Group C - Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies

[GIMH]

Wonder if Lee's performances will affect his Ashes chances?

Hope not

 

[duffer]

Really really want to see Mendis in tests vs Australia. Especially in Lanka. Congrats to them and the Windies fo actually caring about the tournament and going through.

 

[Top_Cat]

Wonder if Lee's performances will affect his Ashes chances?

God I hope so. In his comeback, all we've heard about his form is how he's been bowling well in IPL. That knife should cut both ways. As pasag said, though, his tour match form will obviously come into it but on current evidence, there's no way he should be a walk-up start for the first Test.

He really doesn't get T20, though, does he? Gets belted then runs in harder and tries to send the next one down quicker. No mate....

I know the Aussies were in a tough group but the way they've folded has been pretty miserable to watch.

 

[NUFAN]

Pretty glad that I didn't wake up for this match. Pretty sure this will be the last time (in a major tournament) that Australia fields a non specialist Twenty 20 lineup.

This could be good news for your George Baileys, Jason Krejzas and even Henriques.

 

[Top_Cat]

Ponting should have gone to the IPL. Would have been able to face Mendis in the nets for KKR

I do wonder, tbh, whether if the Aussies were serious about winning the tournament, he would have done exactly that.

 

[Noble One]

Disappointing, but expected.

Many of us pointed out such simple selection mistakes before the tournament even began. It was never a line-up that took the format seriously, it was a very conservative approach.

I just hope the Australian hierarchy learns from this. I'd like to think that by the time the next T20 WC rolls around, some changes in approach have been made.

 

[Burgey]

this is where somebody kicks up a stink about the group stages carrying too much of a rick for the 'good' teamas getting knocked out early and the crap ones sneaking thought of a single lucky result. Then demanding the format gets changed.

Well they shouldn't do that though.

You know well in advance who you're up against and you should plan accordingly. I don't think Australia did.

 

[aussie]

God I hope so. In his comeback, all we've heard about his form is how he's been bowling well in IPL. That knife should cut both ways. As pasag said, though, his tour match form will obviously come into it but on current evidence, there's no way he should be a walk-up start for the first Test.

He really doesn't get T20, though, does he? Gets belted then runs in harder and tries to send the next one down quicker. No mate....

I know the Aussies were in a tough group but the way they've folded has been pretty miserable to watch.

Not really. He was just a bit roughed up by Gayle & didn't fully find his rhythm. Lee was very good in the last T20 WC, IPL 08 & his little stint in IPL 09. Still AUS best bowler in this format when he is in form.

His T20 form should have no bearing on his Ashes selection either, just those 2 warm-up games.

I dont like this pressue been put on Lee here, its the same thing that affected Hayden before he retired.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

lol us

 

[Uppercut]

Never realised quite how much Mendis's doosra-type delivery looks like an offbreak until today. The entire stadium seemed to be expecting it to go the other way at times.

 

[Burgey]

lol us

This

 

[Top_Cat]

Not really. He was just a bit roughed up by Gayle & didn't fully find his rhythm. Lee was very good in the last T20 WC, IPL 08 & his little stint in IPL 09. Still AUS best bowler in this format when he is in form.

But he's not in form. Shouldn't have even been in the squad.

His T20 form should have no bearing on his Ashes selection either, just those 2 warm-up games.

No bearing is a bit much, even if he only bowled a few overs in T20. Unless he bowls the house down in those two matches, I don't think he should be in contention for a first Test spot. Has no form or fitness to speak of, throwing him into the first Test of an Ashes series would be pretty foolish.

Mind you, it seems clear to me that's exactly what the selectors plan to do. That he was even in the squad suggests they're desperately hoping he picks up some form before being picked in the first Test.

 

[Jono]

Lee's poor bowling in T20 should have no bearing on his Ashes selection... just like Gillespie's poor bowling in the ODIs had no bearing on his Ashes selection in 2005

 

[Uppercut]

But he's not in form. Shouldn't have even been in the squad.



No bearing is a bit much, even if he only bowled a few overs in T20. Unless he bowls the house down in those two matches, I don't think he should be in contention for a first Test spot. Has no form or fitness to speak of, throwing him into the first Test of an Ashes series would be pretty foolish.

Mind you, it seems clear to me that's exactly what the selectors plan to do. That he was even in the squad suggests they're desperately hoping he picks up some form before being picked in the first Test.

What exactly is Brett Lee doing wrong though? It's not like he's serving up leg-stump half-volley after short, wide hit-me ball. He's just banging a good length at serious pace and getting bashed by T20-style batting. The one massive issue he really needs to sort out is the no-balls. Sort that out, and there's no reason why he shouldn't be picked for the Ashes (apart from Stuart Clark, but tbh that's a good selection headache to have). I think the results of his bowling in these two matches have been a lot worse than the bowling itself- or at least, a lot worse than the bowling itself would be in a test match.

 

[Burgey]

Lee's poor bowling in T20 should have no bearing on his Ashes selection... just like Gillespie's poor bowling in the ODIs had no bearing on his Ashes selection in 2005

Spot on.

He really ought to have to bowl the house down to get picked, but I think, as TC says, they're going to pick him for the 1st test, meaning Moobs or Clark will probably miss out.

 

[NUFAN]

Brett Lee, the most underappreciated bowler who's taken 300+ Test Wickets ever IMO.

 

[aussie]

But he's not in form. Shouldn't have even been in the squad.

As i said, he ran into Chris Gayle and some excellent T20 batting. I dont really think he bowled that badly 2day, when he got Jayawardene out n Mubarak (spell check) was intially looking troubled - you cant tell me that straight six didn't stun you.

Johnson is looking pretty rusty too, nobody is down on him - even if it probably isn't that serious.

It would have been crazy not to pick him, his IPL bowling was very solid along with that T20 in the UAE. Even if Nannes should have been picked, they both could have played int he same XI.

No bearing is a bit much, even if he only bowled a few overs in T20. Unless he bowls the house down in those two matches, I don't think he should be in contention for a first Test spot. Has no form or fitness to speak of, throwing him into the first Test of an Ashes series would be pretty foolish.

Well i believe 4 quicks should be playing under all circumstances in the Ashes. ATM Johnson & Siddle are locked down clearly, so Lee, Clark & Hilfy have to war it out.

Mind you, it seems clear to me that's exactly what the selectors plan to do. That he was even in the squad suggests they're desperately hoping he picks up some form before being picked in the first Test.

Australia aren't in a position to discard Lee in test cricket just yet. Although the selectors have been making some awful selections since over the past 18 months, his selection the T20 squad was legitimate, so too is backing him to regain his form before the Ashes.

As i just said, this pessimism surrouding him really is OTT. Its the same thing that was happening to Hayden after the India tour. Lets not start writing Bing off as a "has been" so quickly pleaseeeeeee

 

[Prince EWS]

Spot on.

He really ought to have to bowl the house down to get picked, but I think, as TC says, they're going to pick him for the 1st test, meaning Moobs or Clark will probably miss out.

Or Hauritz. Please let it be Hauritz.

 

[Top_Cat]

What exactly is Brett Lee doing wrong though? It's not like he's serving up leg-stump half-volley after short, wide hit-me ball. He's just banging a good length at serious pace and getting bashed by T20-style batting. The one massive issue he really needs to sort out is the no-balls. Sort that out, and there's no reason why he shouldn't be picked for the Ashes (apart from Stuart Clark, but tbh that's a good selection headache to have). I think the results of his bowling in these two matches have been a lot worse than the bowling itself- or at least, a lot worse than the bowling itself would be in a test match.

Lee's always been a better bowler when he has many overs under his belt. In the past year, he's had bugger-all. That coupled with a fairly ordinary record in England and that he's no genius Test bowler anyway is why I don't think he should be in the first XI. I mean, it's not as if the Aussie side has been struggling without him, why break-up a winning bowling combination just to accomodate him?

It's not just the results anyway. It's the near total lack of movement he's getting in what are ideal conditions for it with a white ball. That should be concerning if one is a selector. His pace isn't as much of a factor any more either, Johnson's quicker and Siddle isn't far off. I just can't see the sense in rushing him back.

 

[Prince EWS]

Lee's always been a better bowler when he has many overs under his belt. In the past year, he's had bugger-all.

All the more reason to pick him in this tournament ahead of the Ashes then.