Comments on: Next stop, the Ashes

By: FIsher Price

FIsher Price — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:05:26 +0000

Kenny: I gather that you’re a Johnson fan, but listing his nationality as a strength does you little credit.

By: Kenny

Kenny — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:46:29 +0000

The Ashes team is a pretty straight forward selection I reckon. Stuart Clark in for McDonald. We don’t have a spinner.

1. Hughes 2. Katich 3. Ponting 4. Hussey 5. Clarke 6. North 7. Haddin 8. Johnson 9. Clark 10. Siddle 11. Hilfenhaus

Can’t wait to see Johnson against England. He’s everything they’re not – Head strong, tough, athletic, lethal and Australian. He’s the bowler we wanted Brett Lee to be. But I’m picking Siddle will be the one that will surprise them and do a lot of damage.

By: drewster

drewster — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:27:32 +0000

The 6 Batsmen from the S.A. tour all look to have booked their tickets, Wicket Keeping is fine, Johnson & Siddle are there, Hilfenhaus and Mc Donald should go due to English conditions but may not play every test. Stuart Clarke and Brett Lee will probably make the squad and the 2 back up batsmen should be Klinger (1203 @ 70.73) and Rogers (1195 @ 74.68). The spin bowlers spot may be filled by the 3 part timers (North, Katch & M. Clarke if fit) as no spinner has shown much to deserve a spot. Bollinger and Callum Ferguson are my dark horses but who can tell what the selectors think?

By: ONSIDE

ONSIDE — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:10:39 +0000

Australia will go to England and beat up todays cricketing midgets.

TV ratings demand illusions that require feigned balanced contests.

Geoffs box of chocolates will in reality be a few chocolates amongst
the boiled lollies.

Follow the money.Bookmakers will confirm above

But hey, its live theatre, so bring it on.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:14:27 +0000

Overall I think we were lucky to get 3-3. Ponting won every toss, Johnson was brilliant and Hughes surprised them. The good news is England aren’t half as good as South Africa. Personal 2 cents worth Ashes XI:- Katich, Hughes, Ponting, Hussey/North, Clarke, Watson, Haddin, Lee, Johnson, Krejza/Clark, Siddle. I prefer Lee to McDonald cause they bat about the same and Lee should still be a better bowler. Likewise Watson at 6 showed a lot of potential in India and in case of trouble I would like 5 bowlers. Finally I would pick Hussey/North depending on who showed better form or Krejza/Clark depending on whether the pitch demands a spinner, also remembering that England play spin poorly. I probably need a few more for a touring party so how about Hilfenhaus, Bollinger, Klinger and Manou. Overall I would prefer players who maybe up to it than those who are definately not – McDonald, White & Hauritz. I have not considered Hodge as the selectors will not pick him!

By: LeftArmSpinner

LeftArmSpinner — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:00:32 +0000

So, Henry, what with all the boxes of chocolates stuff, I’m not sure where to start.

Well, who would be McGain, even if it gets him a baggy green. It is going to cost him ridicule for the rest of his life.

Why do we even know his name? He has 64 1st class wickets in 23 games, in 37 years. Phew, hardly worth the effort. And no one said it before, let alone the selectors, he just doesn’t have it: a wrist spin Leggie who doesnt turn it? Like a batsman who can’t hit the ball.

Katich has 50% more 1st class wickets, at about the same average, 36ish. The problem is that Simon is only just put up with by the Ponting and Clark club, known as the Aust cricket team. So, Katich doesnt get a bowl until the opposition pass 450 or more.

The next agenda item, has Ronald done enough to go to England?

Well, we know that he can bat, and that he can score 50 at test level. So that is good. He also seems to be a really good bloke, so the no dickhead rule wont apply. A 1st class batting average of 37 and bowling at 29 means he is in surplus, something unusual in these tough economic times. But, these stats also talk about the relative levels of ability. Both are mid range and so dont rule him out.

The reality is that, if he makes the trip, it will be as a fill in rather than his own performances winning the day. This doesnt mean that he wont make a contribution in the tests. He is just unlikely to win one or more test on his own. For me, he is well worth continuing to invest in. He is 28 and has many years ahead of him, unlike Symonds. Injury riddled Watson is almost the identical age of Ronald, but he wont be able to bowl. Ronnie might move the ball around in the English conditions, Dougie Walters style.

Brad Hodge, all is forgiven. you must tour. Jaques, take your time to get well again. This ashes tour is out of reach, unless medical history is able to be rewritten. Binga, it has been fun, but I think it is over. You will have much to offer the world post cricket. have confidence to go there.