The Quest - Ashes 2013/14

[The Dark Knight]

The forgotten man in all our opening problems over the last few years is Phil Jacques.
Good start to his career and if he didn't get injured (in the WI IIRC), and then Katich, Hayden and Hughes played ahead of him, he probably would have been opening for us for the last five years. Just turned 33, so would still have had a couple of years left in him. Could easily have had 4-5000 test runs by now.

My brother and I were talking about him not long ago. It's disappionting he's has all his injury woes, he'd probably still be opening for us if he didn't get injured.

[Johno6]

So Watson has officially given up bowling to be a specialist batsmen??

[carey]

So Watson has officially given up bowling to be a specialist batsmen??

If this is the case is he in the Australia's top 6 batsmen? I don't think so.

[Johno6]

Just reading he wants back in the test side as a batsmen and will stop bowling.

[Jim05]

So Watson has officially given up bowling to be a specialist batsmen??

If this is the case is he in the Australia's top 6 batsmen? I don't think so.

Yet people think Wade or Haddin should bat in the Top 6
I know who id rather batting for me

[whufc]

Do they take 17 for a Test series any more?
I don't think so - less warm up games, defined ODI/Test squads and easier transport arrangements, plus the number of Aussies playing over there would be reasons they don't.

With the millions they make from t20 I would love to see them take Travis Head or Kurtis Patterson across for the experience of following the test squad around and getting a look at what the expected standard is.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Not sure what hilfenhaus has done wrong. Very good record in England.

[Aerie]

They have been taking 16, but I have a feeling they'll pick 17 with the fragility of the fast bowlers and I think they need to take 2 spinners and 2 keepers just in case something happens on the morning of a match to either Wade or Lyon. Granted, the 2nd spinner may not even get picked in any case, but need that option there.

I think the opening bats have been solid enough and wouldn't change Warner and Cowan. I think they have something good going - not as prolific as what we've enjoyed in recent times, but a good combination. Hughes still has work to do, but is in the box seat to make number 3 his own and should be given every opportunity. Clarke I'd move up to 4.

Wade has made an excellent start batting wise, but I'm still concerned about his keeping. However, I don't think he is significantly worse than the next in line so he keeps his spot at the traditional keepers position at 7. Haddin his deputy.

The spinners spot is Lyon's and I'd like them to take a project spinner on the tour as opposed to someone like Beer or Doherty. Perhaps Zampa to bowl plenty of overs in tour games and in the nets and see how he improves. They must be confident if he is needed to play a Test match he will play his role though. I haven't seen enough of him to know.

The pace bowling is really strong and can win The Ashes. The selection will be very interesting - must go on form. Bird looms as a possible threat in English conditions, but would they play him above Pattinson/Siddle/Johnson if all are fit? Those four along with Starc and Cummins would be the group I go with. If Cummins isn't fit, then the best performed Shield bowler.

Biggest issue is who fills the number 5 and 6 spots together with spare batsman on the tour. If they take Haddin as 2nd keeper he would also push for top 6 selection just as a batsman. Watson will most likely go, however his non-bowling is a big blow All of a sudden he isn't looking the world beater he was a few years ago and looks like one of the weaknesses in the side. Khawaja will most likely go. Hasn't had the opportunity to fail so is taken as unproven and likely number 5. That leaves one position open to whoever dominates the back end of the Shield season. Doolan and Ferguson look to be battling it out with David Hussey an outside chance - especially for India.

My best XI:

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Clarke
Khawaja
Haddin
Wade
Johnson
Siddle
Pattinson
Lyon

Plus
Doolan
Watson
Zampa
Starc
Bird
Cummins

[Aerie]

Not sure what hilfenhaus has done wrong. Very good record in England.

To me he looks like he has lost some bite/penetration with his bowling. Siddle has gone way ahead of him and Bird has come on the scene. Would hope he gets a chance in Shield Cricket to book himself a place in the Ashes squad as someone that can move it like he can is valuable in England. If Cummins isn't available there is a spot for him.

[RustyCage]

Not sure what hilfenhaus has done wrong. Very good record in England.

has played two Test series in England
2009 Ashes - 22 wickets at 27.4 in 5 matches
2010 v Pak - 8 wickets at 23.7 in 2 matches

these stack up better than his stats elsewhere, definitely should be on the Ashes radar

[carey]

Aerie is Zampa the young leggy from the Sydney thunder? If so totally agree I like the look of the young lad you'd get so much more out of getting games in to this lad that wasting time with Beer, X or Hogg.

[RustyCage]

Aerie is Zampa the young leggy from the Sydney thunder? If so totally agree I like the look of the young lad you'd get so much more out of getting games in to this lad that wasting time with Beer, X or Hogg.

yeah thats him, has played a shield match and looked pretty good in it

[the joker]

Adam Zampa wouldn't be in the first ten spinners picked in Australia

[Jim05]

Adam Zampa wouldn't be in the first ten spinners picked in Australia

He should be, there are some right royal duds out there

[Dutchy]

So Watson has officially given up bowling to be a specialist batsmen??

If this is the case is he in the Australia's top 6 batsmen? I don't think so.

Selectors made that clear against SA, if he cant bowl he doesnt play, seeya Watto.

As Ive said before with all this experience out of the test team Id play Haddin as a batsman. We need experience to assist these kids out, its the one thing we are going to miss from Punter and Huss big time.

And yes have to take Hilf to England, perfect conditions for him, Ill never forget Terry Aldermans swing bowling over there in the 80's, bowled stump to stump and got a stupid amount of LBW's.

[Jim05]

So Watson has officially given up bowling to be a specialist batsmen??

If this is the case is he in the Australia's top 6 batsmen? I don't think so.

Selectors made that clear against SA, if he cant bowl he doesnt play, seeya Watto.

As Ive said before with all this experience out of the test team Id play Haddin as a batsman. We need experience to assist these kids out, its the one thing we are going to miss from Punter and Huss big time.

And yes have to take Hilf to England, perfect conditions for him, Ill never forget Terry Aldermans swing bowling over there in the 80's, bowled stump to stump and got a stupid amount of LBW's.

You want to get rid of Watto yet play Haddin as a specialist batsman
Watto craps all over Haddin as a batter

[mighty_tiger_79]

So Watson has officially given up bowling to be a specialist batsmen??

If this is the case is he in the Australia's top 6 batsmen? I don't think so.

Yet people think Wade or Haddin should bat in the Top 6
I know who id rather batting for me

ill take Wade over watson any day

[The Sleeping Giant]

How about wait and see.

[Dutchy]

So Watson has officially given up bowling to be a specialist batsmen??

If this is the case is he in the Australia's top 6 batsmen? I don't think so.

Selectors made that clear against SA, if he cant bowl he doesnt play, seeya Watto.

As Ive said before with all this experience out of the test team Id play Haddin as a batsman. We need experience to assist these kids out, its the one thing we are going to miss from Punter and Huss big time.

And yes have to take Hilf to England, perfect conditions for him, Ill never forget Terry Aldermans swing bowling over there in the 80's, bowled stump to stump and got a stupid amount of LBW's.

You want to get rid of Watto yet play Haddin as a specialist batsman
Watto craps all over Haddin as a batter

Selectors have already said they wont play Watto as a batsman only, not me.

Have similar test averages and Haddin has much more experience than Watto, not to mention the injury factor.

[mighty_tiger_79]

punter and huss can go to england and assist the players in a mentoring role!

keep watto away from the team and haddit, isnt much better given a particular shot he played in england when the aussies were a chance of grabbing an unlikely test victory!