The two warm-up games in England have created a lot of hope and belief in Australia’s Ashes chances. There have been a lot of teams created by Roarers over the last few days.
This is my team to win back the Ashes.
First off, I have to state that Australia’s Ashes chances are little, but they have improved over the last few days.
My openers to play the first Test are:
Shane Watson – Test average = 35.34 (41 Tests)
Chris Rogers – Test average = 9.50 (1 Test), FC average = 50.38
Darren Lehmann came out and said these two would open the batting in the first Test. This choice was proven to be the right one on Tuesday night with Watson and Rogers putting on 170 for the first wicket against Worcestershire. These two complement each other well. Both have experience in English conditions and have had success there.
My middle order is:
Usman Khawaja – Test average = 29.22 (6 Tests), FC average = 42.27
Michael Clarke – Test average = 52.33 (92 Tests)
Phillip Hughes – Test average = 33.00 (24 Tests)
Steven Smith – Test average = 32.30 (7 Tests), FC AVG = 41.27
Khawaja is a favorite with Roarers and under Lehmann, he will get a good run in the side and will prosper with a bit of stability.
Next in is the backbone of the Australian batting line up and would need a year of straight ducks to get dropped – Phillip Hughes. I am not a big fan of Hughes, but he has impressed in the warm-up games and deserves a spot in the side.
Smith is a different player than the one sent into exile by Australian cricket fans and has matured into a player of Test standard.
My wicketkeeper is:
Brad Haddin – Test average = 35.50 (44 Tests)
Haddin brings a mature brain into the Australian team, and is better behind the stumps than Wade as well.
My bowlers are:
James Pattinson – Test bowling average = 23.37 (10 Tests), FC average = 22.60
Mitchell Starc – Test bowling average = 34.03 (9 Tests), FC average = 31.73
Jackson Bird – Test bowling average = 16.18 (2 Tests), FC average = 19.56
Nathan Lyon – Test bowling average = 33.18
Pattinson is Australia’s best bowler and is probably the first choice while being picked. Starc is the most dangerous of the Australian bowlers, more so in English conditions. Unfortunately, his good bowling is mixed with a lot of rubbish. Starc is young and will only improve, and I think some faith in his bowling is needed.
I wish I could have put Harris in for Starc, but Harris is too much of an injury concern. He could very easily leave us a bowler down in a match. Bird is the bowler who will tie batsman down and draw a false shot. He will be economical and deadly at the same time.
Lyon is the only spinner in the Ashes squad, which makes him an automatic selection. Hopefully, India has affected him positively.
Sal
Guest
I did some Google search of Brettig and Khawaja. You are absolutely right. Wondering what's keeps ESPN Cricinfo writer, Daniel Brettig spewing negative press for Khawaja every chance he gets?
anfalicious
Guest
Is the difference how you hold the ball? So a reverse swing will look like inswing in the way it moves, but the ball position looks like an outswinger?
anfalicious
Guest
I think he doesn't quite have the brain for test cricket. There's no doubt he can turn a ball, it's just the same one every single time. Everyone has him worked out already and he's only been around a year or two.
anfalicious
Guest
Come on, it has nothing on "science journalism" (in quotes because it's usually neither science nor journalism).
anfalicious
Guest
I had such hopes for Leisure Suit Lyon, but he's got one ball, and everyone in the world has worked it out now. How has he not had someone tell him to slow down and vary his flight yet?
anfalicious
Guest
Runs aren't the only currency, there's ability to stay in that counts as well. At least it used to, not so much in the modern game, but we've seen in the last few years a few series won by one guy being able to stay in all day and make no runs. That's Cowan's strength, holding up an end. It's what makes Warner/Cowan a natural opening combo for me. Warner will get his 50 off 30 and Cowan will be there in the afternoon still. At least in theory :P That being said, I wouldn't want to be a selector right now!
anfalicious
Guest
I guess it depends on what you view as more important; #1 test status or winning the Ashes. If the rotation policy was all about keeping people fit until this week, then I'm all for it, but now it should be the best 11 out there (or at least, the combination most likely to win).
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
4-0 won't happen again. Hopefully.
Bearfax
Guest
Are these the same pills English media have been taking throughout the 80s, 90s and early 21st century. Now they were hot pills them ones.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Not so keen David.
david kenny
Roar Rookie
I'll leave you with your bag of pills and self delusion ;o)
Dave
Guest
Why should someone who is 30 and played (been blessed) 19 tests need 'rectifying' as in assistance and coaching on how to run between wickets? Really? And he's such an intellectual guy too, reckon he'd of worked it out by now. Not saying he can't improve but if he can't do that properly by this stage of his career, then it's time to be moved on.
MervUK
Guest
I've just found out that james pattinson is really a Yorkshireman like his mum and dad, I knew that the real home of cricket had to be involved somewhere...that explains why he's decent at cricket while still playing for Australia. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/ashes-australias-james-pattinsons-brother-2025650
Disco
Roar Guru
What a difference a fortnight makes. Two weeks ago a lot of Roarers were discussing what a world-class bowler Siddle was and how he's better than Anderson etc. etc. Now it seems he's mostly deemed surplus to requirements.
Disco
Roar Guru
The result of limitations as a batsman. Better technique than Hughes, though.
Disco
Roar Guru
Not sure what England's warm-up match has to do with my complete lack of faith in Hughes as a Test batsman, but for what it's worth I don't think these warm-ups will have any bearing on the Test series beyond keeping the players match fit. Watson, for instance, has shown that he can bat a session or thereabouts, and on a flat track and against a poor attack he can score close to a century. Do I see this being the norm during the Ashes? No.
Bearfax
Guest
I would predict that Hughes will start off slow and scratchy in the first test. But once he gets a 50 + score he'll lighten up and start to play something like the batsman we saw four years ago. For me its a confidence thing with Hughes now. He's been working very hard I understand, on his weaknesses. I dont expect him to be spectacular this series but I do expect he'll be averaging over 40 for the tour at the end. He really just needs a breakthrough century and he'll be on his way to being one of the elements that will be the foundation of his team in years to come. But you may be right though failure here at 24 does not mean permanent failure and he'll certainly be back. But I think he'll start to climb the ladder on this tour.
Vivek
Guest
Both these guys have the potential to be solid test batsman
Tim
Guest
Lets make a sportsman bet Bearfax on Hughes....... i think he is that flawed that the English will finish his career with him being dropped after Test 2 What are your predictions for him, and then we will compare notes after As for Cowan, I am not in any way making him out to be greaT, and indeed he is average, but at least he has a hope compared to hughes, who i see as a dead man walking
Bearfax
Guest
Yet the trend even despite the values of the bowlers should still be consistent regarding the performance of the batsmen in comparative terms. And we are now talking about English conditions not Indian which is far different and requires a different set of strategies. yet there we have Cowan well behind the others despite getting four picks at the cherry. We'll have to start calling Cowan '30 something'