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We need more discussion on this!
Looks as if most of the batsmen for both sides have gotten runs in the warm-up matches, even Root opening.
Let me put this scenario forward. What if Australia shock everyone and score a mountain of runs during the series? Let's also add that England match them in the runs department. Which team has the best bowling line-up and who would win then? Let's also add that Swann has a mediocre Ashes campaign.
That was a fun ramble for the sake of a discussion.
Really, based on the scenario you put up we would slaughter them. They may have Anderson but no depth after that. The question really is how can we score some runs against Anderson and Swann? they really have the confidence and we are trying to find some.
I am looking forward to watching the Australians play England in the Ashes. Darren Lehmann will face the biggest challenge of his coaching career the Ashes first up, that is no easy start for a coach. He will have to make sure the players are ready and work together with Clarke. We have played 2 tour matches, which helped our preparation and gave players a chance to impress. Now the Australian team have some final training sessions before the Ashes get underway. The interesting thing will be what team the selectors decide to go with.
Normally you would look at the conditions of the pitch before selecting a side. Just for discussion purposes here is my team.
My team would be:
1. Shane Watson
2. Chris Rogers
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Michael Clarke (C)
5. Phil Hughes
6. David Warner
7. Brad Haddin (WK)
8. Mitchell Starc
9. James Pattinson
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Jackson Bird
12th Man Steve Smith
Cowan is a funny one, not useless but hasn't set the world on fire either. Not going on to get big scores after starts might finish his career.
If they play Warner after not playing in any of the warm up matches it's a bit of a joke.
To be fair to Kram, it was me who was suggesting Cowan should get another shot.
Yeah I know. I replied to his post because it mentioned David Warner and I could give my opinion on Ed Cowan as well. That is just my opinion though, Cowan may end up getting selected for the first test.
Futureblackcap,
Broad is good but a bit fragile as for Bresnan and Finn, no i don't over rate them. Solid but they can be handled when taking your scenario into consideration. It is as many bowlers and batsmen over the years have been, they perform much the better with that key player creating pressure for them at the other end such as an Anderson or Swann. Take that away and they struggle to take the next step and lead. A problem Australia has had now for a couple of years.
The Ashes are a day away here in Australia. Darren Lehmann seems focused on getting Australia to play attacking cricket, I like this tactic a lot. Instead of worrying about the players England have, we can take the attack to them.
How many runs we will score depend on players like Shane Watson, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and David Warner, and if they can step up when the pressure is on.