So, it’s 2013, and another Ashes year is upon us.
For cricket-loving Australians, it doesn’t get any better, and all talk between now and the commencement of the five-Test series in July will focus on our best chance of getting the precious urn back.
While most of the focus has been on what shape the batting will take after the retirements of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, I’d argue that’s the wrong angle to be coming from.
The batsman’s job is to make sure you don’t lose matches, but it takes bowlers to win them.
As it stands, Australia’s only chance of regaining the Ashes in England is to go with a four-man pace attack.
Our long-form batting stocks are thin, with, outside skipper Michael Clarke, a list of players that are either unproven or untried at the highest level. And as admirable as Nathan Lyon’s efforts have been, the spin bowling cupboard is also bare.
But all are agreed the depth in the Aussie fast bowling ranks is strong, albeit half of them can’t walk to the letterbox without the approval of sports scientists, and the other half get injured on the way there.
Of course, what this means is that Lyon must make way.
Defenders of the former Adelaide Oval groundsman point to his respectable record of 59 test wickets from 18 matches at an average of a tick under 31, his speed to 50 wickets, and his age, a still-young 25.
Detractors argue that too many of his wickets are tail-enders hitting out, he lacks penetration on final day pitches, and of course, his speed both of delivery and between balls.
Personally, I think he’s done an adequate job, but will be easy pickings for a strong England batting line-up in home conditions. Do they want him in the side?
Yes, I fancy they do.
Even Lyon’s most ardent admirers would concede he isn’t in the best four bowlers in the country. Almost all would suggest he’s not in the best six. Many would say his name wouldn’t be called out if stretching that to Australia’s best dozen.
If you’ve got five left-handed batsmen in your top-six, do you choose the best right-hander available for the sixth spot, even if the next best three options are lefties?
I do concede the variation a spinner provides can be an integral part of a day in the field, but it makes no sense to take up one of the four front-line bowling positions with nothing more than an honest toiler.
Based purely on statistics, I’d much rather see Glenn Maxwell be given the chance to shine, which would also include taking up the spot at six soon to be vacated by Michael Hussey.
With a first class bowling average of 33.81 (almost five runs a wicket better than Lyon it should be noted) and batting at 42 whenever he ventures to the crease, he should be selected there in Sydney and for the entire series in India.
This gives us the variation required, but also allows us to unleash the best four bowlers to take 20 wickets in English conditions.
Right now, for mine, that line-up is James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Jackson Bird.
Pattinson is already the best bowler in Australia, and can be for the next decade if fitness isn’t an issue. His combination of movement, pace, and downright hostility, mixed with instincts that see him rarely make the same mistake twice, can see him become one of the greats.
Bird should share the new ball with him, based on his superior first class record and impressive debut against Sri Lanka at the MCG. Tall, blessed with control and the ability to move the ball both ways at reasonable pace, he seems tailor-made for English conditions.
Siddle is the lionheart, and we know what we’re going to get from him. To paraphrase Jason Gillespie, if the wicket is green, he’ll pitch it up, if it’s brown, he’ll bang it in.
He can be relied upon to strike with aggression or keep the runs to a minimum. He also has the important knack for getting a key wicket at a crucial time, and then following it up with one or two more.
Which leaves us with the riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma that is Mitchell Johnson.
Fit, firing and in form, his inclusion is a luxury that can be afforded within my set-up. Just as happy sending batsmen to the emergency ward as back to the pavilion with an unplayable ball, he is a strike bowler in every sense.
A pleasing benefit with this bowling line-up is that Johnson, Pattinson and Siddle could make a case as the best eight, nine and ten batsmen in the world.
On a side note, any and all talk of Mitchell Johnson being a legitimate all-rounder needs to immediately cease, and those responsible reminded that it is not yet April 1st.
The Australian selectors seem committed to rotation, so we’ll need like-for-like replacements either with the touring squad or playing county cricket. Pat Cummins, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Starc and Ryan Harris can fill in to give my four support if required.
The common word we use for a bowling line-up is ‘attack’, and if Australia stands any chance of regaining the Ashes this year, that is exactly what they need to do – with a full frontal pace assault.
nickyc
Guest
As an England supporter I think some of you guys are being unduly pessimistic if you think the ECB are going to produce raging turners this summer. By and large England's test venues are all good batting wickets and bowlers depend on favorable weather conditions to help them. Of the 2013 venues only The Oval is likely to help spinners on days 4-5. The question mark is Old Trafford which in recent years has offered some bounce and spin. However, since the last test was played there the wicket has been turned through 90° and we have no idea what effect this will have. Historically England almost always played two spinners but since they adopted the policy of a four man attack they have only played one spinner outside the sub-continent and that isn't going to change this summer. FWIW England haven't played two spinners in a home test for four years - 1st Test v Aus at Sophia Gardens in 2009. As for Australia if three quicks can't bowl England out in the UK's less demanding physical conditions then four won't!
Brendon
Guest
Funny how one forgets things so easily when they have a point to make. I remember him being one of the most out of form bowlers I have ever seen, and a reasonably good performance in a team that lost badly and another against the worst SL team I've seen here don't fill me with confidence. My point is that because he's in the team, if we go in with four quicks and he doesn't get runs, which going on his average and past performances is going to happen, then we are left short in the batting department, combine that with his ability to implode mentally and throw tests away with the ball and this guy, who admittadly is talented, has the ability to single handedly lose us the ashed series, what other player in the team can that be said about? For two many years we had to suffer through the pain for MJ's "x Factor" now he's straight back in without any extended run in the shield and none of us really know what's he capable of. Would that have happened if he wasn't Clarke' mate or Aurthur not the coach? I think not. Yes maybe he will be better this time, but with him now being the "all rounder" the NSP have pretty much made him the most important man in the team, and we don't know what that pressure will do to him, I really worries me, what worries me more is CA's determination to have him in the team, I'm not sure they will drop him quickly if he's out of form, can you say after they rested Starc for him that this will happen?
Rodney
Guest
Maxwell won't get you any wickets, Watson should be our all rounder and khawaja our number 4 batsman to replace hussey
Rodney
Guest
Agree with Macca, Khawaja deserves the number 6 spot as Maxwells spinners won't hold up in test cricket
peeeko
Roar Guru
i agree Rowdy, whilst the Ashes is undoubtedly a huge series i think the importance of beating SA and India is underplayed
Hunter
Guest
Absolute joke that neither Khawaja (Hussey's inevitable replacement) nor Maxwell get the nod to bat at 6 in Sydney. We are far more likely to succeed in India and England with either of these blokes rather than claiming Johnson is an all rounder. Agree with most of what you say about Lyon, we need to blood Zampa and Maxwell in India and then consider our options. Ashes squad: Clarke Watson Cowan Warner Hughes Khawaja Maxwell Wade Paine Siddle Pattinson Bird Starc Cummins Johnson Lyon Zampa Also, given the lack of depth in our batting stocks, we should be looking to Joe Burns as the future.
Rowdy
Guest
That's Quality, Quality. I do feel it's patronising for Australians and English to think that only the Ashes matter. We've just had some special series between England and SA, SA and Aus, England and India; if you can win those series, the Ashes will take care of themselves.
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
Cameron, I hate to say it, but for all their good points, Siddle is no Marshall, Starc is no Walsh, and Bird is certainly no Ambrose. The West Indies had a very unique complement of fast bowling freaks. Our attack is good, but not that good. We need a spinner.
Cameron Rose
Expert
Hilf has had the slows put on him, hasn't he. He really does fall from grace once he's injured, or hasn't bowled well.
Cameron Rose
Expert
Tommy, I do agree that Lyon shoud be in the squad, and I'd be shipping him over to play for a county while waiting for the rest of the squad to arrive. He's not the worst spinner I've ever seen, and I've seen him bowl some good spells. I just don't think we can win the Ashes with him. You've summed up the next test beautifully.
liquor box
Guest
I think its importance is more mental, if we lose a series to a team that England have beaten then it puts us behind the 8 ball
Train Without A Station
Guest
What happens when Johnson dominates with the bat and ball? If we're going to just bring up random moments of his career in the past let's not focus on the bad. You Johnson haters love to bring up anything to knock the bloke. I didn't even think he should have been picked in Perth personally, but while he's playing well let's roll with the punches. Maybe if Johnson is left to focus on his game and we rely on the selectors to not pick him continually when he is out of form, and the captain to bowl him for long spells when he is getting carted he might play closer to his best more regularly.
Brendon
Guest
Lyon is good, and every one needs to lay off him, he's obviously being given the wrong message, no flight, no loop and that's just happened since he's been in the Aussie side, why did he come into the team with all the right tools and now they've seemingly disapeared.....simple, he's doing what he's told to do, another spinner through the CA grinder, Warnie was good because he threw it up and by the looks of it, didn't listen to the coaches.
Brendon
Guest
What happens when Johnson throws the test away in the first session?
TomC
Roar Guru
I don't have a strong opinion either way, but one important argument for playing Lyon is that he would be capable of bowling many more overs without risk of injury than a fourth quick, which would in turn take some pressure off the rest of the bowling lineup. With the news that Johnson is going to bat at 7 in Sydney, it's possible that the selectors are considering a five bowler lineup for the Ashes, which would counter that argument. I'm more confident that Hilfenhaus should be in the team than Lyon. Our best bowler the last time we were in England, and a point of difference to the other options. The common view seems to be that he's unlikely to make the trip.
Brendon
Guest
Ditto, he better get some runs. The NSP is out of control
Brendon
Guest
I think the current problem with "Gaz" is that he's being coached by a wicket keeper.
Rhys
Guest
Yeah 50/50 call for me on that one Disco. Finn is by far a more penetrating bowler, but Bresnan lengthens the batting lineup. I think so much for England will depend on getting Broad up and firing on all cylinders. He just gives their side a much better balance.
Disco
Roar Guru
Finn over Bresnan methinks.
Rhys
Guest
Very good question. In the 30 years or so I've seen Sydney Tests the spin option has always been a factor. Two of the most memorable Sydney Test victories (both against the Windies - 84/85, 88/89) came courtesy of spinners ripping through the famed Windies batting lineup. How times have changed.