Cricket VII

[Maltaran]

As far as Australian selection goes for the next test, I would be seriously considering dropping Siddle for Clark.

Why Clark and not Brett Lee (assuming he's fit enough)?

Fun fact - even though he scored 63 this morning, Johnson's batting average for the series is still lower than his bowling average.

[williamjm]

Sir Frederick of Flintoff, we salute you. What a great way to finish your final Test match at Lord's.

Can't believe we have to wait over a week for the next isntalment!

Having to wait over a week is probably a good thing, it gives Flintoff some time to rest and recover from his heroic exertions in this match.

[delete this account pls]

I wonder if Johnson's drama with his crazy mother has been effecting his form?

I think we'll definitely see Lee come back into the side, and they really should have been picking Stuart Clark from the get-go. I still can't fathom why they didn't.

[Paxter]

Why Clark and not Brett Lee (assuming he's fit enough)?

Clark is a far superior bowler to Lee at the test level - Clark averaging an excellent 23 while Lee is a below-average 31. Also, Lee's record in England is atrocious. And Clark was the leading wicket-taker in the 5-0 drubbing in 06-07.

Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if the selectors follow your advice, on the basis that Lee bowled well in the England Lions tour game. One performance isn't enough to sway me though.

[Stubby]

I wonder if Johnson's drama with his crazy mother has been effecting his form?

Even laoise (who doesn't know much about cricket) picked up on this idea. His mum coming out and slamming his girlfriend for 'stealing her baby' just days before the first test cannot have been good for him. Its easy to say that he should not let things like that affect him but IMO it must have some impact.

[Paxter]

I know it has come against a WI 2nd XI that they were expected to beat, but I have to say that I'm really pleased to see Bangladesh win a test series. They still have a long way to go before they can be regularly competitive in the test match arena, but the success of players such as Shakib (7-130 and 96 not out in the second test) is very encouraging.

As for the Ashes, I was having a look at the stats and it is interesting to note that 4 of the 5 top wicket-takers and 4 of the top 6 run-getters are Australian players. Also, England has 1 century-maker compared to 5 from Australia. This probably reflects the fact that the 1-0 scoreline flatters England and that there is still a long way to go in this series...

[Multaniette]

paxter,

i wouldn't go by stats alone when evaluating lee. lee's the best exponent of reverse swing in the aussie squad and adds a further dimension to the team through his skiddy conventional swing.

he can go for a few in the process as well but it's a risk well worth taking - specially when they're playing for a win.

my aussie squad'd be,

hughes

katich

ponting

clarke

north

haddin

johnson

lee

hauritz

clark

hilfenhaus

siddle gets the chop, for the time being, because edgbaston's going to be about as lively as an asphalt runway and someone, preferably a spinner, will have to do the donkey work.

mr cricket's gotta go. as it stands, australia cannot afford any passengers.

johnson, to me, has the makings of a truly world class all-rounder - the best since shaun pollock.

[Stubby]

johnson, to me, has the makings of a truly world class all-rounder - the best since shaun pollock.

I agree. He has a great natural eye when batting and only needs to develop some consistency with the ball. And the sooner he does then the sooner they can evict the Clown from the squad and retire Shane Watson the Walking Injury.

[Horza]

I agree. He has a great natural eye when batting and only needs to develop some consistency with the ball. And the sooner he does then the sooner they can evict the Clown from the squad and retire Shane Watson the Walking Injury.

:rofl:

[Paxter]

paxter,

i wouldn't go by stats alone when evaluating lee. lee's the best exponent of reverse swing in the aussie squad and adds a further dimension to the team through his skiddy conventional swing.

I should have perhaps explained that my preference for Clark goes way beyond the statistics. I have sat through each of Brett Lee's ten test matches in England and he has consistently failed to demonstrate the control necessary to exploit the swing (conventional or irish) to which you refer. Clark on the other hand is renowned for his control, which should enable to build significant pressure as well as chime in with the occasional wicket on account of the natural variation off the pitch.

That said, I think the team you selected would probably have a better chance of defeating England than the current line-up. I agree that six specialist batsmen is probably surplus to requirements ATM, especially with Brad Haddin being the second-highest run-scorer in the series so far.

As for the Walking Injury, it's time for him to focus solely on limited overs cricket and forget about a prolonged test career.

[Slick Mongoose]

Yeah, I think Australia definitely need an extra bowler for the next test. They can't rely on the English batsmen getting themselves out the whole time.

[Multaniette]

I should have perhaps explained that my preference for Clark goes way beyond the statistics. I have sat through each of Brett Lee's ten test matches in England and he has consistently failed to demonstrate the control necessary to exploit the swing (conventional or irish) to which you refer. Clark on the other hand is renowned for his control, which should enable to build significant pressure as well as chime in with the occasional wicket on account of the natural variation off the pitch.

That said, I think the team you selected would probably have a better chance of defeating England than the current line-up. I agree that six specialist batsmen is probably surplus to requirements ATM, especially with Brad Haddin being the second-highest run-scorer in the series so far.

As for the Walking Injury, it's time for him to focus solely on limited overs cricket and forget about a prolonged test career.

oh clark absolutely has to play - there's no excuse for keeping him out.

anyway the talk of lee playing's immaterial now since he's been ruled out of the third test.

i've watched a fair bit of lee as well, and the lee that played in west indies was a completely different bowler from the one in the preceeding years. he seemed to have found that elusive control that has always eluded him.

mebbe that's never going to happen again, but given the current aussie bowling resources, and specially with the presence of hilfy and clark in team, an out-and-out strike bowler's definitely needed.

[Paxter]

Pietersen not looking good for the third test. So I would expect Ian Bell to be given another crack. But TBH, he is the last person who I would like to see in the crucial No. 4 position for England. He tends to crumble under pressure. I think I would rather see Key or Vaughan or Shah or friggin' Ramprakash in that position before Bell. Actually, Ramps generally played quite well against Australia :P.

But no doubt it will be Bell :thumbsdown:

[Hereward]

They can't rely on the English batsmen getting themselves out the whole time.

Words fail me.

:P

[Slick Mongoose]

Words fail me.

:P

Good point. They can, actually. Whoops. :leaving:

[williamjm]

Pietersen not looking good for the third test. So I would expect Ian Bell to be given another crack. But TBH, he is the last person who I would like to see in the crucial No. 4 position for England. He tends to crumble under pressure. I think I would rather see Key or Vaughan or Shah or friggin' Ramprakash in that position before Bell. Actually, Ramps generally played quite well against Australia :P.

If Pietersen is injured then I'd probably prefer them to select someone who can bat at number 3. They can then move Bopara down into the middle order (which seems a better position for him).

I have a feeling it probably will be Bell, despite his poor Ashes record. Obviously Vaughan has retired now, Shah doesn't strike me as any more reliable under pressure than Bell (at least Bell doesn't run himself out quite so often) and if they've resisted picking Ramprakash for the past few years I doubt they'll change now. Key would probably be the biggest potential challenger to Bell, he did just score 270-odd in a first-class game last weekend so should be in decent form.

[Maltaran]

Pietersen not looking good for the third test. So I would expect Ian Bell to be given another crack. But TBH, he is the last person who I would like to see in the crucial No. 4 position for England.

I'd put him at 3 and drop Bopara down the order.

Edit: Although as BillyJ says, Key would be a good choice.

[Paddy]

Nevermind the third test, Pietersen is out of the Ashes.

[Paxter]

Nevermind the third test, Pietersen is out of the Ashes.

Great. Just great. Bell to play three tests now. :bang:

*waits for a repeat of the '97 Ashes*

[Daeric]

Why they didn't do the operation during the West Indies ashes I don't know. They must have known at some point he would require it so why not during those tests that have no significant value.