*Official Third Test at Edgbaston

[Uppercut]

Been interesting to see Siddle on this tour compared with at home and in SA. In those series he still had the aggresson but was more controlled. Wonder if he's just got a bit too caught up in the hype of the Ashes and is trying too hard.
Be intersting to see where he is after another 20 odd tests.

I don't think that's what it is. Everyone bowls badly sometimes.

 

[Burgey]

I tell you what, I'm getting very sidtracted by this sheila in the Evony ads at the bottom of the page! (yes, deliberate misspelling)

 

[pup11]

Have been pretty disappointed with Siddle, it very frustrating to see him bowl a few good balls in an over and then back it up with some very poor one's, and I think lack of patience is one of the main reasons behind his erratic bowling, no doubt he has great future ahead of him, but he still has lot to learn.

So don't think there should be any problem in replacing him with either Clark or Lee for the next game, also good to see Mitch bowling himself back into some sort of form, it goes without saying him bowling well is vital for Australia's success.

 

[Pigeon]

Fun fact- Stuart Broad's bowling average currently stands at 40.04. Steve Harmison, in the seven tests he's played since Broad's debut, has taken 16 wickets @ 44.12.

I've no problem with him being dropped. 40.04 isn't good enough. But first, someone has to find a replacement.

Sidebottomg.

 

[Frakstar]

Completely uncalled for.

truth hurts huh?

 

[Burgey]

Completely uncalled for.

You weren't here for the Aus-India series last year mate. Exactly that happened.

 

[Uppercut]

Is Mark Davies fit yet?

He's bowling, but that's not the same thing

Sidebottom just took five....

Sidebottom's a good bowler if he's now fit, but I completely understand if they don't want to shave 20 runs off the batting when 1-0 up in the series.

 

[Prince EWS]

You weren't here for the Aus-India series last year mate.

I beg to differ.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah but by shaving 20 runs off the batting you are also shaving 40 runs off the bowling.

I mean has Broad actually gotten a wicket this series?

 

[grecian]

Who should be playing? Harmison?

No, Sidebottom. Yes I know it would weaken the batting, but we'd of had oz out for under 200 if he'd been in the side on this deck. Swann & Freddie means it wouldn't be the worst batting line-up England have had either. Jimmy, Ryan and (from the little I've seen of him) Onions aren't exactly Tufnell, Malcolm and Giddins either.

 

[Burgey]

I beg to differ.

Someone from an earlier epoch eh?

Sidearse a good shout if they're going to make a change, surely, given the way our blokes have struggled v the swinging ball.

Good signs for Johnson here today at least.

 

[Prince EWS]

Sidebottom's a good bowler if he's now fit, but I completely understand if they don't want to shave 20 runs off the batting when 1-0 up in the series.

If you're going to go in with that logic, you might as well go the whole hog and pick Patel. And before you say "oh but he's too fat" I'd much rather someone be fat than crap.

 

[Goughy]

Who should be playing? Harmison?

Nah, with 5 bowlers there are not enough overs and wickets to go around. You are automatically making 2 bowlers fail.

If Broad goes then a batsman would have to be brought in. A strength of this England team is Swann at 9. Can never have too much batting

I dont rate Broad and he would not be in the best XI players but there is an argument that his inclusion helps build the strongest team. Greater than the sum of its parts etc

 

[pup11]

Poor move this from Ponting to give Mitch the new ball...

 

[four_or_six]

Great. Let's try to get Johnson's head back down.

 

[Uppercut]

Nah, with 5 bowlers there are not enough overs and wickets to go around. You are automatically making 2 bowlers fail.

If Broad goes then a batsman would have to be brought in. A strength of this England team is Swann at 9. Can never have too much batting

I dont rate Broad and he would not be in the best XI players but there is an argument that his inclusion helps build the strongest team. Greater than the sum of its parts etc

Yeah, I'm pretty much in agreement with this. The other suggestion I'd have thrown out there at the start of the series would be Foster to keep wicket, Prior as a specialist bat.

 

[Nate]

Poor move this from Ponting to give Mitch the new ball...

What? Who shares it with Hilfenhaus? Siddle who just bowled a massive spell? Maybe Hauritz?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Not wanting to see the great man injured, but if Fred's not there for Headingly it might not be the worst thing for the balance of the side. We could then bring in a batsman (Trott for my money, more likely Key or Shah tho) and Sid for Fred & Broad. Batting would be maintained and we'd only really miss Fred's bowling.

Sid's batting not the worst, but he's no more than a competant test #10, really.

 

[four_or_six]

Not wanting to see the great man injured, but if Fred's not there for Headingly it might not be the worst thing for the balance of the side. We could then bring in a batsman (Trott for my money, more likely Key or Shah tho) and Sid for Fred & Broad. Batting would be maintained and we'd only really miss Fred's bowling.

Sid's batting not the worst, but he's no more than a competant test #10, really.

Yeah, definitely if Flinoff's out I hope we bring in a batsman and then Harmy/Sidebottom for Broad.

 

[Prince EWS]

What? Who shares it with Hilfenhaus? Siddle who just bowled a massive spell? Maybe Hauritz?

Watto, obv.