[Archived] The Ashes

[neekoy]

I would give Siddle a rest and bring in Clark, as much as Johnson has bowled erraticly (sp?) over the last two tests when he is on song, best bowler in the world. Get the arm up higher , stop worrying about swinging the ball and be more aggressive.

As the English bowlers and Hilfy showed, just get the ball on line and the batsmen playing and let the weather take care of where the ball ends up.

Wouldn't change anything about the batting line up, for those calling for North's scalp, have a look at his test record, 2 centuries already in about 5 tests.

If they wanted to have 5 bowlers, then drop Hussey, move everyone up the order, Johnson is good enough batter for 7.

It was a pleasure to watch Flintoff, perfect mix of aggression and bounce with movement in the air. Shame it has taken announcing retirement to bring this out in him.

[philipl]

I'd move KP out even if he were fit. His dismissals have been a disgrace in this series.

As an Englishman, I'd be sorry to see Johnson dropped- I guess thay's as big a hint to the Aussies as you can get!

[Sydney Rovers]

Troy Cooley needs to do his job by looking at the footage of Johnson's bowling in SA and in England. Its clear there is something not right with his action you also have to keep in mind this is a guy who destroyed currently the best side in cricket recently. Australia may have to drop him though if he doesn't rectify it in the tour game.

Spot on

All this talk of replacing Johnson with Clarke is wrong in my opinion as you should be replacing like for like because Clarke does not fill the firebrand opening bowler position that Johnson takes. Shame Lee is still 50/50 as he could have slotted in there.

[SouthAussieRover]

Spot on

All this talk of replacing Johnson with Clarke is wrong in my opinion as you should be replacing like for like because Clarke does not fill the firebrand opening bowler position that Johnson takes. Shame Lee is still 50/50 as he could have slotted in there.

That's because Clarke's a batsman

[T4E]

KP has been ruled out of the rest of the Ashes.

Shame.

[Flopsy]

Pieterson's out for the rest of the series

[greggyk]

Very bad news..

[T4E]

Very bad news..

Not hugely dissimilar to RSC leaving Rovers.

Hasn't done enough recently to warrant any panic over losing him. Bell can make as many runs as he's been making, and take up more time at the crease doing it.

[ABBEY]

bell to knuckle down to a double century methinks whilst i drink the tequila cocktails.

[jim mk2]

Not hugely dissimilar to RSC leaving Rovers.

Hasn't done enough recently to warrant any panic over losing him. Bell can make as many runs as he's been making, and take up more time at the crease doing it.

Bell is fine lower down the order but his record at Nos 3 and 4 is poor.

The problem is, if the exisiting order were promoted Nos 4 and 5 is too high for Collingwood and Prior respectively.

Pietersen has been poor but his absence affects the balance of the team.

Some tough decisions to be made by the England selectors.

[berkshireblue]

Bell 3

Bopara 4

Bell on his home ground will hopefully rise to the occasion

Off to Edgbaston next Friday hope weather is good

[Boz]

Pick up the phone and see if Tresco might be persuaded to return?

Cook down to 3, Bopara to 4, etc... batting still looks ok, although I too could do a job against the Aussie bowling attack!

[modes98]

Bell is fine lower down the order but his record at Nos 3 and 4 is poor.

Bell improved and is still improving, average of 80 this season. He would be fine to slip in anywhere in the order and is a brilliant fielder. From his point of view I would go for 4th, as 3rd in the batting order is always a tough spot to do well in.

[Scotty]

Big loss. I've got no confidence in Bell and even a half-fit Pietersen can inspire the rest of the side.

Huge onus on the openers now to get us off to a good start.

[Exiled_Rover]

Smart decision for Pietersen to get the surgery now.

[T4E]

Smart decision for Pietersen to get the surgery now.

Yep, would be nice to get him back to form so we have a chance of retaining the Ashes next Christmas.

[AussieinUk]

Losing KP is a blow and now I am wondering if Freddie will last it out. Bell or Shah would be the most likey situation now. Keep the same lineup (except replace the KP with Shah) but drop Broad and include Harmy

I was reading an article that Thommo was not too impressed with the fact that Stuey Clark wasn't in the Lords lineup.. Looks like Johnson, Siddle might be dropped. Personally, I wouldn't drop North as I think he has the ability to bounce back. It will be interesting to see how Watson plays in the tour match..

[Blue n White Rover]

Yep, would be nice to get him back to form so we have a chance of regaining the Ashes next Christmas.

Slight spelling error

Pietersen out should be a huge confidence boost for us, and a blow for England! I heard Siddle will also miss the rest of the series, it's a good job we have Lee coming back from injury, or we would have been a bit short.

[SouthAussieRover]

Slight spelling error

I heard Siddle will also miss the rest of the series, it's a good job we have Lee coming back from injury, or we would have been a bit short.

Where did you hear that?

[jim mk2]

Slight spelling error

Pietersen out should be a huge confidence boost for us, and a blow for England!

Why would anyone want their own country to receive a blow ?

[Flopsy]

let it go Jim.

[broadsword]

Yeah, he's definitely a wind-up merchant.

[Nate]

Still...feels weird when he says "we".

[Flopsy]

Fred doubtfull for next week

[T4E]

Still...feels weird when he says "we".

It is weird.

By all means support whoever you want, but thats just strange.