The VB Series 2006

[aussie1st]

Totally agree. Katich did make a good 100 but what happens if Gilly gets out? It would mean Ponting would have to take over. If he gets out God help us Martyn comes in with Katich. If Jaques was playing you would know he could take over Gilly's role and let Ponting and Martyn get set. If Gilly is still in all Jaques has to do is push singles which he has shown he can do.

 

[Sureshot]

Why drop a player who hasn't done anything wrong and has scored about 350 runs in the VB series?

 

[aussie1st]

Why leave out a talent like Jaques? Its like leaving Hussey out because the current guys in the side did nothing wrong. We left Hussey out for so long and look what we have missed out on for so long. Same with Lehmann. Our selectors leave it far too late to bring in a talented bloke. I sure as hell don't want to see a repeat of that with Jaques.

 

[kodos]

Was it just me or did Ian Healy last night concede that England are favourites for the Ashes?? Unbelievable You would expect Greig (as always) and Nicholas to back England but not Healy.

 

[aussie1st]

Our depth in test matches is actually pretty good. Gillespie is in great from in FC as is Dorey. Clark and Bracken have always been good in FC so we have a number of bowlers to choose from. Hopefully by then McGrath will be back to his best.

 

[genghis_khan]

no i think the commentators last night were spot on...the depth in comparsion between the two countries in seam bowling is far different....ENG are strong, we are weak.

lets face it if McGrath isnt back to his best by November its gonna be nigh on impossible.

 

[kodos]

I don't doubt England's chances and I am backing England to win in fact but Ian healy conceding that England will win the Ashes. He is usually very biased to Aus like Tony Greig being very Anti-Australian. I agree England's seam bowling attack are well ahead of Australia but the spinners will make a different in 2 of the 5 grounds and England don't have a quality spinner.

 

[angryangy]

Why leave out a talent like Jaques?

Because as nice as it would be to have him in the team, he's not as yet required. Fickle selection policy leads to the rut Pakistan had themselves in when they last came to Australia.

 

[aussie1st]

no i think the commentators last night were spot on...the depth in comparsion between the two countries in seam bowling is far different....ENG are strong, we are weak.

lets face it if McGrath isnt back to his best by November its gonna be nigh on impossible.

Not necessary. If Gillespie is back to his best we have a good chance of winning. Lee is starting to improve as well. And if McGrath is fit we will have a bowling attack this is more than capable of beating England.

 

[y2j826]

talking about katich he is good player but his strike is not too good that he can play as an opener in team, world cup is coming next year and if he plays like this way there too australia dont have much chances to win that, cuz its a compitition where teams used to score quick runs, 300-325 even more then that. so katich has to change the way he plays or australia have to give chance to another player to open the innings and katich has to play at 5-6 spot that will be a better idea.

 

[aussie1st]

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh joined the chorus for Jaques, who has scored 658 ING Cup runs at 109, and 655 at 59 in the Pura Cup this season.

Jaques has been averaging a run a ball in the ING Cup and has scored four centuries this summer.

"The time to pick him is now - he's a form player and it's hard not to take him," Waugh said.

"I think it's time to give him an extended run.

"He provided a glimpse of what he can do when he made 94.

"It is getting to the stage where Australia will be really looking to get their plans ready for the World Cup - and if he is to be part of those plans then you would like to see what he can do now.

"He is scoring runs everywhere ... for his state, country and in grade cricket.", and plundering three tons in the Pura Cup and four one-day hundreds in the ING Cup this season.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18155370-23212,00.html

Spot on by Steve. If Jaques is going to be a part of the WC now is the time to try him. But obviously the selectors don't want to see what he can do. It sad to see such a talented guy go to waste when hes at the peak of his powers.

 

[irottev]

Wow Katich actually got a hundred. Its about time. Infact it couldn't be more timely for his benefit. Those are the situations he should bat til the end, hes failed to do so multiple times in no-pressure situations.

But good on him. He has to keep it up though and get the odd hundred with the 50's. 1 every 33 games is not good enough, especially not for an opener and especially not for someone who takes their time.