Roar Pro
Joined June 2010
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Self confessed cricket nerd, but will happily discuss all sports. Terrible golfer.
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The cascade of injuries within the Australian pace bowling ranks again leaves the door ajar for Bulls quick Ben Cutting. Injuries of his own…
As the ARU's post-mortem of the failed Lions series continues, the Australian bars, lounge rooms and chat forums are equally abuzz with speculation and…
Whether they like it or not, continuous coverage and constant cash flow sees sportsmen under the microscope more than ever before. I have compiled…
The Gabba Test match cannot come soon enough. The sporting ‘black hole' between the football and cricket seasons is enough to send any true…
As a proud Queenslander, I was thrilled to see the Roar lift the trophy once more. Yet for all my joy, I admit that…
The speculation on who will and won’t be chosen to play for Australia on Boxing Day has been fascinating. Dan Christian and Ed Cowan…
If the NRL wants to match rival codes in terms of revenue, then the Central Coast Bears must be the next team to join…
[caption id="attachment_21033" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Australia\'s Nathan Hauritz appeals for the wicket of England\'s Paul Collingwood during the final day of the first cricket test…
The only comparison that I drew with Kurt was the question on what position suits them best. You are right, professionally KG is far superior….. Regarding JOC’s discipline, the same point could be made to many Cooper, Ioane etc – Mckenzie will be better at player management.
What should the Wallabies do with James O'Connor?
No. Pearce and Cronk are the two best defensive 7s in the NRL. You probably don’t watch as much footy as I do.
The mystery of Mitchell Pearce
Wrong. Over the last couple of years Pearce has been the only Rooster in NSW – and the form of Jennings, Maloney and now Cordner all warrant selection. Pearce has not been a match winner for NSW, but nor has he cost them matches. He is defensively outstanding, has vision and works with Maloney well. Farrah and Maloney have taken pressure of his kicking. If NSW win the series it will be accredited to a dominant forward pack, but if they lose the finger will be unfairly pointed at the number 7.
The mystery of Mitchell Pearce
Bird is tidy, and with Watson, could be good restrictive bowlers for Australia. Starc, Pattinson and Siddle are wicket-takers, but could be expensive on small English grounds. In 2005, Lee and Dizzy got pasted and England were knocking up 400 in a day.
Who to pick as our third Ashes quick?
You point out the weaknesses in Australia, which they defintely are, but that’s not to say the Ashes cannot be won. England are a worse side than they were four years ago, and Australia are better – particularly in the bowling ranks. People gave England little hope in 2005 and look what happened. It will be a closer series than what many pundits think.
Three reasons why Australia can't win the Ashes
JOC and KB are both to similar to sit on the bench side by side. One must start. I would not leave either out of the starting 22. Mogg showed his potential on Saturday, but is not a seasoned international and could be vulnerable against the All Blacks.
What should the Wallabies do with James O'Connor?
Some good cases for Mogg in starting XV. He is very handy, but i think JOC is too good to start on the bench. He never failed when he played wing/fullback. Mogg’s time will come. Plenty of depth in Wallabies backline.
What should the Wallabies do with James O'Connor?
Gee I’d be sleeping easier if one M. Hussey had of hanged around for at least another year. Would be much more comforting knowing he is in at No. 5 or 6….
Blueprint: This is how Australia can win the Ashes
David Warner is a flat deck bully who will fail if given the nod (which he won’t be). Rogers, Watson, Cowan, Clarke, Hughes will be the top 5 for Trent Bridge.
Warner must be picked for the first Test
A good read. Though I do not believe that the ‘gap’ in talent between the two sides is particularly excessive. England’s main advantage is their level of Test experience. But as you said Ronan, what is crucial for Australia is ‘unerring consistency’. Australia often win one session every day of a Test – but this will not be good enough. If Aus’ can more frequently claim the honors in two or even three sessions, they will definitely have a fighting chance.
Blueprint: This is how Australia can win the Ashes
Pearce v Reynolds…. The argument that myself and my housemate were continually having leading up to the squad selections. Pearce’s main weakness in SOO was his kicking, and apparantly Maloney, Hayne and Farrah will be ‘lightening his load’. His defence and ball running are excellent. With Maloney outside him, he will feel right at home. I am a proud Queenslander, but NSW will take game 1 on the back of a standout effort from their number 7….I am also a Roosters fan.
TURNER: Blues will get a Master-Pearce from Mitchell
I may just put a sneaky 5er on the roar to make it the treble…
A-League set for most exciting finish yet
Celebrity sells for sure… Was desperately trying to think of one or two current females to put on the list, but just couldn’t find any apart from Rice! Anyone glaringly obvious that has been omitted?
Sports stars that divide us
Good onya Lyon!! I hope they don’t drop the man again- unless a young shane warne bursts onto the scene. Has 200 + test wickets in him surely…
Nathan Lyon fights back
Was super impressed by Cordner and Guerra last season. Where does Tom Symonds lie in the pecking order now? He was going like a gun until injury hit. I would love to see a home ground talent like Symonds hold a position in the 17.
Still a place for Mini at the Roosters
Hear hear!! Or the batsman has to face every fifth over with a blindfold on?? It would really separate the contenders from the pretenders…
Time for a new cricket format
Fullback. Roger T-S
Wing. Mini
Centre. S K-D
Centre. Aubbusson
Wing. Oldfield
Then Pearce and Maloney makes for a dangerous backline.
Still a place for Mini at the Roosters
Overall I agree with Glenn’s squad. Although I would take a gamble on FAULKNER over Mcdonald. They are both solid with the bat, although I see Faulkner’s pace and bounce to be more effective in England. Mcdonald’s wicket-to-wicket seamers would perhaps be better suited to the Indian decks.
Forget about the ‘rotation policy’ for a moment if you will. The question for the England tour is who is Australia’s best pace bowling trio for the first Test???
I’d go with:
1. Pattinson
2. Johonson
3. Siddle
Can’t split Starc and Bird though. Both will be effective in the UK…..
Six months out, here's my Ashes squad
As a Reds fan, I am disappointed. I’m sure it would hurt him to walk away from the club. However, I see QCs decision to walk away from the ARU as the right one. Horrible management from the ARU, combined with the boring rugby style adopted by Robbie Deans has seen Cooper endure a horrid could of seasons. Rugby’s loss will be league’s gain. I think he is a natural rugby league player and would look good in the number one jersey in any team that can fit him under the cap.
Quade quits? Still a mystery
Agreed. Evolution is for the best. Imagine clocking off work on a Friday arv, head into the Gabba (in my case) and see half a day of cricket while the sun sets and the lights turn on. The ball issue will be resolved.
ICC and CA back day/night Tests
By all means play Lyon in Adelaide and Sydney. The fact is though, look at every Test playing nation in the world- They have a spin bowler who is a genuine strike bowler. Look at Lyon’s Test scalps and you’ll find that a fair percentage of them are tail enders who are out having a slog. He simply does not demand the respect of the world class batsman like other spinners – Vettori, Swan, Mendis etc
Who will be in the starting XI for the Gabba Test?
I think Alister McDermott is a gun. He is down the pecking order for Australia for now, but in 5 years I expect he would be up there.
10 players to watch in this season's Sheffield Shield
You make a good point- 5 seamers may be a bit much. But I recently saw Ben Cutting take Lyon apart at the Gabba. If a Bulls’ number 8 can do that, I can’t imagine what the Proteas will do….
Who will be in the starting XI for the Gabba Test?
Smith should bat in the middle order over Khawaja. By the sound of Dizzy’s article, the deck will be a spinner’s one. Smith is a sound player of spin, and importantly, coming in the middle order will be better to have a right hander, where Swann spins the ball into the batsman. If Khawaj came in 5/6, I could see him having all sorts of problems with the ball turning away from him.
DIZZY: Three key factors ahead of the first Ashes Test