*Official* First Test at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

[scorpiogal]

Word. That argument is a basically hindsight. Lee had to show he was in form in the warm-ups, it was his test trail. Even he didn't take 6, all the people who where questioning him, would still be on case.

True. If he didn't play in those 2 warm-ups, well, people on here would still be criticising him but he'd be playing on Wednesday. IMO, it was unwarranted pressure, from the media, especially journos like Dorries, who would write a long-arsed article about Lee 'failing' every chance he got. Lee tried too hard and paid the price and with CA allowing that crap, bowing to pressure from the media when they should've known better.
And after his performance in the Eng Lions match, we realised he didn't have to prove anything to anybody, least of all the media and the flock of sheep who follow whatever the media says and believe it to be the gospel.

He should've played in the one warm-up. Let the critics keep yapping, choose him in the the 1st test anyway, let them keep yapping about choosing him and then we'd have him bowling that reverse swing at Cardiff and shutting the critics up then.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Reckon you Aussies would be better off doing a NZ and Grant Elliot and bringing up the Aussie from Ilkley. Bowls some nice cutters, would get smashed ect.

Reckon Cook and Stauss will be breathing a sigh of relief now. If Siddle does open the bowling with Johnson, I can imagine him being a lot more pleasant to face than Lee. No disrespect to Siddle though, I just reckon Lee would be one of the last bowlers I'd want to face in international cricket.

 

[aussie]

True. If he didn't play in those 2 warm-ups, well, people on here would still be criticising him but he'd be playing on Wednesday. IMO, it was unwarranted pressure, from the media, especially journos like Dorries, who would write a long-arsed article about Lee 'failing' every chance he got. Lee tried too hard and paid the price and with CA allowing that crap, bowing to pressure from the media when they should've known better.
And after his performance in the Eng Lions match, we realised he didn't have to prove anything to anybody, least of all the media and the flock of sheep who follow whatever the media says and believe it to be the gospel.

He should've played in the one warm-up. Let the critics keep yapping, choose him in the the 1st test anyway, let them keep yapping about choosing him and then we'd have him bowling that reverse swing at Cardiff and shutting the critics up then.

Word out. Lee has been playing test cricket for almost 10 years, even if he was injured & always needed some FC cricket. You dont suddenly forget how to bowl.

This situation reminds be of how McGrath was treated between the WI 03 to SRI 04. Stupid outside criticism, they actually threatened to pull the curtains of Pigeon's career haha. Oh these selectors have done it now...

 

[four_or_six]

Don't think there's any need to fly in cover just yet, surely Hilfenhaus and McDonald are enough fast bowling cover?

 

[Pup Clarke]

Well yeah...but I don't feel Ponting especially trusts Hilfenhaus and probably not Hauritz as well.

And Bollinger deserves another go and has been in apparantly fine form.

 

[social]

Word out. Lee has been playing test cricket for almost 10 years, even if he was injured & always needed some FC cricket. You dont suddenly forget how to bowl.

This situation reminds be of how McGrath was treated between the WI 03 to SRI 04. Stupid outside criticism, they actually threatened to pull the curtains of Pigeon's career haha. Oh these selectors have done it now...

Urm, it looked like he had forgotten how to bowl in the last year and that's why his spot wasnt guaranteed

In short, he HAD to perform in the warmup games

What he didnt have to do was bust a gut once he'd proven his fitness and form

 

[social]

Well yeah...but I don't feel Ponting especially trusts Hilfenhaus and probably not Hauritz as well.

And Bollinger deserves another go and has been in apparantly fine form.

Wont happen

 

[cowboysfan]

I feel sorry for Lee.he is of the few good guys and he worked really hard to get back into the team before the Ashes and this is a very cruel blow.hope he can play in the final 3 matches as this might be his last Ashes series.

 

[superkingdave]

Starting to get worried about England batting first at Cardiff, think they might end up being over aggressive and get skittled for 180 or so

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Kinda hoping that we lose the toss and bowl. Australia haven't bowled first in the opening innings of the Ashes for as long as I can simultaneously remember and care. Think we did in 2001, though.

Clark to take the first Michelle in a '**** you for ever doubting me' pseudo-McGrath spell.

 

[The Masterplan]

I'd love to see England bowl first and see Anderson skittle through the Australian top order. I hope.

 

[GIMH]

Be patient. You'll get to see Jimmy taking approx 200 Test wickets this summer.

 

[Pothas]

Starting to get worried about England batting first at Cardiff, think they might end up being over aggressive and get skittled for 180 or so

Worry about that any time England coming into bat to be honest. My biggest fear for this match is that we get obsessed with spin and they both go for over 100 with a couple of wickets between them.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah, in seriousness my biggest concern is picking Monty. Just say no.

 

[The Masterplan]

Yeah, in seriousness my biggest concern is picking Monty. Just say no.

Or say yes, and then say

Strauss (c)
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior (wk)
Flintoff
Broad
Mahmood
Anderson
Panesar

 

[The Masterplan]

Yes that's right.

 

[Pothas]

or not

 

[inbox24]

lol Mahmood

 

[The Masterplan]

I'm not laughing.

 

[inbox24]

Definitely, it's no joke. I sincerely hope you're right and they pick that team at Cardiff.