I, along with many other Aussies, spent our autumn afternoons watching what was a disappointing showing by Australia in India.
This sub-continent failure has caused an echo of comments relating to how bad the Aussies are and how easily England will steamroll the visitors.
Unfortunately this one series has blown things out of proportion and I think these judgments are harsh.
People seem to have forgotten the South Africa series, where the Australians where unlucky to come away with a series loss.
The Sri-Lanka series was one that the Aussies dominated, and seems to have been brushed off by a lot of people. I know Sri-Lanka isn’t a world power, but to beat a team so convincingly is something that deserves some credit.
Australia’s biggest issue for me is in the manner of selections. The picking of players that are past their peak when there is a suitable candidate with a future is ridiculous.
Brad Haddin’s selection is nothing but a joke. Wade, Paine and Hartley are all better selections for this role.
Although Wade’s keeping isn’t great he is probably one of our best batsman at the moment. Even if that meant playing him as a batsman, so be it.
If Wade was selected as a batsman this would allow him to work on his bowling, which has shown potential. I know you can’t judge potential on one over but it’s just a possibility (He’d probably still be a better all-rounder than Watson).
The selection of Chris Rogers is alright though, and a selection which is about due. Rogers is by far the most successful opener in the country and has the most experience in English conditions.
Australia isn’t that bad, the English are very confident, and I think this confidence is unjustified.
So Roarers, are the Aussies that bad?
jameswm
Roar Guru
I think we are a very decent shot if they get the team right. And that means: 1. Rogers opening. He'll get consistent runs and can ahdnle the conditions. 2. Clarke batting at 4. He's too low at 5, for the (hopefully only) occasional 3-40s. He's better off saving us at 2-for, and if we have a good start, great. 3. Watson to bat at 6. He can handle the new ball in England and can be hard to dislodge, plus he hits the ball as hard as anyone. He has to be told he's there as a batting all rounder batting at 6, and be happy to accept that role. He's a valuable 4th seamer. Otherwise I'm not too worried about our spinner selection, nor the keepers (I'd have Haddin but both are far from perfect). I think they'll get the bowling right, with 3 of Siddle, Patto, Harris and Bird playing most of the time (I expect Bird to miss the 1st test). Pick a top 6 with those three there IN THOSE POSITIONS, and you have 2 in the top 4 who will score you consistent runs. Lately, neither Clarke nor Rogers has been int he top 4. Ussie is the obvious choice for 5 and would be expected to go well there, and each innings we'd like Hughes or Warner to score a few. Get that balance in the top 6 right, and we'll be a very good shot. Remember, the English press is our 12th player. Get a good start to the series, and they'll pull England down from the inside.
cuzza
Guest
Can Starc swing the 'red' ball? I have yet to see it.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
No arguments there!
Nick
Roar Guru
Starc is not being considered as a starting bowler in the first test. And I said that the English bowlers swing it at all. Starc can only swing it at a playground.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Put simply, I have higher standards than you do for world-class. And I think Australia's fast bowling is it's strongest aspect ...
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
He said if ten wicket hauls make world-class bowlers, than neither bowling line-up is really world class.
pope paul v11
Guest
Does it matter? All 4 cleaned up stronger teams. So too has Broad and Anderson.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
I'm not saying they are good for this Ashes but ones for the future.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Jayden add that 3 AVG under 24 and 1 under 20
Felix
Guest
I'm an unabashed, one-eyed Queensland supported and even I find it hard to support the inclusion of either Burns or Lynn at this stage. Add to that your belief that Maddinson and Silk are even a chance of selection and I'm backing Inverarity for Chairman of Selectors after all.
Felix
Guest
Agreed. It could be argued that Hughes has had 3 debuts and is still struggling...
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
How many has Bresnan, Onions, Tremlett, Finn got?
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
World class huh ? How many ten-wicket matches has Ryan Harris had ?
cuzza
Guest
Could not have said it better.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Watson is terrible, but it's not that bad. Sure it ain't great but Rogers will bring stability. Silk and Maddinson will get runs in the a games. Lynn and Burns are looking good. Warner will improve, Hughes has talent, he just can't perform. Clarke averaged over 100 last year. Also the tail will contribute. They could just produce a target big enough that the pace battery could do some damage.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Glad you found it funny. Some seem to take it seriously.
Nudge
Guest
Well said Jayden
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Are you saying Starc can't swing the ball.
Jayden
Guest
A bowling attack is can play together But its the captain that decides how his bowlers attack the batsmen England might have a better understanding but do they have a better captain to decide who bowls and when? Clarke vs Cook will be key in more ways than one this series
Nick
Roar Guru
Lets just be frank. The bowlers will be shaded by the English attack, but will still remain highly competitive and will do Australia proud. The batting though is pure rubbish. Absolute tripe. I've seen better batters at fish and chip shops. Cue the Watson supporters.......