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[Nate]

The Ashes 2005 - First Test

In all probability, we're about to get romped. But which XI would you choose for Australia to give us the best chance in the First Test? The pitch looks very poor for pace with slight turn for spin bowlers.


First Class Averages

Batsmen
John Heads - 12 matches, 622 runs @ 34.56
Greg Thomas - 119 matches, 9030 runs @ 51.31
Jake McDonald - 32 matches, 2281 runs @ 60.03
Mat Mitchell - 48 matches, 3065 runs @ 37.84
Kyle Wright - 4 matches, 247 runs @ 49.40
Nick Scott - 40 matches, 3263 runs @ 47.98

Wicket Keepers
Neil Pickup - 4 matches, 234 runs @ 78.00, 12 dismissals
Jamee Gray - 49 matches, 2502 runs @ 32.92, 139 dismissals

All Rounders
Kevin Gough - 19 matches, 755 runs @ 24.35, 24 wickets @ 61.83
Higgy Marks - 39 matches, 1917 runs @ 31.95, 33 wickets @ 55.42

Bowlers
Heath Davis - 17 matches, 58 wickets @ 28.28
Nathan Patrick - 39 matches, 114 wickets @ 29.76
Ryan Dunn - 25 matches, 77 wickets @ 29.49
Kieran Horton - 42 matches, 131 wickets @ 33.21
Zach Gelman - 9 matches, 14 wickets @ 61.07

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Scott
Heads
Wright
Thomas
Mitchell
McDonald
+Pickup
Marks
Patt0
Davis
Horton

Quinn would have been useful here.

 

[Nate]

Quinn would have been useful here.

So would've Smith, Luff, Fitzsimmons, Cunningham and yourself.

But yes, the spin department leaves a lot to be desired. Dunn or McNamara would've been a chance aswell as Quinn. Need either or some of Marks, Thomas and Mitchell to step up something big.

 

[Goughy]

Less than stellar ODI debut but more than happy for the free trip to visit relatives and carry drinks.

Nice to get a run against Combind Unis. Disappointed with the jug avoidance with getting runout in the 80s.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Find that one rather amusing, Nafan. Sorry. Would pick as much batting as possible and look to bat and bat and bat England-style and bore the crap out of everyone else.

 

[Jamee999]

Drop Pickup, imo, can't go into the Ashes with such an inexperienced keeper...

 

[Nate]

The First Ashes Test Match
England vs Australia

Australian XI -
Higgy Marks (Test Debut)
John Heads (Test Debut)
Greg Thomas
Mat Mitchell (Test Debut)
Jake McDonald (Test Debut)
Neil Pickup (wk) (Test Debut)
Kyle Wright (Test Debut)
Ryan Dunn (Test Debut)
Nath Patrick (capt)
Kieran Horton (Test Debut)
Heath Davis (Test Debut)

Coach's Call -
It's just not the Australian way to go into our shells and try to draw. We came to win this Ashes Series, regardless of the squad. We need 20 wickets and this attack gives us the best chance of getting them. Marks will open as Scott's form did not warrant selection.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Devastated Scott tells of axing agony

Overlooked Australian opener Nick Scott has told of his agony after Higgy Marks was selected ahead of him for the first Ashes test match. "Gutted is what I am", Scott told the West Australian in an interview for the Perth newspaper. "They said my form hasn't warranted selection, which is unfair considering I've only been given the one chance in multi-day cricket," he said when asked what reasoning was given for his axing. "I was hitting the ball pretty sweeting against [the Minor Cricketting Counties], but got an absolute pearer. Sachin Tendulkar himself wouldn't have dug that out." But Scott won't be bitter, he says, and will work hard to fight his way back into the side: "No I'm not bitter about it, unless calling the chairman of selectors is a **** is bitter."

 

[Nate]

Australia shows character, England show results

England have won the First Ashes Test against Australia by ten wickets in a gripping encounter between the two sides. Going all the way into the final session, the cricket on display was of a high quality.

Coach's Call -
Things were going so well... until they took down Ryans! Poor bugger is out for four weeks and takes with him our main spinning option. Well done to Heads with a century on debut. Pickup held together our second innings really well. Crucially though, he dropped two catches, which may cause a rethink to the specialist wicket-keeper. But Horton was probably the star for me. High class bowling and was unlucky not to have five.

 

[morgieb]

I'd be Hodge. As he appears to be the only good batsman on offer.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

**** you for dropping me.

 

[Hoggy31]

Would've tonned up, surely.

lol at Patrick in Test cricket, familiar.

 

[alternative]

Ah damn, can't believe Pickup's luck continues. Damn you pickup.

 

[Flem274*]

I'm bowling well. Yussssssssssss.

 

[Mister Wright]

Half century on debut. Pleased with that. However, it wasn't enough to get us through, so also disappointed.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Haha, at Pickup's S/R.

 

[pinchy81]

Played like ****, deserved to be dropped imo

Am pleased that I'm the 13th best bowler in the world though

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Coach's Call -
It's just not the Australian way to go into our shells and try to draw.

169 overs for 331 runs. W00t.

 

[Nate]

169 overs for 331 runs. W00t.

Haha, knew someone would pick me up on that. The point is, you don't ever go into a Test Match with the intention of drawing it. It does however, sometimes end that way.

 

[Nate]

169 overs for 331 runs. W00t.

Also,

Haha, at Pickup's S/R.

this.

Bloke just didn't want to score, even on five aggression.