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

[Mister Wright]

Gillespie is usually a very good bowler, no doubt about that. However, he is bowling extremely poorly and is obviously under a lot of pressure. With the series in the balance, I would have thought MacGill would get a look in. I'm not too sure when he was last bowling in a game, but, surely, he would be no worse than Gillespie is at the moment.

MacGill would not have even been considered one Lee and McGrath were passed fit. And to be honest I doubt if the Australian team ever thought the series was in doubt. They would have been thinking that we've got our first choice bowling attack now, things will fall into place. They really need to reasses their thoughts on this series - they have a real contest on their hands. No matter what score England get in this first innings, a lot will come down to Australia's first innings, if Hayden, Ponting, Martyn don't come out of their poor form slumps, especially if Clarke can't bat (not that there is much difference between that and him actually batting ) then Australia WILL lose this test match.

England should also watch out for Gilchrist, whenever he has a shocker with the gloves, he blasts a hundred.

 

[howardj]

He has been considered an automatic selection for so long now, however that view must be changed. This isn't just a poor patch of form, he is bowling terrible - there is something wrong.

For sure. If his poor form was isolated to a few a games, then fair enough. But, as his record in the Pakistan and New Zealand series' suggests, his poor form in England is actually an accurate reflection of the bowler that he now is.

 

[age_master]

especially if Clarke can't bat (not that there is much difference between that and him actually batting ) then Australia WILL lose this test match.

that would be why hes one of only 2 Aussie batsmen to average over 30 for the first 2 tests. but you are right, this one will be won by the batsmen (of England or Australia) - though Warne will, as always, be more dangerous in the 2nd innings.

 

[Mister Wright]

that would be why hes one of only 2 Aussie batsmen to average over 30 for the first 2 tests. but you are right, this one will be won by the batsmen (of England or Australia) - though Warne will, as always, be more dangerous in the 2nd innings.

Yes, this match will be won in the first innings.

 

[honestbharani]

Yep, I notice KP has changed his colours...

Doesn't seem to have worked well though.

 

[arjwiz]

How much do you think England will make today? I'd say another 110 runs possibly, not much. Only Flintoff and Bell are the remaining strike batsmen. So that leaves a score of around 450. What score would England be happy with?

 

[Knopfler]

There is no way that MacGill was going to be picked over Gillespie (or Kaspa). Simply because we would have two seamers sharing the workload with the new ball (TWO RECENTLY INJURED SEAMERS). If the second spinner was picked it was going to be in the expense of a batsman, but I imagine that the selectors would have been happy with Clarke and Katich bowling some part time spin. But seriously, picking McGrath and Lee as our only seamers would have been stupid. One of them gets injured and Ponting bowls himself with the new ball?

Warney would be the best (on field) captain. I remember watching the one-dayers and he was the only captain in recent times to play decently aggressive (instead of dropping the field back at the first opportunity, to the delight of the batsmen). If Warney was made captain, these new one-day rules would never have needed to be introduced.

But Warney will never be captain, so who instead of Ponting? Nobody in the selector's eyes so we will be stuck with the airbag for quite a bit longer.

I thought Warne bowled quite well yesterday and 50% of Vaughan's wicket belongs to him (the other 50% beongs to Vaughan).

Vaughan played very very well for the most part and thee highlight of the day was his pull for six off Dizzy.

 

[honestbharani]

Come on guys, I predicted Vaughan to get a 100... Where's my due?


And tell me where I can play that powerball thing, I bet I can beat Tresco...

 

[vic_orthdox]

That's exactly what will happen. Clarke has been touted as a future captain for some time and before he got int he side, we were constantly hearing about how he captained the U/19's side. Trust me; he's our next captain.

I thought I heard somewhere that he wasn't even captain of his U/19s side

 

[Top_Cat]

Big wraps for Warnie from Ravi Shastri

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16231292%5E2722,00.html

Nice of him to say he even found a positive thing to say about Warnie's comparative lack of success against India;

"He didn't shy away from anything. He's very tough mentally. Even on three tours of India he might not have the greatest figures but don't let anyone say that he didn't try."

 

[Top_Cat]

I thought I heard somewhere that he wasn't even captain of his U/19s side

He wasn't until Klinger was too old, then he was made captain for the U/19 WC;

Group matches (he missed the first one and the semi-final)

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_dat...US-U19_IRELAND-U19_WC-U19_OD11_13JAN2000.html

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_dat...P-D/SL-U19_AUS-U19_WC-U19_OD20_15JAN2000.html

Super League

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_dat...PER/AUS-U19_WI-U19_WC-U19_SUP1_18JAN2000.html

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_dat...ER/AUS-U19_PAK-U19_WC-U19_SUP6_20JAN2000.html

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_dat...ER/AUS-U19_NZ-U19_WC-U19_SUP10_22JAN2000.html

 

[age_master]

There's no doubt in my mind either that Shane Warne has one of the best tactical cricket brains anywhere. You can see it in his bowling, as well as in his leadership when he gets the opportunity.

indeed, but ofcourse the captain has a big off field role as well, and is also a larger role model for younger cricketers, which, is not something that Shane warne does well. Lehmann also has a great cricket brain. i think there are 3 other options in and around the side - Katich, Haddin and Hussey. obviously Haddin would have to wait till after Gilchrist Retired. will be interesting to see how he goes on this A tour to pakistan. Katich and Hussey both have reasonable cricket brains too i think - ofcourse i haven't seen too much of either of them captaining.

side note Langer is skipper of WA too...

 

[Mister Wright]

indeed, but ofcourse the captain has a big off field role as well, and is also a larger role model for younger cricketers, which, is not something that Shane warne does well. Lehmann also has a great cricket brain. i think there are 3 other options in and around the side - Katich, Haddin and Hussey. obviously Haddin would have to wait till after Gilchrist Retired. will be interesting to see how he goes on this A tour to pakistan. Katich and Hussey both have reasonable cricket brains too i think - ofcourse i haven't seen too much of either of them captaining.

side note Langer is skipper of WA too...

There are plenty of options in the current team. Hayden, Langer, Katich would all be reasonable options. Both Hayden & Langer have enough experience at captain to do it, but I think Hayden should concerntrate on his batting first and foremost. POnting should stay captain at the moment, but if we were to lose the series . Questions would have to be asked of his ability as captain. I would say Gilchrist would take over if he were to be sacked.

 

[shaka]

I cant believe there were about 7 drop catches, Mcgrath must have been the unluckiest person on the day.

 

[age_master]

I would say Gilchrist would take over if he were to be sacked.

Gilchrist is certainly a good option, but i doubt he would be picked due to his keeping - and opening of the batting in the ODI's

 

[luckyeddie]

Never I doubt.

I can't see how any other team has managed to get this much luck in the history of cricket, let alone just Warne/Mcgrath matches.

Catches win matches.

A few months ago, England were toying with the idea of Geraint Jones being the next Adam Gilchrist.

Now, it seems, Adam Gilchrist is the next Geraint Jones.

 

[luckyeddie]

Thought he was an Aussie?

As far as I'm concerned, that doesn't matter one iota.

I can't stand this 'neutral umpires' malarkey - if they're not neutral, they shouldn't be part of the game.

*cough*shakoorrana*cough*

ok, you got me there.

 

[luckyeddie]

Can someone please tell me why Gillespie is playing? Surely MacGill deserves a game. He couldn't do much worse. Not that I'm complaining too much, being an England supporter and all.

In order for MacGill to play, Australia would have had to have left out a batsman, and NOT Gillespie (or at least keeping Kasprowicz in).

Only complete boneheads (where is he? ) would advocate going into a test with two seam bowlers only, both of whom subject to late fitness tests.

(Reads Knopfler's post earlier on this page, nods approvingly)

 

[Craig]

Now, it seems, Adam Gilchrist is the next Geraint Jones.

Brilliant stuff.

Overall, congratulations to Vaughan, Warne for their milestones and for Bell reaching fifty in such a gritty fashion, I hope he gets a 100 and gives a big "up yours" to his critics and make those who backed him look correct (without naming names) and he needs it for his own confidence. I was pleased for Vaughan for getting a big knock because if he hadn't after playing so well before lunch he should have been given a kick up the back side by Fletcher. That was classical Vaughan in action - really when he gets going I find him one of the most enjoyable batsmen to watch.

And I still don't see the point in Hoggard being night/watchman. Surely there are better options?

 

[Josh]

Agreed.

This should be his last series in charge.

That's a f**king stupid thing to say!!