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If it has a ball, and someone can win, I'm interested. Care to follow? @tomsyrmas I am a journalism student at the University of South Australia.
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The blade has been sharpened, the Lord's Prayer recited, and with a sharp twang, the guillotine has fallen and ended Kevin Pietersen's cricket career…
A 5-0 drubbing of England at the hands of Australia has sent both nations into a cricketing hysteria. Australian fans want another five Test…
Michael Clarke is a splendid cricket captain, who, despite a poor win-loss record, has demonstrated a keen ability to make good decisions in the…
If a week is a long time in sport, a year must be an eternity - and plenty can change in an eternity. Twelve…
The only Brits and Australians who don't remember that amazing 06/07 Ashes series are those who were not born, or liars. The manner of…
Just slightly, ever so slightly, a few Australians will be feeling sorry for Kevin Pietersen. It's not easy seeing such a confident (some may…
If the wicketkeeper is the heartbeat of a cricket team, then England need a cardiologist. Matt Prior, who was regarded as the world's best…
Steven Smith deserves all the congratulatory pats on the backside in the world after yesterday's effort. The mercury was sky high, England were on…
Interesting point, but I still think that Watson deserved more than 5.
I would also like to know how Watson, who scored 345 runs with a century and two fifties, as well as a handful of wickets, was only half score above Pietersen, who has a much greater reputation, and did a lot less in the series?
Ashes player rankings: the best and the worst from England and Australia
Actually I find Watson’s hair most unappealing to be honest. I think it needs a cut.
But back to issues that might be of interest to the readers of this article, you are quite right, Watson’s scores in the first dig are disappointing. However, explain to me, if you will, what Carberry did to be only 10% less valuable and productive than Watson in this series?
And before you lambaste my question, Carberry is bald.
Ashes player rankings: the best and the worst from England and Australia
These rating are a touch inconsistent. If Shane Watson is a 5, how is George Bailey a 3? Watson scored a ton, batted us to victory with Buck in Melbourne, caught well in the slips, and took some key wickets. Sure, he wasn’t consistent, but he contributed in every test in one way or another, and while I don’t necessarily disagree with him getting a 5 (perhaps a 6 or a 7 though), I can’t see how he is only two points above Bailey.
Ashes player rankings: the best and the worst from England and Australia
Warner
Maddinson
Watson
Clarke
Head
Hughes
Paine
Pattinson
Siddle
Bird
Lyon
Faulkner
Predicting the 2015 Ashes sides
I don’t think anyone is denying that Johnson took his chance with both hands, but the question remains: how has being rotated after bowling so well undermined Mitchell Starc’s confidence?
Consistent selection trumps that awful rotation policy
a sluggish drop in wicket might help them in Melbourne, although it did them no favours in Adelaide.
How Ashes win stacks up against 06/07
+1.
Rotating players for the sake of it disrespects the sanctity of the Baggy Green.
Consistent selection trumps that awful rotation policy
And on what grounds do you make that prediction, good Sir/Madam?
How Ashes win stacks up against 06/07
If we employ your position of simply using numbers to build a side, then what changes, if any, should England make for the next test, in your opinion?
Will England call time on Kevin Pietersen?
I’m not sure if football does this, but the AFL and cricket all offer football scholarships to talented juniors. Perhaps a similar set up, or something akin to Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence would help strengthen the games upper levels as well as provide interest at the lower levels.
Expanding Australia's football culture begins with the foundation
Pietersen’s poor tally this series is not reason enough to drop him, granted. But his manner of dismissals is club cricket-worthy. Flicks to mid-wicket where Clarke has two men waiting? Slapping the ball into the Fremantle Doctor to be gobbled up at long on when playing for a draw? He is the most experienced member of this English side and he has given his wicket away on a number of occasions as if he were on debut again. Only once, in Adelaide the second time round, has he made it seem that he is taking the game’s situation into account. For these reasons I don’t think he deserves to play in Melbourne. With the exception of Prior, those other players you mentioned haven’t gifted their wicket so spectacularly and regularly as Pietersen has.
Will England call time on Kevin Pietersen?
I agree that losing J Trots was a tough break for the poms, and that Prior should be feeling nervous (I wrote about it the other day), but England won’t consider dropping Cook mid-series. And if they are going to make changes to their top six, who else is a candidate to depart?
Will England call time on Kevin Pietersen?
Given Strauss was in charge when the South African texting scandal occurred, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t talking about KP
Will England call time on Kevin Pietersen?
If, and that’s a big if, England lose this series 5-0, they will need to make changes. Based on his performance so far, it’s hard to see how they can offer Prior and olive branch. As I said, unless he scores big in his second innings in this test, it’s hard to see how they can justify his presence in Melbourne.
Can Matt Prior turn it around?
It’s fair to say that Haddin has been one of the differences in the series. Australia’s batting has been as poor as England’s during moments of this series, but Haddin has dug in and rescued his side, as opposed to Prior just hurling his bat at anything and getting out.
Can Matt Prior turn it around?
Thanks Eddy.
Unless the likes of Pietersen and Prior score a bag of runs in the second dig, I think they will both be gone. The only change I would make in your side is Panesar in for Swann.
Can Matt Prior turn it around?
I agree that Hughes being dropped was a poor decision, I think there is only so much one can take from the northern Ashes given the circumstances. Lehmann was picked from the role just weeks before the series, to the surprise of everyone. I think Lehmann and Co. see this as the true starting point of his coaching career with Australia.
Smith ought to thank Boof for his ton
Smith’s knock today was a career-defining one.
It was also sent a clear message to three of his top-six colleagues (especially one batting at #3), and hopefully this knock teaches those team mates (I’m looking at you, Mr Watson) a thing or two about respecting your wicket and respecting the conditions in which you are playing.
Great stuff S. Smith, and great article R O’Connell.
ASHES: Talking points from day one at the WACA
Very well put, Peaches. But I think Hughes should have the chance to bat at 3. Runs are runs, and while Hughes may be opening in FC cricket, he has the form and the ability to drop down one position if it’s asked of him.
I think Hughes (or anyone else, actually) is a better team-man than Watson, also. When Australia start losing again (which, despite how well they have played this series is inevitable, given the inexperience in the side), will Watson and Clarke have their brouhaha again? Will he sulk and mope and threaten to never play cricket again?
S Watson has all the shots in the book, but can’t play them when the ball is travelling towards him. I wouldn’t change this side until the end of the series, but unless he makes a score, give him a year on the domestic circuit, and if he earns his spot back, then welcome aboard. If not, then thanks for the (frustrating) memories.
As a Test player, Shane Watson is a myth
I’m amazed that a ski trip was a genuine alternative to jail. I need to commit more crime, methinks!
Greatest ever sports predictions