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[Bats_Entertainment]

What has Mills done to warrant selection?

Bowl heat against England in 2013 then keep the physio busy in 2014?

I'll be interested to see if he makes Sussex's starting XI.

[SLC]

If Mills is this good, then why hasnt he even come close to setting county cricket alight? Genuine question, as i haven't seen him play much.

[Manormanic]

If Mills is this good, then why hasnt he even come close to setting county cricket alight? Genuine question, as i haven't seen him play much.

He's quick.  Hasn't taken that many wickets thus far, it has to be said, but there is certainly potential there.  Surprised that anyone would take his as their left arm gas over Footitt though, given the latter took a shedload of wickets last season?

[Bats_Entertainment]

If Mills is this good, then why hasnt he even come close to setting county cricket alight? Genuine question, as i haven't seen him play much.

I don"t think most people have seen him play much.

[Rob580]

Sorry Dave but you're deluded if you think England's army of 80mph medium paced dobbers will cut the mustard in Ashes. Unless the pitches are doctored green tops, England's seam attack will be pensioned off.

Nibble Nibble.

[Buzz]

Sorry Dave but you're deluded if you think England's army of 80mph medium paced dobbers will cut the mustard in Ashes. Unless the pitches are doctored green tops, England's seam attack will be pensioned off.

I have to agree - although there will be no green tops this summer the pitchers will be arid dead waist lands wastelands with more dust on than my under stairs cupboard and a chippy's workshop combined.

[procricket]

We will see our bowler have done it before Broad and Anderson against this side in England I have faith

[Manormanic]

I have to agree - although there will be no green tops this summer the pitchers will be arid dead waist lands with more dust on than my under stairs cupboard and a chippy's workshop combined.

waist lands? 

Surely "wastelands"?

[Manormanic]

We will see our bowler have done it before Broad and Anderson against this side in England I have faith

Get away from one day international fiascos for a minute and just analyse the two countries as test sides, especially bearing in mind the benefits either way of home conditions, and I think its a more even series than most people think:

Top Order: Davey Warner is dangerous, no doubt, but there is still the suspicion that he is only dangerous when things are going his way.  Rogers is someone England are happy bowling at, and there is no clarity about who will bat three for Australia - if the ball swings, expect them to be 2-not many most times.  For England, a lot rides on whether Cook can regain some form as he is likely to have an inexperienced partner, though Ballance at three provides quality and stability.  A draw.

Middle Order:  Australia would point to Smith and Clarke, but one is a permanent injury worry and the other, whilst massively improved, still has exploitable weaknesses.  England would point to Root and Bell; more solid possibly, less stunning certainly.  England certainly have better back up options, especially if Pietersen does "commit".  England, narrowly.

All Round Options: Watson being replaced by Marsh will strengthen Australian bowling but weaken the batting, Maxwell may tour as the second spinner and adds options.  Ali is a decent spin option but will get bounced out most games.  Australia, narrowly.

Wicketkeeper: Buttler vs Haddin.  Youth and constant improvement vs miraculous holding back of the years.  This one starts a draw but will be won by whoevers team is on top.

Spin Bowling: Australia have the clubbie Lyon and...not much else.  England have the not much less of a clubbie Ali backed by an array of other options (Rashid and Riley the most likely).  Englands win here.

Pace Bowling: Anderson is a master of swing bowling in English conditions and will take early wickets, but the fact is that England don't have a whole lot else in the way of proven performers still at their peak - Broad looks old, Tremlett is old, Bresnan had the get in the Yorkshire side as an all rounder last season, Woakes may be crocked and not that good anyway, Finn has forgotten how to bowl fast...unless someone like Plunkett or Footitt can shake Australia... Who have Mitch (who oddly, I suspect may not be a big player in this series) plus the incredible Harris and either Spaceman or HAzlewood in a top class three.  Australia's.

Back Up Bowling: Here is where it comes apart - England will be guessing with their seamers, whereas Australia have about eight possibles for the fifth slot - Pattinson, Siddle, Cummins, Abbott, Bird are the seriious ones but Hilfenhaus, Bollinger, Faulkner and a couple more would do a decent job.  Australia, clearly.

So there you have it - in most areas a close series until we come to the quicks.

[Bats_Entertainment]

No-one's picked Alex Hales?

[ProCricketer1982]

Get away from one day international fiascos for a minute and just analyse the two countries as test sides, especially bearing in mind the benefits either way of home conditions, and I think its a more even series than most people think:

Top Order: Davey Warner is dangerous, no doubt, but there is still the suspicion that he is only dangerous when things are going his way.  Rogers is someone England are happy bowling at, and there is no clarity about who will bat three for Australia - if the ball swings, expect them to be 2-not many most times.  For England, a lot rides on whether Cook can regain some form as he is likely to have an inexperienced partner, though Ballance at three provides quality and stability.  A draw.

Middle Order:  Australia would point to Smith and Clarke, but one is a permanent injury worry and the other, whilst massively improved, still has exploitable weaknesses.  England would point to Root and Bell; more solid possibly, less stunning certainly.  England certainly have better back up options, especially if Pietersen does "commit".  England, narrowly.

All Round Options: Watson being replaced by Marsh will strengthen Australian bowling but weaken the batting, Maxwell may tour as the second spinner and adds options.  Ali is a decent spin option but will get bounced out most games.  Australia, narrowly.

Wicketkeeper: Buttler vs Haddin.  Youth and constant improvement vs miraculous holding back of the years.  This one starts a draw but will be won by whoevers team is on top.

Spin Bowling: Australia have the clubbie Lyon and...not much else.  England have the not much less of a clubbie Ali backed by an array of other options (Rashid and Riley the most likely).  Englands win here.

Pace Bowling: Anderson is a master of swing bowling in English conditions and will take early wickets, but the fact is that England don't have a whole lot else in the way of proven performers still at their peak - Broad looks old, Tremlett is old, Bresnan had the get in the Yorkshire side as an all rounder last season, Woakes may be crocked and not that good anyway, Finn has forgotten how to bowl fast...unless someone like Plunkett or Footitt can shake Australia... Who have Mitch (who oddly, I suspect may not be a big player in this series) plus the incredible Harris and either Spaceman or HAzlewood in a top class three.  Australia's.

Back Up Bowling: Here is where it comes apart - England will be guessing with their seamers, whereas Australia have about eight possibles for the fifth slot - Pattinson, Siddle, Cummins, Abbott, Bird are the seriious ones but Hilfenhaus, Bollinger, Faulkner and a couple more would do a decent job.  Australia, clearly.

So there you have it - in most areas a close series until we come to the quicks.

Cook -- woefully out of form and has been found out. He'll not recover vs Australia
Robson -- simply not good enough
Ballance -- decent player but he's not Trott
Root -- probably sadly our best player now
Bell -- he's had his good ashes in 2013, hopefully he'll do it again but given his record of not living up to his potential
Ali -- Will be bounced out, simply not a test cricketer unfortunately (at least, not a 'batsmen')

Broad -- really the best we've got?? the guy looks old, he's petulant still and bowls medium plod. Bopara was nearly as quick!!
Anderson -- only going to be good if it's swinging, otherwise.. medium plod again

we simply have no seamer that's going to get aus out without the wickets help.

Australia aren't invulnerable, as you've said.. warner, smith have weaknesses, clarke is injury prone etc. however, man for man they pretty much hammer england hands down and have more reserves!

[Gelds]

Get away from one day international fiascos for a minute and just analyse the two countries as test sides, especially bearing in mind the benefits either way of home conditions, and I think its a more even series than most people think:

Top Order: Davey Warner is dangerous, no doubt, but there is still the suspicion that he is only dangerous when things are going his way.  Rogers is someone England are happy bowling at, and there is no clarity about who will bat three for Australia - if the ball swings, expect them to be 2-not many most times.  For England, a lot rides on whether Cook can regain some form as he is likely to have an inexperienced partner, though Ballance at three provides quality and stability.  A draw.

Middle Order:  Australia would point to Smith and Clarke, but one is a permanent injury worry and the other, whilst massively improved, still has exploitable weaknesses.  England would point to Root and Bell; more solid possibly, less stunning certainly.  England certainly have better back up options, especially if Pietersen does "commit".  England, narrowly.

All Round Options: Watson being replaced by Marsh will strengthen Australian bowling but weaken the batting, Maxwell may tour as the second spinner and adds options.  Ali is a decent spin option but will get bounced out most games.  Australia, narrowly.

Wicketkeeper: Buttler vs Haddin.  Youth and constant improvement vs miraculous holding back of the years.  This one starts a draw but will be won by whoevers team is on top.

Spin Bowling: Australia have the clubbie Lyon and...not much else.  England have the not much less of a clubbie Ali backed by an array of other options (Rashid and Riley the most likely).  Englands win here.

Pace Bowling: Anderson is a master of swing bowling in English conditions and will take early wickets, but the fact is that England don't have a whole lot else in the way of proven performers still at their peak - Broad looks old, Tremlett is old, Bresnan had the get in the Yorkshire side as an all rounder last season, Woakes may be crocked and not that good anyway, Finn has forgotten how to bowl fast...unless someone like Plunkett or Footitt can shake Australia... Who have Mitch (who oddly, I suspect may not be a big player in this series) plus the incredible Harris and either Spaceman or HAzlewood in a top class three.  Australia's.

Back Up Bowling: Here is where it comes apart - England will be guessing with their seamers, whereas Australia have about eight possibles for the fifth slot - Pattinson, Siddle, Cummins, Abbott, Bird are the seriious ones but Hilfenhaus, Bollinger, Faulkner and a couple more would do a decent job.  Australia, clearly.

So there you have it - in most areas a close series until we come to the quicks.

Excellent post!! Agree with pretty much everything you've said there.

[Manormanic]

Cook -- woefully out of form and has been found out. He'll not recover vs Australia
Robson -- simply not good enough
Ballance -- decent player but he's not Trott
Root -- probably sadly our best player now
Bell -- he's had his good ashes in 2013, hopefully he'll do it again but given his record of not living up to his potential
Ali -- Will be bounced out, simply not a test cricketer unfortunately (at least, not a 'batsmen')

Broad -- really the best we've got?? the guy looks old, he's petulant still and bowls medium plod. Bopara was nearly as quick!!
Anderson -- only going to be good if it's swinging, otherwise.. medium plod again

we simply have no seamer that's going to get aus out without the wickets help.

Australia aren't invulnerable, as you've said.. warner, smith have weaknesses, clarke is injury prone etc. however, man for man they pretty much hammer england hands down and have more reserves!

Whilst your analysis is no less valid than mine, I do think you're giving some English players less credit than they deserve (Ballance, Anderson) and are missing the point with Australia's reserves that there is precisely no additional value in having four world class seamers when they're sat at home...

The different make up of the teams makes an 11 man head for head challenging to arrange, but here is a 13 man comparison based on likely, rather than my preferred, selections; for each the "winner" - or winners if a draw-  is in bold:

Cook vs Warner
Trott vs Rogers
Ballance vs Burns
Bell vs Clarke
Root vs Smith
Ali vs Maxwell
Stokes vs Marsh
Buttler vs Haddin
Woakes vs Johnson
Broad vs Harris
Anderson vs Hazlewood
Plunkett vs Starc
Rashid vs Lyon

Only four outright wins each, even with my giving Clarke a narrow win over Bell, and I don't believe that many of my selections are particularly controversial...

[ProCricketer1982]

Whilst your analysis is no less valid than mine, I do think you're giving some English players less credit than they deserve (Ballance, Anderson) and are missing the point with Australia's reserves that there is precisely no additional value in having four world class seamers when they're sat at home...

The different make up of the teams makes an 11 man head for head challenging to arrange, but here is a 13 man comparison based on likely, rather than my preferred, selections; for each the "winner" - or winners if a draw-  is in bold:

Cook vs Warner
Trott vs Rogers
Ballance vs Burns
Bell vs Clarke
Root vs Smith
Ali vs Maxwell
Stokes vs Marsh
Buttler vs Haddin
Woakes vs Johnson
Broad vs Harris
Anderson vs Hazlewood
Plunkett vs Starc
Rashid vs Lyon

Only four outright wins each, even with my giving Clarke a narrow win over Bell, and I don't believe that many of my selections are particularly controversial...

Cook vs Warner --- Aus
Trott vs Rogers --- draw
Ballance vs Burns --- draw
Bell vs Clarke --- Aus
Root vs Smith --- draw
Ali vs Maxwell --- Aus
Stokes vs Marsh --- Aus
Buttler vs Haddin --- draw
Woakes vs Johnson --- Aus
Broad vs Harris --- Aus
Anderson vs Hazlewood --- Eng (unless it's not swinging, in which case draw)
Plunkett vs Starc --- draw
Rashid vs Lyon ---aus (based purely on the fact Lyon has been there, Rashid hasn't and with Warner, clarke, smith etc.. they'll mince him.)

[Kulli]

Cook vs Warner --- Aus
Trott vs Rogers --- draw
Ballance vs Burns --- draw
Bell vs Clarke --- Aus
Root vs Smith --- draw
Ali vs Maxwell --- Aus
Stokes vs Marsh --- Aus
Buttler vs Haddin --- draw
Woakes vs Johnson --- Aus
Broad vs Harris --- Aus
Anderson vs Hazlewood --- Eng (unless it's not swinging, in which case draw)
Plunkett vs Starc --- draw
Rashid vs Lyon ---aus (based purely on the fact Lyon has been there, Rashid hasn't and with Warner, clarke, smith etc.. they'll mince him.)

I'd agree with that Except I think Ballance edges it over Burns and That Maxwell isn't a better test option than Ali.