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Cricket XVII


Paxter

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Interesting that Lehmann has been appointed until 2015, looks like they've put in Boof as the new long-term coach. That was done rather quickly! Still, he's as good a candidate as any to try and turn this thing around.

I also feel Bresnan gets in because of his batting, but if you think about it, there's plenty of lower-order cover already with Broad and Swann. Even Anderson can hang around a bit these days.

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I think Bresnan's batting is sometimes what sneaks him into the team...a test batting average of 31 after 18 tests is nothing to be sniffed at. But for sheer killer instinct I hope they play Finn. I can see him causing the likes of Rogers, Cowan and Hughes a fair bit of trouble.

You say that like it's a challenge.

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I'd have Morgan for Bell - but that's just me.

I think Morgan does have the potential to be a Test batsman again, but he does have to improve after an inconsistent start to his Test career where he only occasionally managed to show his talent. For him to get back into the side I think he'd probably have to score a lot of runs in first-class games but he seems to have mostly played limited over games recently.

I also feel Bresnan gets in because of his batting, but if you think about it, there's plenty of lower-order cover already with Broad and Swann. Even Anderson can hang around a bit these days.

Finn also seems to have improved with the bat after his recent half century as a night watchman against the Kiwis.

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Good 20/20 game tonight, to the extent that's possible, but England looked to be short from about the seventh over.

It was a good game. I thought McCullum was generally very intelligent with his field placings, I particularly liked the commentator questioning having a slip in 3/4 of the way through a T20 game, Morgan immediately slashes hard at the ball and Ross Taylor rises up from first slip to take a great catch.

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But T20 is the indoor cricket of outdoor cricket (Indoor cricket is the putt putt golf of cricket) so can't really celebrate too much.

I've read that statement a few times and am still not sure I get it! What are you guys smoking across the Tasman? :-P

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You would think that after Franklin's subpar recent performances with the bat, NZ wouldn't do something idiotic like having him open the batting, but alas, they continue to shoehorn him into the time. Hopefully this golden duck helps convinces them that Franklin is NOT a specialist batsman.

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I think Morgan does have the potential to be a Test batsman again, but he does have to improve after an inconsistent start to his Test career where he only occasionally managed to show his talent. For him to get back into the side I think he'd probably have to score a lot of runs in first-class games but he seems to have mostly played limited over games recently.

He looked so good when he first came on the scene: innovative and steely-eyed. But I do feel like he's playing on past reputation now. He's got all the talent and temperament, he just needs to apply it.

Finn also seems to have improved with the bat after his recent half century as a night watchman against the Kiwis.

So we bat to 11 - excellent! :D

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Well my predicted team has already been blown out of the water, with Watson confirmed to open at Trent Bridge. This opens things up in the number 5/6 spots, and makes it more likely that Warner could crop up in the middle order. It also reduces Rogers' chance of playing dramatically. So the Aussie side now is something like:

1. Cowan

2. Watson

3. Hughes

4. Clarke ©

5. Khawaja

6. Smith/Warner

7. Haddin (wk)

8. Starc

9. Siddle

10. Pattinson

11. Lyon

ETA: Worth noting as well that Compton's runs in the tour match might re-open the door for him to bat 1 or 2, with Root to slot back into the middle order and Bairstow to be omitted.

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If Watson is to play, probably not a bad idea to have him open, though one would think that Cowan and Rogers are the most accomplished openers in the squad. Rogers should be in the XI somewhere, he's the only guy who's showed some sort of recent form. It would be madness to have him carry the drinks.

I'm doubtful about Lyon's place in the team. I'd prefer Bird as a fourth seamer. I know that Lyon seemed to get it together in the last test in India, but that was in helpful conditions in Delhi. I can't see him being all that useful in England.

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Agree with Arya - we should have Rogers playing. No point in a veteran 35 year-old journeyman carrying drinks. He's not on this tour to gain experience, he's on this tour to play, and if he's in good form (which he is) then he should be getting a game.

I'd also like to see Bird included but I can understand them wanting to play Lyon. What's the pitch like at Trent Bridge?

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I'd also like to see Bird included but I can understand them wanting to play Lyon. What's the pitch like at Trent Bridge?

A week ago...nearly 1000 runs were scored in a drawn match, for the loss of 9 wickets. Monty played and bowled reasonably well. Previous matches haven't been quite so favourable to the batsmen, but that was early season. I think Lyon has to play.

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A week ago...nearly 1000 runs were scored in a drawn match, for the loss of 9 wickets. Monty played and bowled reasonably well. Previous matches haven't been quite so favourable to the batsmen, but that was early season. I think Lyon has to play.

That sounds good. A high-scoring draw would be a nice way to start the Ashes given everything that has happened in the lead-up. No doubt that would greatly frustrate the English, and with the help of their press beating on them for not easily winning, our chances will be much better in the second test and beyond.

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Haha is this Australian batting line-up capable of producing a high scoring draw? Couldn't do it on flat Indian decks...

If Cowan drops anchor, and there's huge contributions from Clarke and Rogers, and if a couple of the others avoid abject failures (this is the bit that concerns me), and there's some rain, then yes, why not?

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