***Official*** Australia in England 2012

[social]

Cowan more or less had to be picked.

However I don't think enough discussion was had about the actual runs scored. a couple of them were junk time 2nd innings tons, one was AB field, one was on Canberra. and then remember his first 4 odd matches for the season he didn't pass 30 in any of them.

I dont mind Cowan (good team man, price on wicket, etc) but has to start converting in his next test or 2 if he is to have a future

 

[Spikey]

they're all about the same age though, in that awkward 'lost-generation' bracket. plus they too have the kind of high-30s-low-40s averages which leaves you in doubt about their long-term class (as with cowan).

ideally we'd want a 22-23 year old player with a 45+ average over two seasons or so, but

 

[Spark]

quite.

 

[Spark]

i mean the simple fact is the last world-class batsman this country produced wants to retire in a few years' time (i don't think he'll be able to, though). it's a massive, massive problem.

 

[social]

they're all about the same age though, in that awkward 'lost-generation' bracket. plus they too have the kind of high-30s-low-40s averages which leaves you in doubt about their long-term class (as with cowan).

ideally we'd want a 22-23 year old player with a 45+ average over two seasons or so, but

From what I've seen, Quiney is a big talent but has only recently started converting starts, hence the sub 40 average

 

[Spark]

From what I've seen, Quiney is a big talent but has only recently started converting starts, hence the sub 40 average

yeah, i've seen that - but we said that about marsh too.

 

[robelinda]

i mean the simple fact is the last world-class batsman this country produced wants to retire in a few years' time (i don't think he'll be able to, though). it's a massive, massive problem.

Bloody oath man. 2015 could see all of Clarke Ponting and Mussey all retire, thats if Ponting and Mussey last that long, you would think Ponting would retire after next Ashes in england, though with the next Ashes after that coming only a few later he might hang around, can't see it happening though. We DESPERATELY need guys like Hughes and Khawaja to find form at test level, because if we have to rely on Watson or Warner as our senior batsman we are screwed. Clarke could end up captaining a real shambles of a test team by 2015.

Can anyone really see Warner or Watson getting some big tons next Ashes?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

i mean, bopara out performed pretty much every aus bowler

That is the scariest thing, and looked an accomplished international player. Something seriously wrong when that happens.

 

[social]

Bloody oath man. 2015 could see all of Clarke Ponting and Mussey all retire, thats if Ponting and Mussey last that long, you would think Ponting would retire after next Ashes in england, though with the next Ashes after that coming only a few later he might hang around, can't see it happening though. We DESPERATELY need guys like Hughes and Khawaja to find form at test level, because if we have to rely on Watson or Warner as our senior batsman we are screwed. Clarke could end up captaining a real shambles of a test team by 2015.

Can anyone really see Warner or Watson getting some big tons next Ashes?

Can see Warner doing it (massive talent that has developed incredibly in a short period of time) but not Watson

Anyway, one terrible odi series doesnt mean much in the scheme of things and particularly where the squad picked was very unbalanced and had no focus to it - it was part odi, part rehab, part Ashes rehearsal and part NFI

 

[Spark]

I can definitely scoring Warner scoring one or two big, game-changing tons. Watson, not really.

 

[social]

That is the scariest thing, and looked an accomplished international player. Something seriously wrong when that happens.

Quietly confident Bopara will be badly exposed against SA in the tests - so many holes in his technique against quicks it isnt funny

 

[Spark]

"quietly" confident?

 

[Dan]

Cricket Records | Sheffield Shield, 2011/12 | Records | Most runs | ESPN Cricinfo

Of the top run scorers in Sheffield Shield last year, 4 of the top 6 were openers whilst Klinger also bats there a lot

Now either the standard of SS attacks is crap compared to the rest of the world or we have a number of candidates that could hypothetically step into the role and do a job

Don't think Liam Davis should be anywhere near the side, TBH. We'd replace Cowan with Klinger, Quiney or Rogers, based on that. Rogers has missed the boat, unfortunately; Klinger is probably too old as well and Quiney should be phased in through the Limited Overs stuff, since he's good there. And even then, he's probably too similar to Warner (and I'd avoid a Watson/Warner opening combination for the same reason. 2/200 or 2/2..)

IMO, we shot ourselves in the foot twice, firstly by dropping Hughes in the 2009 Ashes, and then by deciding that Simon Katich should go.

If Nic Maddinson shows up this year, he could develop into a potential replacement in a few years time; but until then we're better served by keeping Cowan and looking for a Forrest, Bailey or Dussey to hold a middle order slot until Joe Burns is experienced enough (if he kicks on). That or bring back Phil Hughes in a couple of seasons, once he has some confidence and experience (and a better technique).

Steve Cazzulino was the 13th top runscorer in the Shield. He averaged nearly double Chris Lynn. Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes averaged under 30. Daniel Christian almost got picked for a Test match as a batsman.

We have a serious problem with batting in our country IMO.

 

[Dan]

I can definitely scoring Warner scoring one or two big, game-changing tons. Watson, not really.

Would involve Watson making it past 60 without getting out..

 

[pup11]

i mean the simple fact is the last world-class batsman this country produced wants to retire in a few years' time (i don't think he'll be able to, though). it's a massive, massive problem.

Frankly speaking every world class player that Australia produced over the years was helped and nurtured by the experienced players and selectors, unfortunately that's not happening anymore.

What you see with the Australian side at present is that the experienced players are just looking out for themselves whereas the young inexperienced blokes are being made to do all the donkey work, so whether its facing upto the new ball at the top of the order or bowling back breaking spells on dead pitches it all has to be done by the rooks and despite doing all this they are also used as the scapegoats to divert attention from the real reasons of a failure.

A guy like Hughes both in Australia and in County cricket has shown he is an absolute run machine, yet the selectors have been reluctant to blood him as an international player and when you can't give a consistent run to a player of his caliber then we should just stop picking young players and start handing Australia caps to players only once they are 30 or above.

 

[Spikey]

When asked during the Sky Sports coverage whether he was impressed by Pattinson, Holding answered: "Can't say I'm impressed - he looks OK.

"It's not something that I would put my corn flakes down to come and watch."

looks like we have to come up with some sort of breakfast themed nickname for Pattinson. Corn Flakes is perhaps a bit long

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Quietly confident Bopara will be badly exposed against SA in the tests - so many holes in his technique against quicks it isnt funny

I am of the same opinion. Was kind of hoping your guys would do it but you weren't good enough.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

looks like we have to come up with some sort of breakfast themed nickname for Pattinson. Corn Flakes is perhaps a bit long

Weetabix

 

[Dan]

 

[superkingdave]

Was impressed with Warner actually, think he has the potential to be Haydenesque at the top of the order for Aus. I still think they will turn up next year with a decent batting line up and the series will be close (second opener, no.3 and keeper I think there are question marks over though assuming they still pick Haddin).

The real problems are going to come when Ponting and Hussey go. I think we might lose Strauss and KP after next years Ashes though as well - KP will be a bigger loss but I think we have better options to replace him than we do Strauss.