Jacques smashes double ton

[Maddogmike]

Phil Jacques smashes 244 for Worcestershire today on Day 1 of their county game. Aboslutely murdered the decent Essex attack!
He is in great touch at the moment with some big scores!

Cosgrove missed out for Glamorgan

[Rik E Boy]

Another NSW champion who will swap the light blue for the baggy green. Bye Bye Justin 'Hit me' Langer.

regards,

REB

[Booney]

Its a conspiracy I tells ya! nyuk nyuk nyuk.....

[MightyEagles]

But that doesn't beat Bradman, when he hit 300 in a day.

[blink]

I hope the Aussie selectors get these guys like Jaques & Cosgrove into the team as soon as possible - the huge scores that they are posting are great, but they'd be even better if they were in an Ashes Test!

For too long now selectors have persevered with guys out of form and left out blokes making bulk runs in domestic and county cricket, only to finally bring them in when they only have 3-4 years left in them (Lehmann, Hussey, Hodge etc.)

Someone like Cosgrove and Jaques is a much better future prospect than playing the likes of Martyn, and to a lesser extent Langer (who hasn't been in bad form, but is getting long in the tooth).

[eags]

Would definitely rather a big-game performer like Langer opening the innings in one of the biggest series ever played on Aussie soil than someone unproven like Jacques.

[heater31]

Would definitely rather a big-game performer like Langer opening the innings in one of the biggest series ever played on Aussie soil than someone unproven like Jacques.

totally agree here, the selectors should not be tinkering with the team for the biggest test series since bodyline.

Why would you put a player with less than ten tests under his belt into the toughest position in the batting lineup the pressure would be enormous.

[eags]

I really can't see England beating us though. They've got one of the strongest batting lineups going around but I can't see how they could bowl us out twice on a regular basis. They lack depth ... apart from the Gabba I can't see how their second-string bowlers will impact too much, and why Monty bowls tight, he's hardly going to dominate a game.

[blink]

Is Giles heading over as well?
If he isn't, it will be a huge role for Monty to be the sole English spinner - playing his first Ashes Series against a fired-up Australian side at home. In England, Giles wasn't a match-winner, but he got the job done and helped take a few crucial wickets, slow run rates and change up the attack a little. Whether Monty can do the same without leaking runs willl remain to be seen...

[Aerie]

Would definitely rather a big-game performer like Langer opening the innings in one of the biggest series ever played on Aussie soil than someone unproven like Jacques.

totally agree here, the selectors should not be tinkering with the team for the biggest test series since bodyline.

Why would you put a player with less than ten tests under his belt into the toughest position in the batting lineup the pressure would be enormous.

Unless Jaques or Cosgrove are in similar form to what Hussey was before last year's Ashes. At this stage Langer would have to start, but if form warrants, the best cricketer at the time needs to be picked.

[blink]

That is exactly what I was trying to say - I think Langer should get the nod to start over Jaques, but Damien Martyn at number 4?!? Why would he be a better choice than Cosgrove (other than weight issues)?

[Rik E Boy]

Would definitely rather a big-game performer like Langer opening the innings in one of the biggest series ever played on Aussie soil than someone unproven like Jacques.

I would rather have a bloke with everything to prove rather than a bloke who walks out there with a friggin target on his helmet because he picks up the ball later and later every year. That sort of thinking cost us the Ashes in the first place.

regards,

REB

[eags]

I would rather have a bloke with everything to prove rather than a bloke who walks out there with a friggin target on his helmet because he picks up the ball later and later every year. That sort of thinking cost us the Ashes in the first place.

regards,

REB

You've gotta be kidding!!!!

[eags]

Is Giles heading over as well?

He's just had a hernia operation and should be right for the Pakistan tour so you'd expect he'd be coming over.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Another NSW champion who will swap the light blue for the baggy green. Bye Bye Justin 'Hit me' Langer.

regards,

REB

Certainly agree about Jacques, Rik but I do have some sympathy for Langer in that he'd be the hardest working player in the Australian side.
Who knows, the two of them could appear in the same eleven.

[Rik E Boy]

I would rather have a bloke with everything to prove rather than a bloke who walks out there with a friggin target on his helmet because he picks up the ball later and later every year. That sort of thinking cost us the Ashes in the first place.

regards,

REB

You've gotta be kidding!!!!

Always nice to see smiling happy faces on this forum Kidding? Er, no. Have you actually watched Langer bat in the last 18 months? Sconned by Harmison several times in the ashes series, sconned against Victoria (with their vicious pace attack), sconned again against the yarpies..almost cost us a test match. You reckon JL is picking up the ball? Hard to say because you didn't offer any real opinion in your post. Jaques is good enough and deserves his chance. And do you think if we rely on players such as Martyn, Langer, Kasprowicz and even Gillespie that this is going to get us the Ashes back?? Now who's kidding mom ami? BTW, of course JL is a great cricketer and a courageous fighter, but there is no way known he should open the batting for Australia in the coming series against one of the best pace attacks in world cricket.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Another NSW champion who will swap the light blue for the baggy green. Bye Bye Justin 'Hit me' Langer.

regards,

REB

Certainly agree about Jacques, Rik but I do have some sympathy for Langer in that he'd be the hardest working player in the Australian side.
Who knows, the two of them could appear in the same eleven.

Yeah mate a bit of a pi55-take there as you could probably tell. I've been a big JL fan but he's punch drunk plain and simple. If being courageous and being a fighter is enough to make the Australian XI you might as well select AB and Bruce Laird while you are at it. No, JL is gone.

regards,

REB

[eags]

there is no way known he should open the batting for Australia in the coming series against one of the best pace attacks in world cricket.

regards,

REB

That's just a ridiculous comment and goes to show how little u know about cricketing talent. JL still averaging 48 over the past two years which which have included tours to England, New Zealand, South Africa and India. Proven performer in all conditions.

As far as England having one of the best attacks in the world for the Ashes ... PFFFT!!!! I would hardly call Lewis and Plunkett world class!! You've got Hoggard taking the new rock ... hardly an intimidating bowler, but an honest toiler. Hard to see him taking wickets apart from the Gabba unless he bowls a truckload of overs. Flintoff, well he's got the wood over a couple of the Aussies but niggling injuries may prevent him from bowling at full capacity. Plunkett ... young and proven nothing. Lewis ... I doubt many people would have ever heard of him prior to this series. Gently meds will hardly worry the likes of Hayden and Ponting. Mahmood ... inconsistent and has hardly set the world on fire for Lancs ... No Jones, no Anderson, and with Monty as their #1 spinner at the moment, I find it hard to believe you consider this to be one of the best attacks in world cricket!!

[Blue Boy]

The poms will miss Jones this summer - those swingin hand grenades he was bowling last series had every one stuffed !!!

For me also I think now is the time for Jaques to come in to the side - Langer has had a great career but now is the time to move on - yet CA have kept him as a contracted player !!!

I also hope they stick with Symmonds @ six as well !!!

With Hussey to play 4 or 5 - I think the other spot may be up for grabs !!!!

[Jimmy]

get cosy in, he must play, he will star.....