[Archived] The Ashes

[DeadlyDirk]

That and the fact that Neilsen (and the selectors) like having a fast lefty in the attack.

I think the ideal combination that Neilsen wants is five quick. Lets not forget that Johnson is third in the international test ranking and one of the quickest test bowlers to reach 100 wickets.. It's obvious that he has some perosnal issues, as his batting is fine and the comparative analysis on his action, showed no real differences. I would drop him for this test and get him up to speed for the fourth..

Btw Flops - I did mention earlier that Aust was playing a Northants second string bowling attack. Personally, I think three day games are a waste of time.. Four days at the minimum for ashes tour matches.

DD - McDonald is a decent all rounder. His bowling is his strength. Very consistent medium-fast bowler. His accuracy is comparable to a McGrath/Clark.

It's at this point I am disapointed that Symomds did not 'turn the corner' with his drinking issues. Would have made the four quick scenario very much feasable on most pitches in England. From the outset, I would have included another batsman on the tour.. Somone like Jaques or Hodge.

Ideally, the touring party should have been 20 (I have included Manou in this number, but not below)

Openers - Hughes/Katich/Jaques

No.3 - Ponting

No.4 - Hussey/Hodge

No.5 - Clarke

No.6 - North/Watson/Symonds

No.7 - Haddin/

No.8 - Johnson/Hilfenhaus

No.9 - Clark/McDonald

No.10 - Lee/Siddle

No.11 - Hauritz/Krejza

I would feel so let down by Symonds if I was an Aussie, I obviously don't know the full story and perhaps he has some kind of half decent reason but it seemed they kept brining him back and backing him after numerous disciplinary problems, Ponting especially seemed keen to give him second and third chances, only to be let down time after time.

Symonds has all the ability, he could be regarded as one of the best all rounders in the world along with Flintoff (He still is a very good all rounder) but it seems although talented he blew his chance of reaching his full potential and being a key member of Ashes winning sides.

The Johnson one is a tough debate, on one side he is bowling badly and really making it difficult to build pressure at both hands, but then on the other end he still has come up with some very good wicket taking deliveries despite going for a lot of runs (I imagine his bowling average for the series is 30-35ish at the moment? Always seems to pop up with a few wickets.) Then as you say Aussie, there is his test ranking and the fact that he got so quickly to 100 wicket, that obviously shows he has the talent, he just needs to get it back again. It almost seems he is trying too hard at times and forgetting to do the simple things correctly. Perhaps with the longer time between tests the bowling coach will have had chance to work with him and get him back to basics.

I want to win and it helps if some of the Aussies have an off day but I think we all want to see the best cricket played and a win with MJ in the side bowling well and still an England victory would be much more satisfying.

If Mcdonald is an accurate as you say he is, I'd be very surprised if it's comparable to McGrath but I see what you are trying to say, then perhaps he would be a good foil to Johnson in the attack. At least if you have perhaps Hilfenhaus and McDonald managing to build pressure and making it difficult to score runs may mean the likes of Johnson can reap the benefits.

Flintoff is confident of being fit but still not cleared, Bell confirmed to bat at 4. Talk of depending on the pitch Harmison could come in, not sure if that would be for Onions or not. No chance of it being Andersen and unlikely to be Broad or Swann in my eyes considering we've lost Pietersen and won't want to weaken the batting any further. Panesar will surely miss out again.

No update on the pitch yet but this one from a few days ago suggests the wicket is going to be like jelly and there is NO CHANCE of it being solid.

[Flopsy]

we've had heavy showers for the past two days, more forecast till wednesday, more likely to be quicksand than jelly

[Iceman]

Well im looking forward to SA vs England, at the end of the year. Will be singing me barmy army songs. Anybody coming over that series?

[Flopsy]

SteB is.

England will get pummeld

[pg]

In 2005 the Australian selectors were reluctant to change a 'winning team', despite the fact that the fast bowling attack was completely useless (once McGrath rolled his ankle). It cost us the series.

History never repeats they say.

Having a 'settled team' is OK if you are winning easily so you can carry out-of-form players. It doesn't work if your team is losing.

Cut Johnson now for Clarke, surely its a no-brainer? Swap McDonald for Hauritz if the pitch is as wet as they say. Put Watson back on the plane to Queensland...he's always been a haircut in search of some talent IMO.

[AussieinUk]

Cut Johnson now for Clark, surely its a no-brainer?

Put Watson back on the plane to Queensland...he's always been a haircut in search of some talent IMO.

Can't believe you're saying that about Watson pg..

I can only see reasons why he should be included in the squad? Not reason why he shouldn't.. What's your beef? Also who should replace him?

[Scotty]

Do you really think they'll drop Johnson? I know he's bowling like a pudding, but to drop the player who everyone before the series thought would be the difference between the teams is a very big call. I think he should be dropped, but personally I think they'll stick with him.

It could all be academic anyway. If the pitch is as slow as the groundsman says, and the 5-day weather forecast is accurate, then the test looks like a nailed-on draw.

[Blue n White Rover]

They're saying the pitch is going to be slow and that there will be very little bounce in the pitch. If that is the case I can't see England picking Harmison.

Maybe both teams will go for 2 spinners?

[AussieinUk]

Do you really think they'll drop Johnson? I know he's bowling like a pudding, but to drop the player who everyone before the series thought would be the difference between the teams is a very big call. I think he should be dropped, but personally I think they'll stick with him.

It could all be academic anyway. If the pitch is as slow as the groundsman says, and the 5-day weather forecast is accurate, then the test looks like a nailed-on draw.

You're probbaly right in this being a moot point, but in all honesty there is a chance Johnson may be dropped for the 3rd test.

Fleming and Nielsen comment on Johnson

Nielsen acknowledged that Johnson’s mind had become as big a barrier as his technique.

‘‘He is probably feeling every time he gets an edge it doesn’t go to hand. At the moment it hasn’t worked for him, and that’s the challenge of this game,’’ Nielsen said. ‘‘The good players who last for long periods of time have to keep fronting up whether it be good or bad and keep doing the right things. That’s why I was pleased with Mitchell at the end. He bowled fast, he kept running in. I’m at him a bit about not dropping his head and not letting himself get too down, and I reckon he has done that pretty well. He’ll keep trying hard.’’

Stuart Clark seems to have the strongest claims on a Test recall on account of his much-needed accuracy and awkward bounce, while McDonald and Watson staked late claims for selection with impressive all-round performances in the tour game.

McDonald has played in four Tests for three wins and made 68 in his most recent hit in Cape Town. He claimed 4-15 in the tour game and seems to be competing with spinner Nathan Hauritz. ‘‘I think our best balance personally is that if Macca’s to play he is the fourth bowler and batting at eight,’’ Nielsen said. ‘‘He played a pivotal role in four Test matches in a row when we won three of them against South Africa. He offers us flexibility with our bowling, he bowls long spells, he is accurate and he does chip in for wickets as we saw today … he catches well and he’s a ripping bloke around the team.’’ - SMH

We could see McDonald in for Haurtiz and Clark in for Johnson.. very similar to what I said yesterday.

They're saying the pitch is going to be slow and that there will be very little bounce in the pitch. If that is the case I can't see England picking Harmison.

Maybe both teams will go for 2 spinners?

One issue is that Aus doesn't have two spinners to choose from.. Hauritz is the only one on tour. Krejza would have been a sensible inclusion in the touring party.. Seems that the Australian selectors have done it again, when it comes to preparing touring squads (i.e. - MacGill retiring in the WI and Casson being called up mid-tour)

[berkshireblue]

looking forward to my day at the test on friday...its nice to read so many aussies questioning this and that and arguing about selection in the press

Lets hope it does nt rain and Bopara and Bell show all that promise along with the usual suspects

[Scotty]

Looks like Freddie's fit, Johnson will play but won't get the new ball, and it's going to rain a lot.

[Flopsy]

its so wet that there's more water than grass on the outfield, plus the supersoaker has a bow wave

[DeadlyDirk]

Looking like a draw......

Unless you bring Warne and McGrath in....., well if it's good enough for Ferrari and Schumacher

[AussieinUk]

Looks like Freddie's fit, Johnson will play but won't get the new ball, and it's going to rain a lot.

Happy to be proved wrong on this, but Johnson's selection for this test will be a mistake for Aus. Sound's like it will be same XI, except we might see Stuey Clark in for Siddle.

[Nate]

Watson in for Hughes

[philipl]

Looking like an extremely soggy Test.

[pg]

If they pick Johnson I'm supporting England.

Evidently the Aussie selectors have failed to learn their lessons from 2005 and are continuing to play out-of-form bowlers.

What is wrong with implementing the 'squad' mentality for a cricket team? A footballer knows that if he performs poorly for two games he'll get dropped (or at least put on the bench). I don't see why giving Johnson a rest is such a calamitous idea.

[DeadlyDirk]

Watson in for Hughes

Haha Hughes apparantley confirmed the news on his 'Twitter' page. The wonders of the Internet these days.

Big toss today, can't see whoever wins the toss losing, unless Ricky decided to put us in

[Scotty]

There's a hint of panic I think in the decision to drop Hughes. OK, he's not been brilliant and has a few issues to overcome, but he's young and looks promising. Who's going to open now? The Guardian seem to think Watson will - which, if true, is just a huge gamble on the Aussies part.

As an England fan I'm quite happy though.

[Blue n White Rover]

If they pick Johnson I'm supporting England.

Evidently the Aussie selectors have failed to learn their lessons from 2005 and are continuing to play out-of-form bowlers.

What is wrong with implementing the 'squad' mentality for a cricket team? A footballer knows that if he performs poorly for two games he'll get dropped (or at least put on the bench). I don't see why giving Johnson a rest is such a calamitous idea.

Not in Pedersen's case

The team line-ups haven't been confirmed yet, Hughes may well be playin a bluff. This test match has draw written all over it.

[philipl]

What are the odds on an abandonment without a ball being bowled?

[Blue n White Rover]

Next pitch inspection at 2:00pm, providing the weather holds up. They'll take an early lunch.

The main concern is to the right hand-side of the wicket, where there seems to be muddy patches, and the softness of the ground, so unless we get sunshine and windy conditions, it looks like play will be abandoned for the day. Shame.

[Presty On Tour]

Final pitch inspection 4:15, toss 4:30 and play will begin at 5pm.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Interesting seeing the tv coverage of the pitch and the outfield, the wicket looks pretty flat. Outfield is a major concern, further you go out the wetter it is, also quite a lot of water in the run up.

Botham and Warney reckon they shouldn't be playing today and Warney in particular believing it could be dangerous for the bowlers.

My money is on the draw plenty more rain to come.

[Iceman]

Both teams should just be happy, to start the next day. I dont think either team will want to go out and bat for, 10 to 15 overs under grey skies and probably a bit of green on the pitch.