[Archived] The Not A Build Up To The Ashes Thread

[Flopsy]

So after a 3day win over the Windies, England are now the greatest team in the world ever, and are now shoe ins for the Ashes.

Or not.

The Windies will do there best to upset the apple cart in Durham, and with Feidal Edwards they have the bowler who can do the job. If the rest of the team remember to catch.

Looking ahead the inaugral Twenty20 worldcup (the one last year never happened according to the ICC) will demonstrate how far behind England have become in a game they only bloody invented 5 years ago. Garumpf

Then the small matter of trying to claw some small shred of dignity back after the 5-0 whupping last time out in the Ashes.

The main thing in our favour is that Aus are nowhere near as good as they where in 2007 and have one great bowler in Johnson and a number of so so's whether they're better than Englands crop is debatable.

In the batting stakes Aus have been really shaky when the pressure is on, but england have been rubbish, my main hope is that Cook gets injured so someone good can be brought in.

Let the sledging begin

oh dont get me bloody started on Cardif having a test.

Im at Edgbaston on August 1st if anyone wants a beer

[Napoleon]

I think the selection policy has been quite strange so far from England. The balance of the side in the last test might be right for a grey May day but not for the Ashes. Bell being dropped then re-called is very strange too. I am though glad that Harmison is apparently nowhere near selection.

Both Australia and England are significantly worse than 2005. I think there's not much difference in the bowling line ups but Australia will win it with the bat. 3-1 Australia is my prediction.

[b12_simon]

Im at Edgbaston on August 1st if anyone wants a beer

One of the 2 days I'm not there. Cannon Hill Park on the 2nd?

[Flopsy]

I cant, selfishly my son's having his 1st birthday party

[b12_simon]

I cant, selfishly my son's having his 1st birthday party

Part time supporter

Back on topic I think we're in for something of a hiding this summer. As you say the Aussies are below par (their par, that is) but we're bobbins.

I'm glad they've dropped Vaughan and Flintoff but less happy to see Bell in the squad again. He's not really performed for some while and his fitness is suspect.

Here's hoping Onions wasn't just a flash in the pan!

[Flopsy]

Bell, i'm not so upset about, yes he only seems to get 30's but his close in fielding and catching is worth about 70 runs. Cook on the other hand offers nothing to the team but grinding 30's and good schooling

Dont be surprised to see us playing two spinners in the ashes

[broadsword]

Here's hoping Onions wasn't just a flash in the pan!

If the Aussies marmalade him, we'll be in a pickle.

We need keen-as-mustard lads like that.

[dave birch]

I think the selection policy has been quite strange so far from England. The balance of the side in the last test might be right for a grey May day but not for the Ashes. Bell being dropped then re-called is very strange too. I am though glad that Harmison is apparently nowhere near selection.

Both Australia and England are significantly worse than 2005. I think there's not much difference in the bowling line ups but Australia will win it with the bat. 3-1 Australia is my prediction.

The Aussies are no where near the team that creamed England in Australia.

They have an awful lot to do to get close to them. Very hit and miss at the moment IMO.

[Billy Castell]

If the Aussies marmalade him, we'll be in a pickle.

We need keen-as-mustard lads like that.

We tried Mustard, but he couldn't cut it.

391/3. We must have won the series, and Cook sounds like he is filling his boots, and is 152 not out at the moment. Pietersen is building up nicely too.

On a different note, I hope test matches do have a future, as I do like it as well as 20/20. Both formats offer something different. Test matches are like chess, or a long film, you just watch, and things just unfold over time. 20/20 is like a big loud action film like Transformers or Die Hard.

[ABBEY]

watching on thursday was a farce no crowd ,no atmoshere.

BRING BACK OLD TRAFFORD!!!!!

[RibbleValleyRover]

What a rubbish Windies side this is, though this pitch is an absolute road.

[Flopsy]

back to the top, just for Neekoy's benefit. muhahaha

7 wickets in 90 overs on a lifeless pitch with Shiv well set and Nash and Ramdin to come. Will be close.

[AussieinUk]

back to the top, just for Neekoy's benefit. muhahaha

Your closing threads all over the place, Flops!

Well done to Hughes again..

[Flopsy]

off stump Yorker first up should see him off

[AussieinUk]

off stump Yorker first up should see him off

We will see Flops!

Probable squad for the Ashes is now out... Ashes squad is announced on Wednesday

1. Phillip Hughes - Defin

2. Simon Katich - Defin

3. Ricky Ponting (capt) - Defin

4. Michael Clarke (vice-capt) - Defin

5. Michael Hussey - Defin

6. Shane Watson - Defin

7. Brad Haddin - Defin

8. Mitchell Johnson - Defin

9. Brett Lee - Defin

10. Stuart Clark - Defin

11. Nathan Hauritz - Defin

12. Ben Hilfenhaus - WTF????

13. Brad Hodge - Finally, he is being considered again! Well done Hildtich you clown

14. Graham Manou - Not my choice..

15. Marcus North - Deserves another chance

16. Peter Siddle - Defin

I hope Symonds is included and a little disappointed that Jaques won't be in.. Also feel sorry for McDonald (and to a samller degree Krejza), as I think the English pitches would suit him perfectly..

Personally, I would take out Manou and Hilfenhaus and put in McDonald and Symonds

EDIT: Neekoy - I said Hodge should be back in the frame for contention and it looks like he will be..

[Flopsy]

you play clark and lee in two of the tests, and you'll lose the series. Too old and too injury prone too be effective or cope with back t back tests. Oh and play Watson too, he'll last the course of the series

The same reason Fred shouldn't play either.

England wrap up the Windies, now onto the one day series to get a walloping. Jimmy bowled marvellously

[dave birch]

Australia Ashes squad:

Ricky Ponting ©, Michael Clarke (vc), Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Graham Manou, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.

hmmmm!

[SouthAussieRover]

Watson!!!!!!?

Who will be the unfortunate chap's replacement?

Look's like Symond's career is over at Test level. I guess Ponting won't be happy about his omission.

[dave birch]

My first thoughts were, "goodbye ashes".

Watson, Lee!

Johnson and Clark, S better not get injured, and Hughes will have to have a blinder of a series.

[neekoy]

Australia Ashes squad:

Ricky Ponting ©, Michael Clarke (vc), Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Graham Manou, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.

hmmmm!

Would rathered have had the part time spin of North, Clarke and Katich and left Hauritz at home. AUK, looks like Hodge was considered and left out along with my pick to fill that spot in David Hussey. What is ridiculous is that we are going to go into a 5 match series with only 5 specialist batsmen. Hopefully North keeps the 6, we need the depth.

I am happy that McDonald and Hilfenhaus are in, the English conditions will suit. Odd that Ferguson, Klinger, Rogers were overlooked, think we are a bit short in top order batsmen however Hughes is going to kill it.

Why Watson, I will never know though but so very happy Symonds isn't on the plane.

MY SQUAD:

Ricky Ponting ©, Michael Clarke (vc), Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Brad Hodge/David Hussey, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Chris Rogers, Andrew Klinger, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Andrew McDonald.

[Flopsy]

you appear to be desperate to have a bothamesque/Fred circa 2005 allrounder, but appear to have gone for the Rikki Clarke model of cant bowl or bat, plus he's made of glass.

Can you see that attack surviving back to back tests?

I have a smidgen of confidence now and intend to go to Cardiff and liberaly plant cricket balls over the outfield near johnson.

2-2 drawn series i'm going for, you'll win the first and 4th tests, we'll win the 2nd and 3rd last one a rain interupted draw.

oh, and if we play Fred at 6 it'll be 3-0 to you

[dave birch]

Rikki Clarke model of cant bowl or bat, plus he's made of glass.

.

WTF is that all about?

[AussieinUk]

Australia Ashes squad:

Ricky Ponting ©, Michael Clarke (vc), Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Graham Manou, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.

hmmmm!

Not the squad I would go with and not too sure that Watson deserves all the stick he is getting..

you appear to be desperate to have a bothamesque/Fred circa 2005 allrounder, but appear to have gone for the Rikki Clarke model of cant bowl or bat, plus he's made of glass.

Glass maybe, but cant bowl or bat? Rubbish Flopsy... absolute rubbish!

[Flopsy]

i was being tounge in cheek, i know he's a decent bat, but can he bat at 6 in a test side? And his bowling is worse than average.

of course this now means he'll get 40 wickets at 19

[Flopsy]

http://www.cricketwithballs.com/2009/05/21/inst/

An Australian bloggers, view from the ever excellent Cricket with balls. Warning may contain a few naughty words.