PM's XI - Hit and giggle or real problems for England?

[Rik E Boy]

Greetings sports fans. Just thought I'd do my usual jumping to conclusions act after just one match of England's Ashes tour. Before I say anything else let me add the disclaimer... 'I know it's early doors but...'

TRESCOTHICK

Will get better of course and will undoubtedly make at least one big score in the test series but the same lack of footwork remains an issue for Marcus. You might be able to get away with that in England but against a much stronger bowling attack on their home decks, this bloke could get found out. The bad news for England is that will expose the middle order, in particular Pieterson much earlier than they were in the 2005 series.

COOK

This lad is very talented but didn't use the crease today against the short ball. Might even miss out for the gritty Collingwood if he doesn't make a few against the Blues or Redbacks. Bit harsh to be judging Cook on one hit on Aussie soil but you can expect a thorough exammination from Tait, Clark, McGrath and Lee prior to the first test.

PIETERSON

Didn't do himself any favours when he got out in a similar manner to Cook. Pieterson must have known he was going to get some chin music today on a wicket that Shaun Tait described as 'flat'. Included in his seven was four runs awarded to him as Tait had put one past him and Paine on the way to the fence. More experienced than Cook so will probably find his feet much earlier but if Trescothick doesn't fire it will make it tough for KP to exert anywhere near the influence he did in 2005.

FLINTOFF

Will face similar probems to Darren Lehmann. This bloke has to do everything this summer and the Australians have already done some of the West Indian 'targeting' that proved so successful for them during their era of dominance. Flintoff will once again be one of the best for England but if he can get man of the series again this summer that would make even Botham blush. Can't see it happening.

JONES

Jones and Read are dead set average and nearly every state in Australia has a better wicketkeeper than the pair of them with perhaps Manou being the exception. Jones and Read are struggling with the bat and while Jones started well with the gloves today he ended up pulling one of the clangers of the day by dropping Jaques on 21. His head is hanging low already and it's only November.

GILES

Didn't look fit today. Will be a liability in the field if his mobility does not improve. He was running up and down on the spot when he was run out today and he's not that good a number eight batsman and doesn't attack enough with the ball. Ponting would be delighted to see Ash play three or more tests this summer.


ANDERSON

Just doesn't look the part. We won't be seeing him in white but he might make an impact during the one day series.

POSITIVES FOR ENGLAND

The form of Andrew Strauss, Flintoff's bowling, the fact that this match was not televised free to air and the consistency of Paul Collingwood. Would the Poms pick Collingwood and should they if Cook can't find his feet in Australia??

Roll on the first test.

regards,

REB

[mal]

Marvellous stuff that Ritchie.

Trescothik will be the big flop, I agree he has glue on his shoes.
The only times he uses his feet is when he runs a single.

Strauss is the x factor, last series it was Warnnnnnnnnnnney
who got him out a few times after he defeated the new ball bowlers.
He is the one the Aussies must target.

Pieterson/Flintoff will find it harder on our bouncier decks.
Pieterson is the better batsman of the two and will have
a couple of near match winning digs.
Flintoff will be an abject failure with the bat.

Cook/Bell inexperienced and are risky propostions.

Hope they play Collingwood he is a poor mans Watson!

The batting is of little concern, we will decimate them.

The bowling is the Poms only chance.
Bat first and hope thier brutal attack can make an impression.
Harmison will be a handfull
Mahmood despite his 0/93 in the PM game will enjoy our tracks
Flintoff if fit will be a nuisance, but not as dangerous as in England
where that reverse swing is his greatest assett.
Monty has done little wrong and could be the surprise packet.
Hoggard will be easy pickings for our batsmen as he wont get
too much swing here.
Giles will only improve our batsmens averages.

Unless the Poms win all 5 tosses they WILL NOT BEAT US.

[am Bays]

As I posted elsewhere I think the lack of quality bowling depth will tell against England, compaed to the depth they had in 2005, Jones is a big loss as he is quality.

As MALcolm Conn pointed out not as much swing here compared to English conditions so Hoggard's influence will be reduced, four years ago he was caned by Hayden, Langer and Ponting....

Lots of pressure on Flintoff as captain, batsman and # 1 strike bowler, expect Lee to come on and give him the short stuff when he bats as we target the captain WI style circa 1980s (Maybe Tait will get the nod to specifically target Flintoff with his pace). Flintoff likes to plonk on the front foot ans swing his arms through the ball as he dropkicks bowlers over mid on, get him on he back foot and cramp him....hard to drop kick bowlers off your chin....

Mind you 2005 showed that this side has more "bottle" than what we saw in the previous 16 years, so I don't expect this side to crumble. expect some tight test cricket this year, but if we play properly and most importantly with the right attitude they should be, "coming home, yes it coming home......"

[dinglinga]

the ball that got flintoff was a jaffa

there is talk england may go into the first test with 5 bowlers....

[Blue Boy]

The young boys had a hit !!

Then I laughed @ England after the result !!!

May this be many of those moments !!!!

[ORDoubleBlues]

Was always led to believe that Read was a quality 'keeper but that it was his batting that was considered subpar.
Hoggard looks to have trimmed right down but whether that equates to a good bowling performance remains to be seen.
I think Simon Jones is a real x factor for England but he won't be playing in this series.
Know there are some people talking Mahmood up but he has already gone for a few 'Mick Lewis' type figures, so hopefully for England and him he can turn that around.

[MightyEagles]

I think that England don't get that this is all apart of the Trap.

[sydney-dog]

Real concerns for the POMS

A mixture of living like rock stars, under done players, and lack of depth will in my eyes make this a one sided series

Flintoff is a star but wont peak until about the third test, series could be gone by then
while Harmison will get home sick by the third test
Mahmood, big ask for him to fire in his first ashes series
No Jones is a huge blow
Giles, well I wouldn't mind batting against his darts

England will rely on the star system but if Flintoff, Strauss and Pieterson do not fire collectively on a regular basis, the POM's will be in real trouble

But one thing I am thankful for

If it was not for the POM's they would be playing the Dutch and their would be no Ashes series