*Official* England in Australia (2 T20 & 7 ODIs)

[Ikki]

I didn't blame Smith for the chase tbf. It's just a concern that he failed so badly at hitting boundaries when the team needed nine an over, even during the batting powerplay. He scored at a run a ball, but England allowed him to. A number seven who can't hit boundaries in the batting powerplay is far from ideal.

I'm sure there are much more pressing issues to come out of the match, but I commented on that because I only caught the end.

This. If you are batting someone that low then they need to be able to hit the boundaries. If a few of those many swipes had the strength to reach the fence or clear the fielders we may have actually still won.

 

[Bun]

Relax Aussies they are still 3-1 ahead in this series.

That said, Clarke has become beyond a joke though. He must go.

 

[Spark]

If we win the next one then give Clarke a break. I don't actually think his technique/batting is that terrible right now but his mindset is just gone and it doesn't matter what your technique is like if so. He needs some downtime desperately before the WC.

He keeps telling us a big score is around the corner. And it might be.

But does he actually believe it?

 

[Spark]

A much better article on Clarke.

 

[TumTum]

iirc it's only been against England that he has suffered in ODIs. Started in the series in England where we lost 3-2.

 

[Spark]

Was our best bat that series?

 

[TumTum]

Was our best bat that series?

Oops But i think that's where he started to get bogged down, especially this innings.

 

[Spark]

His next innings was the best ODI knock he's played in quite a long time... not sure what you're getting at here.

 

[TumTum]

His next innings was the best ODI knock he's played in quite a long time... not sure what you're getting at here.

I don't either, this discussion never happened

If my memory was working correctly, I was suggesting that he won't struggle in the WC against different teams as much as in this bilateral series where England clearly have his measure.

 

[Spark]

I think he'll struggle less after he's been played back into form by pie-chuckers but I would feel much better about the prospects of that happening if his head's screwed on properly.

 

[Redbacks]

Would love to know what Warne thinks about batting out ODIs 7 down and losing the match with NRR concerns nonexistant.

White was poor tonight, really needs to be able to knock singles around rather than resorting to catchup mode once he is in.

 

[marc71178]

To precis: Tredwell; why? Tremlett; why not?

Typo on the press release?

 

[GIMH]

Phew

 

[King Pietersen]

Much better performance with the bat, knew it'd only be a matter of time until we made a sizeable score. Prior batted very well at the top, and if he can put in more performances like that, on a much more consistent basis than he's managed in any form of OD cricket in his career prior to this call-up it could prove a good selection after all. Interested to see how he'll go in the subcontinent. Nice to see big runs for Trott, and more than handy cameos from Collingwood and Yardy too. Bout time Yardy stepped up with the bat and made a contribution.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I'm still not sure we've sorted out our team. I'm assuming Broad in for Tremlett (if fit) and the question then becomes Swann in for who... I presume it's going to be Collingwood, but I think it's a shame to miss him in the field.

If we're set on playing Colly as the nominal 5th bowler (and, in all honesty, I'd say #7's about right for his batting just now) with support from Trott and/or KP and maybe Bell, Swanny might just come in as a straight swap for Yardy.

If we aren't playing two spinners in Sydney or Adelaide there's no guarantee we will in Bangladesh or India either.

If we win the next one then give Clarke a break. I don't actually think his technique/batting is that terrible right now but his mindset is just gone and it doesn't matter what your technique is like if so. He needs some downtime desperately before the WC.

He keeps telling us a big score is around the corner. And it might be.

But does he actually believe it?

Really? I thought he looked dog rough today. Whatever the cause, for such a usually fluent batsman it was painful to see how far out of touch he's become. The contrast with Watson at the other end was very marked.

 

[Jacknife]

Much better performance with the bat, knew it'd only be a matter of time until we made a sizeable score. Prior batted very well at the top, and if he can put in more performances like that, on a much more consistent basis than he's managed in any form of OD cricket in his career prior to this call-up it could prove a good selection after all. Interested to see how he'll go in the subcontinent. Nice to see big runs for Trott, and more than handy cameos from Collingwood and Yardy too. Bout time Yardy stepped up with the bat and made a contribution.

Yes, really enjoyed Prior's knock and like you say if he can replicate this in the WC, it may have been a inspired decision to bring him in. Trott continues to be a run machine, averages 55 in Odi's and over 61 in tests, remarkable stuff. Pleased to see Colly get a few and Yardy did a good job at the end.

 

[Nate]

Sort out your technique already Clarke.

Honestly reckon Jack Mac should take up coaching. First client - Pup.

 

[Howe_zat]

Strauss admitted in the press conference they wouldn't be able to get away with bowling so much of Trott & Colly on most wickets. Broad coming in for Trem would strengthen the lower order, so any of Colly, Yardy or Bell could make way for Swann.

Bell is pretty under fire right now. Coming into these matches I was told so often that he was "in the form of his life". I kept backing him and now he's gone back to making nice 20s and 30s at best. I feel like a kid who's been convinced by his mate to have another shot of vodka, and now I'm feeling all woozy and regretful and apprehensive about the next time we go out.

 

[Furball]

Bell's place in the ODI set up should be far from guaranteed. Came in against Bangladesh on the back of some wonderful form for Warwickshire, but apart from 84* in his comeback innings he's had a bunch of 20s and 30s. His sparkling form in the Test and First Class legs of this tour should count for nothing if he's not producing the goods.

 

[Jacknife]

Bell's place in the ODI set up should be far from guaranteed. Came in against Bangladesh on the back of some wonderful form for Warwickshire, but apart from 84* in his comeback innings he's had a bunch of 20s and 30s. His sparkling form in the Test and First Class legs of this tour should count for nothing if he's not producing the goods.

I agree, it shouldn't be guaranteed, but playing in Australia at the back end of a 2 month tour, is so different to the sub continent during the WC and with Bell being one of England's best against spin, you'd have to back him especially over other players. He could do with making at least, a good contribution before this series is over and the same can be said for Morgan.