The Quest - Ashes 2013/14

[whufc]

Heres what i think the selectors will go with (Squad of 15)

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Clarke
Marsh / Khawaja
Watson
Wade
Haddin
Henriques
Pattinson
Siddle
Starc
Harris
Lyon
Bird

Smith would be extremly unlucky considering his been our best recognised batsmen in the last 2 tests.

[The Dark Knight]

I agree with you happyhawk Australia hasnt hit rock bottom. Stats wise we compare better 2 India in home/away series. Unfortunately with the crammed international cricket program players cant get over and adjust earlier 2 overseas conditions. England have a weaker middle order than us. We just need 2 figure out are best order and someone really needs 2 put their hand up and grab that middle order spot. Why was khawaja not given ago in last test. Huge fan of Paine watching him in shield final was brilliant. Just has been huge risk in injury department. Still Wade is messy behind stumps and doesnt move well enough.

give me Trott, Pieterson, Bell over Hughes, Watson, Smith anyday of the week!

Lol, while we do have Michael Clarke in our middle order you're spot on there whufc, cheetah you have no idea. The reality is Trott, Pieterson and Bell are way ahead of the likes of Hughes, Smith and Watson, and I hate praising blokes like Trott because I think he's selfish and bats for himself but he's a bloody good number 3.

[The Sleeping Giant]

THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

1. Some **** who can't hit the ball but can stay in for a scratchy 30 if he doesn't run himself out
2. Some **** who tries to belt every ball for six
3. Some other **** who failed last time but was just 'unlucky' in India
4. Some ******* bastard who won't do his homework.
5. Pretty boy ******* **** who's back is shagged and won't move up the order to face the music.
6. Some **** who is half an all rounder
7. One of our wicketkeepers who can bat a bit can't keep for ******* shit.
8. Some dickhead with shocking facial hair to make the English press notice we are actually in the country but can't hit the ******* pitch.
9. A guy with plenty of ******* heart but is gun barrell straight on decks that Hussey could swing them on
10. A young **** with promise with the bat but can't ******* take wickets
11. The magnificent Gazza Lyon!
12th. Some other ****.

We will lose this five match series six ******* nil.

regards,

Gordon Ramsay

Love it. Number 6 I'm not sure about? Does he have slightly derpy eyes?

[whufc]

EDITED THANKS TO TSG

My First test side would be

1. D.Warner
2. E.Cowan
3. P.Hughes
4. M.Clarke
5. A.Vogues/S.Marsh
6. S.Smith
7. M.Wade/P.Neville/C.Hartley/T.Paine
8. M.Starc
9. P.Siddle
10. J.Pattinson
11. N.Lyon

With that side i think its suited alot better to English conditions than to Indian.

Im really undecided on the keeping position, its really only the spinners Wade struggles badly against and his batting at his best keeps him in imho but his a tad out of form with the bat plus im not sure about how he has previously batted in England.

Depending on pitch conditions i would seriously consider the 4 pacemen option. Starc is the one under the pump the most, can destroy sides but can ball lots of junk. Siddle HAS TO take early wickets just being economical wont cut it when i only have 4 specialist bowlers.

Others in the touring squad for mine would be (based on 15 man squad)

-S.Watson (only because Watto can either open or bat middle order with limited squad this may be handy.

- The one out of A.Vogues/S.Marsh who doesnt play

-back up keeper whoever that be

-Ryan Harris

-Jackson Bird

-Ahmed

[The Sleeping Giant]

They will take 17 I believe. Probably add Voges/Marsh and Ahmed.

[Aerie]

THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

1. Some **** who can't hit the ball but can stay in for a scratchy 30 if he doesn't run himself out
2. Some **** who tries to belt every ball for six
3. Some other **** who failed last time but was just 'unlucky' in India
4. Some ******* bastard who won't do his homework.
5. Pretty boy ******* **** who's back is shagged and won't move up the order to face the music.
6. Some **** who is half an all rounder
7. One of our wicketkeepers who can bat a bit can't keep for ******* shit.
8. Some dickhead with shocking facial hair to make the English press notice we are actually in the country but can't hit the ******* pitch.
9. A guy with plenty of ******* heart but is gun barrell straight on decks that Hussey could swing them on
10. A young **** with promise with the bat but can't ******* take wickets
11. The magnificent Gazza Lyon!
12th. Some other ****.

We will lose this five match series six ******* nil.

regards,

Gordon Ramsay

Haha. Did you have Pattinson in the team, or is he 12th man?

[whufc]

They will take 17 I believe. Probably add Voges/Marsh and Ahmed.

Yep if 17 is the case thats exactly who i would have selected Ahmed and i have Vogues and Marsh both in with inexeperienced Doolan out.

[The Dark Knight]

My team

Cowan
Warner
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Henriques/Smith
Haddin
Starc
Siddle
Pattinson
Lyon

Others to consider to be in the squad
Khawaja
Marsh
Doolan
Ferguson
Voges
O'Keefe
Wade
Bird
Harris
Johnson

I would have Bailey and Dave Hussey in front of the other batsman but there FC form doesn't warrent their selection although wouldn't be surprised if Bailey still goes on tour because of his decent ODI form.

[stan]

Just to be clear this is notmy team but what I think the first test team will look like

Cowan
Warner
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Wade
Henriques
Siddle
Bird
Patinson
Lyon

Starc
Haddin
Khawaja
probably a few more as well

[Rik E Boy]

THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

1. Some **** who can't hit the ball but can stay in for a scratchy 30 if he doesn't run himself out
2. Some **** who tries to belt every ball for six
3. Some other **** who failed last time but was just 'unlucky' in India
4. Some ******* bastard who won't do his homework.
5. Pretty boy ******* **** who's back is shagged and won't move up the order to face the music.
6. Some **** who is half an all rounder
7. One of our wicketkeepers who can bat a bit can't keep for ******* shit.
8. Some dickhead with shocking facial hair to make the English press notice we are actually in the country but can't hit the ******* pitch.
9. A guy with plenty of ******* heart but is gun barrell straight on decks that Hussey could swing them on
10. A young **** with promise with the bat but can't ******* take wickets
11. The magnificent Gazza Lyon!
12th. Some other ****.

We will lose this five match series six ******* nil.

regards,

Gordon Ramsay

Haha. Did you have Pattinson in the team, or is he 12th man?

Thanks for asking. He's injured of course. He sprained his ankle on Sharrod Wellingham's trampoline.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

I agree with you happyhawk Australia hasnt hit rock bottom. Stats wise we compare better 2 India in home/away series. Unfortunately with the crammed international cricket program players cant get over and adjust earlier 2 overseas conditions. England have a weaker middle order than us. We just need 2 figure out are best order and someone really needs 2 put their hand up and grab that middle order spot. Why was khawaja not given ago in last test. Huge fan of Paine watching him in shield final was brilliant. Just has been huge risk in injury department. Still Wade is messy behind stumps and doesnt move well enough.

give me Trott, Pieterson, Bell over Hughes, Watson, Smith anyday of the week!

What a comment from Lance!

regards,

REB

[valleys07]

THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

1. Some **** who can't hit the ball but can stay in for a scratchy 30 if he doesn't run himself out
2. Some **** who tries to belt every ball for six
3. Some other **** who failed last time but was just 'unlucky' in India
4. Some ******* bastard who won't do his homework.
5. Pretty boy ******* **** who's back is shagged and won't move up the order to face the music.
6. Some **** who is half an all rounder
7. One of our wicketkeepers who can bat a bit can't keep for ******* shit.
8. Some dickhead with shocking facial hair to make the English press notice we are actually in the country but can't hit the ******* pitch.
9. A guy with plenty of ******* heart but is gun barrell straight on decks that Hussey could swing them on
10. A young **** with promise with the bat but can't ******* take wickets
11. The magnificent Gazza Lyon!
12th. Some other ****.

We will lose this five match series six ******* nil.

regards,

Gordon Ramsay

Quality read!

Sadly- couldnt agree more.

[Failed Creation]

Am I the only one who doesn't rate that Ahmed bloke?

For f**ks sake, if we're in a rebuilding phase, why not pick players who will at least be able to play for another 5-10 years?

Ahmed is already 31, and in recent memory, I can only recall 2 blokes of a similar age making a decent go of it after starting out: Michael Hussey and Stuart Clark.

I honestly believe he's a storm in a teacup.

[Smashed Crab]

Am I the only one who doesn't rate that Ahmed bloke?

For f**ks sake, if we're in a rebuilding phase, why not pick players who will at least be able to play for another 5-10 years?

Ahmed is already 31, and in recent memory, I can only recall 2 blokes of a similar age making a decent go of it after starting out: Michael Hussey and Stuart Clark.

I honestly believe he's a storm in a teacup.

V Tas - 2/86 & 4/122.
V NSW - 2/35 & 1/49.
V QLD - 2/79 & 5/83.

16 wickets at 28.37, striking every 55.3 balls.

Hardly setting the world on fire, but compared to the other spinners we have O'keefe - 24 Wickets at 22.2, striking every 59 balls, Agar - 19 Wickets at 24.2, striking every 57 balls. At least Agar and O'keefe can hold a bat as well.

[helicopterking]

Am I the only one who doesn't rate that Ahmed bloke?

For f**ks sake, if we're in a rebuilding phase, why not pick players who will at least be able to play for another 5-10 years?
Ahmed is already 31, and in recent memory, I can only recall 2 blokes of a similar age making a decent go of it after starting out: Michael Hussey and Stuart Clark.

I honestly believe he's a storm in a teacup.

When your playing for your country, the best cricketers, in form, play. Picking an average cricketer because of his younger in age, over a good cricketer because hes older, is the main reason we are in this mess currently.

[happyhawk]

Am I the only one who doesn't rate that Ahmed bloke?

For f**ks sake, if we're in a rebuilding phase, why not pick players who will at least be able to play for another 5-10 years?
Ahmed is already 31, and in recent memory, I can only recall 2 blokes of a similar age making a decent go of it after starting out: Michael Hussey and Stuart Clark.

I honestly believe he's a storm in a teacup.

When your playing for your country, the best cricketers, in form, play. Picking an average cricketer because of his younger in age, over a good cricketer because hes older, is the main reason we are in this mess currently.

there are only 3 domestic batsman in form in the whole of australia at the moment, clarke, ponting and hussey!!

[helicopterking]

Am I the only one who doesn't rate that Ahmed bloke?

For f**ks sake, if we're in a rebuilding phase, why not pick players who will at least be able to play for another 5-10 years?
Ahmed is already 31, and in recent memory, I can only recall 2 blokes of a similar age making a decent go of it after starting out: Michael Hussey and Stuart Clark.

I honestly believe he's a storm in a teacup.

When your playing for your country, the best cricketers, in form, play. Picking an average cricketer because of his younger in age, over a good cricketer because hes older, is the main reason we are in this mess currently.

there are only 3 domestic batsman in form in the whole of australia at the moment, clarke, ponting and hussey!!

That is what to expect when you have a slog fest mid way through a year! Not many blokes made big scores,and lost touch after that crap.

[Squids]

We picked a player in form, Henriques and everyone bagged him.

[helicopterking]

Sadly, form these days means make one score at the right time and you get cap. Not solid form over a reasonable period of time, which it should be.

[whufc]

Sadly, form these days means make one score at the right time and you get cap. Not solid form over a reasonable period of time, which it should be.

Agree, once they picked Smith who had solid form in the shield over a few seasons his come in a looked our best bat.