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-- So, 3 months out from the Ashes

So, 3 months out from the Ashes

and how are you boys looking?

That spinner Monty looks like he might be a bit of alright, probably wouldn't give our boys too much grief but you never know, he should do better than the King of Spain.

And maybe your selectors do have a clue, finally cutting Calamity Jones for Chris Read. For all the talk about Jones' batting he wasn't that flash, and you gotta have your best gloveman as a first priority.

Anyone reckon Vaughan will make it back in time, if ever? To be honest it would be a shame not for him to play, and even worse if this ends his career. He's a class player and captain, doesn't deserve to go out with injury.

And Simon Jones and Flintoff, surely they'll be back in time. But will they have the same devestating effect this year?






As for us Aussies, Dizzy Gillespie has had a haircut and has returned better than he left. I said at the time that it was the dropping he had to have, he didn't look at all good for about 6 months before England, not as quick nor as much movement as we had seen earlier. Since he's come back though he has been moving the ball a lot more, which is great to see. He also seems to be more passionate about his cricket, he was back to his fearsome best last year in the state competition here.

McGrath - he'll either be awesome or will be useless, hard to say. He had his first net session about a week ago but I haven't heard anything about how he actually went. With McGrath, Dizzy and Lee though I reckon the three will be once again a formidable combination, just a shame cos i wouldn't mind seeing Shaun Tait in the team scaring the batsmen.

Warney will go around again, but who will be his partner in Sydney? MacGill is still the number 2 spinner in Aus, but will the selectors go for a risk and bring in Dan Cullen or Cullen Bailey? Dan (left arm off) and Cullen (left arm leg) are two promising young spinners, Dan has been touted as the next big thing post-Warne, but in the recent 'A' series in my opinion Cullen out bowled him. Very interesting times indeed in the spin camp.

Batsman wise hard to say, Langer's still the man to open with Hayden for me (assuming his head is ok (physically and mentally) after Ntini nearly knocked it off), but its the number 4 spot which is always the worry for us. I'm not a Damien Martyn fan, nor Clarke or Hodge, but with recent form they may be tempted to give Phil Jacques a run in that spot. Bring back the Boof I reckon


Lets face it, your team has been devestated by injuries which I will allow as an excuse for your poor recent form - although you are dishing it out to Pakistan, but the flipside is that those injured players (which lets face it are pretty important to your team) will be desparately short on match-practice, so will they struggle?

I don't think we'll see a repeat of the epic 05 series, but should be good one again this year.

it'll be scorecards open at work time again!

Vaughan won't be back in time but Cook seems to be getting plenty of runs.

Still think there is something weak about the Australian line-up but can't quite put my finger on it. Will be 3-1 to Australia tho i reckon.

Re: So, 3 months out from the Ashes

quote:

Originally posted by Trance Nutter and how are you boys looking? That spinner Monty looks like he might be a bit of alright, probably wouldn't give our boys too much grief but you never know, he should do better than the King of Spain. And maybe your selectors do have a clue, finally cutting Calamity Jones for Chris Read. For all the talk about Jones' batting he wasn't that flash, and you gotta have your best gloveman as a first priority. Anyone reckon Vaughan will make it back in time, if ever? To be honest it would be a shame not for him to play, and even worse if this ends his career. He's a class player and captain, doesn't deserve to go out with injury. And Simon Jones and Flintoff, surely they'll be back in time. But will they have the same devestating effect this year? As for us Aussies, Dizzy Gillespie has had a haircut and has returned better than he left. I said at the time that it was the dropping he had to have, he didn't look at all good for about 6 months before England, not as quick nor as much movement as we had seen earlier. Since he's come back though he has been moving the ball a lot more, which is great to see. He also seems to be more passionate about his cricket, he was back to his fearsome best last year in the state competition here. McGrath - he'll either be awesome or will be useless, hard to say. He had his first net session about a week ago but I haven't heard anything about how he actually went. With McGrath, Dizzy and Lee though I reckon the three will be once again a formidable combination, just a shame cos i wouldn't mind seeing Shaun Tait in the team scaring the batsmen. Warney will go around again, but who will be his partner in Sydney? MacGill is still the number 2 spinner in Aus, but will the selectors go for a risk and bring in Dan Cullen or Cullen Bailey? Dan (left arm off) and Cullen (left arm leg) are two promising young spinners, Dan has been touted as the next big thing post-Warne, but in the recent 'A' series in my opinion Cullen out bowled him. Very interesting times indeed in the spin camp. Batsman wise hard to say, Langer's still the man to open with Hayden for me (assuming his head is ok (physically and mentally) after Ntini nearly knocked it off), but its the number 4 spot which is always the worry for us. I'm not a Damien Martyn fan, nor Clarke or Hodge, but with recent form they may be tempted to give Phil Jacques a run in that spot. Bring back the Boof I reckon Lets face it, your team has been devestated by injuries which I will allow as an excuse for your poor recent form - although you are dishing it out to Pakistan, but the flipside is that those injured players (which lets face it are pretty important to your team) will be desparately short on match-practice, so will they struggle? I don't think we'll see a repeat of the epic 05 series, but should be good one again this year.

areet ben


my opinions...

England

Firstly, lets be honest, no vaughan, no simon jones, possibly no flintoff. All major misses, vaughan has the captains brain, i'd be tempted to add him to the coaching staff because his ability to work teams out is why we did so well.

New players

Monty Panesar.

Phil tuffnell with ability, the lad is really passionate, and while he might look a bit bad in the field (and sometimes with the bat) I think he'll surprise your guys if he gets the nod ahead of giles (which I hope he does, i thnk he's the future of english spin bowling along with alex loudon)

Liam Plunkett

Forget sajid mahmood, Liam is the real new bowler, he's still very young & learning, and can be erratic like brett lee was (although he doesn't quite have the pace of lee) but overall he's the best replacement for simon jones (although I want jones back )

Alastair Cook

My brother's roommate opened with cook for their schools team & even back then he was said to be very impressive. More of a pure test player, shades of atherton in his patience (i hope we drop him from the 1 day squad cos i think he's best left to tests) with a solid technique & the ability to anchor an innings, think langer or ponting, someone who can stick around and score runs. 7 tests so far, averaging just under 60, with 3 centuries & 2 fifties shows that like andrew strauss 2 years ago, he can adapt quickly & be a major player.


Chris Read

Finally, read is back. I've been a huge fan of his for a long time, and the reason is simple. He is the most natural & perfect wicket keeper we have. He is technically the best for a long long long time. His batting has improved, but he got his chance in a team where he came in at 7 & was often left with a weak tail, so never got to shine properly. Hopefully he's given a proper go, because we need his glovework especially on turning wickets like the SCG

Ian Bell

You didnt see the best of bell last year, with him being insecure in his place not helping, but he is maturing all the time into a good player. A young man still, he has a good future if given a solid place in the side, and everything will come good for the guy if he can learn to pick the leg spinners. He did ok against Kaneria so far, so we'll see how he goes.

on the edge

Paul Collingwood

Genius in the field, solid with the bat, but we have to be mean in dropping a player for a good side. I'd only drop colly cos of his age. I'd also give him the one day captaincy.

My ideal lineup (based on injuries at the moment)

Trescothick
Strauss
Cook
Pietersen
Bell
Flintoff
Read
Plunkett
Harmison
Hoggard
Panesar

I'm still waiting in huge anticipation though for the series. One day one, forget it, we're hapless.

just to add, the players we fear most

ponting
hodge
hussey
warne
lee

Jones claims he's going to be ready in time
I hope to fucking god he is

quote:

Originally posted by Az Jones claims he's going to be ready in time I hope to fucking god he is

maybe so, but last time it took 12 months of bowling after his first injury to get back to full pace & deadliness. We'll see though.

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