Topic: Ashes 2010 - squad announcement, warm up's, Tests and ODI's

["Nookie".]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K49OWIVNULE

Don't know if anyone posted part 7 of the diary!

[Marko B]

To be fair bar Hussey, Siddle and Watson. Each of whom had their bad days too, the senior players who have played in this series have been absolute dog shite and it's not going to help any of the youngsters that were blooded at all. It's horrid from the top (selectors) to the bottom (johnson). You could do with taking notes from how things evolved post 2006 to early 2009 for England and how we went through Pedalos, Moores and KP to get to where we are now. Lots of lessons to be learned, let's see how your limited abilities team do from now till the WC

That's exactly what we should have done - looked at your methods and copied them but instead we just rested on our laurels and somehow thought that because a few years ago we were great we'd just stay that way. The selectors are the most responsible for this mess. We have batsmen in first class cricket who are in absolutely great form yet are barely being mentioned while those who have consistently underperformed just keep their spots. I think the media and sponsorship have a lot to blame and possibly too much pulling power over selections.

As for our bowlers...yeah stocks are thin. The selection of Beer though was just mental, he's played 8 first class matches with a best of 3fa and somehow he gets to wear the baggie green WTF were they thinking? Realistically we don't have a spinner who is good enough to be a first line bowler so really it either needs to be someone who can bat like Hauritz or sticking with Doherty who's got fairly good first class form and to be honest I didn't think did that badly (he managed to beat the outside edge quite a bit and got decent turn) considering he was bowling for the most part against batsmen who were well and truly in and already had scores to their names.

The only thing we seemed to have learned since that breakthrough Ashes win of yours on home soil is that apparently in light of Freddy we need an all rounder or multiple all rounders in the side and hence have dropped the ball a great deal by instead of players working with their strengths and being either batsmen or bowlers primarily trying to hedge their bets and do both. I think that has set our player development back massively and now we just aren't creating the required quality in either batsmen or bowlers. The fact that Freddy was a one of a kind freak who was genuinely good enough to be in the side in terms of either (often anyway but definitely as a bowler) seems to have totally escaped them.

We are in for a painful time over the next few years I'm afraid.

[nicholasanthony]

That's exactly what we should have done - looked at your methods and copied them but instead we just rested on our laurels and somehow thought that because a few years ago we were great we'd just stay that way. The selectors are the most responsible for this mess. We have batsmen in first class cricket who are in absolutely great form yet are barely being mentioned while those who have consistently underperformed just keep their spots. I think the media and sponsorship have a lot to blame and possibly too much pulling power over selections. 

A bit harsh. Besides North, who has overstayed their welcome? Ponting perhaps but he's deserved to keep his spot through a few years of shit because he's proven quality. Hussey was given two and a half years to find form but seems to have found it again. Clarke has been shit this year but again, hes proven quality. The problem over the last few years has been once the first one falls, we lose first drop and #4 very quickly afterwards. They need to mix it up, Khawaja at 3, Ponting at 4 sounds pretty nice. Clarke at 5 considering he averages 56 in 44 matches batting at #5, and Hussey at #6 considering I think he bats with the lower order better than anyone else in our side. Then again you could put Clarke at 6 and keep Hussey at 5 as he does a fantastic job there too.

Watson bowls enough to give us that extra bowling option. Shouldn't need more than 4 bowlers and Watson.

[Lent§]

Watson bowls enough to give us that extra bowling option. Shouldn't need more than 4 bowlers and Watson.

And you have got '8 test standard speedsters' to pick from!

[Dread Breath]

Marko's definitely right about Beer's selection - terrible selection. Selection should really be on merit and on that basis Hauritz should be in the XI, not some player who has barely got a game or a wicket at the level below international cricket.

[Red in Korea]

A bit harsh. Besides North, who has overstayed their welcome? Ponting perhaps but he's deserved to keep his spot through a few years of shit because he's proven quality. Hussey was given two and a half years to find form but seems to have found it again. Clarke has been shit this year but again, hes proven quality. The problem over the last few years has been once the first one falls, we lose first drop and #4 very quickly afterwards. They need to mix it up, Khawaja at 3, Ponting at 4 sounds pretty nice. Clarke at 5 considering he averages 56 in 44 matches batting at #5, and Hussey at #6 considering I think he bats with the lower order better than anyone else in our side. Then again you could put Clarke at 6 and keep Hussey at 5 as he does a fantastic job there too.

Watson bowls enough to give us that extra bowling option. Shouldn't need more than 4 bowlers and Watson.

One world class opener and one world class spinner and your side would be back up with the best imo.

Maybe one world class strike bowler too...

[Red in Korea]

Cook: "I'm gutted not to be in the one-day squad, but the selectors have been pretty right for a while."

Strauss: "We've worked hard on the reverse swing, you've got to be very anal with the way you treat the ball and keep it dry. We want to be the number one team in the world and we play India soon but we believe we can beat anyone now."

Swann: "We're putting the sprinkler away now, although I might do it if I ever win BBC Sports Personality of the Year!" 

[Marko B]

A bit harsh. Besides North, who has overstayed their welcome? Ponting perhaps but he's deserved to keep his spot through a few years of shit because he's proven quality. Hussey was given two and a half years to find form but seems to have found it again. Clarke has been shit this year but again, hes proven quality. The problem over the last few years has been once the first one falls, we lose first drop and #4 very quickly afterwards. They need to mix it up, Khawaja at 3, Ponting at 4 sounds pretty nice. Clarke at 5 considering he averages 56 in 44 matches batting at #5, and Hussey at #6 considering I think he bats with the lower order better than anyone else in our side. Then again you could put Clarke at 6 and keep Hussey at 5 as he does a fantastic job there too.

Watson bowls enough to give us that extra bowling option. Shouldn't need more than 4 bowlers and Watson.

Ponting has earned a bit of slack. He still needs to drop a spot or two down the order though but even then if his current form (or lack of) continues he doesn't deserve to remain.

Clarke can prove his quality in first grade as far as I'm concerned. He's averaging 21 over the past 3 series'. The 3 series' before that were against cannon fodder where the entire side performed (which half the nation's first class cricketers would have as well) and the time before that was the last Ashes campaign where in fairness he did well. Scoring runs against cannon fodder is no preparation for games against the best in the world such as Eng, SA and India and performing against those nations needs to be the focus.

Hughes has no place being even near the side right now.

Smith should have only been selected on the basis that the last game was on a turning wicket. McDonald on current form should've been well ahead of him (he got injured playing for the Vics in late December but should have been playing for Aus given at that stage he was averaging 70 odd with the bat).

[Jagged Princess]

Thanks lads, I've really enjoyed reading this thread throughout the series, you've all been great.

Nearly forgot there, well done England!

 

[nicholasanthony]

Ponting has earned a bit of slack. He still needs to drop a spot or two down the order though but even then if his current form (or lack of) continues he doesn't deserve to remain.

Clarke can prove his quality in first grade as far as I'm concerned. He's averaging 21 over the past 3 series'. The 3 series' before that were against cannon fodder where the entire side performed (which half the nation's first class cricketers would have as well) and the time before that was the last Ashes campaign where in fairness he did well. Scoring runs against cannon fodder is no preparation for games against the best in the world such as Eng, SA and India and performing against those nations needs to be the focus.

Hughes has no place being even near the side right now.

Smith should have only been selected on the basis that the last game was on a turning wicket. McDonald on current form should've been well ahead of him (he got injured playing for the Vics in late December but should have been playing for Aus given at that stage he was averaging 70 odd with the bat).

I agree Clarkes been bad for the last year. But why does he get the boot when Hussey was given 2 and a half years to find his form? Hughes probably does need to go make runs again but I think people are going to ruin him. Instead of embracing his natural game I fear he'll always be the guy whose technique is suspect because he doesn't look like it does in the textbooks. And why cant he be a middle or lower order player?

I think concerning Ponting, Clarke, and Hussey there needs to be a line in the sand drawn where they are given this year to show they deserve the spot, because Ponting has been bad for two years and Clarke one, and I think 3 years of bad form for Ponting and 2 for Clarke will simply be too much, and at the moment I think 1 bad year for Clarke and 2 for Ponting just isn't enough to end a career or two. Hussey too needs to have a good year because without his form this Ashes he would have done nothing for 3 years and this series might just paper over those cracks.

[nicholasanthony]

One world class opener and one world class spinner and your side would be back up with the best imo.

Maybe one world class strike bowler too...

Haha unfortunately so. I think we might be able to find a good opener and a decent strike bowler too but I really cant see us producing a good spinner at all.

[Raul!]

Well done England. Emphatic win and clear dominance over the very poor Australians.

How does it feel to enjoy the heady heights of third place in the world Test rankings?

[nicholasanthony]

Well done England. Emphatic win and clear dominance over the very poor Australians.

How does it feel to enjoy the heady heights of third place in the world Test rankings?

Hahah thats right, let them know! Just please leave us and our shitness out of it. 

[Red_Mist]

Some stats to enjoy (sorry if already posted)

http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/england/england-in-australia-2010-11/records,2361,BP.html

[CheshireDave]

What now for Ponting? Will he slot back in as captain when his finger is fixed? He's still probably your best batsman but I feel with a new team needed to be built (cos this one won't get you far lets face it) a new captain is needed. Can you see Ricky playing but not being captain? He'd need to just let the new captain to their thing and stamp their mark on the team and i'm not sure he will. Also intresting to hear maxwell and chappell last night saying in years gone by aus have had plenty of young lads knocking on the door but now there is nothing good coming through.

[rowan_d]

If Sky's football coverage was a percentile as good as their cricket coverage, it'd be fantastic.

Enthusiasm, expertise, education, eloquence, experience, entertainment.

[nicholasanthony]

Also intresting to hear maxwell and chappell last night saying in years gone by aus have had plenty of young lads knocking on the door but now there is nothing good coming through.

Not true. We have some good players in state cricket who could potentially step up. Its not what it used to be its not nothing. People being so dramatic. We're either the best or shit. Maybe we're just decent.

[CheshireDave]

Not true. We have some good players in state cricket who could potentially step up. Its not what it used to be its not nothing. People being so dramatic. We're either the best or shit. Maybe we're just decent.

Well I'm just asking what those pair were asking last night and they obviously know a lot more about domestic cricket in Australia than me. They were painting a pretty bleak picture and I wanted to see what people on here think.

Who is going to step up?

[nicholasanthony]

Well I'm just asking what those pair were asking last night and they obviously know a lot more about domestic cricket in Australia than me. They were painting a pretty bleak picture and I wanted to see what people on here think.

Who is going to step up?

Well I do think theres not enough 4 day games played considering the last gaems were on the 17th and th enext ones wont start until Feb. In terms of batsman...

Shuan Marsh (WA) is having a good year who I've always thought passed the eye test. A classy batsman not of the current 20-20 culture whose first class record doesn't do him justice I think.

Callum Ferguson (SA) same story as Marsh. Classy and first class record doesn't match his recent abilities when you watch him bat. Averages 46 in his 25 ODI's.

Nic Maddinson (NSW). Only 5 first class games with 2 tons and a half century. Only just turned 19 and Mark Waugh has been quoted as saying he is ahead of where Clarke was at the same age.

Matthew Wade (Vic) young keeper who had a good year with the bat last season and is having a better one this season. Has a strong technique from what I've seen.

Tim Paine I think has a strong technique and will step up if given a chance. Has been named T20 vice-captain and is one who has been marked as future captain.

The obese one Mark Cosgrove (Tas) has always been able to do it with the bat and is having a good season. Whether they'll pick him being so big is another question.

If Luke Pomersbach (WA) can get his head right he could be anything.

Chris Lynn (Qld) has shown a bit in his first few first class games but is only 20.

And has a Victorian it goes without saying that I think Cam White would make an excellent lower to middle order batsman.

[gazzalfc]

ICC investigating worrying reports of irregular betting patterns in the fifth Test at Sydney. Some people backed Australia.

[Ultimate Bromance]

Mitchell Starc is supposed to be a decent prospect as well, tall left-arm quick who's only about 20?

[Ray K]

And another word for Colly-

A couple of years ago during (i think) the first 20/20 World Cup, all the players had a video introduction, with them saying their name, position and their favourite shot.

Colin Wood's went like this:
'Paul Collingwood, right-handed bat, favourite shot: nurdle to the onside'

 

[nicholasanthony]

Mitchell Starc is supposed to be a decent prospect as well, tall left-arm quick who's only about 20?

Yeah we have some quick prospects too. I think we could find that strike bowler somewhere out of Starc, who is only just 20, Hazelwood, Pattinson, Cutting, Copeland, and George. Pattinson being the shortest at 186cm with the rest being around 193-5cm and George being 202cm or something like that. Pattinson is only 20 and has been included in the upcoming T20 squad.

[Crosby Nick]

a decent opener means watson could drop to 6 and with hussey at 7 that could still be a very strong line up. bowling was very erratic all series. siddle gave his all, feel a bit sorry for hilf, lots of control but not much penetration. if there hadn't have been so much filth at the other end he would have got more wickets through building up pressure. the aussies will be back looking strong by their next tour here i think. can't wait!

[Crosby Nick]

sorry meant haddin at 7 obviously.

[Cassiel]

Strauss: "We've worked hard on the reverse swing, you've got to be very anal with the way you treat the ball and keep it dry.

Sounds frightfully unhygienic.

[Raul!]

Shuan Marsh (WA) is having a good year who I've always thought passed the eye test. A classy batsman not of the current 20-20 culture whose first class record doesn't do him justice I think.

Seen him in the IPL and he does impress. Got all the basics working well and a nice busy attitude at the crease. I'd take a bet that he is destined for better things.  I've already mentioned that I thought that Khawaja was the real deal.

[hope_valley_parker]

you've got to be very anal with the way you treat the ball

Being anal is the only way you can keep a nice cherry

[Raul!]

Being anal is the only way you can keep a nice cherry

That's a silly point.

[hope_valley_parker]

Had to chuckle at Watson getting the Border Medal. According to the Sydney Morning Herald: 'He's left more people stranded than a budget airline'

[hoonin]

"Ding dong the witch is dead!"

Missed pretty much the entire series. Anyone know if they'll release highlights on DVD?

[INABITSKI]

"Ding dong the witch is dead!"

Missed pretty much the entire series. Anyone know if they'll release highlights on DVD?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashes-2010-2011-Complete-Limited/dp/B004FEPY4E/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1294394906&sr=1-1

"This title will be released on February 28, 2011."

£10 cheaper on play.com

http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/17920258/The-Ashes-Series-2010-2011-The-Official-Review/Product.html?searchstring=ashes&searchtype=r2alldvd&searchsource=0&urlrefer=search&strefer=r2alldvd&searchfilters=s{ashes}+c{57}+

[Crosby Nick]

"Ding dong the witch is dead!"

Missed pretty much the entire series. Anyone know if they'll release highlights on DVD?

Bound to. I doubt the ECB will miss out on this cash cow. It will be released with Everton like haste!

[Bennyo]

"Ding dong the witch is dead!"

Missed pretty much the entire series. Anyone know if they'll release highlights on DVD?

It'll be out by Monday.

Never been to see a test match. How do I go about getting tickets for the next Ashes series?

[ttnbd]

apparently the barmy army have been buying up all the mitchell johnson merchandise in sydney

[elbow]

Ah, what a performance! Thinking back to the first test, specifically when Haddin and Hussey were spanking us all over the shop. I thought to myself "here we go", but once Finn got the last few wickets, you could see the energy from the team, the body language was great.
And then when Trott smashed that stump in Adelaide.....

[stevied]

The final standings, well done top 3, as said before best thread thats been on RAWK for ages, so nice to be winning things again


1. Mavericks Nick Rayner 1411
2. Lents jon lenton 1389
3. Circa1892s Chumps Nick Scarlett 1344
4. Waynes XI wayne gallagher 1337
5. fosterstasteslikepee steve dawes 1327
6. bangers xi J W 1306
7. JM Wanderers Jack Morgan 1295
7. Carrom Ball Kings Robert B 1295
9. Liverbnz Elite XI Shane Milligan 1290
10. Jardine is my hero M B 1284

[hoonin]

10 reasons why the Poms WON'T win

 

[CheshireDave]

10 reasons why the Poms WON'T win

 

Haha - Brilliant

[Lent§]

The final standings, well done top 3, as said before best thread thats been on RAWK for ages, so nice to be winning things again


1. Mavericks Nick Rayner 1411
2. Lents jon lenton 1389
3. Circa1892s Chumps Nick Scarlett 1344
4. Waynes XI wayne gallagher 1337
5. fosterstasteslikepee steve dawes 1327
6. bangers xi J W 1306
7. JM Wanderers Jack Morgan 1295
7. Carrom Ball Kings Robert B 1295
9. Liverbnz Elite XI Shane Milligan 1290
10. Jardine is my hero M B 1284

Devvoed! Fucking 2nd place!
But well in Nick!