*Official* Road to 2013 Ashes

[BoyBrumby]

From an England point of view I would be an awful lot happier if they go with Starc over Bird from what we have seen in this series.

Starc went pretty well with the French last season, tbf. Leading T20 wicket taker in our domestic comp.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Starc still reminds me of Finn, all the basic ingredients are there, he manages to take wickets, even if he's not bowling particularly well (and will definitely do so when hot), but there will be times that he leaks like a sieve.

 

[Tangles]

So if Watson wants to open again and not bowl I'm fine with dropping Ed but what happens to the middle order? Clarke and Khawaja at 4/5 or the reverse is fine but we really need runs at 6 imo. Maxwell first in line with a shot at the all rounder spot maybe.

 

[AlanJLegend]

If Watson wants to open the batting and can make some big scores in that position in the shield, considering his record there and Ed's inability to run properly between the wickets I think he would make a pretty good case for himself.

Would not be opposed to putting Khawaja at 6 and Cowan at 4, even if just temporarily until we find somebody better. Seems like a good guy to have around the team, just needs to justify his selection via weight of runs.

 

[vic_orthdox]

As opposed to Watto's running between wickets...

 

[Daemon]

Cowan's career will always be like how it's panned out so far imo. Steady but unspectacular.

Don't really think there's a need to change the one thing that's doing well in Australia's batting, Cowan and Warner have been one of the better opening pairs in recent times.

 

[Noppe]

Cowan's career will always be like how it's panned out so far imo. Steady but unspectacular.

Don't really think there's a need to change the one thing that's doing well in Australia's batting, Cowan and Warner have been one of the better opening pairs in recent times.

Steady is way too favourable to Cowen, he just isn't good enough.

 

[Sarun]

Siddle seems to be the only sure of getting a spot among pacers for Ashes, right?

Seems like other contenders could make a case or get behind others depending on performance against India.

 

[Tangles]

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson/Khawaja
Clarke
Maxwell/?
Wade
Siddle
Starc/MJ
Bird
Lyon

India is going to be very important for people to lock down Ashes spots. If you look at the current team plus a Hussey replacement probably only Clarke would survive a horror series. Warner, Wade, Siddle and Lyon probably get tickets with average performances. If he's fit Pattinson would probably be ok also. Hard to know where MJ fits with all the crap the selectors keep saying but if he failed then that would be MJ being MJ right.

The batting is where the heat will be on to perform. I don't know how much leeway Cowan and Hughes have if they hit a trot and I have a feeling that Khawaja/Maxwell/? would have none. No doubt that 100 against a SL B team means Wade is a lock baring injury.

 

[andyc]

Siddle seems to be the only sure of getting a spot among pacers for Ashes, right?

Seems like other contenders could make a case or get behind others depending on performance against India.

Injury aside, Pattinson is 100% in.

India is going to be very important for people to lock down Ashes spots. If you look at the current team plus a Hussey replacement probably only Clarke would survive a horror series. Warner, Wade, Siddle and Lyon probably get tickets with average performances.

I really can't see them dropping Warner, regardless of how he goes in India. Only injury would keep him out of the being on the plane to England. He's done enough already IMO and there's simply not anyone else sticking their hands up.

 

[Tangles]

When is Pattinson expected back?

 

[Spark]

I hear he's already bowling in the nets.

 

[social]

Starc still reminds me of Finn, all the basic ingredients are there, he manages to take wickets, even if he's not bowling particularly well (and will definitely do so when hot), but there will be times that he leaks like a sieve.

Starc definitely has the better action (IMO, Finn's has definitely deteriorated lately) and has the additional advantages of being left-handed and being able to swing both the old and new ball

Having said that. both are relatively young so inconsistency is to be expected

 

[Philhughesisbes]

The batting is where the heat will be on to perform. I don't know how much leeway Cowan and Hughes have if they hit a trot and I have a feeling that Khawaja/Maxwell/? would have none. No doubt that 100 against a SL B team means Wade is a lock baring injury.

If Hughes doesn't make it to the first ashes test selectors would have seriously lost it.Hughes and Clarke will be the backbone of our batting for atleast the next 5 years.Bird , Pattinson, Siddle and Lyon are our best attack.RIghtly imo Lyon is a certain for the ashes.I wonder where all this Lyon hate came from.The guy is the best option by a mile.

 

[Red]

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson/Khawaja
Clarke
Maxwell/?
Wade
Siddle
Starc/MJ
Bird
Lyon

India is going to be very important for people to lock down Ashes spots. If you look at the current team plus a Hussey replacement probably only Clarke would survive a horror series. Warner, Wade, Siddle and Lyon probably get tickets with average performances. If he's fit Pattinson would probably be ok also. Hard to know where MJ fits with all the crap the selectors keep saying but if he failed then that would be MJ being MJ right.

The batting is where the heat will be on to perform. I don't know how much leeway Cowan and Hughes have if they hit a trot and I have a feeling that Khawaja/Maxwell/? would have none. No doubt that 100 against a SL B team means Wade is a lock baring injury.

If Watson can't be relied upon to bowl, this is what I'd be looking at for India/ the Ashes...

- Warner
- Cowan
- Hughes
- Khawaja
- Clarke
- D. Hussey
- Wade
- Siddle
- Pattinson
- Starc/Cummins
- Lyon

Loads of left handers in that top order, but I'm thinking that might be a good thing against Anderson's swing?

Dussey provides the following- a proven first class record, experience, a fifth bowling option and very good fielding. Considering how green our whole side is, I think he's a sensible option.

If Harris can get fit, he provides another good option. Think he'd be awesome in both India and England.

 

[Maximas]

If Watson can't be relied upon to bowl, this is what I'd be looking at for India/ the Ashes...

- Warner
- Cowan
- Hughes
- Khawaja
- Clarke
- D. Hussey
- Wade
- Siddle
- Pattinson
- Starc/Cummins
- Lyon

Loads of left handers in that top order, but I'm thinking that might be a good thing against Anderson's swing?

Dussey provides the following- a proven first class record, experience, a fifth bowling option and very good fielding. Considering how green our whole side is, I think he's a sensible option.

If Harris can get fit, he provides another good option. Think he'd be awesome in both India and England.

Problem with D Hussey is that the selectors would have to pick him on reputation alone, his Shield form has been terrible this year, and the conditions have been similar to England in Shield matches. I think Watson will find his way into this side ahead of Dussey.
I also think MJ (as much as I despise of him) will get a place in the squad ahead of Cummins (who has played 4 first class matches in his career).

 

[Maximas]

All this hate for Lyon is unfounded, Australia has no wrist spinners good enough for international cricket (they both barely cut it at shield level) and the other finger spinners have already failed. SOK is probably next in line for selection, and he is more of an allrounder, I don't rate his bowling that much. Micheal Beer may be useful in India, but I hardly see him being more successful than Lyon. Lyon has also shown the ability to contain and build pressure from an end, which results in wickets to both himself and other bowlers, anyway, he sings our victory song now.
If Watson thinks he can walk into the opening slot with a meager test average of 37 then he is wrong, although Cowan is inconsistent and averaging lower, he provides ideal counterpoint to Warner and he had success on the Australia A tour in winter. Watson could still bat at 6 though, provided he plays well in the shield, but without his bowling, I don't see why the selectors should be making him any guarantees.
Khawaja and Hughes both had successful county stints and were also prolific Sheffield Shield scorers, Hughes also had success in the test side,so both should be in the team. Maxwell should never be considered, as there are better candidates for batting and his bowling adds little to the team in English conditions, especially given both Clarke and Warner can bowl part-time. Although he could be handy at Trent Bridge (it turns there doesn't it, or am I thinking of Old Trafford?).
Joe Burns should be given a spot in the squad as backup, he played well in the A tour and has youth on his side. He has also shown recent Shield form and has the ideal technique for batting in England.
For the bowlers, Pattinson, Siddle and Lyon are certain starters, with Starc, Johnson and Bird fighting for the other spot. My preference goes to Starc, who has played in county cricket, but all the fast bowlers should be rotated anyway to help avoid injury.

 

[GotSpin]

Are we really going to continue with Wade as our keeper. The guy is awful with the gloves.

 

[Tangles]

With the talk from Arthurs about the team needing an all-rounder the new from Watson about no bowling means someone is making a test debut in India right? Unless they go with Wade at 6 and MJ at 7 which would be a mistake.

Surely what they should do is if we have no standout all-rounder is decide who the next best batsman is and get them into the team.

 

[NUFAN]

I know this is the Road to Ashes but I would be very surprised if the top 7 in India isn't

1 Warner 2 Cowan 3 Hughes 4 Watson 5 Clarke 6 Wade 7 Maxwell with Khawaja the backup bat for Watson being injured and/or Cowan being mediocre.

For the Ashes though we'd have an extra bat or a specialist keeper for Maxwell unless Maxwell completely guns it in India and even so I think he'd be found out in England anyway.

In England, its just my opinion that a genuine fifth bowling option isn't as important as other countries around the world and picking bits and piece cricketers like Maxwell, Samit Patel etc doesn't cut it.

3 durable quicks is the order of the day which leaves Patto slightly vulnerable and helps Bird's cause enormously.