*Official* Road to 2013 Ashes

[NUFAN]

No. You only have 3........

Yes you'll pick 4 bowlers minimum. 3 quicks a spinner and Watson if he can bowl.

Still only 3 dedicated quicks though and for my money your 3 best are Harris, Bird and Patto.

It's already been established that those 3 are very unlikely to play every test so even if Siddle doesn't start at Trent Bridge he is sure to play a big part in this series.

Its already established that your trio won't play every Test because we have Peter Siddle.

 

[NUFAN]

I liken Siddles situation a little with England and Broad.

One could argue that Anderson plus a fit and firing duo out of Finn, Tremlett, Onions and Bresnan should play as they are the 3 quick bowlers who will worry Australia the most.

It won't happen though as there are more pressing concerns with both teams.

 

[Dan]

Siddle WAG.

Backing him for 30 wickets in the series, now that he's been rubbished on here.

 

[social]

I am not a huge fan of Siddle but he is in danger of becoming very underrated

After all, he has taken 150 test wickets at 28 (compare that to Broad btw) despite bowling mainly in a crap attack

Agreed that he is not as talented as Harris, Patto, Starc or Cummins but he is a constant anyway

Anyway, if his inclusion is our biggest concern then things are looking good for Australia

 

[vic_orthdox]

I think Siddle having a lot of his best performances in losing sides has led to a bit of that. Or he's taken poles at home against sides that we'd have probably beaten anyway. Played a lot of second fiddle to other guys in other Tests, when they've taken the plaudits (and deservedly so).

 

[chaminda_00]

Reckon Siddle will play, if nothing more then just so there is some consistency in the bowling attack, while everyone else falls down around him. Will get 'rested' in 3rd or 4th due to sports science.

Still think he is somewhat of green track bully. But I think he showed in recent away tours even when those no assistant he still bowls enough ball in good areas to take important wickets. Last Ashes tour wasn't that bad overall and if they produce green tracks he could be as effect as Harris and Pattinson.

 

[ajdude]

Australia Cricket News: Format changes, complacency hurt George Bailey's Ashes hopes | ESPN Cricinfo

seems weird the wrist problem he so clearly had wasn't mentioned at all...............

caused by his natural wrist-**** from flipping too many burgers imo

 

[adub]

I am not a huge fan of Siddle but he is in danger of becoming very underrated

After all, he has taken 150 test wickets at 28 (compare that to Broad btw) despite bowling mainly in a crap attack

Agreed that he is not as talented as Harris, Patto, Starc or Cummins but he is a constant anyway

Anyway, if his inclusion is our biggest concern then things are looking good for Australia

That's kind of how I feel about him. Not a bum by any stretch (much improved over the last three years) but not quite top shelf like Harris and Patto. Siddle in/out isn't anywhere near our most pressing concern. I do feel (on the admittedly slim evidence) that Bird would trouble the Poms a bit more and would be in my first test XI, but if Sidds plays no biggy. He'll do a job for us and his durability is a big plus for him (which no doubt means he'll be the one to break down whilst Harris powers through all five tests).

 

[Jono]

I am not a huge fan of Siddle but he is in danger of becoming very underrated

After all, he has taken 150 test wickets at 28 (compare that to Broad btw) despite bowling mainly in a crap attack

Agreed that he is not as talented as Harris, Patto, Starc or Cummins but he is a constant anyway

Anyway, if his inclusion is our biggest concern then things are looking good for Australia

Yeah good post. Not a superstar but sometimes people make it out like he's rubbish.

He should have bowled better in India though. Not completely relevant (or at all) to whether he'll perform in England, but it would have taken the pressure off him if he'd not bowled so poorly in certain spells.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Reckon Siddle will play, if nothing more then just so there is some consistency in the bowling attack, while everyone else falls down around him. Will get 'rested' in 3rd or 4th due to sports science.

Still think he is somewhat of green track bully. But I think he showed in recent away tours even when those no assistant he still bowls enough ball in good areas to take important wickets. Last Ashes tour wasn't that bad overall and if they produce green tracks he could be as effect as Harris and Pattinson.

Really? Don't reckon he's done much of his best work on green tops, if anything he has traditionally been no good on them because he's bowled too short of a length.

 

[Maximas]

Yeah you can't drop Siddle, he leads our attack, he is very experienced and he bowls consistently in all conditions.

 

[Spikey]

what if the true leader of the attack, ryan harris, is playing. can we then drop siddle


MichaelVaughan Michael Vaughan 6m

Just passed all the Aussie Ashes batting squad having Lunch....

8/10. Good work bud.

 

[Ruckus]

Considering the confidence of the squad isn't exactly at an all-time high, I'd be playing Harris, Patto and Bird in the first test. It's risky, but I still think it's more likely none of them would break down and everything would turn out fine rather than vice versa. Seeing as though it gives us the best chance of winning the first test, regaining some crucial confidence for the rest of the series and potentially putting England on the back foot, it's a risk I'd be taking. I feel this is going to be a series where our team won't respond very well to being one down after the first test...

 

[chaminda_00]

Really? Don't reckon he's done much of his best work on green tops, if anything he has traditionally been no good on them because he's bowled too short of a length.

I think in the last three years especially on Australian pitches he has bowled a yard fuller and most of more juicy pitches in Australia.

Though with only 7 Test matches in non pace dominant countries, my notion is that he a bit of a green track bully is related to his OD performance on flatter trackers, then Test cricket.

But his 5-fer in India showed signs he capable of performing in all conditions.

 

[Philhughesisbes]

I almost fell off my chair when I read someone on here sugesting that Cowan is a better opener than Rogers.Rogers is playing the first test people and rightfully so as an opener.Siddle and Patto are locked for the first test.The other quickies battling for the final spot.At this point Starc is the prefered option by selectors.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Still fairly baffled about how Bird is the next McGrath/Hadlee/Alderman after watching him beat up little Sri Lankans for two Tests (also a task not beyond Mitchell Johnson) six months ago.

Most of the time when Australia gets smashed, Siddle is comfortably the best bowler. Most notable examples are Melbourne 2008, Lord's 2009, Melbourne 2010 and Mohali 2012. IMO, what sets him apart from the rest of the team is that he's not adversely affected by how the team's going as a whole and the mental fallout that happens to everyone else - which has been exaggerated nowadays since the team either wins big or gets crushed. Don't think we've played a properly close Test match since Mohali 2010.

Bird will play some Tests, and do well, but there's no way he's going to usurp a 41-Test veteran on potential alone (see Dohertygate in the last Ashes). If he does play, it'd be in place of Harris who was probably the inspiration for informed player management.

It's about how Bird bowled, not just who he played and how many wickets he got. He keeps it up and nips it around. I reckon that'd be handy in England. Given some of our blokes can't work out whether to bowl too full or too short at any given time, I like how he looks.

I was going to put Siddle in for Harris in the inital 3 I named, mainly because he's more likely to last the test. If he's got it going and remembers to pitch it up, I'd be happy to have him there regardless.

 

[honestbharani]

Rogers
Watson
Cowan/Hughes/Khawaja
Clarke*
Hughes/Khawaja/Cowan
Warner
Haddin (wk)
Siddle
Pattinson
Bird/Starc/Harris
Lyon



Based on the little I know of the players from this squad, I would assume those 3 positions are the only ones in any kind of doubt.

 

[stephen]

I almost fell off my chair when I read someone on here sugesting that Cowan is a better opener than Rogers.Rogers is playing the first test people and rightfully so as an opener.Siddle and Patto are locked for the first test.The other quickies battling for the final spot.At this point Starc is the prefered option by selectors.

The only way I could see Rogers opening is if Warner drops down to the middle order or if Cowan bats 3. I really can't see either happening tbh.

 

[adub]

The only way I could see Rogers opening is if Warner drops down to the middle order or if Cowan bats 3. I really can't see either happening tbh.

Me either. We'll stick with this opening pair for a bit longer I think. Rogers will play, but I don't think he'll open.

 

[Philhughesisbes]

Me either. We'll stick with this opening pair for a bit longer I think. Rogers will play, but I don't think he'll open.

Can"t believe most people on here are convince Co wan/ Warner (average of less than40) are unmoveable.Acase can be made for Warner seeing he usually goes on with his stats but if Cowan is the answer at the top we"re in serious trouble.Hayden and LAnger must be laughing themselves off.Rogers is a gun and his an opener.If they"re picking him and no one will select a 35 Year old to warm the benches. ,then he has to open.