i remember rightly of the quicks.
That's a fair enough call, he likes to stay leg-side of the ball, allowing him to free the arms and thrash through the off. I'd bowl short and at the body, give him no room. Other names mentioned are Callum Ferguson (talented but doesn't put together big numbers, still has a FC average below 40), Alex Doolan (no-name player but has had a bumper Shield season, scored 160 for AUS A v Sth Africa), I'd like to see Moises Henriques get a look, genuine. bowling option and a decent enough batsman at six.
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Dave Hussey has been brilliant and was surely worthy of a baggy green 3-4 years ago...but he is averaging all of 17 in FC this season, so I suspect his baggy green dream is over.
Brad Hodge must spew into his Wheatbix every morning when he sees the current Oz batting line up - simply a case of being born 10-15 years too early.
On the bowling line up, I suspect Jackson Bird will be a walk up start to partner Siddle and Pattinson in England. A 6'4" fast bowler who bowls accurate out swingers is a necessary commodity (especially in England). Starc and Cummins (if fit) will also make the trip...and I reckon Mitch Johnson has also played himself back into contention.
Wade has the keeping spot sown up for now. Haddin would only be on stand-by to be flown in in an emergency.
As for batsmen...phew, it gets hard. Clarke, Warner, Cowan, Hughes, Watson, Khawaja...Burns? Maxwell?
I get the feeling Maxwell is going to be given the Marcus North role - batting at six and bowling relief spin. If Lyon has a bad tour of India....Maxwell might be given the job of bowling spin alone for most of the tests in England with Oz playing four fast men (Siddle, Bird, Pattinson and Starc).
It is going to be one hell of a tough year.
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heck even i might get a go at this rate ;)
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I agree about Maxwell, but I wonder if they might do it differently...
Cowan
Warner
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Wade
Maxwell
Henriques
Pattinson
Siddle
Starc (preferre to Bird/Cummins as four right arm seamers would be overkill)
Gives them more batting depth, which they might desperately need.
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Watson
Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
Wade
Maxwell (To be the spinner)
Johnson (If he can be consistent and look reamin with the bat, then he should be in - he can be the game changer, real x factor about him)
Siddle
Pattinson
Cummins/Bird/Starc/Hilf (take your pick really, they are all different bowlers, but all would do the job)
Also - Cutting could still be around the mark, has taken quite a few wickets at a good average again this year and has done very well with the bat, averaging 40 odd. so could be handy especially with an inexperienced batting line up.
That's my opinion, probably never going to happen, but I think that looks like a decent team.
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Yes, I agree Mitchell Johnson has a certain X Factor about him - in particular he reminds me of the early rounds of auditions where the contestants can't sing and everybody laughs at them!
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Lets hope he plays like this years X Factor then, cause that was crap.
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Here's a thought - if the bowlers were Maxwell, Mitch, Cutting, Henriques and Hastings and the batsmen, well, any five you care to name...
...then there would be a serious danger of the bowlers outscoring the batsmen...
...and the batsmen taking more wickets than the bowlers...
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Yes, I agree Mitchell Johnson has a certain X Factor about him - in particular he reminds me of the early rounds of auditions where the contestants can't sing and everybody laughs at them!
Johnson turns into a gibbering nervous wreck the moment the Barmy Army get stuck into him, it would be cruel to bring him on tour!
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I think Johnson has something to offer. Yes he fell apart last time but he's a bit older etc now. He 'could' be very good on his day as he did prove in one match against us (England) in 2011/12.
Having said that, I don't particularly rate siddle, hilfenhaus much anyway. Both (especially Siddle) is just a donkey bowler like our Bresnaaaaan, except bresnan can bat better.
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I think Mitchell is a world class well there world class in him.
I think England will not take him lightly.
Depends which one turns up though
He for me is better than any of England's bowling all rounders on his day
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He for me is better than any of England's bowling all rounders on his day
Exactly. England have no true decent all-rounder since Freddie retired. Don't anyone start on about Broad.. The guy is useless.
LIke you say, depends with Johnson turns up though :)
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Johnson fell apart in the ODI at The Oval this year. The crowd were on him straight away and he couldn't handle it, what's to say he could handle an Ashes series. I'm sorry but he just doesn't deserve the reviews he gets until he can perform consistently well away from the WACA!
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You look at his,record,bar a,couple of dodgy series against us he has been decent.
I think the english mentality is slipping in.
Australia can never be counted against
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Mitch is easy to get at - and his record is padded by an exceptional first 18 onths still - but I think he is one of those guys that you count out at your peril. I don't think he will necessaily do much over here next Summer - though again he bats a bit so might be boosted up the ranks because of that - but will be dangerous on Australian pitches if he gets some of that momentum thing going on...
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Johnson has got a world class performance in him no doubt about it, consistency is his achilles and for that reason England will not mind if he is in the team. The scoring opportunities he offers in the many games he is not on song will be feasted upon if the England batsmen remain in good form
Siddle will run in hard all day and for that you have to give him credit. Where he might struggle is if confronted with a flat batting-friendly track. Despite being an Englishman I have to say that Siddle has had a better 2012 than both Broad and Bresnan. The batting is irrelevant, surely we learnt that from the Indian series just gone. Bowlers must be selected for their bowling and likelihood of taking wickets, if they can bat it is a bonus
Pattinson, if fit, will be the biggest threat to England seam wise.
The lack of a decent spinner leaves a massive hole for Australia, Maxwell is only marginally better than Samit Patel with the ball
I think the english mentality is slipping in.
Australia can never be counted against
I don't agree with that, I expect most neutrals to make England strong favorites aswell, even more so now that Hussey has retired. Australias only proven world class player other than Clarke. It would be a huge upset should Australia win the series next summer
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As a Englishman I agree we are strong favourites but make no mistake I do not think it quite the walk over people are talking about the Aussie have a history of fighting back when chips are against
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This would be my squad for the Ashes Tour:
Batsmen:
Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Khawaja
Maxwell
Wicketkeepers
Wade
Paine
Spinners
Lyon
Zampa (NSW Leggie)
Fast Bowlers
Siddle
Pattinson
Cummins
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bird
I tried to work Henriques in there but couldn't find a spot based on a 17 man squad with a reserve player for each category (2 for the pacemen). Starc pretty stiff, rate him but it was out of he and Johnson, both too alike at this stage, lefties who can leak runs but also be devastating on their day. Hilfenhaus and Bird should be suited to English conditions well. Will Cummins be fit and will he be match ready? not sure, but he's too good a talent not to have on the plane. Zampa is an unknown but played his only FC game earlier in the season and took 5-37. I'd rather give that 2nd spinner slot for a promising player of the future than the rest of the more mature spin options that are clearly not up to Test cricket (Beer, Doherty, Krejza, O'Keefe, etc).
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My England squad would be...
Batsmen:
Cook (c)
Bell
Trott
Pietersen
Compton
Root
Bairstow
Morgan
Keeper
Prior (wk)
Bowler
Anderson
Finn
Onions
Meaker (pace needed)
Swann
Panesar
Broad (barely)
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What's happened to Tremlett? I was really impressed with him when you guys last toured Australia, big hulking fast bowler, tall, quick, gets good bounce...
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What's happened to Tremlett? I was really impressed with him when you guys last toured Australia, big hulking fast bowler, tall, quick, gets good bounce...
He's injured, should be back for the start of the season, story of his career really.
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Knackered back Over Gully - Had a major operation I believe to 'fix' it. Hopefully he'll be fine though. Who know's.
As long as Broad is dropped until he grows up and actually starts to play like a test player I don't care.