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[Nickauger]

"I honestly believe we can win the Ashes - we have the best all-round bowling attack in world cricket." Mickey Arthur

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/22982588

[petehosk]

Aus do have a very decent bowling attack!
But 'all-round' bowling attack surely means spinner as well? He's crazy if he thinks this is the case!
The Aus spin attack is not great, although the new fella may do well, but as yet is unproven!
General pace attack is decent though.

But stating it's the best all-round attack in the World? He is either deluded or is he simply starting the pre-Ashes wind-up chat?
 

[Rowan]

As an Australian, I admit that we have absolutely no chance, Lyon is terrible.

[Kulli]

If they can get Harris and Cummins fit for any length of time they might be able to get close to being one of the best attacks around.

If we're talking 'all-round' attacks SA's spin cupboard is pretty bare!

[ProCricketer1982]

eng have the best all-round atack BUT ONLY WITH SWANN PLAYING AND PLAYING WELL

[Nickauger]

Aus definitely have a very good seam attack, but no spinner at all!

[ProCricketer1982]

Aus definitely have a very good seam attack, but no spinner at all!

if... IF... fully fit it's very close between fast bowling departments. As you say nick, it's all down to the fact Aus have no spinner and we have Swann.. Now, if they get this new lad and we have a half fit, under cooked Swann playing then it could get interesting. I think it's Englands to lose BUT I can't help but think it'll be close, very close.

[Tumo]

if... IF... fully fit it's very close between fast bowling departments. As you say nick, it's all down to the fact Aus have no spinner and we have Swann.. Now, if they get this new lad and we have a half fit, under cooked Swann playing then it could get interesting. I think it's Englands to lose BUT I can't help but think it'll be close, very close.

What new lad? Agar? Ahmed? Even if they play out of their skin, they're still not fit to lace Swann's boots, whether he's at 60% or 100%...

[ProCricketer1982]

What new lad? Agar? Ahmed? Even if they play out of their skin, they're still not fit to lace Swann's boots, whether he's at 60% or 100%...

We just don't know how their pakistan spinner will perform. Plenty of players have looked average in lower league/level cricket yet 'make it' at the top. Plenty have looked the part and have all the stats to back them up you could want (Hick) but never made it etc. Until we know we can't just assume he'll be crap. Half fit swann won't be that effective.

[Nickauger]

I think England have the best 2 bowlers from either team (Jimmy and Swann), I think the other Aus seamers if fit are equally as good, if not better than Broad, Finn, Bresnan.

[cricketbadger]

even without Swann, we have Panesar who would get in pretty much any international side

[Tumo]

We just don't know how their pakistan spinner will perform. Plenty of players have looked average in lower league/level cricket yet 'make it' at the top. Plenty have looked the part and have all the stats to back them up you could want (Hick) but never made it etc. Until we know we can't just assume he'll be crap. Half fit swann won't be that effective.

If you listen to Swann, he's always been half-fit, bowling with loads of pain in his elbow for years as it is. As for Fawad Ahmed, Ireland (and a weak Ireland at that) have just made him look so village it's painful. I doubt he'll even be picked, as both Lyon and Agar (and o'Keefe) are better bowlers. You seem to be awfully pessimistic considering the gulf in class between the 2 sides in batting and spin bowling, and keeping for that matter. The only close area is the fast bowling department and even then ours seem to break down less, and have more luck with injuries!

[ProCricketer1982]

If you listen to Swann, he's always been half-fit, bowling with loads of pain in his elbow for years as it is. As for Fawad Ahmed, Ireland (and a weak Ireland at that) have just made him look so village it's painful. I doubt he'll even be picked, as both Lyon and Agar (and o'Keefe) are better bowlers. You seem to be awfully pessimistic considering the gulf in class between the 2 sides in batting and spin bowling, and keeping for that matter. The only close area is the fast bowling department and even then ours seem to break down less, and have more luck with injuries!

Keeping?? We have the best wicket keeper batsmen in the test world currently. Dhoni is not a patch (test wise) on Prior and he's probably the closest there is.


Batting wise, Aus have more dangerous players BUT dangerous players always run the risk of collapse. Awesome one day, shocking the next. We have one such player (or will have), the rest are steady eddie's and a seriel choker. I think we will outplay them over 5 tests BUT I do think it'll be closer than we think. Clarke is world class (assuming his form hasn't deserted him because of his back), haddin is no slouch,rodgers should do well enough. Their problem is Watson, warner and hughes. If they are fire we could be in trouble.. if they don't, Aus are in trouble.

Oh and I hope they bring in Johnson to bowl again after a few injuries... just be fun singing 'his song' again

[petehosk]

The simplest way of looking at it is........

List both teams side by side and pick the best 6 batsmen/alrounders, the best keeper and the best 4 bowlers.
I suspect that Clarke, possibly 1 or 2 of the bowlers, plus possibly 1 mid-order would be from the Aus team. And the rest would be from the Eng team?

I would definitely have Cook, Trott, KP, Root, Prior, Swanny and Jimmy! Clarke (if fit) would be in there from Aus. The rest would be dependant on their current form.

[joeylough]

Anyone think that Tredwell could be worth a punt, if swann is out.