The Ashes 2009

[Hip2bsquare]

Yeah press conference is on now, listening to it online.

No real surprises. Perhaps the only one is no specialist batsman as a backup, instead taking Watson as he is in terrific form and can add bowling to the team. Hilditch saying Brad Hodge was extremely close, though I hate him given his record in English condtions might not of been a bad selection as a backup batsman.

I would of preferred Krejza to Hauritz, but not surprised or that worried that Hauri got picked.

Stuey Clark saying will moist likelly be a bowl off between himself, Lee, Hilfenhaus and Siddle for spots. Would think Siddle willl be second picked behind Mitch.

Good too see the South Aussie skipper 'Choc' Manou picked as the backup keeper.

 

[The Todd]

Stupid BBC being behind the times. To have them four bowlers not even automatic first choice is a great thing to have. Yes, Lee and Clark haven't been at their best lately, but you would rather have a good player out of form than a bad one in form.

England have a selection headache for the bowlers, but not as good a one. Ours is which one do we think can handle the pressure as most are untested in high pressure series. Anderson is hit and miss. Broad looks good, but last summer against the Saffers he tired very easily. Onions has had a good start but is so inexperienced. Bresnan the same. Sidebottom on his day is very good but it is not always his day. Simon Jones is living off his reputation from four years ago and is never fit. The only one we can properly rely on is Freddie, and he's always injured!

As for Krejza, his Indian heroics aside he is too expensive to be risked in this series, especially in a country where spinning is not that important. If he tightens up he could definitely be a threat in the return series in two years.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

So goig on that I reckon the first test team could look like this.

Hughes
Kaitch
Ponting
M Hussey
M Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
S. Clark

with Lee as 12th man.

Thtas for Cardiff and if it spins as its expected to do. If not I wouldnt be surprised to see Lee in to strengthen the bowling and give a handy lower order batsman. Or Watson to add a good bowler and a great lower order batsman, especially the form he showed on slow pitches in Dubai.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Stupid BBC being behind the times. To have them four bowlers not even automatic first choice is a great thing to have. Yes, Lee and Clark haven't been at their best lately, but you would rather have a good player out of form than a bad one in form.

England have a selection headache for the bowlers, but not as good a one. Ours is which one do we think can handle the pressure as most are untested in high pressure series. Anderson is hit and miss. Broad looks good, but last summer against the Saffers he tired very easily. Onions has had a good start but is so inexperienced. Bresnan the same. Sidebottom on his day is very good but it is not always his day. Simon Jones is living off his reputation from four years ago and is never fit. The only one we can properly rely on is Freddie, and he's always injured!

As for Krejza, his Indian heroics aside he is too expensive to be risked in this series, especially in a country where spinning is not that important. If he tightens up he could definitely be a threat in the return series in two years.

If Sidebottom gets imself fit I think he will be a real danger to the Australians, and to me should be one of if not your first bowler picked. I think if Sidey is ready to go Onions may miss out so you can play Anderson, Sidebottom, Broad and FLintoff. A good bowlin attack with Onions as a backup. Or who knows perhaps they will dust of Harmison again... ekk.

As for Krejza. He is a more attacking bowler and yes will leak some runs, and thats something he needs to work on. Would work better with holding bowlers like S Clark and Siddle operating at the other end creating pressure. But spin really shouldnt be a factor in the series I believe. I think the Aussis best bet is a pace barrage.

 

[The Todd]

If Sidebottom gets imself fit I think he will be a real danger to the Australians, and to me should be one of if not your first bowler picked. I think if Sidey is ready to go Onions may miss out so you can play Anderson, Sidebottom, Broad and Flintoff. A good bowlin attack with Onions as a backup.

Yep, that sounds good to me with Swann as the spinner who can also bat decently down at 9, Broad at 8.

Or who knows perhaps they will dust of Harmison again... ekk.

I would rather I turned up to bowl than Harmy did. His days are finished now. he's not even Durham's best bowler anymore, never mind England's.

But spin really shouldnt be a factor in the series I believe. I think the Aussis best bet is a pace barrage.

Yeah spinners get you nothing in England, unless you are a god like Warne. Reverse swing won us the series in 2005 and it will definitely be pace bowling again, which is why it is imperative we have Freddie fot for the whole series and the other bowlers on form.

If I had to pick our team now it would be:

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Ambrose
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Sidebottom.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Ambrose
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Sidebottom.

I like the look of this team for England and think this would be the best team to tackle the Aussie. A lot will depend on Freddie and if the above team takes the field. Freddie would need to be in decent batting form at 6, as even with a strong lineup batting down to Swann, you want your top 6 to be making most of the runs.

I like that bowling lineup some good swing and ability to get some movement off the pitch. What I would liek the best is the 'mongrel' that guys like Freddie and Sidebottom would give to you.

Question any reason for Ambrose over Prior? I htink that Ambrose is a better gloveman than Prior. Does it have anything to do with Priors injury in the 2nd test. Is it a bad injury.

Really looking forward to the series know, seeing the ENglish in form and the Aussie selectors be sensible just wets the appetite.

 

[The Todd]

Question any reason for Ambrose over Prior? I htink that Ambrose is a better gloveman than Prior. Does it have anything to do with Priors injury in the 2nd test. Is it a bad injury.

Prior improved a little against The Indies before his injury, but he concedes too many byes and in a series where every run could well count, we need reliability. Prior gets picked due to his batting, but Ambrose gets his fair share of good knocks. His batting isn't that bad and he is more reliable so that is why. I can see Prior getting the nod though. The selectors seem into him.

Really looking forward to the series know, seeing the English in form and the Aussie selectors be sensible just wets the appetite.

Too right my friend. I just hope it offers half the excitement that 2005 did. Not the same level though, I can't cope with these two run victories and batting collapses.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Too right my friend. I just hope it offers half the excitement that 2005 did. Not the same level though, I can't cope with these two run victories and batting collapses.

Well I hope the series is exciting. If its like 2005 again I might just order my headstone now, not sure my heart would cope again.

Been an interesting day listening to some of the reactions of the public to the Ashes squad. Listening to Victorians ringing in and complaining has been priceless.

Many wondering why Hodge hasnt been picked and some believing that he should be in the test team not the squad. Hodge maybe unlucky to have not made the touring party, but there is no way in hell he would kick anyone out of the top 6 currently.

The funniest was some reactions to Hauritz getting picked over McGain. Oh Hauritz is crap and cant get any wickets they said, McGain should be in the squad. Ahh no for a couple of reasons He is 37, and 18 overs 0/149 in his only test match against South Africa would not of helped either. But he does have an excelent variety of long hops, full tosses and half volleys!

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Thought it might be a good idea to talk about/ show some of favorite Ashes moments in the leadup to the First Test in Cardiff. Helps get into the swing of things and also ensures the thread wont fall to the bottom.

So ny first memorable Ashes moment. Shane Warne and that ball!!

[youtube]LeLn8sEAKfE[/youtube]

What a delivery. It was Warne's first ball bowled in a test match in England. He was an okish spinner who had the potential but had not shown that much prior to this tour. This ball and tour helped to launch a legend and left scars for the English who would terrorised by the Sheik of Tweak until 2007.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Well massive bumpage right here.

About a week out from the much anticipated First Test.

The Aussies have completed their first warm up match against Sussex. Which ended in a draw. Result prbably not that important, what is more important is to get the Aussies used to the English conditions.

Some pleasing signs with all of the batsman, with the exception of Marcus North, getting some good time in the middle and making a score in at least one of the innings. Bowling looked ok but was unable to bowl Sussex out on the last day, which was disappointing.

Each of the fast bowlers took some wickets, but really none made it impossible to leave them out of the First Test. However Hilf getting tonked in the second innings might mean he needs a good haul againt the English Lions to have a chance. One bowler who is really really struggling is Nathan Haurtiz. He only took 1 wicket and took some punishment. I see it as highly unlikely that he will be in the First Test team.

Now for the English Lions at Worcester.

 

[Leeds Guy]

Well massive bumpage right here.

About a week out from the much anticipated First Test.

The Aussies have completed their first warm up match against Sussex. Which ended in a draw. Result prbably not that important, what is more important is to get the Aussies used to the English conditions.

Some pleasing signs with all of the batsman, with the exception of Marcus North, getting some good time in the middle and making a score in at least one of the innings. Bowling looked ok but was unable to bowl Sussex out on the last day, which was disappointing.

Each of the fast bowlers took some wickets, but really none made it impossible to leave them out of the First Test. However Hilf getting tonked in the second innings might mean he needs a good haul againt the English Lions to have a chance. One bowler who is really really struggling is Nathan Haurtiz. He only took 1 wicket and took some punishment. I see it as highly unlikely that he will be in the First Test team.

Now for the English Lions at Worcester.

This is going to be much closer than I anticipated it to be because the Aussies don't look that great at the moment and are deffinatly beatable. England also are not doing too great at the moment and are easily beatable. Is this going to be as memorable as 2005 was? hell no. Is it going to be as exciting? maybe. I guess now is the time to find out how good straussy is as Captain. But I fear England are just 1 batting collapse away from losing here.

One thing is key for me, how good will Anderson be with the swing/reverse swing? If he shows up on a decent English wicket he is one of the best in the world at making the ball swing.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Australia didnt look overly impressive in their last tour game and are definately beatable. As for the English, well to me its hard to really zero in on where they are at. After all their last series was a victory against a very ordinary West Indian side who didnt wanna be there at all. Next thing the English commentators are exclaiming England as favourties. But I find that hard to believe after losing to the West Indies in the carribean.

But yes I believe this series will be a close run thing. As exciting as 2005? My heart hopes not but I hope we see some tight matches and good cricket. The First Test , imo, will set the scene. For years the Australian team have tried to crush their oppenents from the very beginning, and will be trying to do it again. If Englan can start well in the First Test then this could go a long way towards them possibly retaining the Ashes.

Anderson is pretty good. But wat too inconsistent for me. His swing is dangerous and when on song is a very very good bowler and hard to face. However to me he bowls too many spells where he dishes up utter garbage. He needs to find some consistency, if he can do that he will be an extremely dangerous propostion for the Aussie batsman.

One good sign for the Australians (and possibly ver bad for the English) is word coming from the Aussie camp that Mitchell Johnson has been swinging the Dukes ball alot in the nets. If he cann transfer this over to matches then Mitch is going to be a huge factor in the Ashes. He already slants the ball across the rihgt handers, but if he can swing it back into the right handers at 145 km/h + he is going to be very very hard to face.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Well its lunch on the first day of the Aussies tour match against the England Lions. After a shaky start the Aussies are 2/106. Mike Hussey in a bit of form with 37 and the ever reliable Simon Kaitch on 55. Hughes and Ponting didnt really bother scorers much, which is a disappointment. Punter again going too hard at the ball early on.

For England Harmison has bowled well, as has Onions who impressed me against the West Indies and has again thus far.

But can anyone tell me why Sajid Mahmood is playing? Looked terrible last time I saw him play, and looks terrible again. His bowling has undone all the pressure that the openeers put on. Would wanna lift his game.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Brett Lee has booked his place in the First Test at Cardiff with an awesome speel either side of tea gaining a 5 wicket haul.

Even after the Lions openers got a great start, Bing was able to cut threw the toop order with some wicked reverse swing, at pace. Very promising signs for him, hopefully he can keep that up and bring that sort of form and ball movement unto the First Test, the Aussies will be all the more dangerous because of it.

Mitch looked rusty but hopefully with a couple more length spells will get his act into gear. Stuey Clark struggled and wwould have to have question marks over playing at Cardiff. Haurtiz was targetted again and got belted. Unless its a raging turner I dont think he will play in the First Test. Even then I think that Marcus North and Pup Clarke are better options with the ball.

 

[hArdyPUNKmArk]

So goig on that I reckon the first test team could look like this.

Hughes
Kaitch
Ponting
M Hussey
M Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
S. Clark

with Lee as 12th man.

Thtas for Cardiff and if it spins as its expected to do. If not I wouldnt be surprised to see Lee in to strengthen the bowling and give a handy lower order batsman. Or Watson to add a good bowler and a great lower order batsman, especially the form he showed on slow pitches in Dubai.

Faaaark such a different squad these days! Anyways I reckon we have a decent team there and the younger guys have to be getting more used to the International level of playing so should be a decent team. We're still no where near what we were though, still trying to get that dominance back.

I think Symonds would have a been a ripper choice. Even if he's not performing to his top level he can pick up the team at a real down time or can pull an outstanding run rate out of his arse at the best of times. Pitty he took that fishing trip, everything went down hill from there.

Looking forward to the series should be a good one!

PS - Does anyone know if Hilfenhous wil get a crack, would love to see another Tasweigan in the mix!

 

[The Todd]

England squad for the first test has been announced.

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Onions
Anderson
Panesar
Swann

So no Harmison but there is the "new" Harmison in the shape of Onions. Delighted Onions made the team for him, not so much for Durham's county Championship hopes.

Anyway, team picks itself really. Bell will miss out, and you can't have two spinners with three seamers for the Ashes so Swann gets the nod for his ability to bat and field, even though Monty took more wickets against Worcs. So the team that plaed Warcs with Onions instead of Panesar.

I reckon first test will be a draw, second is at Lord's so it's the Aussies, third will be Englands, fourth and fifth to the Aussies, so my prediction is 3-1 to Australia.

 

[The Todd]

Thought it might be a good idea to talk about/ show some of favorite Ashes moments in the leadup to the First Test in Cardiff. Helps get into the swing of things and also ensures the thread wont fall to the bottom.

So ny first memorable Ashes moment. Shane Warne and that ball!!

[youtube]LeLn8sEAKfE[/youtube]

What a delivery. It was Warne's first ball bowled in a test match in England. He was an okish spinner who had the potential but had not shown that much prior to this tour. This ball and tour helped to launch a legend and left scars for the English who would terrorised by the Sheik of Tweak until 2007.

What an awesome guy was Shane Warne. Truely breathtaking cricketer.

My moment is [youtube]mevNWOCstZ4[/youtube]

This is the over that sprung the 2005 series to life. The over was spectacular and you could sense the momentum it gave England and Flintoff himself. It was his iconic moment in his greatest series performance. If Freddie bowls like that we have a chance this summer. He always targets a batsman, lat time it was Gilchrist, hopefully this time it's Hussey because he is suited to English condtitions and if he settles, he will hit big scores. Getting him out early is essential I feel.

 

[Leeds Guy]

Oh yes that over was insane Pebbs. What made it special was getting out that Arrogant cock that is Ponting. Exceptional batsman but he is such an arrogant prick. Anyways on to business. I would not have picked Panesar over Harmison. Panesar is a massive run leaker and the Aussies will target him and smash him for six, I would have gone with Harmison as he is showing signs of form after his expectional bowling the other day, he got into the Aussies and could do it again. Plus Harmison can bat and field much better than Panesar. Dont get me wrong I like Panesar when I saw England play the West Indies at Headingly last year he got a massive ovation but you can't afford to have a leaker against one of the best teams in the world. Neither team are as strong as they were in 2005, but if Freddie fires and Onions can take wickets this should be a close one.

My predicition : 3-2 England

 

[The Todd]

Yeah Panesar hasn't done much on the world stage lately. Swann isn't brilliant but he's better and you can't use more than one spinner in England. No where benefits spinners. Unless you're Murali or Warne you don't take many wickets as a spinner (one day Mendis will too). Harmison is unfortunate, but if he gets his act together for Durham he has four more tests to aim for.

With Australia they have some interesting selections to make after Bret Lee's superb showing against the Lions. The openers didn't shine as well as Australia will have hoped, but their middle order will score runs. I'm pretty pumped for this starting now.

The first over will again be about intent. If England bowl first, Jimmy needs to bowl ala Harmison 2005 and NOT Harmison 2007.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Well the waiting is almost over, all the warm up matches are done the Ashes is read to begin.

I was surprised that Bell was named in the English squad. Even if it is a squad of 13 and he has little to no chance of playing. A duck and 20 in the tour match wasnt anything to write home about. I like Onions as a bowler and I am glad that they resisted the urge to bring Steve 'I only wanna play cricket at home' Harmison back in.

Keep hearing that Cardiff is supposed to be a big turner. It whats keeping Hauritz in with a chance to play in the first test. Wouldnt be surprised to see the English go in with Swann and Panesar as the spinners with Flintoff, Anderson and Broad as the pacemen. Especially if Freddie is fit and firing and ready to go, he gives the English so much flexibility.

On the Australian side, the only questions are about the bowling lineup. Mitchell Johnson and Siddle pick themselves. Brett Lee was a definite in but I just saw on Fox sports that he picked up a side strain in training and is in doubt. The last place in the side will be interesting. Will the selectors go with Hauritz who has been targeted successfully on tour thus far. Or will Stuey Clark or Ben Hilfenhaus get a go? Stuey will tie up and end and Hilf will swing it so its a difficult choice.

I say the Aussie bowling lineup will look like this: Johnson, Siddle, Lee (if fit) and Hilfenhaus. North, Kaitch and Clarke do as good a job as Hauritz and Im not sure Stuey Clark will be penetrating enough, but he may be picked for his ability to keep it tight.

I think its important for the Aussies to pick their best four bowlers even if they have an all pace battery. Especially with the absence of an international quality spinner to pick. Ian Chappell has been saying that for the last two years, but now as it looks like the Aussie selectors will go down that path he is calling them stupid... the old douche.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Well its official, Brett Lee is out of the first two Ashes tests with injury. This is a shame Brett had fought back from his bad foot injury to get fit and bowl well. Interesting choices ahead for the Aussie selectors now.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

The excitment level is rising. Only a few short hours to go before this titanic clash kicks off. The Aussies still ahve yet to decide on the make up of their XI, after the loss of Brett Lee has caused a few headaches.

Will miss a lot of the first days play, but will pop my head in every now and then.

 

[The Todd]

It looks like Panesar is getting the nod over Onions. I know Cardiff turns, but going in with only three seamers is asking for trouble. Collingwood can bowl a few overs, but not many. If the spinners aren't working then the three seamers will suffer burn out. We can't have any of them picking up injuries.

An hour and a half to go then. As I've said before, the first ball is important and will set the tone for the rest of the series. 2005 Harmison sent a beauty to Langer, in 2007 Harmison found third slip. So pumped for this now, though still see a draw for this first game.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Well I would say a very even first day in the first test. England one the toss and elected to bat and reached 7/336 at stumps. Prior's late dismissal to a beauty from Peter Siddle really evened things out.

England where in some early trouble being 3-90. But a very good middle order fightback from KP, Collingwood, Prior and Flintoff has really evened the ledger and would of swung things slightly towards Englad had Prior not had his castle knocked over by Siddle.

For the Aussies I though Hilfenahus bowled beautifully to end up with 2/61 off 23 overs. Johnson and Siddle both picked up 2 wickets each but were a bit more expensive. While Hauritz bowled tidily to pick up 1 wicket without ever looking threatening.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Well after a very strong day, the Aussies seem to be infront currently in the first tes. Although there is a long way to go.

England had a very good start to the day, witht he last 3 wickets being able to put on 99 in only 16 overs. Pushed England over 400 and gave them a very very decent total to bowl at. Some of the bowling and the fields set by Punter were curious to say the least. I thought Swann batted really well, putting Hauritz to the sword at times.

Phil Hughes made a postive start when the Aussies batted. He raced into his 20's before Freddie Flintoff was brought on. Once again Freddie showed that he is agreat bowler, bowling miles better than any of the other English and picked up Hughes for 36.

But instead of starting something for Englad it just brought more misery to the fore. Ponting and Kaitch both batted superbly to both record unbeaten centuries at stumps. With the Aussies finishing at an imposing 1/249. To me the English bowlers were verey disappointing, apart from Flintoff who is leaps and bounds better than anything else England have to offer. Anderson didnt get any swing and had one of his inconsitent days, Broad got injured, but even before tthat didt look threatning. Though he did bowl with good pace. Swanna and Panesar were disappointing on a spinning track. When you get out bowled by Nathan Hauritz, I think you are struggling a bit.

One thing Swann and Panesar did bring was over appealing. Good god they had a few good shouts and a couple of close ones. But all in all they were putting the Indians and Pakistani's to shame for appealing for anythong and everythng. Truly annoying!

Big 3rd day coming up. The Aussies will want Ponting and Kaitch to continue on, meaning the Aussies can bat most of, if not all, of the day to build a great lead. England need at least 2 early wickets in the morning. Ponting the main one they would want to get to imo.

Also, congratualtions to Ricky Ponting for scoring his 11,000 test match run last night. A champion of the game.