Ashes debate thread.

[BigCrickNan]

5 overs a session? McGrath bowls 8-10 in his opening spell alone a lot of the time, the rest won't have done him any harm and there's no shortage of games leading up to the series to get everyone match fit. If someone's getting smacked around, of course someone will have to pick up the slack- it's hardly a new scenario, but in a normal days play Watson would be lucky to get 2 spells. In any case, he's far from the worst fifth bowler to play Test cricket

I think Australia should go with Watson if you see him a better bowler than Symonds. One of the main reasons australia lost was we had 4 main bowlers and a crap bowler who still got a few wickets (giles). Having 5 main bowlers last year would of stopped us for exmaple scoring 407 in a day, because Gillespie and Lee were getting smashed everywhere and Kasper was quite expensive, leaving just Warne.

 

[aussie1st]

This pitch was pretty flat...
http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005-06/AUS_IN_RSA/SCORECARDS/AUS_RSA_ODI5_12MAR2006.html

Seriously though, I think if he is given enough time he will produce the results that are sought. If he's not good enough, then I think we will have a hard time dealing with almost any bowler in the side.

Thats an ODI, hes done well at getting wickets in that form of the game. Will like to see him do that in a test on a flatie.

He has a batting average of 50 in first class cricket.

I dont think many people realise the batting potential he actually has

I've always seen him as a number 4 batsmen. Never doubted his batting it's only been the bowling.

 

[cricketmad09]

Thats an ODI, hes done well at getting wickets in that form of the game. Will like to see him do that in a test on a flatie.



I've always seen him as a number 4 batsmen. Never doubted his batting it's only been the bowling.

Exactly. So if he can translate that batting into the test arena, any sort of bowling would be an advantage to us.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Exactly. So if he can translate that batting into the test arena, any sort of bowling would be an advantage to us.

That's a big 'if' though. He'd have to atleast hold up an end with his bowling though or consistantly pull down the batsman into a low scoring rate while taking 2-3 wickets a game (ala Kallis) otherwise he'd be sorta worthless on the bowling department and perhaps would end up hardly being used. Considering there are batsman knocking on the door for opportunity that who probably deserve a batting slot more then Watson.

I myself have nothing against Watson and personally I'd love to see him succeed. I just think at the present, there are a couple of players more deserving of a place.

 

[aussie1st]

Deserving wise I would say Jaques and Cosgrove would deserve it. Clarke has talent but can be a risk if things aren't going his way.

 

[aussie_ben91]

I think Clarke's more suited to the one-day form of the game. Atleast that's what statistic's say.

 

[cricketmad09]

I think that Jaques will play in the Ashes, or at least should, and there is still room for Watson. Also Cosgrove didnt impress in the top end tour, and has been struggling for form of late. I still reakon he will be a star player of the future, but give him another year or so.

 

[RoboRocks]

Damn the ashes squad is live tommorrow and I will miss all of the selections down to college I have to finish at 4:30 (unless I get very lucky and get let off early)

 

[RoboRocks]

Flintoff is gonna be captian according to the sun!

 

[CricketFan999]

Flintoff is gonna be captian according to the sun!

I wouldn't trust about such things even if the article was written by the England Selectors to be perfectly honest.

 

[RoboRocks]

We have to wait and see.
The gets it right a lot of the time.

 

[MUFC1987]

I think Flintoff is the favourite as he seems to have Graveney on his side.

 

[Sureshot]

Flintoff (C), Tres, Cook, Strauss, Bell, KP, Colly, Read, Jones, Monty, Giles, Mahmood, Plunkett, Harmison, Hoggard and Anderson.

The Academy squad will be based in Perth. 14 members, this is from memory:

Bopara, Clarke, Key, Prior, Davies, Lewis, Onions, Tremlett, Shah, Dalrymple, Joyce

Not sure on the others from memory.

 

[evertonfan]

I agree with 99% of the selections in both the Ashes and CT squads; Rikki Clarke being the other 1%. :

Delighted to see Anderson in there as well as GoJo, but it's a bit harsh on Matt Prior to be honest. Strauss should be captain in my opinon though.

Pah, Rikki Clarke! :

What the hell has he done to deserve that place? :

 

[wolf]

They should have put Owais Shah in the squad!!! Would have given them the batting cover they need!