By Geoff Lawson
May 19th 2009 @ 6:18am
Related coverage
Ashes worries: weather and form may rock Aussies
The Ashes Urn - AP Photo/Rob Griffith
England’s recent good form against the West indies back on home (damp) soil is a reason for growing concern for their confident Australian opponents.
Andrew Strauss has seen his team emerge from a doubtful tour of the Caribbean, where they were expected to win easily, but stumbled early and could not mange to find a winning a formula.
The Windies under John Dyson’s tutelage did look a better disciplined group under the warm and sunny skies of Barbados and Jamaica, but so far the dreary and threatening May atmosphere has contributed to layers of clothing and seaming pitches. Pitches that the likes of that well known English destroyer, Graeme Onions, have prospered upon.
Dyson would not have been happy with his leading batsmen’s (Gayle and Chanderpaul) decision to take the buckets of rupees in the Indian Premier League instead of playing the pre-Test first class matches. Both those batsmen have failed miserably, as you would expect coming off southern hemisphere hard wickets in a slogging format.
It is early for Test cricket to be played in the northern hemisphere, but there is no doubt that the confidence gained by the England team will be in the forefront of their thoughts when July 9th comes along.
Winning form is good form.
The Australians will be coming off 20 over games in the IPL, closely followed by more slash and bash in the Twenty20 World Cup, the final on 21st June. The First Test is just two weeks later. Whereas England have had recent Test series in the Caribbean and at home. This may well be of significance.
It would appear that the form and fitness of Brett Lee is being judged solely on 4 over spells in the IPL. Lee has already been selected for the Twenty20 World Cup, having not completed more than 24 balls in any match since the Boxing Day Test.
Rising 33 years of age, the prospect that Lee can find the raw pace of his twenties, or the stamina that comes from successive first class games and a couple of hundred overs, is slim.
Andrew Hilditch must think otherwise, just as he must be sick of explaining the selection of Andrew Symonds “when in form……. Andrew is one of the finest players in the world “ etc etc. We agree with you Andrew, its just that he hasn’t been in your suggested municipality of ‘form’ for about 18 months!
The emergence of Onions and off spinner Swann, along with the growing strength of rumour as to Andrew Flintoff’s progression to full fitness, is all good news for England.
Australia have not played orthodox off spin for sometime (I don’t put Harbajahn Singh in the ‘orthodox’ box), and Swan has certainly played a valuable role for Strauss in the recent resurgence.
Onions reminds one of Matthew Hoggard and if it is a wet summer and the pitches become the traditional slow seamers, then traditional English cricketers will come to the fore.
An offie ala Titmus, Illingworth or Emburey (remember Emburey and Phil Edmonds doing the business in the cool summer of 1985?), along with Monty Panesar, could present a stern examination for an Australia batting order that has struggled against Paul Harris, Dan Vettori and Saeed Ajmal in recent times.
The Ashes squad (announced this coming Wednesday) will have to be chosen with a few different parameters than that which lost in Australia and won through largely the efforts of new players in North, Hughes and Siddle in South Africa.
Batsmen with the ability to play long and patient innings will be needed to play around the likes of aggressive Hughes, Ponting and Clarke.
Simon Katich is an ideal counterpoint to Hughes up front, but Chris Rogers (the highest total run scorer in all forms of the game in the world in calendar 2008 through to the present time) will be an essential selection.
He has significant county experience and, regardless of weather or pitch variety, knows how to get the job done.
Australia have prospered in northern Ashes series when the summers have been warm and dry. The weather conditions have been of significant influence.
England are on the upward trend. After the Windies series they will have a greater sense of self belief, and they might just be praying for a few rainy days to assist the cause.
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and I’m on the Roosters bandwagon a 12 point win to the chooks.
Spiro Zavos said | May 19th 2009 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Watching England play under ‘English’ conditions against the West Indies indicates, as Geoff Lawson suggests, that the home side will put up a willing challenge in the coming Ashes series. I was intriqued with Geoff’s suggestion that Chris Rogers must be in the squad. Should he also be in the Test team? If so, what position should he bat? Is Michael Hussey’s position in danger?
Brett McKay said | May 19th 2009 @ 9:00am | Report comment
Spiro, this is where I find these discussions interesting. On stats and form, it’s hard to argue with Henry’s assertion that Rogers should be picked (ignoring the fact Geoff has been pushing Rogers’ barrow for a long time now). However, I think we all accept that the top 6 from South Africa will be retained for the first couple of Tests at least. So, without knowing the full tour schedule (how many tour games, for eg?), what is Rogers supposed to do in the meantime?? There’s only so many net sessions a bat can have, and nets count for little compared to match fitness.
It’s for that reason alone I think the idea of taking a young batsman such as Callum Ferguson or Shaun Marsh and letting them gain experience in an Australian Test squad is so much more beneficial. If they think Rogers might be needed, then tell him to get over the England and keep making runs (if he’s not already), and bring him into the squad as required.
If there isn’t a lot of tour games to be played, you could get away with an Ashes squad of 14 or 15, but have “replacements” stationed around the English counties.
SouthernWaratah said | May 19th 2009 @ 9:07am | Report comment
I needs to be remembered that Ashes Series seam to either be the end or start for Australian Batsman. Martyn’s/Katich ended for a time in ’05, Slater in ’01, Langer in ’01 only to start again, Bevan in ’97 for Ponting’s to Start, Slaters started in ’93 for Hayden to wait in the wings. So heading into 2009 anything is possible. I agree that Rogers should get a spot on the boat though!
Brian said | May 19th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
I agree the top 6 from South Africa should be retained but no one stands out amongst the backups. I would take Watson for his talent and versatility, otherwise Rogers is probably as good as anyone else. Ferguson and Marsh probably have not made enough shield runs to merit selection. Interesting that Marsh seemed to make the ODI team based on his 2008 IPL feats yet fast forward to 2009 and of course IPL form means nothing where Hodge is concerned.
SouthernWaratah said | May 19th 2009 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Brian,
If IPL form meant anything then Gilly, Haydo’s & Warnie would be in the 20/20 side for the world cup, Slapping around a bunch of hack Indian bowlers doesn’t warrant International selection
Brian said | May 19th 2009 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Firstly if they didnt retire Gilly, Haydo’s & Warnie would be in the World Cup T20 side. If IPL form doesn’t count explain how Marsh made the ODI team last summer? Domestically he did nothing
FIsher Price said | May 19th 2009 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Rogers, Hughes, Katich (c), Ponting, Hodge/North, Clarke, Haddin, Johnson, Clark, Siddle, Bollinger.
Greg Russell said | May 19th 2009 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
I think England’s batting (Cook, Strauss, Bopara, KP, Collingwood) is looking very settled and dangerous.
In particular I am concerned about the emergence of Bopara, who for a long time has been regarded as an exceptional talent (people might remember that on the 2005 Ashes tour, Bopara and Cook took Essex to 1- 400 in a tour match against Australia). Until now Bopara has flopped in test cricket, but with 3 successive centuries, his nerves must have calmed, and the exceptional talent is shining through. There is nothing more frustrating for a team in the field than someone who was thought to be an easy wicket making runs. Amla was a good example of this: although he didn’t convert any 50s into 100s, the point is that he made a lot of 50s against Australia, and the resulting partnerships were very damaging. So I now see Bopara in much the same light for this series.
I doubt the ability of Prior to be a test 6, and ditto Flintoff if he is fit (a great bowler, but not a great batsman).
I have to wonder whether the series against the WI has done England any favours in the bowling department. Because of their easy success against the WI, the English will now by dutybound to select Onions, Bresnan and Swann, But who honestly is quaking at the prospect of Australia facing such a bowling attack? I’ll believe they are potent only when I see it.
Similarly, Stuart Broad is a good all-round cricketer, but his test bowling record is very, very modest.
Finally, I suggested with Kersi’s article last week that Chris Rogers should be chosen. Since then he has missed out on a CA contract, which I take as a very strong sign that he will not be selected for the Ashes tour. “Fringe” batsmen who did get CA contracts are Hodge, Watson and Symonds. So I now expect one or more of these to be in the Ashes squad. Geoff may well be correct about Symonds. (Just to stress: this is me guessing at what the selectors will do, not me saying what I would do if I were a selector.)
SouthernWaratah said | May 19th 2009 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
Some Good points Greg, But I’ll hold my judgment on Bopara until he’s scored some runs against us, Siddle may have something to say about him feeling comfortable at the crease, Collingwood is getting slower and again Siddle to unsettle him and KP hasn’t looked the same since the Captain Gate affair.
drewster said | May 19th 2009 @ 4:32pm | Report comment
If the wickets are slow seamers as Geoff is suggesting I am interested to see what a bowler like Hilfenhaus can do if given the chance. Can he produce in England like Terry Alderman could and if so will the batsmen back up his work. On form M. Hussey would seem the weak link in the batting line up. The warm up matches I believe will be very important to the line up of the side as i don’t think Australia can have any passengers waiting to hit form.
FIsher Price said | May 19th 2009 @ 5:03pm | Report comment
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/cricket/ponting-gives-symonds-hint/2009/05/19/1242498741417.html
Pathetic, Ponting’s judgement (off-the-field captaincy) truly is worse than his on-field leadership (if not his batting in the past 18 months).
Symonds has “worked his way back into domestic cricket pretty well”. Pah! You. Could. Not. Make. It. Up.
What sort of message does this matey attitude send to batsmen who actually make runs at Test, Shield or even district/grade level?
Ian Noble said | May 19th 2009 @ 8:15pm | Report comment
Geoff
The long range weather forecast for the UK in the summer is hot, dry and sunny. How accurate these forecasts are I don’t know, but last year they predicted a wet and poor summer and they were correct.
I don’t think the series against the Windies is any indication of England’s present squad, the weather conditions conspired against the Windies and some of their squad gave the impression of not really wanting to play in May. However there are encouraging signs from an England perspective.
Broad (22) has now a number of tests under his belt and whilst his performances to date have been mixed he is becoming more settled and adding more variation to his bowling. His batting has also come on and he being seen more as a all rounder. Bopara (23) has shown an excellent temperament and looks as though he has tied down the 3 spot, but the Aussies will really test him. Swann (27) has spun the ball more than Panesar and together with his batting and fielding is stronger proposition than Panesar. It is anticipated that the first test in Swansea will be conducive to spin and both Swann and Panesar will play. Anderson (25) has become the first line of attack and has definitely improved. He can swing the ball both ways and is bowling faster than ever.
KP had a poor series against the Windies he seemed to be distracted. Flintoff continues to be injured and will not be part of 20/20 WC. Interestingly England have won more Tests when Flintoff has been injured. Perhaps they play better as a team when such a dominant personality is out. Strauss as a captain is showing good leadership skills, he is intelligent and seems to be a good man manager.
Finally Geoff have you been invited to join TMS? For the benefit of other Roarers TMS (Test Match Special) is the radio commentary which has become an English summer institution over the last fifty years.
Viscount Crouchback said | May 19th 2009 @ 11:15pm | Report comment
Interestingly, Glamorgan CCC have just been fined for a sub-standard wicket in Cardiff (venue for the 1st Test) which produced “excessive turn”.
A sign of things to come, I think.
Ben J said | May 19th 2009 @ 11:26pm | Report comment
Having watched all the test matches in the SA/Australia series I cannot help to think that this coming series will find it difficult to deliver on what the fans expect. Firstly England is a mere shadow of what it was in 2005 with few if any “best in the world” players. KP is probably in that leauge but they do not posess the allround skills of the Australians. The Aussies will be mentaly battlehardened from competeing against a foe that saw themselves equal or better than themselves and England will not think for a minute that they are on the same planet.
fasil said | May 20th 2009 @ 1:08am | Report comment
Yes there is a distinct possiblity of a real shellacking. All round poor form might just seal our fate.
I dont think you can take much from the English performance against the windies.
Colin N said | May 20th 2009 @ 5:17am | Report comment
I think people are overrating this England side. I’m not sure if Bopara can reproduce that ‘form’ against the Aussies, as although he is fine stroke player, he still has technical deficiencies. However, he is a battler and that’s crucial. Ian Bell is the most naturally gifted batter in England (and arguably the world), but too often loses concentration.
I disagree with your assertion that you think Prior isn’t a test 6, because I think he can be. However, I don’t think Broad is a test 7 quite yet. Swann is a very good bowler, who turns it a decent amount and he will cause the Australian left-handers plenty of problems. Anderson is finally reaching his potential to be a world leading bowler. Obviously, we can only judge is he has reached this level against top opposition. He’s more consistant and he swings it both ways, which makes for a good combination. Broad is a frustrating bowler as he’s consistant with his line and length, but despite bowling at a decent pace, doesn’t seem to the most out of a pitch, like the top bowlers do.
Onions and Bresnan are unknown quantities, but they both get pace and bounce and both can swing the ball. I think Onions will develop into an excellent bowler, I’m not so sure about Bresnan.
FIsher Price said | May 20th 2009 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
Australians never rate English cricketers unless they produce in Ashes encounters. Rightly or wrongly, this is a fact. Worth noting is that Australia will be taking along plenty of cricketers who fall into this category: Katich, Hughes, Hussey, McDonald, Haddin, North, Watson, Johnson, Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Hauritz, Manou and Lee for starters.
Basically only Ponting and Clarke have decent form against England.
Therefore, if one is to question, say, Bopara, Swann or Broad’s ability to produce against Australia, it should similarly be noted that the likes of Cook, Strauss, Pietersen, Collingwood, Flintoff and, even Panesar and Harmison have done well in previous Ashes encounters.
SouthernWaratah said | May 20th 2009 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
Fisher Price adding to that….
That judgement is made in the same way as Australian batsman were judged in the 80’s against the West Indies. I think that’s fair?
Fact remains that since ’95 we’ve been No1 and in Ashes since ’89. (‘06/’07 confirmed 2005 was a dip on the chart and that they just got away with it) So the likes of English bats and maybe even South African bats are going to get judged by their performances against us.
Atherton is judged by his 1 test century against Australia as is Graeme Smith who only has one…. So far….
FIsher Price said | May 20th 2009 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
Beg your pardon – Clark also has previous v England.
Speaking of which, can anyone really argue that Brett Lee should be picked ahead of Clark, Johnson, Siddle or Hilfenhaus?
FIsher Price said | May 20th 2009 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
Southern Waratah,
I agree that’s what it stems from but what I’m suggesting is that too much is read into a player’s quality hingeing on performing against one opponent. Care not, do Australian supporters that Broad has played against India (which, in my opinion – along with SA – has a stronger side than Australia at present).
I think Australia will win the Ashes but many of its players are unproven against top opposition, several only proven against one opponent.
FIsher Price said | May 20th 2009 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
In actual fact, Hussey also has done versus England. Perhaps. that oversight came because it seems so long since he made a contribution that I forgot he could bat!
SouthernWaratah said | May 20th 2009 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
FP,
I agree with your comment “too much is read into a player’s quality hingeing on performing against one opponent”
It’s the difference of the Waugh(s), Border & co who had success against most opponents as opposed to a one opponent player, but then we’re talking about chalk and cheese, Legends and the rest who have been lucky enough to get a cap
Gaffer said | May 21st 2009 @ 11:31pm | Report comment
A little bit of homework would help. The Met in the UK is predicting the hottest and more importantly driest summer in decades this year, conditions I’d suggest that would start to favour Aussie bats.
What I find amazing at the moment is no one is talking about the Hussey issue, he is sadly out of form and has been for a good period of time, although a good batsman, it is time for him to have a rest. When names like Hodge and Rogers as seasoned campaigners are around and up and comers like Marsh and Ferguson, I think they represent a better option.