Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Latest Matches => Topic started by: Muffin on April 30, 2015, 12:18:14 PM
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Michael Clarke (c), Steve Smith, (vc) Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Would be good to know what people think our chances are based on this. Do you reckon they'll miss the dynamism of Maxwell? This Ahmed bloke seems to be on form unlike many of our twirlers.
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I think if you pick the correct team you'll wipe us off the park.
You won't miss Maxwell he's far to hit and hope for long form and you already have players who can take the game away from us with the bat in an aggressive manner in Warner, Haddin and Watson.
Not to mention Smith and Clarke who can hardly said to slow scorers
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Another thrashing is on its way to team ECB, team ECB simply doesn't stack up against this squad.
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Harris is a walking injury and alot depends on him. Not convinced by Johnson recently and I doubt the decks will help him or Starc. Don't be surprised to see Watson and Siddle boring the pants off us with the ball. Battings ok but it's pretty much the same team that come last time. If England wasn't so rubbish, I would fancy our chances.
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As you say Rich I think they've got so much batting that they could of afforded maxwell. Their squad just seems to ooze consistency in a way that ours most definitely won't.
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Interested to see what they do with Watson. He seemed much happier batting down the order at the world cup, so I'd be tempted to try putting him in after Smith and Clarke. He's been pretty average for a no. 3 batsman for quite a while now. I'd agree that Johnson hasn't been at his best recently, but Starc is having a purple patch at the moment, so it's not looking like much of a let up for England.
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Harris is a walking injury and alot depends on him. Not convinced by Johnson recently and I doubt the decks will help him or Starc. Don't be surprised to see Watson and Siddle boring the pants off us with the ball. Battings ok but it's pretty much the same team that come last time. If England wasn't so rubbish, I would fancy our chances.
2013 team was a top team just in decline. The current mob are not atop team and have so many culnerabilities.
Cook - they know how to bowl at him.. Don't need Harris, starc etc for that.
Trott - not convincing anyone yet vs one of the poorest test teams (who are missing their best players)
Ballance - unproven
Bell - will need to be consistent and have a purple patch like 2013
Root- unconvincing so far vs aus but probably team ECB's best hope
Stokes - unproven
Buttler - unproven
Broad - far poorer than ever before
Anderson- should still do well as its in England but he's in decline (judt look how quickly Bowlers fall away)
Ali- really?? Woefully inadequate vs aus
Jordan- same as Ali
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Talk of Rashid and Wood from Durham, although I doubt that would give you any more reason for optimism lol
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Given what we've seen of English Cricket in the Caribbean, I have no idea why any Australian is worrying about how their side will fair in the Summer. I really don't expect the Ashes to return to English hands.
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You say England were a top team in decline but not sure many of the Aus team aren't heading that way. Clarke (dodgy back), Watson (crap and injury prone), Rodgers (bus pass), Haddin (bus pass), Siddle (not setting CC alight), Harris (injury, getting on), Johnson (getting on), isn't Vogues thirty odd?. Don't see many of these guys being around in a couple of years, or making it to next winter. Get set for a few post ashes retirements.
Both Marsh boys are unproven as is Ahmed. Lyon ordinary but does a job. Thankgod for Smith, Warner, Starc, Hazelwood!
If England had a decent team we would have a chance, but we don't.
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You say England were a top team in decline but not sure many of the Aus team aren't heading that way. Clarke (dodgy back), Watson (crap and injury prone), Rodgers (bus pass), Haddin (bus pass), Siddle (not setting CC alight), Harris (injury, getting on), Johnson (getting on), isn't Vogues thirty odd?. Don't see many of these guys being around in a couple of years, or making it to next winter. Get set for a few post ashes retirements.
Both Marsh boys are unproven as is Ahmed. Lyon ordinary but does a job. Thankgod for Smith, Warner, Starc, Hazelwood!
If England had a decent team we would have a chance, but we don't.
It's a last hurrah for a fair few of the Australians
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The Aussie team looks strong. Shame they aren't playing New Zealand while they are over here as this looks like a more even match up (you could argue that the Kiwi's are actually stronger :o)
If we sort out the opening positions - could even be Hales and Lyth the Eng team isn't terrible (Cook will play regardless, and is likely to quit/be sacked as skipper after the ashes)- the middle order has earned the right to first dibs (as much as I want to see KP back, you can't drop Ballance, Bell, Root). Moeen is an interesting case - personally I would persevere with him, but I have real concerns about both Root and Moeen against the short ball. Stokes has to play - his returns aren't great at the moment, but I believe worth the investment. Buttler is going to be a superstar. Anderson and Broad have done enough then we need another quick - that place is up for grabs...
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The only thing is a home ashes will give out boys an extra 10% you would hope. I wouldn't say we are going to get hammered unless Aus have all of there key players on form. Warner can score loads or get out easy, Clarke i jury could hamper him, Watson bowl straight and won't last long. Just need cook to be back to his best, root to continue his purple patch and personally stokes did well against Aus, Ballance in tests is scoring shed loads so who knows. That's me be patriotic and hopeful though
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I don't expect us to win the series but we will be competitive - far more so than in Australia last time out. People want new players in, but the later its left, the more unproven they will be.
One things for sure, with every game the newer players are gaining experience. A week's a long time in sport; we'll know more after the final test in the Caribbean and again after the NZ tests. A lot for both sides will come down to form. Provided England don't stitch players up (Morgan pre WC, Ballance during WC, Trott vs WI) and throw players into unfamiliar situations at little notice I think it will be tighter than many think.
I don't think Trott will open come the Ashes, but whoever opens with Cook, I see a settled middle order, an all rounder who will rise to the challenge of an Ashes series (he did last time), a spinning all rounder on home turf who's got decent figures against better players of spin than the Aussies and bowlers who are on home turf. It will come down to form - consistent performances and moments or spells to change a game. England have that throughout the side. You can't just assume that the Aussies will turn up and fire - they haven't won in England since 2001 - and likewise assume that England will be shocking.
England are improving in tests - this series may be one too early, but my prediction is 2-1 Australia or 2-2. I'd go with
Cook
Lyth (he needs to play the NZ at least)
Ballance
Bell
Root
Stokes
Ali
Buttler
Broad
Finn (on the proviso he plays all ODIs and the series against NZ - his strike rate in Tests is superb, but they seem terrified of him leaking runs. Time to start fighting fire with fire and get him bowling quick and aggressive).
Anderson
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England will beat both NZ and Australia and shut a few up !!!!
Australia top order have any of them scored heavily in England !!!!
Pitches to suit our attack return of form of Anderson and Broad
Adi i see you do your usual negative spin but down Australia side what they have done in England.
I do not fear New Zealand either who there world class top order when it swinging!!
But Boult is a fine bowler
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Michael Clarke (c), Steve Smith, (vc) Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Come on people who knock England lets hear your Australia Syops
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England will beat both NZ and Australia and shut a few up
Whatever it is you've been on, can I have some please? ;)
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Whatever it is you've been on, can I have some please? ;)
Maybe but i have faith i like some others fear NZ more than Australia but i fear neither batting side in truth in England.
Go on bore me with crickinfo stats
So come on Cam instead of your whitty one line post lets here what you think really
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England will crumble like a deck of cards the first time Mitch Johnson has the rock in his hands.
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Aussies start as favourites, but only slight favourites I'd say! (also didn't they announce this squad like 2 months ago?)
Aussies:
Bowling is incredibly dependent on Harris, Johnson has gone off the boil recently and never bowled well in England anyway. Siddle has lost a couple of yards, expect he'll bowl economically but wouldn't expect him to pose much of a threat. Starc has been mostly poor in tests to date. Hazlewood looks a good bowler, be interesting to see how he goes on slower pitches (compared to Oz) with more swing on offer. Lyon is reliable but no more, don't see Ahmed getting a game.
Batting looks strong at first glance, but none of them have really scored consistently in England. Warner and Smith are the keys for me, and if they're gonna get found out anywhere, it'll be England. Selection of Voges shows they know this, you don't pick a 35 year old uncapped player if he's gonna be carrying drinks - he'll be in the team because he's scored runs in CC here and they're worried about the swinging ball.
England:
Cook is a concern, , if Trott comes off we all know how good he is (concern if he doesn't though). Middle order looks ridiculously strong at present, don't really care about Ballance/Root/Stokes being 'unproven' against the best attacks - neither is Steve Smith and I don't see anyone doubting him! Ballance/Root are two of the outstanding test bats from the past year, and Stokes will win us a game singlehanded at least once if he plays all five. Buttler will cause chaos if he's coming in with a good platform, a bit uncertain otherwise.
Anderson will be as good as ever, Stokes coming in to the team helps him a lot. Broad is a concern, needs a rest badly and told to rediscover some pace. Third seamer slot could be the key to our bowling attack, if whoever it is bowls well and keeps Anderson/Broad on their toes and stops them having to bowl too many overs, I think our bowling will do very well. Don't see Jordan doing that however. Ali, meh. Done ok so far, who knows how he'll goes. Seems to do well when batsmen attack him, which NZ/Oz will both do, fingers crossed there.
In short, if we get our opening bats firing (and by all accounts Cook is improving fast) and our third seamer sorted, I think it'll be a very close series. Also actually think NZ are possibly more of a threat than Oz though.
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So come on Cam instead of your whitty one line post lets here what you think really
I think the Aussies will wipe the floor with England.
Although not as potent, Mitchell Johnson will have left scars from the sides last meeting. With him as "the enforcer" and Starc bowling as well as anyone in the world right now, England have two left arm seamers to contend with.
When they're not facing a barrage from those two, they'll have Ryan Harris - who is injury prone but world class, Peter Siddle - who will hold up an end for next to no runs all day, and either Lyon or Ahmed. Lyon is a pressure bowler, so won't give away a lot of runs, while Ahmed is a (somewhat) mystery leggy, it won't be easy getting runs against that attack.
There's then the batting, Warner will bludgeon a few, Buck Rogers will accumulate, and Clarke will almost certainly be playing his last Ashes series, so will be hungry for runs. Smifffy is one of the most improved players on the planet, Watto has started scoring runs again down the order and Haddin is more than capable of putting bowlers to the sword.
In comparisson England have Jimmy - a world class swinger. Stuart Broad, who's been down on pace and taking some tap, Chris Jordan - lacking in control, Ben Stokes - another back up bowler and Moeen - a part time spinner. That's hardly the same firepower that Aus have.
Then there's the batting. Cook isn't in decent nick right now, you can say what you like about his average in the last X tests, but he's out of nick! Trott isn't an opener I'm afraid. Ballance could go either way, and I hope he scores big. Bell is consistent and looks pretty playing his shots, but we don't need a 30-odd man! Root is unproven against Aus still and could go either way, he has the potential to be great though. Stokes needs to nickle down in the long form for me, he has the talent but sometimes doesn't play a situation. Jordan is a number 8 hitter, in ODIs the pyrotechnic batting is great, but this is test cricket. Buttler is a possible star, but needs to play a test match, his best scores on Tests have all come playing a ODI innings. Then there's the bowlers, Moeen will get bounced out, Broad will be stood behind the Square Leg umpire and Jimmy is just Jimmy.
A like for like comparisson of the sides put Aus as favourites for me, and I think the Ashes will be retained after 3 tests.
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A like for like comparisson of the sides put Aus as favourites for me, and I think the Ashes will be retained after 3 teats.
That's udder rubbish! ;)
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Aussies start as favourites, but only slight favourites I'd say! (also didn't they announce this squad like 2 months ago?)
Aussies:
Bowling is incredibly dependent on Harris, Johnson has gone off the boil recently and never bowled well in England anyway. Siddle has lost a couple of yards, expect he'll bowl economically but wouldn't expect him to pose much of a threat. Starc has been mostly poor in tests to date. Hazlewood looks a good bowler, be interesting to see how he goes on slower pitches (compared to Oz) with more swing on offer. Lyon is reliable but no more, don't see Ahmed getting a game.
Batting looks strong at first glance, but none of them have really scored consistently in England. Warner and Smith are the keys for me, and if they're gonna get found out anywhere, it'll be England. Selection of Voges shows they know this, you don't pick a 35 year old uncapped player if he's gonna be carrying drinks - he'll be in the team because he's scored runs in CC here and they're worried about the swinging ball.
England:
Cook is a concern, , if Trott comes off we all know how good he is (concern if he doesn't though). Middle order looks ridiculously strong at present, don't really care about Ballance/Root/Stokes being 'unproven' against the best attacks - neither is Steve Smith and I don't see anyone doubting him! Ballance/Root are two of the outstanding test bats from the past year, and Stokes will win us a game singlehanded at least once if he plays all five. Buttler will cause chaos if he's coming in with a good platform, a bit uncertain otherwise.
Anderson will be as good as ever, Stokes coming in to the team helps him a lot. Broad is a concern, needs a rest badly and told to rediscover some pace. Third seamer slot could be the key to our bowling attack, if whoever it is bowls well and keeps Anderson/Broad on their toes and stops them having to bowl too many overs, I think our bowling will do very well. Don't see Jordan doing that however. Ali, meh. Done ok so far, who knows how he'll goes. Seems to do well when batsmen attack him, which NZ/Oz will both do, fingers crossed there.
In short, if we get our opening bats firing (and by all accounts Cook is improving fast) and our third seamer sorted, I think it'll be a very close series. Also actually think NZ are possibly more of a threat than Oz though.
Cook is improving fast ??? You know he's been out of form for 2 years right?? And who says he's imoroving?? That will be the ECB hacks who we can't trust to be doing anything other than toeing the ECB party pr line!!
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I think the Aussies will wipe the floor with England.
Although not as potent, Mitchell Johnson will have left scars from the sides last meeting. With him as "the enforcer" and Starc bowling as well as anyone in the world right now, England have two left arm seamers to contend with.
When they're not facing a barrage from those two, they'll have Ryan Harris - who is injury prone but world class, Peter Siddle - who will hold up an end for next to no runs all day, and either Lyon or Ahmed. Lyon is a pressure bowler, so won't give away a lot of runs, while Ahmed is a (somewhat) mystery leggy, it won't be easy getting runs against that attack.
There's then the batting, Warner will bludgeon a few, Buck Rogers will accumulate, and Clarke will almost certainly be playing his last Ashes series, so will be hungry for runs. Smifffy is one of the most improved players on the planet, Watto has started scoring runs again down the order and Haddin is more than capable of putting bowlers to the sword.
In comparisson England have Jimmy - a world class swinger. Stuart Broad, who's been down on pace and taking some tap, Chris Jordan - lacking in control, Ben Stokes - another back up bowler and Moeen - a part time spinner. That's hardly the same firepower that Aus have.
Then there's the batting. Cook isn't in decent nick right now, you can say what you like about his average in the last X tests, but he's out of nick! Trott isn't an opener I'm afraid. Ballance could go either way, and I hope he scores big. Bell is consistent and looks pretty playing his shots, but we don't need a 30-odd man! Root is unproven against Aus still and could go either way, he has the potential to be great though. Stokes needs to nickle down in the long form for me, he has the talent but sometimes doesn't play a situation. Jordan is a number 8 hitter, in ODIs the pyrotechnic batting is great, but this is test cricket. Buttler is a possible star, but needs to play a test match, his best scores on Tests have all come playing a ODI innings. Then there's the bowlers, Moeen will get bounced out, Broad will be stood behind the Square Leg umpire and Jimmy is just Jimmy.
A like for like comparisson of the sides put Aus as favourites for me, and I think the Ashes will be retained after 3 teats.
That's better Cameron than your one line stuff all about opinions I notice yours are all negative towards England and positive towards a ageing and unproven in this country side by and large.
I'm looking forward to all the games and expect it to be a great summer
Smith is interesting and I think we will find out how good he is with a moving ball but as people say opinions thnk it will be very close
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That's better Cameron than your one line stuff all about opinions I notice yours are all negative towards England and positive towards a ageing and unproven in this country side by and large.
I'm looking forward to all the games and expect it to be a great summer
Thank you David ;)
Don't get me wrong, I'd love England to do well. But things need to be changes.
stop putting the old guard in (out of position) and selecting them on past performance.
Cook needs to go and get some county runs and Trotty isn't an opener.
What's wrong with the young talent coming through?
Why not play the likes of Hales, Vince, Rashid, Plunkett, even Panesar as the spinner!
I know a Moeen is one if the younger players I want to play, but he was a batsman who could bowl a bit, England are playing him as a front line spinner!
In my opinion the likes of Ballance, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Taylor, Hales, Vince etc are the future. Get them in and around the squad and side now.
Look at the Aussies reserve of players, they have a long list of youngsters who could all play their next test without a raised eyebrow at their selection. If other countries can do it so well, why are England's selectors stuck in the past?
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Love the fact and this is not aimed at yo in particular we rant and rave about players yet have the time we have not seen very much of them at all.
Cook a interesting pick up look at his last 6 tests look at his average why does he need to go away and score runs he is scoring runs.
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Love the fact and this is not aimed at yo in particular we rant and rave about players yet have the time we have not seen very much of them at all.
Cook a interesting pick up look at his last 6 tests look at his average why does he need to go away and score runs he is scoring runs.
It's Cook's job as opener to score hundreds, something he hasn't done for a long time.
I'd like to see him play a few championship games (and hopefully get a Ton!) to give home every opportunity to be in the best possible form going into New Zealand series, and more importantly the first Ashes test.
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Important to remember that Harris won't make it through all 5 tests, and Starc quite possibly won't even play! ODIs yes he's very good, tests no. Australia have picked a very cautious squad - Voges in, Siddle in, none of their young quicks other than Hazlewood and Starc. That tells you all you need to know about what the guys in charge of the Aussie team think about the series - it's not going to be one-sided.
re. ECB and the England team - yes we were crap at the world cup, this does not mean the apocalypse is nigh...
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The tea leaves say 2-1 to England in the Ashes.
You all have no faith! The batsmen will stand up (I smell big runs for Root and Bell) and Jimmy will knock the tops off the Australian batting line up... Smith, Clarke and Watto won't be so comfortable when the ball is actually moving off the track (with Clarke's back right now it only takes about 4 short ones for him to give it away due to the spasms - and Haddin is almost as afraid of the short one as Broad). England always stand up at home, why can't the 2015 English boys make themselves into legends the way the 2005 lads did?
For the records the coffee granules say England will beat NZ as well (who are at any moment just one Bmac chip to mid-off away from disaster).
Come the end of August everyone will be singing from a different songbook!
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Australia have failed to beat us on our home soil for 14 years.
The bowlers will win it for them. We don't have the depth to compete with them so we need to hope and pray Steve Smith forgets how to bat and Clarkes back falls off.
I reckon England will tie the overall series record 32-32.
*I've clutched at as many statistical straws as I can.*
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As one of the pundits said, for England to win it, at the moment Jimmy needs to fire in all 5 tests. Whilst he has home advantage, that displays a significant lack of back up from the other bowlers.
Having said that, if, and it's a big if, Broad can be convinced to bowl the right length and get his pace back up then we have an excellent front line bowling pair. If they don't turn up we have little new ball power and our back up options, while okay are not anything different to the first two. That's when it starts to become an issue.
Batting wise I'd like to see the middle order perform. They have the ability. Do they have the mindset?
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Weather dependant, i see the series finishing 3-2, not sure who to, but can just picture an awesome and exciting series, both teams going hard at it, clarke wanting to end his career and captaincy on a high, cook potentially fighting for his captaincy and career. With lots of other players desperate to prove their worth and cement a spot, both old, young and new members of both squads
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I think the Aussies will wipe the floor with England.
A like for like comparisson of the sides put Aus as favourites for me, and I think the Ashes will be retained after 3 tests.
Whilst you're argument is pretty well made and free from Gerry-like trolldom, I do think you give Australia far too much credit. If you look at their record away from home over the last few years it is checkered to say the least and England are hardly going to produce pitches to suit the visiting bowling attack any more than Australia would tailor their conditions to suit us; that being the case, you look at the Australian batting and find that there are at least as many questions over their line up as there are over England's - Warner is a quality player but tends to struggle when the ball swings, Rodgers is a grafter but never going to tear up trees, Watson and Marsh LBW candidates, Clarke vulnerable to the short ball. Smith gives the impression of having matured into a much better player than the one England last faced here, but even then quality outswing will cause him issues.
For me the question is more about England's management. Correctly managed (no Trott - no longer good enough, too likely to re-envigorate Johnson with a trophy scalp - Pietersen considered, a bowling attack with variety) then the conditions mean that England should be very competitive. Note, I am not saying England would be favourites - they would not - but I think they would give a good account of themselves, win some tests and have a chance of taking the Ashes if they perform at their best. With Moores at the helm and the old boy culture that currently persists...I still think Anderson and Broad will run through that batting line up a couple of times in the series and reckon they'd expect to take a test - but Australia would be certain to retain, possibly quite handsomely.
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@Manormanic
I'm just glad that I didn't fall into the Gerry category!
You say the Aussies may be vulnerable on English pitches, and as you say there won't be any Aussie friendly decks prepared. My concern however is that if it swings for Jimmy it'll swing for Starc (Johnson doesn't know if it will swing or not when he lets go so I won't add him!)
As for their batting Clarke may be vulnerable to the short ball, but I few England may fall into the trap of trying to exploit that and feed him half trackers. Haddin is also vulnerable to the short one so the bowlers may do the same to him as well.
With Warner and Smifffy it will be interesting how the go against the moving ball, but I predict at least one of them will score big in the series.
Back to England, if Cook keeps grafting 50-70 odd scores he's seeing off the new ball and not performing horrendously. It's Trotty at the other end who concerns me more. I can see well be not many for 1 every game as he isn't a natural opener. I'd love him to prove me wrong, but I think try Lyth against New Zealand and see how he goes.
Other than Bell it's a fairly untested batting lineup against the Aussies (although Root has played in 2 Ashes series) so there may not be as much baggage from the past. It will be interesting to see how they go, but I expect them to be given a working over by Mitch!
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For Australia to struggle against swing bowling then England will need to pick some... not these back of a length automatons.
Even Anderson doesn't seem to be swinging it that much these days.
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For Australia to struggle against swing bowling then England will need to pick some... not these back of a length automatons.
Even Anderson doesn't seem to be swinging it that much these days.
Jimmy will need to be ticking at 150% every game for England to be in with a chance in my opinion.
Get Plunkett in for Jordan to spice the attack up a bit!
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You say the Aussies may be vulnerable on English pitches, and as you say there won't be any Aussie friendly decks prepared. My concern however is that if it swings for Jimmy it'll swing for Starc (Johnson doesn't know if it will swing or not when he lets go so I won't add him!)
Other than Bell it's a fairly untested batting lineup against the Aussies (although Root has played in 2 Ashes series) so there may not be as much baggage from the past. It will be interesting to see how they go, but I expect them to be given a working over by Mitch!
I think England would take that equation because Anderson swinging it both ways from the same action at will at batsmen who don't play swing well will be a more dangerous weapon than Starc swinging it one way fairly early in flight against batsmen who grew up in swinging conditions. Given, as you rightly state, any swing Johnson gets is by accident, and that Harris, Siddle and Hazlewood are not big swingers of the ball you'd again take this equation because we can offer up a selection of such bowlers.
As for "a working over by Mitch" - he's been a success in one ashes series out of four - for one of the other three he was deemed unelectable. If everything comes off, he could win test matches off his own back - but he has not looked the same bowler in the past twelve months and the pitch conditions are unlikely to suit him because his low arm means that he needs the steepling bounce of a very hard deck to get his bouncers up to a dangerous height. You'll note that I mentioned another reason in the extremely long list of reasons not to pick Trott is the danger of giving Mitch a psychological boost when everything else might conspire against him.
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I think England would take that equation because Anderson swinging it both ways from the same action at will at batsmen who don't play swing well will be a more dangerous weapon than Starc swinging it one way fairly early in flight against batsmen who grew up in swinging conditions. Given, as you rightly state, any swing Johnson gets is by accident, and that Harris, Siddle and Hazlewood are not big swingers of the ball you'd again take this equation because we can offer up a selection of such bowlers.
As for "a working over by Mitch" - he's been a success in one ashes series out of four - for one of the other three he was deemed unelectable. If everything comes off, he could win test matches off his own back - but he has not looked the same bowler in the past twelve months and the pitch conditions are unlikely to suit him because his low arm means that he needs the steepling bounce of a very hard deck to get his bouncers up to a dangerous height. You'll note that I mentioned another reason in the extremely long list of reasons not to pick Trott is the danger of giving Mitch a psychological boost when everything else might conspire against him.
One ashes series in four... Same as Cook then! Yet he's some awesome batsmen.. Let's not kid ourselves Cook is some awesome player vs top teams
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Why are people so taken with Ben Stokes what has he actually done to warrant all this hype?
He had one good knock against Australia that doesn't make him a good test player! Dwayne Smith made a good hundred against SA or Aus (I can't remember which) in his first test at 18 years old but he's not a good test player despite his talent.
I would take £100 bet with anyone that Ben Stokes will end up with a test batting average below 35 and bowling average above 35 which isn't good enough.
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One ashes series in four... Same as Cook then! Yet he's some awesome batsmen.. Let's not kid ourselves Cook is some awesome player vs top teams
Wasn't really what I was talking about but....
...no, Cook is not an awesome player against top teams - at least, not anymore. There is at least an argument that he was until a couple of years ago around the time when he took on the captaincy, and his overall record to that point - when he was, lets not forget, averaging over 50 and had just averaged 80+ in India. His record to that point suggested that he was a solid, dependable opener who flourished when he had attacking players around him.
Problem is, he no longer has Strauss, Pietersen, Collingwood or an attack that can buy him almost unlimited time to make his runs. Instead, he's the main man and he is not really suited to that role. The pressures of the job have doubtless messed with his head a bit too. So as a result...he's become Buck Rodgers, more or less. Decent when compared to, say, Trott or Robson but not the player he once was nor the one England rather need him to be.
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Why are people so taken with Ben Stokes what has he actually done to warrant all this hype?
1. He can bat - maybe not to the standard of averaging 45 in Tests, but certainly to the level that he will be a decent 6/7 bat throughout his career, and he will always score his runs in the way you need someone in that role to do so - with pace and intent.
2. He can bowl - maybe not to the level of being a third seamer of three but certainly to the level that he can contribute to a five man attack. If England thought harder about the composition of their attack, Stokes would probably take more wickets too as he would not always be lumbered with the Hamilton overs.
3. A combination of points one and two mean that he balances the side. With Stokes you can have six competent batsmen (five if you insist on selecting Trott) and five competent bowlers. This is particularly important when you're England and having to play 17 tests in 10 months, as it means that you do not expect your main seamers to bowler 25% of the overs in every innings, thus reducing wear and tear.
Will he fail the 35s test? I'd say no - one or other suit will be better than that. In the meantime, I'd point out that Australia have continued to select Shane Watson AS A NUMBER THREE BAT when he averages 35 and 34 respectively...
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In the meantime, I'd point out that Australia have continued to select Shane Watson AS A NUMBER THREE BAT when he averages 35 and 34 respectively...
I think it says something about the rest of the team when Australia can knock over teams like England, SA and India with a no. 3 batsman like that. Imagine if they picked someone competent.
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It's a real shame that Cook's lack of a ton has masked the fact that he is actually averaging 52.5 from his last 10 or so tests. Perhaps everyone is on his case because he was racking up so much before that now he is batting like a mere mortal (a damn good one at that) it's no longer good enough.
Same happened with Pietersen. People were giving him stick because he wasn't scoring tons every match, but then the ECB dropped him in the manner they did and now everyone's using the line 'Oh he top scored in the last Ashes series, why has he been dropped?' yadda yadda yadda. I feel we as fan's should stick right in behind our team, the guys go out there and I'm sure give it their all. I for one am very proud of the barmy army, those guys are the real fans and they gave Cook a standing ovation when we weren't doing so well against India and low and behold Cook went out and scored 95 next test.
Get behind the team, we certainly aren't worse than we were in the 90's.
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It's a real shame that Cook's lack of a ton has masked the fact that he is actually averaging 52.5 from his last 10 or so tests. Perhaps everyone is on his case because he was racking up so much before that now he is batting like a mere mortal (a damn good one at that) it's no longer good enough.
Exactly this - yes it's great when your openers are scoring ton after ton but you can't bloody complain when they're averaging over 50! Cook deserves a break, Trott on the other hand...
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And on that note... new underwear for Trotty!
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I think it says something about the rest of the team when Australia can knock over teams like England, SA and India with a no. 3 batsman like that. Imagine if they picked someone competent.
India would argue they mullered Australia in their conditions easier than Australia did to them. England have slaughtered a Watson-ed Australia three times out of four and South Africa better than break even.
My point wasn't particularly to diss Watson though - he isn't a test 3 but as a six bat and fifth bowler he's better than most. As Stokes will probably be given time.
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And on that note... new underwear for Trotty!
s'ok - he be mates with the coach and skipper!
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India would argue they mullered Australia in their conditions easier than Australia did to them. England have slaughtered a Watson-ed Australia three times out of four and South Africa better than break even.
My point wasn't particularly to diss Watson though - he isn't a test 3 but as a six bat and fifth bowler he's better than most. As Stokes will probably be given time.
Fair enough, I was mostly thinking of the last year or two, where Aus have been doing well despite no. 3 not scoring runs. I was just imagining how much better the team would be with a number three who performs like du Plessis, Sangakarra or Ballance have been over that time. They got a bit of a hiding in the years before that to be fair. Maybe they'll drop Smith in at three, he's batting as well as anyone at the moment. Watson should be given a crack at coming in at 5 or 6, but it's concerning that he doesn't score well in tests regardless of position, even though he scores well in ODIs.
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Fair enough, I was mostly thinking of the last year or two, where Aus have been doing well despite no. 3 not scoring runs. I was just imagining how much better the team would be with a number three who performs like du Plessis, Sangakarra or Ballance have been over that time. They got a bit of a hiding in the years before that to be fair. Maybe they'll drop Smith in at three, he's batting as well as anyone at the moment. Watson should be given a crack at coming in at 5 or 6, but it's concerning that he doesn't score well in tests regardless of position, even though he scores well in ODIs.
It has certainly been a weak spot for them - from the top of my head they've tried, what, Quiney, Watson, Doolan, Shaun Marsh, Maxwell...
...I guess Ponting's boots were horrendously big ones to fill and that this provides yet more evidence of how you don't realise how good/valuable a player can be until they're not there.