Group C - Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies

[Top_Cat]

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

Sure, if he's going to be a squad bowler. Unfortunately, I can totally see the selectors picking him in the first XI. Masive mistake for mine.

 

[Prince EWS]

Sure, if he's going to be a squad bowler. Unfortunately, I can totally see the selectors picking him in the first XI. Masive mistake for mine.

Only a mistake if they pick him ahead of Siddle or Clark IMO. He should definitely be behind those two (and Johnson obviously) but if he plays as a fourth quick I have no problems with his selection.

 

[Top_Cat]

Only a mistake if they pick him ahead of Siddle or Clark IMO. He should definitely be behind those two (and Johnson obviously) but if he plays as a fourth quick I have no problems with his selection.

If that happens and he takes the new nurry, I'll scream.

 

[Prince EWS]

If that happens and he takes the new nurry, I'll scream.

Haha yeah. If he's picked as the fourth quick he needs to be used in short spells as a strike bowler; something I think he's perfectly capable of doing at the moment. He certainly shouldn't be opening though, nor should be ahead of Johnson, Siddle or Clark in the pecking order should we only go in with three quicks.

 

[aussie]

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

A bit different, at least Lee still has his pace. Gillespie suddenly came to here in 05 after the NZ tour, bowling like if he had suddenly added on 5 years.

Lee although his test form was poor leading up to his injury lay-off. Family issues plus injury was the main problem, instead of a sudden dip in form between IND/NZ/SA 08/09.

Of course concerns given Lee's past record in ENG is valid. I think its unfair to say Lee of 09 isn't clearly wayyyyyyy better than Lee of 01, 05. So overall the i believe the pessimism surrounding BINGA needs to be eased down a bit.

 

[Uppercut]

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.

Tbf, the white ball isn't really moving much at all this year. Apart from for Trent Johnston today, somewhat bizarrely. But who's complaining.

 

[Sanz]

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

Lee has been bowling poorly in every format :-
Tests :-
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

 

[Burgey]

Lee has been bowling poorly in every format :-
Tests :-
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

True, but there were some extenuating circumstances given his marriage failure then injuries.
I think the thing which makes Lee's case a difficult one is that he'd been bowling very well until those issues arose, but only for a short period, so the issue is whether his fall from form is a return to a mediocre norm, or an aberration from his new reality of being very good.
I dunno if they can afford to find out which is the case by picking him in the first Ashes test though.

 

[Top_Cat]

Haha yeah. If he's picked as the fourth quick he needs to be used in short spells as a strike bowler; something I think he's perfectly capable of doing at the moment. He certainly shouldn't be opening though, nor should be ahead of Johnson, Siddle or Clark in the pecking order should we only go in with three quicks.

Watch as the nightmare unfolds and he's given the new ball. I just can't see Lee coming back into a Test side and being happy about being a 4th quick any more so I'd say he'll be campaigning strongly for it. And I reckon Ponting will give it to him.

Tbf, the white ball isn't really moving much at all this year. Apart from for Trent Johnston today, somewhat bizarrely. But who's complaining.

Saw enough movement in the air from Jerome Taylor the other day. You're right, there's not a lot around but Lee's been straight.

Lee has been bowling poorly in every format :-
Tests :-
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

In fairness, as is always a risk with a bowler of his pace, he was injured for a lot of the Tests against SA. But yeah, he's been ordinary for a while. Terrible in India, that's for sure.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I'm not sure that including minnow teams against the likes of West Indies and Sri Lanka serves any real purpose. It's not going to help them develop and it doesn't make for a particularly watchable contest.

 

[Top_Cat]

haha, missed that comment. Brilliant.

 

[Son Of Coco]

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.

I don't think the Australians are that good at Twenty20, they certainly haven't shown it yet. Whether it be through poor selection or just a poor approach to the game I think the WI, SL, India and SA at least are better than us. SL get in due to today's result as I haven't followed them closely in the format.

Twenty20 is what it is and it throws up more uncertainty than other formats. Not a bad thing in my opinion.

 

[Son Of Coco]

This makes up for all the crap certain Australians gave English fans on this forum over the Dutch defeat!

Not really, at least WI and SL are decent at this format

England did at least manage to beat one team though

 

[stephen]

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.

Nah as an Aussie fan I say bring on the early exits before the Ashes. Why would I want Australia to concentrate on exhibition cricket instead of the real deal? Frankly I don't like that we risked Johnson and Ponting in hit and giggle cricket so close to the ashes.

In the real world cup there is a good argument to be made though. The group stages are much more difficult for teams to progress through if they have a bad day than the super 8/6/whatever stage is.

 

[Cruxdude]

Nah as an Aussie fan I say bring on the early exits before the Ashes. Why would I want Australia to concentrate on exhibition cricket instead of the real deal? Frankly I don't like that we risked Johnson and Ponting in hit and giggle cricket so close to the ashes.

In the real world cup there is a good argument to be made though. The group stages are much more difficult for teams to progress through if they have a bad day than the super 8/6/whatever stage is.

Sour Grapes

 

[Smith]

Nah as an Aussie fan I say bring on the early exits before the Ashes. Why would I want Australia to concentrate on exhibition cricket instead of the real deal? Frankly I don't like that we risked Johnson and Ponting in hit and giggle cricket so close to the ashes.

In the real world cup there is a good argument to be made though. The group stages are much more difficult for teams to progress through if they have a bad day than the super 8/6/whatever stage is.

But this reply from Ponting is bizzare

When the specialist Twenty20 players do leave then we do have a real focus on just cricket.

 

[NUFAN]

That comment is not at all surprising coming from Ponting.

 

[jondavluc]

But this reply from Ponting is bizzare

When the specialist Twenty20 players do leave then we do have a real focus on just cricket.

Nice reply Ricky finally someone said it.

 

[cowboy up]

he comes up with some ricky,got to love him

 

[Inferiority]

Look at the sour grapes by Australian fans in this forum. They will not win the Ashes with an overrated team that lacks class players and also respect for the opposition in general.