Answers Required

[locky801]

Yes we all know we have been done and dusted in this Ashes series by a very professional and good English side. But are we that bad, quite simply we have been embarrased in this series by lack of pressure, terrible batting and from some a happy go lucky attitude. Who is responsible and the question is, who is going to (if anyone) going to answer the hard questions that the media and supporters should be throwing around. I'm sure if someone does answer those questions it will be all about rebuilding etc etc but real hard questions have to be asked about retaining people in the side so out of form it's embarrassing, bringing people into the side as a batsman that has hardly scored a run in shield cricket and why those that have scored runs were ignored. Why was Hauritz overlooked, couldn't be on form in the Shield competition, are the rumours that him and a senior player had a big fall out the reason.

Not too many plusses this ashes series for Australia which is the worst I have witnessed from an Australian side since the 1971 series.

Well done to England, to good to professional, knew what they had to do and made a very ordinary Australian Cricket side look 4th rate.

My only positive for the series was winning an autographed bat and shirt signed by all the English players prior to the series for a great price which will obviously now be worth alot more.

So now we wait with baited breath for the excuses etc etc or will it be all dusted under the carpet as I suspect it will be with the reason we are now concentrating on the ODI series

[bayman]

well the leading series run scorer for australia was almost not in the team at the start of the series.....its time to play blokes like ferguson & give them time to develop in the australian side

[Chuck Wepner]

well the leading series run scorer for australia was almost not in the team at the start of the series.....its time to play blokes like ferguson & give them time to develop in the australian side

surely you still have to earn a baggy green?? Blokes like Ferguson might be the future, but at the present time we can't afford to play 11 "blokes like Ferguson"... The poms would beat us in a day if we go down that path....

[locky801]

well the leading series run scorer for australia was almost not in the team at the start of the series.....its time to play blokes like ferguson & give them time to develop in the australian side

surely you still have to earn a baggy green?? Blokes like Ferguson might be the future, but at the present time we can't afford to play 11 "blokes like Ferguson"... The poms would beat us in a day if we go down that path....

ahh arent we already down that path with players like Hughes, Smith & Beer

[Adelaide Hawk]

Not too many plusses this ashes series for Australia which is the worst I have witnessed from an Australian side since the 1971 series.

The 1970-71 series was a great series for us. We discovered an attacking captain who would become arguably the greatest leader in Australian cricket history. We also introduced Rodney Marsh, Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee to the cricket world and they went on to be three of the greatest cricketers of all time. The 70-71 series left Australian cricket in great shape and a reason to be optimistic.

I haven't seen that this series. The leadership conundrum is unanswered, and the only genuine young talent we've unearthed is Usman Khawaja. I fear for the lad's development as for where I sit, I don't see any strong leadership for him to follow.

In 1985 we had Murray Bennett and Tom Hogan rolling the arm over for no result. Cricket in this country was in dire straits, I thought we'd seen the last of crappy left arm orthodox bowlers, but we've seen two more of them in this series. Not that Beer is necessarily crappy, but this style of bowling may tie a batsman down on occasion but will never win a Test for Australia on day 5. We need bowlers who can take wickets FFS, not bowl on the spot.

At least in 70-71, the batsmen generally performed. I never thought it possible for an entire Top 6 fail completely over a series. Hussey did his best early, but fell away during the series.

The bowling was deplorable. Only Siddle could hold his head up, but even he bowled poorly on occasion. Sorry Mitchell, but one good performance in an entire 5 Test series is just not good enough. Of the others, forget it. Just not good enough. As for the leadership from senior players and coaching staff ... non-existant.

Nope, for mine, this series is easily the worst I've seen from Australia in the 45 years I've followed Test cricket. Give me the 1970-71 series any day.

[Adelaide Hawk]

surely you still have to earn a baggy green??

Not if you bowl left arm orthodox.

[Chuck Wepner]

Not too many plusses this ashes series for Australia which is the worst I have witnessed from an Australian side since the 1971 series.

The 1970-71 series was a great series for us. We discovered an attacking captain who would become arguably the greatest leader in Australian cricket history. We also introduced Rodney Marsh, Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee to the cricket world and they went on to be three of the greatest cricketers of all time. The 70-71 series left Australian cricket in great shape and a reason to be optimistic.

I'd argue with you about Chappell. Sure, he THINKS he was the greatest leader in cricket ever, but give me Taylor, Border, Waugh anyday. And we "unveiled" in this series North (hardly a rookie), Beer, Khwaga, Smith, Hughes to name a handful. Of those only Khwaga looks likely to be a world champ like Marsh, G Chappell and Lillee. Isn't that just the way things go?? Not every new player becomes a champion - we just have a very low pool of cricket talent in Aus at the minute. Who's fault? That's another argument.

[smithy]

I think he meant Ian Chappell, Chuck.

Pretty sure Greg didn't debut until 1974 as well.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I think he meant Ian Chappell, Chuck.

Pretty sure Greg didn't debut until 1974 as well.

Yep, sorry. I was talking Ian Chappell as the skipper, not Greg, although Greg Chappell DID make his debut in the 1970-71 series with 108 in Perth.

[smithy]

I think he meant Ian Chappell, Chuck.

Pretty sure Greg didn't debut until 1974 as well.

Yep, sorry. I was talking Ian Chappell as the skipper, not Greg, although Greg Chappell DID make his debut in the 1970-71 series with 108 in Perth.

Yes you are right AH, for some reason I was thinking of his 247 at Wellington in 1974 as his debut but it wasn't.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Here's my comments on the Aussie players in this series. As you can see, I have not been particularly enamoured of our efforts:

Watson: Not an opening batsman. Has done a good job but simply doesn't make the most of good starts and turn them into 100s. Too risky early and his inability to make the transition from limited over cricket to Tests makes him a liability as an opener. No doubt worth a spot in the team but maybe should be moved closer to the middle order.

Hughes: Obvious footwork and technique problems that will ensure he has a mediocre career unless some serious work is done.

Ponting: I fear the worst for Ricky. He’s either lost his edge in sharpness of vision, or he’s simply just not watching the ball all the way onto the bat. His captaincy is not good enough to endure a lapse in batting form.

Clarke: I have been a supporter of Clarke over the years but, like so many others, I’m starting to lose patience. Funnily enough, it was his highest score of the series that was the turning point for me. 80 not out, facing Pietersen to survive until stumps, and he wasn’t able to do it. It displayed a lack of leadership and fighting spirit. Needs to pull his finger out, and pronto.

Hussey: Stuck it up a few people with excellent performances early but dropped back to the field as the series continued. Maybe he was just tired from having to pad up before he could put his feet up, who knows? But, we have to face facts, we’ve seen the best of Hussey and he’s well and truly closer to the end of his career than the start.

North: I would suspect we’ve seen the end of his Test career.

Haddin: Very serviceable both as a batsman and keeper. Not the greatest keeper I’ve seen but does enough to keep his spot. Besides, we may need him to captain the team.

Johnson: It seems we have to accept that we will see match winning performances on occasion, or just plain ordinary ones. There doesn't appear to be any middle ground. Unfortunately there is way too much of the latter for my liking. Needs 24/7 coaching from Glenn McGrath.

Siddle: Gives it everything he’s got. Not a polished performer and not a great thinker about the game, but I love his grit and determination. Hopefully he’s learnt by now that his best performances came when he pitched the ball up and threw in the short one as a shock ball … not the other way around.

Doherty: What in hell were the selectors thinking??!!

Hilfenhaus: At times in his career has looked a Test bowler with late swing, but seems to have lost what he had. Really needs to work hard to get it back.

Bollinger: I used to think he was the best new ball bowler in Australia in terms of making the batsman play. After his Test in this series, I’ve changed my mind.

Beer: Did his best and nobody can really criticize that. For him to succeed at this level he needs to produce a chinaman that spins sharply, otherwise he will be just one of the many who tried. I can’t see him spinning Australia to too many wins, but then again, we also need runs for him to do that. Definitely not a spud like Doherty.

Katich: Hurry back, we need you. Opener, spinner, captain .. we need the lot.

Harris: Will be interesting to see how he rehabilitates after injury. Like Siddle he has a very competitive spirit which I enjoy. You always feel you’re getting the best he can offer.

Khawaja: Thank goodness for Usman. One of the rare things that made me smile throughout the entire series, and perhaps the only thing that gives me hope for immediate improvement in this team. Should be a long term player and, dare I say it, future leader.

Smith: Has a lot of raw talent but whether it will blossom enough to be a success at this level, only time will tell .. and he HAS got plenty of time on his side.

Nielsen: Thanks for coming, don’t let the door smack you on the nether regions on your way out. This team is in desperate need of some Justin Langer style coaching. If anyone can engender the Baggy Green spirit amongst the players it’s good old Alfie.

[Interceptor]

The 1970-71 series was a great series for us. We discovered an attacking captain who would become arguably the greatest leader in Australian cricket history. We also introduced Rodney Marsh, Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee to the cricket world and they went on to be three of the greatest cricketers of all time. The 70-71 series left Australian cricket in great shape and a reason to be optimistic.

On another historical note, how did Kim Hughes edge past Greg Chappell in the captaincy stakes?

[Gozu]

Nielsen: Thanks for coming, don’t let the door smack you on the nether regions on your way out. This team is in desperate need of some Justin Langer style coaching. If anyone can engender the Baggy Green spirit amongst the players it’s good old Alfie.

CA just gave Tim Nielsen a three year contract extension in August.

[Hondo]

A tough but fair summary of the team there AH.

[smithy]

The 1970-71 series was a great series for us. We discovered an attacking captain who would become arguably the greatest leader in Australian cricket history. We also introduced Rodney Marsh, Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee to the cricket world and they went on to be three of the greatest cricketers of all time. The 70-71 series left Australian cricket in great shape and a reason to be optimistic.

On another historical note, how did Kim Hughes edge past Greg Chappell in the captaincy stakes?

In the latter part of his career, greg Chappell missed a few tours due to growing business commitments.
Hughes was the vice captain and took over when Greg was absent.
When Greg retired as captain it was natural that Hughes took over, although many wanted Marsh to get the job.

[pmackk]

The fact of the matter is that we are no good. And changes need to be made.

[Bulls forever]

A tough but fair summary of the team there AH.

Agreed Hondo, can't argue with a lot the Hawk has stated. My thoughts on Dusty Khawaja are reserved, sure looked OK playing the quicks, but been watching too much of the captain with the 2nd innings shot. Tough series for us Aussie lovers. Have to admire the way the Poms played.
Ratings
Watson C+
Hughes F
Punter F
Clarke F
Khawaja C (only based on being his first test)
Hussey A- (Bit hard probably 500 plus at 70 odd, obviously got sore shoulders from carrying the team.
North F
Smith D- (love his energy, jury still out)
Haddin C (glovework poor first three tests, batting got him to a C)
Doherty F
Johnson A+ in Perth, F for 4 others, work that out yourself, but probably a D
Siddle D
Hilf F
Harris C
Dougie F
VB D- (but showed a bit, the future, who knows, contributed a lot to Pietersen dismissal)

[beeroclock]

Hilditch-Z
Nielson- Z
Poor, poor, poor.
Amazing to think that at junior district cricket level the thought is to promote 20/20 cricket so as that every body gets a go and its exciting. More techniques that cant play test cricket to come. Go Aussie's. Fools.

[Phantom Gossiper]

Heard today that the ACB is trying to lure David Saker back to Australia to be the bowling coach.
FFS surely the ACB could be more proactive and seek and identify decent coaching staff instead of getting pumped by the poms and going oh geez maybe we need their bowling coach!

Correct me if im wrong but wasn't Troy Cooley recruited as the bowling coach after we 1st lost to the poms in England a few years back? What has he done for our bowling stocks? They bowl up and down fruit!

[Ruben Carter]

I think he meant Ian Chappell, Chuck.

Pretty sure Greg didn't debut until 1974 as well.

I think maybe Chuck was referring to Ian Chappell - He isn't really all that well liked by many, and incredibly arrogant and self-obsessed. I think his influence in Aus cricket is greatly exaggerated and over-inflated. He was good, but not as good as he likes to promote...