Why we can't win the Ashes

[dedja]

That, and the fact the Aussies are shite.

Is the Queen going to knight all the Poms when they get home?

[Media Park]

ENG TOP FOUR:

Strauss (bad luck this morning, but we all know he's quality)
Cook (What a cricketer, broke one of Bradmans records a few years ago- either most runs or tons before 21 IIRC. Knew he was special)
Trott (Doing what Graeme Hick could not do at Test level)
KP (Enough said)

If the Aussies find enough bowling options to get through those players, then you've got Collingwood and Bell, who could bat all day together no questions, then PRIOR, an X Factor if somehow he gets another dig this series, and Broad and Swann who are no mugs with the bat.

AUS TOP FOUR:
Katich (Not as consistent as his last few series. Was a great story when he came back, and cemented his spot after the Hayden/Langer era, but he's on the decline now... Still a few more knocks in him, but Hughes better get him on notice)
Watson (As good as this guy is, it seems inevitable he will get back to batting 6 or 7)
Ponting (Goneski)
Clarke (Needs another break)

Then you've got:
Hussey (great form at the moment, hope it isn't his death throes)
North (refer Ponting)
Haddin (slotted back into the team as only he can)

Doherty, Harris, Siddle, Bollinger

[Tassie Blues]

cant bowl cant throw

also have a few batters that are past there used by date and its going to be 10 years before australia win the ashes again

[Rik E Boy]

More brillaint Pontingcy this morning. Catching fielders on the offside that are too close to catch anything. Three back on the shortest square boundary in the world trying to bounce a guy who is 120 not out. Pitch it up, regulation cricket settings, patience. Necessary at any time but even more so with an inexperienced attack. People in this thread have said 'make some changes Ponting FFS. For me the problem is that he makes far too many changes and the bowlers have got no idea what the plan is.

Also, Bring back Haurie! He is ordinary that is true but he's streets ahead of DOHerty who has nothing.

regards,

REB

[dedja]

More brillaint Pontingcy this morning. Catching fielders on the offside that are too close to catch anything. Three back on the shortest square boundary in the world trying to bounce a guy who is 120 not out. Pitch it up, regulation cricket settings, patience. Necessary at any time but even more so with an inexperienced attack. People in this thread have said 'make some changes Ponting FFS. For me the problem is that he makes far too many changes and the bowlers have got no idea what the plan is.

Also, Bring back Haurie! He is ordinary that is true but he's streets ahead of DOHerty who has nothing.

regards,

REB

Had to laugh when I saw 3 on the square boundary with Siddle allegedly trying to bounce him out.

KP's response, crack a few 4s between the gaps.

You would have thought that at least one of the players, coaches, assistants or God knows who else in the inner circle have realised that if you pitch it up like Jimmy Anderson your chances of getting a wicket increase by 1000%.

[smithy]

More brillaint Pontingcy this morning. Catching fielders on the offside that are too close to catch anything. Three back on the shortest square boundary in the world trying to bounce a guy who is 120 not out. Pitch it up, regulation cricket settings, patience. Necessary at any time but even more so with an inexperienced attack. People in this thread have said 'make some changes Ponting FFS. For me the problem is that he makes far too many changes and the bowlers have got no idea what the plan is.

couldn't agree more REB

Also, Bring back Haurie! He is ordinary that is true but he's streets ahead of DOHerty who has nothing.

regards,

REB

Couldn't disagree more REB

9 years and 35 matches of ordinary bowling figures for Tassie, erty is truly another inspirational selection by Hilditch.
Play a talented kid FFS.
Hopefully it won't be long and Hilditch is out, probably hooking and GC can take over the reigns.

[daysofourlives]

More brillaint Pontingcy this morning. Catching fielders on the offside that are too close to catch anything. Three back on the shortest square boundary in the world trying to bounce a guy who is 120 not out. Pitch it up, regulation cricket settings, patience. Necessary at any time but even more so with an inexperienced attack. People in this thread have said 'make some changes Ponting FFS. For me the problem is that he makes far too many changes and the bowlers have got no idea what the plan is.

couldn't agree more REB

Also, Bring back Haurie! He is ordinary that is true but he's streets ahead of DOHerty who has nothing.

regards,

REB

Couldn't disagree more REB

9 years and 35 matches of ordinary bowling figures for Tassie, erty is truly another inspirational selection by Hilditch.
Play a talented kid FFS.
Hopefully it won't be long and Hilditch is out, probably hooking and GC can take over the reigns.

Why so much love for GC 90% of people bagged in his time as redbacks coach?

[smithy]

Ron Barassi or ric Charlesworth wouldn't of done any better with the redbacks.

As an Australian selector in 1985 - 1988 he blooded many talented youngsters into test cricket who were responsible for our resurgence on the cricket map.

As a coach he clearly hasn't been successful.

[mal]

RHINO files
This season so far

SS
5/72[23] + 4/68[21.3]
4/42[21] current game
dismissed the number 8 batter + 10 batter once the rest were numbers 1-7 batters


RYOBI
2/58[12]
4/64[11]
All wickets between batters 1-7

13/182[65.3] SS
6/122[23] RYOBI

He is a strike bowler who gets top order batters out cheaply in both forms this season

TESTS
9/207
AVE 23-00
S/R at 47

Good start in Test cricket
Did have some excellent ODI form as well

This man must be given an opportunity at the Poms,if fit

He got clobbered in Adelaide
Next test in Perth
3/59
6/47

[bayman]

they can now

[Rik E Boy]

they can now

I hope so, but momentum changes are nothing new in recent Ashes battles. After Headingley win in 2009 we stuck with the same team that won the game for the Oval even though the conditions weren't the same and we've trotted out the same thing again for Boxing day. I reckon we are a spinner short with the current line up for Melbourne AND Sydney.

regards,

REB

[Jim05]

Okeefe for sydney

[Bulls forever]

Okeefe for sydney

Heard on the news same 12, thought they might of brought Horrie in to strengthen then batting, the in form batsman in Aus, exluding Huss. They really could not change the team, if they drop Hughes or Beer, they basically say, yes we f....d up, sorry. AND welcome back Mitch.

[Rik E Boy]

They have to stick with Hughes for the rest of the series IMO. He looked all at sea at Perth but remember the short ball is his weakness and the additional bounce on that track wouldn't have done him many favours. At Melbourne and his home track we can invest in him two test matches to see if he has what it takes at this level.

Beer I'm not so sure about. Hauritz remains our best slow bowler. Yeah, I know, he's no gun but in case you hadn't noticed Warney and McGilla are gone. We ****** up in England because we didn't pick Haurie and he is good form and should be included for the last two tests, or at the very least Sydney. I don't reckon Smith can get the job done with the ball but at least the kid can catch and hit a few balls. Let's hope he hits a few more.

Four quicks in Melbourne is not going to work and Beer is a long shot desperation selection taken at a time when Hauritz is starting to not only take wickets and contain the opposition but score two hundreds as well.

regards,

REB

[Media Park]

I agree that N Hauritz is the dominant slow bowler in Aus, although that bar isn't set horribly high anymore...

If you say a spinner must play, then he makes it, as the BEST slow bowler in AUS right now.

But REB, don't use his batting mate... Yeah he made two tons, but if we start looking at a number 9 or 10 because they can bat a bit, then we are really up the pooper...

I still believe you pick your best XI, and as far as bowlers go, no spinner is in there...

[Rik E Boy]

You pick your best XI for the conditions. There's no point playing four quicks in Melbourne and especially in Sydney.

Also you can't just say 'don't use his batting'. When bowlers make runs they gain confidence and this can't hurt their bowling. In the third test Mitchell Johnson gained enormous confidence out of his 62 in the first dig.

regards,

REB

[wycbloods]

You pick your best XI for the conditions. There's no point playing four quicks in Melbourne and especially in Sydney.

Also you can't just say 'don't use his batting'. When bowlers make runs they gain confidence and this can't hurt their bowling. In the third test Mitchell Johnson gained enormous confidence out of his 62 in the first dig.

regards,

REB

Agreed Melbourne and Sydney will turn, so we need a spinner in the side. Hauritz is the one for the job, but i can't see Hilditch making that public announcement that i got it wrong.

[NFC]

So why'd we win the 3rd test if Punter is so horrible?

[Rik E Boy]

So why'd we win the 3rd test if Punter is so horrible?

Because of his brilliant batting. Although I do admit his fields were MUCH better for this match. Remember NFC, it is series victories not test victories as to how Punter will be remembered and he is one test away from being a three time Ashes series loser.

Has any other Aussie captain managed this dubious feat? However, I hope you are right and I am wrong.

regards,

REB

[pmackk]

We can win the ashes as long as we play good cricket for the rest of the series. If we do that we should win back the ashes.