*Official* England in Australia (2 T20 & 7 ODIs)

[Tom 1972]

Swann is a legit legend isn't he

I do like Swann. Thinking man's clown.

We Aussies get Merv Hughes

 

[morgieb]

Clarke needs a stint out of the international side, imo. Just needs to get his confidence back and stop freaking out.

 

[Spark]

But if we didn't have to post the 15 man squad until the last minute for the WC, and Clarke scratched another 60 runs off 100+ balls over the next four 1-dayers against England, would he still be selected by Hilditch & Co?

The answer is "yes".

Given that he spent two years doing exactly that, that's quite an obvious call.

He has a good record in 1-dayers over the past 12 months, 2 years whatever.

12 months.

Couldn't give a rats arse about the off field stuff.

I'm actually more concerned about his future in Test cricket, if he continues to average 20-30 like he has done in 2010-2011, how long do we carry him?

The million dollar question isn't it? I don't actually think he'll average 20-30 for a lot longer, but...

 

[andyc]

If I had a mug like Smith and my captain found me a date I'd kiss the ground he walked on. Great man management imo.

 

[pup11]

How much of the 08/09 season did you watch? He was most definitely not just a supporting batsman during that season, especially with a floundering Hayden and Hussey above him.

What's happening at the moment is that Clarke has had his confidence badly hit by the way he started the test series due to some top-class bowling, and ever since has been so desperate to get bat on ball that he's playing at things he shouldn't be and pushing for the ball rather than letting it come to him. I really don't know where you've gotten this "he should revert to 04/05 type" thing from.

I certainly watched almost all of his knocks from 08-09 and his best knocks during that period were his centuries against the Saffers (SCG), England (Lord's) and New Zealand (after the he left Bingle now he's single saga) and the reason for that is that he actually went out there and played his shots.
What's happening to him now is that teams have started to cover areas on the both sides of the wicket through where he plays his drives, which is pretty much the shot that fetches him the maximum amount of runs these days and that has lead to him getting suffocated for runs.
Also what's wrong with him going back to way he used to play until 2007 as long as he keeps his shots on the ground, I mean that's style of play got his this far,that same style of play helped him break into that strong Australian middle order, so obviously he was doing a lot of things right then so he should have ironed out the few flaws in his game had rather than completly changing his game.

 

[Ikki]

I feel sewage-dirty saying it but Swann is a funny **** and would be a great character to have in a team.

 

[GIMH]

I feel sewage-dirty saying it but Swann is a funny **** and would be a great character to have in a team.

Sigged

 

[Ikki]

I ****ing knew you were gonna do that.

 

[Burgey]

How much of the 08/09 season did you watch? He was most definitely not just a supporting batsman during that season, especially with a floundering Hayden and Hussey above him.

What's happening at the moment is that Clarke has had his confidence badly hit by the way he started the test series due to some top-class bowling, and ever since has been so desperate to get bat on ball that he's playing at things he shouldn't be and pushing for the ball rather than letting it come to him. I really don't know where you've gotten this "he should revert to 04/05 type" thing from.

Was no good in India either tbf. But he'd been our best test player for a couple of years before then.

 

[brockley]

Its rumoured brett lee will be rested.

 

[Spark]

Was no good in India either tbf. But he'd been our best test player for a couple of years before then.

Was OK, not great though. I'm really talking about after that tour, starting with the 98 at the Gabba.

---

Random thought, but I do love that we are fielding like an Australian side again.

 

[andyc]

Its rumoured brett lee will be rested.

Would be very surprised if he doesn't sit out a few games in the series. He seems to be back to pretty much where we expect him to be with his ODI bowling atm so no point risking another injury by playing him in all 7 games.

 

[howardj]

Play every game unless signs of wear, tear or fatigue.

That's my policy.

 

[Spark]

Swann out for series.

Ouch.

 

[Burgey]

What's his injury mate? Losing track there are so many going around ATM.

 

[Spark]

Apparently he's done his back on top of his knee, gone home to prepare for the WC.

It is ridiculous how many injuries are going around world cricket, but especially these two sides.

 

[Burgey]

So he'll be going in cold before the WC then? Really is quite amazing the number of injuries, isn't it?

 

[GIMH]

Call the series off before both sides are calling up CW posters for the World Cup

 

[four_or_six]

So he'll be going in cold before the WC then? Really is quite amazing the number of injuries, isn't it?

I think he was going to anyway because he's missing the beginning to see his baby born.

 

[marc71178]

Problem is whereas he was going to miss the warm ups after a 7 match series, he's now not got the 7 matches.

I wonder if it's more a precautionary withdrawal to be honest - ensure he's fit for the main event.