If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

[gbatman]

If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

We have gone in with no spinner on a very dry crumbly spin friendly wicket that offers little to nothing for the pace bowlers. Hauritz should be playing, period. If we lose this test, hence lose the Ashes, Hilditch and the other selectors must go. There's no 2 ways about it, we have lost countless matches and test series due to selection blunders since about the 2005 ashes which we lost because we played the wrong players, not just good reverse swing.

If we lose this final test, they must go!

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

Bit harsh, everyone in the Australian media was saying that Clark has to play. Robert Craddock, Malcomm Conn, you name it. The general public were also adamant Clark had to play.

Its further proof that its easy to say what should happen after the event, its a different story before hand though.

Sacking selectors if we lose won't do much, the game is won on the field.

Anyway, who takes the job then, got any suggestions?

 

[distributer of pain]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

Bit harsh, everyone in the Australian media was saying that Clark has to play. Robert Craddock, Malcomm Conn, you name it. The general public were also adamant Clark had to play.

Its further proof that its easy to say what should happen after the event, its a different story before hand though.

Sacking selectors if we lose won't do much, the game is won on the field.

Anyway, who takes the job then, got any suggestions?

me.

 

[gbatman]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

The job is done on the field by the individuals selected to do that job. The selectors have lost us a lot of series of recent times IMO.

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

On tour its more Ricky Ponting who makes the final say to the XI than the selectors

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

How the hell would you know Edward, it was clear as day to me that Ponting didnt want White in his side on the Indian tour.

At the end of the day the selectors have the final say.

 

[distributer of pain]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

i thought they took the captain out of the equation years ago (around 5yrs) when it came to selecting.

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

They did when the captain in that case Steve Waugh was under pressure but Ponting isnt under any pressure as a player

On match day its the captain and coach who are there that have to make the call on the conditions, the selection panel isnt at the game, they can make recommendations and pick a squad but ultimately the captain has final say

As for White, maybe he didnt have much say in White being there, the selectors still pick the squad and what was at his disposal, White was pushed heavily

In this case however I am sure the captain would get a say as to whether he gets a spinner or 4 pace bowlers to use as ultimately its the captain who cops it when they lose, its the captain who has to use his bowlers in a way that wins the game and its the captain who will be suspended if he picks an unbalanced attack that bowls slowly

 

[Its Honestly Middo]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

how the donkey we meant to win the ashes when u have a seagull umpiring that cant c a blatant inside edge on to the pad.

If any heads should roll it should b the 23nd class citizens that umpire the game

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

Yep the same umpire who cant see the Australian bowlers front foot about a foot over the line when they take wickets, probably the same one who for some reason gave Watson not out when the ball was taking middle halfway up

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

At least after this series we'll have the referral system, so I wont have to listen to people whinge and whine all series about umpires. So at least thats one positive.

An obviously poor performance by the Australians, England aren't that good, which frustates me. That match at cardiff, and now this dodgy pitch.

Still, now at least we'll lose the #1 ranking and someone else can carry the burden associated with having every team want to beat you.

It will be interesting to see how England go in South Africa later this year. This series is over now, there is no way Australia can come back into the game so far behind on this wicket.

Hussey will retire, Ponting may even bring forward his own retirement date to possibly post Ashes 10/11.

Dont look back in anger.

 

[Gooka]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

Hussey will retire, Ponting may even bring forward his own retirement date to possibly post Ashes 10/11.

Dont look back in anger.

Would like to see Punter reliquish the captaincy and just play as a batsman. Not going to get into a debate about his captaincy this tour, but think it's time for a bit of a shake up. Hussey out, Ponting gives up the captaincy, Hughes into open, Watson to 5, Clarke to 4, and probably captain.

 

[Boris]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

Would like to see Punter reliquish the captaincy and just play as a batsman. Not going to get into a debate about his captaincy this tour, but think it's time for a bit of a shake up. Hussey out, Ponting gives up the captaincy, Hughes into open, Watson to 5, Clarke to 4, and probably captain.

i am a fan of pontings captaincy and i cant say i would like it, but maybe just letting him play his game without captaining might help. with clarke's incapability of captaining he would be getting help left right and centre from punter anyway.

over the past lots (cant remember the actual number, but it is lots) of years with ponting batting at three, only once has he scored a century and australia lost the match. he and hussey are the pivotal batsman in the side. ponting is doing an alright job and hussey hasnt been as bad this tour, but those two were the reason for australias 16 straight winning streak. they got 100 after hundred and huge partnerships. neither of them are scoring currently, and in my mind both are too precious to drop (although maybe hussey should be) so something needs to be changed to make that happen.

plus the bowling attack needs to be changed big time. IMO its pretty terrible. good individual performers but put them in a team and it doesnt work. it seems as if the selectors are looking at their figures each, and not at their figures compared to the other bowlers, compared to the batsman, compared to the game situation.

 

[gbatman]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

Swann bowls pies and has taken 4 in our first innings, Australia all out for 160. And really tied down our batsmen allowing pressure and wickets at the other end.

Nice selection Australia! Where's our spinner!

 

[Kram81]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

how the donkey we meant to win the ashes when u have a seagull umpiring that cant c a blatant inside edge on to the pad.

If any heads should roll it should b the 23nd class citizens that umpire the game

lol

 

[Gooka]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

i am a fan of pontings captaincy and i cant say i would like it, but maybe just letting him play his game without captaining might help. with clarke's incapability of captaining he would be getting help left right and centre from punter anyway.

over the past lots (cant remember the actual number, but it is lots) of years with ponting batting at three, only once has he scored a century and australia lost the match. he and hussey are the pivotal batsman in the side. ponting is doing an alright job and hussey hasnt been as bad this tour, but those two were the reason for australias 16 straight winning streak. they got 100 after hundred and huge partnerships. neither of them are scoring currently, and in my mind both are too precious to drop (although maybe hussey should be) so something needs to be changed to make that happen.

plus the bowling attack needs to be changed big time. IMO its pretty terrible. good individual performers but put them in a team and it doesnt work. it seems as if the selectors are looking at their figures each, and not at their figures compared to the other bowlers, compared to the batsman, compared to the game situation.

I think Hussey's time has come. He's got to go. He's had chances and given nothing over the past year or so. The guy was great, it's now time he moved on.

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

Its alright to say Hussey has got to go, barring a ton that leads us to victory, but who do you replace him with? Thats the important issue.

Do you elevate Clarke to #4, (I would, if he wants to be a captain he has to move himself up the order where he can have a more positive influence on proceedings)

Alternatively do you recall Hughes? And drop Watson to Husseys position.

I dont think that will happen, Hughes has a undeniable weakness to short pitched bowling and he needs to demonstrate that he can combat this at Shied level. Here he will cop a working over week in and week out, away from the spotlight of test cricket, and therefore he will have a chance to devise a technique to combat this type of bowling.

Therefore does Watson retain the opening position? On his performace so far I see no reason why not? He does however have to demonstrate an ability to be able to score big hundreds at test level.

Jacques will want to push for Watson's spot but in order for that to occur Jacques has to score big runs at shield coming back from injury. COnsquently I cant see Jacques playing against the West Indies come Nov 26th at the Gabba.

The question is who will replace Hussey (barring a series winning ton from the great man)

As I said, Hughes wont be playing against the West Indies. He was dropped for a reason and until he shows that he has overcome that then he wont be considered for selection.

Brad Hodge will be 35 this December, I cant see him being picked for anything bar a one off appearance due to injury.

Klinger is a possibility, but as yet his career has been inconsistent.

Rogers is another possibility as an opener, and therefore Watson would drop down to 5. Clarke would move to 4.

A smokey would be Nick Jewell from Victoria, been really impressed with him.

I dont think its a major problem having to replace Hussey.

Overall id like to see this team line up agaisnt the Windies.

Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Jewell
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

 

[Gooka]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

You only need to look to England - drop Bopara for Trott and immediately a better team. Form should be a primary reason for selection.

I'd imagine, ideally, the selectors would want another opener and push Watson down to 5 or 6. Hughes is probably the man they'd want, but as you mentioned, has some kinks to iron out and will probably be a season or two in sheild now.

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

Yeah but lets remember that it is just one game. Trott is by no means already assured to be the next superstar. As we saw with Hughes in SA, its quite easy to come in as an unknown and hit the ground running - doens't mean your going to consistent success.

Trott does seem to like to play across his front pad, thats fine if your in cracking form, which it appears he is. However, once you come out of that form that type of play is going to get you into massive trouble.

Dumminy is another example, came onto the scene against us earlier this yeat and looked a great player in the Australian series.

Then once we had a look at him he devised some plans for him.

England's main problem is going to be in their bowling looking ahead. I presume KP will be fit for the SA series, but tendons can take some time to heal and I believe he suffered a post-op infection which no doubt will delay healing time.

If KP is fit then surely Trott will replace Collingwood, at least in the starting eleven. Collingwood still may tour in the squad as a spare batsmen, although Bopara may have claims for that.

Cook has struggled in this series, but there hasn't been much talk about that. Not sure what they'd do there.

But for me there bowling is the massive question mark, this has been papered over by the odd penetrative spell that has completely destroyed us.

Broad for mine is an ordinary bowler, a 5 over spell wont change my opinion.

Anderson has always been a pie thrower.

Without Flintoff that lineup looks weak, and away from England I dare say it wouldnt be capable of taking 20 wickets.

This isnt sour grapes, Im just passing an opionion on them. I'll be really interested to see what way they'll go now that Flintoffs all but finished in test cricket. Will they play the 4 bowlers - I think they will. I can't see Broad batting at 7 like in the 4th test.

Harmison is rumoured to be retiring after the ashes, i cant see him touring overseas anymore, not that his any good overseas anyway.

So whats the bowling for SA.

1) Broad
2) Anderson
3) Onions
4) Swann

Now that for mine, is an ordinary lineup away from home. Be interesting to see how England goes after this Ashes series. Will the lessons of 2005 be learnt? Or will they fall again the trap of believing they are better then they are?

Somehow I suscept the latter.

Somewhere along the line you can rest assured that England will stuff things up after his Ashes win, because they'll simply believe they are a lot better then they are. Looking at the stats confirms this. Especially the bowlers.

 

[Gooka]

Re: If we lose this last ashes test (hence lose the ashes)...

I agree RE: England's bowling. Swan is handy, but not better than Hauritz who can't get a game for us.

They'll persist with Broad, and rightly so IMO. He's no superstar yet, but at 23 he's got a good base to build on.

Harmison is done.
Flintoff retired.
Onions & Anderson - I think they can only have one of these blokes in the team, max. Both bowl well when conditions suit them, when not they offer nothing.

As for their batting. I think Key is the man next most likely and might tour to SA. I'd be surprised if Bell made the touring party TBH.