*Official* Road to 2013 Ashes

[social]

dont know why you've picked two tasmanian bowlers but not the best tasmanian bowler

Bowlers that England would most like to see named in the Ashes squad - MJ, Hilf and Doherty

 

[BoyBrumby]

Squads without Bird are both perplexing and pleasing to me.

Not seen too much of the boy, but looks as if he's made for English conditions. Latterday Paul Reiffel.

 

[howardj]

Bird and Hilf won't start in the 1st Test

Hilf, given his experience and compatibility with English conditions, is in my view more likely to make an impact as a fall back option

Plus, as I say, Bird will go into the tour under a massive fitness cloud

Obviously, long term, Bird >>>> Hilf

 

[Prince EWS]

Cookies must be enabled | Herald Sun

Hilarious that Craddock picks Faulkner, Ahmed and Hilf yet omits Bird

Must be missing something with Faulkner as everytime I see him bowl it has been straight up and down, medium-fast with a load of junk slower balls thrown in

Nah you're not missing anything with Faulkner; that's what he bowls. Shouldn't be near the squad.

 

[howardj]

Haddin's batting at Test level has been poo

And his keeping is hardly top notch

As Crash Craddock said, it's time to move on

At worst, Hartley is a younger player who is every bit as good as Haddin behind the stumps

 

[Prince EWS]

dont know why you've picked two tasmanian bowlers but not the best tasmanian bowler

Yeah, Butterworth stiff to miss.

 

[howardj]

Butterworth is my allrounder, so comparing him straight up with a bowler is a little harsh

If you guys picked your squads, your 15th-17th players are damn hard to pick

I certainly found that

 

[Prince EWS]

Butterworth is my allrounder, so comparing him straight up with a bowler is a little harsh

You didn't pick Butterworth; you picked Faulkner.

 

[howardj]

Sorry Faulkner

 

[social]

Many people are describing Failkner as an all-rounder

If he is an all-rounder atm, then so are Butterworth and Copeland with the difference being that the latter 2 are far better bowlers from what I have seen

Reckon that this whole problem exists because Watson wont/cant bowl so people are trying to manufacture a fifth bowling option

 

[benchmark00]

 

[howardj]

Many people are describing Failkner as an all-rounder

If he is an all-rounder atm, then so are Butterworth and Copeland with the difference being that the latter 2 are far better bowlers from what I have seen

Reckon that this whole problem exists because Watson wont/cant bowl so people are trying to manufacture a fifth bowling option

To be clear, I would pick 6 specialist bats, our 4 best bowlers, and our best keeper

However, in a broader squad of 17, one allrounder should be picked

As I say, name your 17 man squad, and 15-17 opens yourself up to criticism

 

[uvelocity]

I don't understand the point of usman. unless they think he was unsuited to the conditions (why bring him in the first place) if they are going to bat glenn maxwell ahead of cowan, and still pick cowan ahead of usman on a tour as bad as the last one, when will he ever play.

i don't see how henriques has done so poorly he can't make the squad? I'd nearly have him starting.

cowan, warner, hughes, watson, clarke, smith, wade, pattinson, starc, harris, lyon
haddin, doolan, henriques, cummins, bird, siddle. hilf

rogers is already over there if an sos is needed. doolan 3rd for the season, 715 @ 42 best of a bad bunch plus a bit of experience. 10 tests on the hop may be required all the same. i think you need to take 18 due to the fragility of the bowlers. **** a 2nd spinner, not required.

 

[Daemon]

Named starc twice noob

 

[social]

6 batsmen

a. Clarke
b. Warner
c. Hughes
d. Smith
e. Cowan
f. Khawaja

2 w/k

a. Haddin
b. Paine

2 spinners

a. Lyon
b. O'Keefe

5 quicks

a. Harris
b. Pattinson
c. Siddle
d. Starc
e. Bird

2 all-rounders

a. Watson
b. Henriques

 

[uvelocity]

Named starc twice noob

he's that good

Clarke: 'worst team' tag a bit harsh | Australia Cricket, Live Cricket, Cricket Scores | Fox Sports

 

[howardj]

6 batsmen

a. Clarke
b. Warner
c. Hughes
d. Smith
e. Cowan
f. Khawaja

2 w/k

a. Haddin
b. Paine

2 spinners

a. Lyon
b. O'Keefe

5 quicks

a. Harris
b. Pattinson
c. Siddle
d. Starc
e. Bird

2 all-rounders

a. Watson
b. Henriques

But for Ed, and punting Wade altogether, I like it

Good job

 

[social]

But for Ed, and punting Wade altogether, I like it

Good job

The problem we all have in picking a team is in knowing that certain players have had their cards marked by the selectors

For example, I would prefer to see Rogers in there in place of Cowan but the chances of that happening are pretty much zero

Having said that, judging by Inverarity's comments, it appears that Faulkner is a very strong chance but I just dont rate him very highly so couldnt bring myself to include him

Likewise, Maxwell is Inverarity's love child and may very well go but it would be a travesty on performances to date so have picked O'Keefe and Henriques

Finally, in relation to Wade, I want someone that can catch and the extra couple of runs that he can potentially provide are largely irrelevant

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Squads without Bird are both perplexing and pleasing to me.

Not seen too much of the boy, but looks as if he's made for English conditions. Latterday Paul Reiffel.

Can only imagine as he is so recently injured he has gone to the back of peoples lists and misses out. Is there any doubt over whether he'd be fit in time?

 

[social]

Can only imagine as he is so recently injured he has gone to the back of peoples lists and misses out. Is there any doubt over whether he'd be fit in time?

Supposed to be fit in plenty of time