FIRST ASHES TEST 25-29 NOV AT THE GABBA

[smithy]

I too think C White should replace M North

I wouldn't care if Smokey the Bear took North's place, someone should.

Sounds fair to me.

[stan]

Turned into a road really in the last few days.
Oh well turned out to be draw. Still plenty of work for the aussies now. Now have to look at Johnson. Will he help them get 20 wickets, hmm probably not, you would say Doug the Rug is in with a chance.

Also North, only one chance to bat, fair to drop him, probably, need more from our middle order. Although Hussey's knock was great to see.

Spinner wise, well Doherty v Swann Nill all draw.

[Media Park]

Marcus North? Where is Nathan Adcock when we need him?

[Adelaide Hawk]

I'm glad you guys have discussed this "world's best spinner" tag that seems to be following Swann at the moment. I really think I've seen better than Swann .. a lot better. I don't even think Swann is the best spinner in England.

[spell_check]

And a final word from the Sky Sports commentary box, reminiscent of the 12th man CDs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhV30ozQ_Ls&

[smithy]

I'm glad you guys have discussed this "world's best spinner" tag that seems to be following Swann at the moment. I really think I've seen better than Swann .. a lot better. I don't even think Swann is the best spinner in England.

To be honest Hawk, I've only really heard Warnie flog that line to the public.
I don't think the aussie public believe that for a moment.

[Gozu]

I'm glad you guys have discussed this "world's best spinner" tag that seems to be following Swann at the moment. I really think I've seen better than Swann .. a lot better. I don't even think Swann is the best spinner in England.

To be honest Hawk, I've only really heard Warnie flog that line to the public.
I don't think the aussie public believe that for a moment.

Especially after Hauritz out-bowled him in the last Ashes series in his own backyard.

[smithy]

10 things learnt from the 1st test............by Robert Craddock in the Courier

WHEN Australia were toiling in the field a twitter message whistled around the Gabba press box revealing the RSPCA had been called to the ground.

The Royal Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Australians had been called in to investigate whether what was happening to Ricky Ponting's side was inhumane.

Such were the barbs unleashed yesterday by a buoyant English press corps at their Australian counterparts in the wake of the most celebrated draw in recent Test history.

But there was no such merriment in the Australian dressing room as the selectors went back to the drawing board to confront the chastening realities of this gamem, which included:



1 - That Mitchell Johnson needs a break from the game and an urgent appointment with the team psychologist.
His technical issues such as the height of his bowling arm made be difficult to sort out but a big start would be getting his head right. His shoulders are down. When he talks aggressively before a game deep down he is a lamb wearing a wolf's clothes.
He may simply be too nice to be a sustained Test match assassin.

2 - That Australia cannot win the Ashes with the bowling attack it fielded in Brisbane.

3 - That Ben Hilfenhaus must quickly justify his place in the XI or be replaced by a more aggressive bowler.

People compare him to swing king Terry Alderman but it's worth remembering Alderman - a better bowler than Hilfenhaus - played just one wicketless Test at this week's venue, the Adelaide Oval, and was never considered a suitable choice for the venue.

Just being dangerous with the new ball is not quite enough in a series where Australia could be facing more than 100 overs an innings.

4 - That finger spinner Xavier Doherty may lack the weapons to be a Test bowler.
Because he bowls so quickly through the air he lacks the flight to tease and - also as a consequence of bowling so quickly - fails to turn the ball much.

No one questions his temperament. But he needs more. The problem is, after a decade of first-class cricket, you are what you are.

5 - You can't play half-fit players like Michael Clarke. You might get away with it in the fill-your boots series against the West Indies, but not this summer.

6 - That England have no fear of Australia. They are playing the ball and not the man and the ball is coming beautifully on to the bat.

7 - That England have planned well and seem the better prepared side.



From bouncing Clarke and Ricky Ponting to letting Mitchell Johnson's across the body balls go, they did their homework well.

8 - That England fast bowling spearhead Jimmy Anderson has toughened up.



He had no luck at all yet he was as relentless as a cattle dog.

9 - That England, despite their astonishing batting form, have their soft spots and the gap between the sides is not as wide as the momentum they will take from Brisbane will suggest.

England's pace attack, while sound, is gettable if Australia hold their nerve and spinner Graeme Swann, England's key weapon, still averages worse than 40 per wicket against Australia.

10 - That many of England's batsmen seemed to have worked hard on their weaknesses.

Last tour here Alastair Cook had more nicks than a Greek cafe and was caught behind six times.

Now he looks far better organised and will still average more than 40 in the series if he has six ducks in a row.

Even by the confident way he walks to the crease Ian Bell looks to have matured and Andrew Strauss is a commanding leader.

[smithy]

Robert Craddock knows his stuff, and he has VERY good contacts in high places.
He basically brings up some very similar points that we have been making here, like.

1) Mitch Johnson - His action is garbage and when you can bowl like McGrath or Warne, then start making statements in the press you idiot ! Troy Cooley needs to go to - he was hired as bowling coach on the back of teaching the poms reverse swing. Has achieved NOTHING

2) A point mentioned by REB, this attack can't take 20 wickets, bring in strike bowlers like Cameron.

3) I think the Hilf is ok but others here are more critical, maybe quite rightly so.

4) erty - The problem is, after a decade of first-class cricket, you are what you are ENOUGH SAID

5) Clarke was clearly unfit - questions are being asked if he is the right man to succeed Ponting - think not.

6 - 10 ) The POMS have improved and we have gone backwards - selections (HIlditch) has not helped.......too long to drop out of form players

[Rik E Boy]

Good stuff this time by Craddock. Don't really agree with number nine. I reckon their attack is pretty good and the only weak link I can spot in the batting line up is Collingwood who is very vulnerable early.

Swan might average 40 in this series but so will the five spinners we might end up selecting in the series.

The one thing he missed is that there are too many passengers in this Australian side. We are a bit like Carlton where a few blokes have to do all the work.

regards,

REB

[Jim05]

No chris judd's in the aussie side though