FIRST ASHES TEST 25-29 NOV AT THE GABBA

[Drop Bear]

CLARKE may not play becoz of his bad back
Thats now
If he ends up playing the series he will have bad shoulders as well, from carrying the team ...

Clarke is overrated. Punter and The Kat will carry the Aussies.

[whufc]

A bit dissapointed with the selected side i would have preffered to see

Hughes
Katich
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Johnson
O'Keefe
Hilfenhaus
Siddle or Bollinger

i really think England are the real deal this time and expect a massive series from Ian Bell, batting at six suits this bloke alot better and with no Warne in the side i think Bell will get after a weaker spin bowlers and medium pacers.

Think the Ashes could be decided by who has a better batting series out of Prior and Haddin. Both teams tails are a tad long and which ever keeper batsmen can build partnerships with the recongnised batsmen and then get after the attack when batting with the tail could be the difference in what will be tight contests.

[Jim05]

We will play 4 quicks. Win the toss and bowl first poms wont bat the day out. I just have this massive feeling we are going to pump them. Poms getting a bit too cocky, they are a much better side when they are not saying anything.
My predictions for series
3-0 aus
Johnno leading wicket taker
Kat leading run scorer

That's a little obvious considering we named 5 of them in a 13 man squad and one of them opens the batting.

Sorry keep thinkin of watto as batter. Think we will play 4 quicks plus watto. Reckon spinner will miss. Use north for a bit of relief

[Lightning McQueen]

We will play 4 quicks. Win the toss and bowl first poms wont bat the day out. I just have this massive feeling we are going to pump them. Poms getting a bit too cocky, they are a much better side when they are not saying anything.
My predictions for series
3-0 aus
Johnno leading wicket taker
Kat leading run scorer

That's a little obvious considering we named 5 of them in a 13 man squad and one of them opens the batting.

Sorry keep thinkin of watto as batter. Think we will play 4 quicks plus watto. Reckon spinner will miss. Use north for a bit of relief

It probably isn't a bad ploy, at least all 4 "specialist" quicks aren't alike at their discipline.
Dougie: Lefty, full and attacks the stumps.
Mitch: Lefty, fast and erratic.
Siddle: Righty, bowls a shorter, aggressive style.
Hilf: Righty, attacks the stumps and has some nice curve away.

I'm a firm believer of "if you don't have a world class spinner, don't play one". Clarke & Katich are capable of offering some turn and North needs to give us some reason for his ongoing selection in the team.

[stan]

This will be interesting. If the ball starts swinging around and there is a bit of seam on offer then our middle order will fall apart and careers will be over. When the ball is swinging around, England seem to handle it better, in saying that a bit of seam will probably cause problems for all concerned.

However last time around there was not alot that split the sides, looking at the Australian performances against India, although they beat us 2 - 0, we did play some very good cricket. Definitly should have been 1-1. However such is life.

I believe we need Watson and Katich to get of to a good start most innings and shelter the middle order from the hard new ball. In my opinion we should play a spinner, Doherty looks to be the man at the moment. Then with the addition of Watson we still have 4 seamers.

The probable team:
1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. North
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Doherty
10. Hilfenhaus
11. Bollinger
12th Siddle

The danger men from England are Broad and Anderson as they create havok when they swing the ball. And we all know we dont handle the swinging ball well at all.

[Rik E Boy]

A bit dissapointed with the selected side i would have preffered to see

Hughes
Katich
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Johnson
O'Keefe
Hilfenhaus
Siddle or Bollinger

i really think England are the real deal this time and expect a massive series from Ian Bell, batting at six suits this bloke alot better and with no Warne in the side i think Bell will get after a weaker spin bowlers and medium pacers.

Think the Ashes could be decided by who has a better batting series out of Prior and Haddin. Both teams tails are a tad long and which ever keeper batsmen can build partnerships with the recongnised batsmen and then get after the attack when batting with the tail could be the difference in what will be tight contests.

No, every test series is always decided by the ability of the bowlers to take twenty wickets and England look the better equipped team for mine. As far as the 'battle of the tail' goes England way in front as Broad can bat and Swan is more than handy. Even Anderson is not the mug he was. We have the worst batsman of the lot in Douggie who I reckon must play ahead of Siddle who just bangs it into the deck.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

On the Friday you can play 'SPOT THE REB'

SOMBERO
YELLOW T SHIRT
PISSED

Just like the other 500 of us ha ha.

regards,

REB

[Drop Bear]

On the Friday you can play 'SPOT THE REB'

SOMBERO
YELLOW T SHIRT
PISSED

Just like the other 500 of us ha ha.

regards,

REB

Streak so it's easier to spot you.

[Bulls forever]

We will play 4 quicks. Win the toss and bowl first poms wont bat the day out. I just have this massive feeling we are going to pump them. Poms getting a bit too cocky, they are a much better side when they are not saying anything.
My predictions for series
3-0 aus
Johnno leading wicket taker
Kat leading run scorer

That's a little obvious considering we named 5 of them in a 13 man squad and one of them opens the batting.

Sorry keep thinkin of watto as batter. Think we will play 4 quicks plus watto. Reckon spinner will miss. Use north for a bit of relief

Can't agree Jimbo, especially after Watson's bowling in Tas shield game. I think the only reason that Doherty has been picked is to shore up one end, ie bowl 20 for 40. They are talking left arm orthodox is a weakness of Petersen's and although haven't researched the stats, can't see a selection based purely on that. Not sure which one will miss out, but almost certain they will play 3 quicks, plus Watto and the spinner from Tas will debut.

[Bulls forever]

We will play 4 quicks. Win the toss and bowl first poms wont bat the day out. I just have this massive feeling we are going to pump them. Poms getting a bit too cocky, they are a much better side when they are not saying anything.
My predictions for series
3-0 aus
Johnno leading wicket taker
Kat leading run scorer

That's a little obvious considering we named 5 of them in a 13 man squad and one of them opens the batting.

Sorry keep thinkin of watto as batter. Think we will play 4 quicks plus watto. Reckon spinner will miss. Use north for a bit of relief

Can't agree Jimbo, especially after Watson's bowling in Tas shield game. I think the only reason that Doherty has been picked is to shore up one end, ie bowl 20 for 40. They are talking left arm orthodox is a weakness of Petersen's and although haven't researched the stats, can't see a selection based purely on that. Not sure which one will miss out, but almost certain they will play 3 quicks, plus Watto and the spinner from Tas will debut.

Oh, and I forgot to add, I love your series result, would shut the cocky Englishmen up at work who are giving me grief already.

[Jim05]

If the deck is as green as reported and rain is hanging around there will be no need for a spinner. Test could be over in 3 or 4 days if you can believe to reports.

[CoverKing]

From what I heard from Watson on inside cricket, a spinner is guaranteed!

If it stays juicy, I would not be suprised if smith plays and doherty misses simply to add depth to the batting!

[CoverKing]

Take that back Smith released from squad.

http://cricket.com.au/news-display/Smit ... quad/22794

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

On the Friday you can play 'SPOT THE REB'

SOMBERO
YELLOW T SHIRT
PISSED

Just like the other 500 of us ha ha.

regards,

REB

Will you be making an appearance at the pig 'n whistle? be a fair bit easier to pick someone out dressed like that in there

[The Cadet]

News just in Siddle to play in fromt of Bollinger. What a joke, don't they realise that Brisbanes conditions will suit Doug more than Sids.

[Booney]

News just in Siddle to play in fromt of Bollinger. What a joke, don't they realise that Brisbanes conditions will suit Doug more than Sids.

1 - Is Bollinger 100% fit?

2 - Siddle knows which end of the bat to hold. Might be a valuable 10 or 15 in a partnership of 30 or 40 that Douggie just doesn't offer.

[VC]

News just in Siddle to play in fromt of Bollinger. What a joke, don't they realise that Brisbanes conditions will suit Doug more than Sids.

1 - Is Bollinger 100% fit?

2 - Siddle knows which end of the bat to hold. Might be a valuable 10 or 15 in a partnership of 30 or 40 that Douggie just doesn't offer.

I would very much doubt they have gone with siddle over dougie for his batting ability

[mal]

The only reason SIDDLE would be selected b4 one of the worlds most lethal new ball bowlers is fitness

BOLLINGER in his test career is the best performed AU bowler in those teams
AU had India on the ropes in the First Test, then Douggie got injured
The team has suffered ever since


I reckon the last ball Douggie bowled in a first class game he was hit for the 6 runs by BUTTERWORTH
TA won the game with that 6

Also Doug might be sulking becoz his nag RAPID ATTACK ran 2nd during the week as the hot favourite

[Booney]

News just in Siddle to play in fromt of Bollinger. What a joke, don't they realise that Brisbanes conditions will suit Doug more than Sids.

1 - Is Bollinger 100% fit?

2 - Siddle knows which end of the bat to hold. Might be a valuable 10 or 15 in a partnership of 30 or 40 that Douggie just doesn't offer.

I would very much doubt they have gone with siddle over dougie for his batting ability

I'm not so sure. The selectors would have thought long at hard at keeping Hussey and North and it wouldn't surprise if thier thinking alos included how far down we bat.

[mal]

News just in Siddle to play in fromt of Bollinger. What a joke, don't they realise that Brisbanes conditions will suit Doug more than Sids.

1 - Is Bollinger 100% fit?

2 - Siddle knows which end of the bat to hold. Might be a valuable 10 or 15 in a partnership of 30 or 40 that Douggie just doesn't offer.

I would very much doubt they have gone with siddle over dougie for his batting ability

I'm not so sure. The selectors would have thought long at hard at keeping Hussey and North and it wouldn't surprise if thier thinking alos included how far down we bat.

I refresh you with a quote from fellow SAFOOTY buddy
To win Test matches you must take 20 wickets
Therefore the first bowler you would select would be Doug The Rug
We need to all be reblistic about this ...