***Official*** Australia in England (The Ashes)

[Slow Love™]

It's called a smokescreen. If you are without your most deadly weapon, at least make the opposition THINK you've still got it in order to disrupt or cast a shadow over THEIR preparations. Keep 'em guessing.

(Well, I've just convinced myself, anyway).

It can work in football, where selections, matchups and associated preparations can be affected - but in a cricket match, particularly one where the opposition's lineup is likely to be unchanged regardless... It just seems so pointless, doesn't it?

Unless they both are going to play (which would mean it's not actually a mind-game), in which case I do pray they're fit and it isn't a mistake.

 

[Slow Love™]

I'm going to make a HUGE call here. I know at this early stage of his career it might be looked upon as folly but here goes........

*deep breath*

Shane Warne will take in excess of 600 Test wickets.

That's it, don't hold back, mate. I know it sounds crazy now, but I think Gilly might get in excess of 300 dismissals, too.

 

[andyc]

That's it, don't hold back, mate. I know it sounds crazy now, but I think Gilly might get in excess of 300 dismissals, too.

lol at the rate he's going you never know

 

[Zinzan]

For me if both Mcgrath and Lee play - and make it thru without a recurring injury then its curtains for England whoever wins the toss. If Mcgrath doesn't play - even stevens

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

hayden will score less than 30 this test..... and will as a direct result of that get dropped before the end of the ashes.

Very much doubt he will get dropped, and I actually think he will go okay. He's looked like making a score a few times on this tour and hasn't quite held it together. If not this test, then maybe the 5th one at The Oval.

 

[Knopfler]

I'd probably disagree with you there mate. Don't think there is any chance of Hayden getting dropped before this series ends. However, if he fails to produce for the rest of this series, then his career will be terminated.

I somewhat agree, but Australia's next series is the "super series" against the Rest Of The World and I cant see them dropping the long-running Aussie opener for that one. They want a similar side to the one that has kept them at the top for the last few years.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

If any of the current Australian tour party said it was raining, I'd go outside to check - and make sure I'd got plenty of sunscreen on.

Well, nobody has actually said McGrath would play, which is what I don't get about the discussion on here. Ponting says McGrath is feeling better, McGrath trains in the nets (which he obviously did, because people saw him), and Ponting says in a press statement that he probably won't play, but he's not going to be ruled out until they test him on the morning of the match. That's all that has happened, and given Alcott's history I'd be very surprised if he did play, and even more surprised if he played and it turned out he wasn't 100% right.

Lee is obviously a different case, as they've said directly that he is fit and available for selection.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Well, nobody has actually said McGrath would play, which is what I don't get about the discussion on here. Ponting says McGrath is feeling better, McGrath trains in the nets (which he obviously did, because people saw him), and Ponting says in a press statement that he probably won't play, but he's not going to be ruled out until they test him on the morning of the match. That's all that has happened, and given Alcott's history I'd be very surprised if he did play, and even more surprised if he played and it turned out he wasn't 100% right.

Lee is obviously a different case, as they've said directly that he is fit and available for selection.

Come on old cake, it was bound to be up for discussion, this is the best bowler in the world we're talking about you know, I find it all intriguing, but then I'm easily pleased.

Jolly excited about today, even if I feel the urn may drift away like a '93 vintage Warne leggie this match... <crosses fingers, grips the natterjack toad and wishes NOT for a self-lowering lavatory seat but a winning toss for Vaughan>

May the best team win? Hope not.

 

[Monty]

i reckon pietersen will get a ton

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Come on old cake, it was bound to be up for discussion, this is the best bowler in the world we're talking about you know, I find it all intriguing, but then I'm easily pleased.

Sorry about that old bean, I just don't think there's much reason to believe McGrath was going to play, or that anybody from the Australian camp has really tried to make people think that he was going to.

I'm still hoping though. If he was bowling in the nets then maybe he's good to go.

 

[greg]

He's playing

 

[greg]

England win toss and bat

 

[Craig]

If both teams are not unchanged for the 3rd Test I will run naked through the streets of Aberdeen whistling "I Shot the Sheriff".

 

[Craig]

He's playing

They must heal quick those lads from the Bush.

 

[Slow Love™]

Sorry about that old bean,

Hmm.... Faaip's starting to sound a little bit English. Might be time to throw him off the island soon.

I CANNOT believe that McGrath's playing. I sure hope this isn't a screw-up.

 

[shaka]

bad luck Kasper!

 

[andyc]

bad luck Kasper!

Yeah, I think Kasper should be playing for Gillespie. I am amazed, and ecstatic, that both McGrath and Lee are playing; I'm just hoping to God McGrath's ankle is indeed okay. The last thing we need is to have only three bowlers in the team.

 

[Burpey]

Do the selectors hate Kasper ? This is a selection travesty ... gonna go watch now. Aussie Aussie Aussie !

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Hmm.... Faaip's starting to sound a little bit English. Might be time to throw him off the island soon.

I CANNOT believe that McGrath's playing. I sure hope this isn't a screw-up.

Sorry, I was just responding to Pedro calling me "old cake", as quoted.

Anyway, this is fantastic news. Greg Matthews is having a heart attack about Macgill being left out, but if the pitch isn't going to turn until the last couple of days, Warne alone can easily cover Australia. Gillespie over Kasprowicz is a tough call, but Gillespie has 250 test wickets and obviously the selectors want to stick with him a bit longer, and that's fair enough. McGrath obviously makes a huge difference to Australia, and England will need to bat very well now.

 

[_Ed_]

Wow, we have Channel 4's coverage here in NZ this time! No more boring Sky commentary team!