Ashes 4th test Boxing Day - Melbourne Discussion

[Rik E Boy]

Cook was hit with the usual ho hum post match questions at the presentation and in reality he could have said the same answer over and over. Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Johnson. Bowlers win test matches and Johnson's dominance has taken the pressure off our batting unit and they have responded strongly.

An an amazing series from Johnson who is a monty (not Panesar) to win the Man of the Series award even if he does Jack in Sydney.

regards,

REB

[Jim05]

So stick with a winning side or not for Sydney?
For me id be playing Watto as a batter only in Sydney and bringing in Faulkner to do the work of the 4th quick. Bailey has to make way, Faulkner also a better bat IMO.
Reckon the conditions in Saffer land will suit Faulkner aswell so would be nice to get some game time into him.
Cant see Bailey being anything other than a flop in South Africa

[Squids]

While I think Bailey is a dud with no shield form to carry into the game I think they will go in unchanged.

[Jim05]

While I think Bailey is a dud with no shield form to carry into the game I think they will go in unchanged.

You are probably right, just think there is some concern about Watto being able to bowl in Sydney

[Rik E Boy]

They will go in with the same eleven I think but the idea of bringing in Faulkner for Bailey has some merit.

regards,

REB

[stampy]

What a bunch of bandwagonners the Barmy Army are ...

A lot like you blokes on here fair dinkum it's like a hair salon in here you blokes shit can your own team the second they look like failing. Yet when your up and about it's all good.

You've all hated Haddin and Johnson yet now your in love with them. same as Smith you all hate him hits a ton bang you all love him.

Like the australian media in today's paper Kallis retires because Australia are 3-0 get fu&@ed typical australian media bullshit.

Your first posts on an ashes thread since the Adelaide test.

No coincidence it's England's best day of the series

Pot, kettle, black, calling, the - you join the dots.

Well said carey. Has been sickening to see the new found love for Johnson, Warner, Haddin etc.

and of course your were applauding the selectors recalling rogers and haddin for england, and then you were screaming for johnsons inclusion for this series werent you TSG? i admit i wouldnt have selected none of them, i also think i am in the majority saying that, but its easy to sit on the fence and have a crack, whoever is responsible for those selections, plus retaining warner and hughes are ******* geniuses!

[whufc]

They will go in with the same eleven I think but the idea of bringing in Faulkner for Bailey has some merit.

regards,

REB

Only for the bowling benefit while Bailey isn't up to it imho Faulkner is not even close to being a test number 6 and I would be cautious moving Haddin from 7

[Jim05]

They will go in with the same eleven I think but the idea of bringing in Faulkner for Bailey has some merit.

regards,

REB

Only for the bowling benefit while Bailey isn't up to it imho Faulkner is not even close to being a test number 6 and I would be cautious moving Haddin from 7

Agree that Faulkner isnt a test number 6 but either is Bailey. Id have a lot more faith in Faulkners ability with the bat than Bailey

[Squids]

Faulkner's grand total of zero first class tons does not fill me with any confidence at all.

[Jim05]

Faulkner's grand total of zero first class tons does not fill me with any confidence at all.

Me neither but a better option than Bailey.
We either need to find a decent number 6 or find a decent top order bat and push Watto and Smith down the order

[whufc]

IF everyone is fully fit I would like to see one of the young guys hitting runs in the shield get a gig at 6 for now.

I'm still not sold on Watson at 3 but think his too valuable (worlds best 5th bowler) to not play he should eventually move to 6 once we can find a quality number 3.

I think the selectors do need to have a little eye to the future with selection as the likes of Rogers, Clarke, Haddin, Harris may not be around in a few years.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Selecting new players for South Africa won't fast track anything. Give the established blokes in the side as much composure as possible against the quality sides and they can lead the new blokes over the next 18 months. We finally have some young talent coming through and whilst it's not as depth riddled like our powerhouse teams for 15 years it's still got the ability to put us back on top. Remembering all the young bowling guns still have plenty on years in them...

[test]

IF everyone is fully fit I would like to see one of the young guys hitting runs in the shield get a gig at 6 for now.

I'm still not sold on Watson at 3 but think his too valuable (worlds best 5th bowler) to not play he should eventually move to 6 once we can find a quality number 3.

I think the selectors do need to have a little eye to the future with selection as the likes of Rogers, Clarke, Haddin, Harris may not be around in a few years.

Yep I like this, drop Bailey, done nothing and other then a few slog innings in one dayers in India didn't earn his spot, blood someone in the number 6 role with the long term view to batting them at 3 hopefully, then Watson can bat where an all rounder should bat. This has been an amazing series but we need to keep building for the future too and as WHUFC said there are a lot of players that are close to the end, we want a side to dominate for years to come not smash one series then fall away again.

Having said that getting the ashes back is so sweet and if it takes until our next series to get the mix right I wouldn't complain either, I spent day 3 in a casino in London being the token Aussie going nuts for every wicket we took, series over or not the Pom supporters in that casino heard all about it haha

[whufc]

Alex Doolan added to the squad for the fifth test.

Good choice! Hopefully he comes in for Bailey

[the joker]

Alex Doolan added to the squad for the fifth test.

Good choice! Hopefully he comes in for Bailey

nah only in the team if Watson is unfit

[tigerpie]

Same xi for Sydney. I'd stick with Bailey. I reckon he can bat and make important runs for us. If he doesnt contribute in Sydney then he's in strife.

No gift selections because thats what got us into this rotation mess in previous years. You have to earn the baggy green by consistent runs over a couple or 3 seasons.

Absolutely lovin smashing the poms...Cooks cooked.. the catch he dropped yesterday was evidence of that. The ones between the keeper and him....he should have caught one of them at least? Hasnt lead well on the field, but batted well without making a big score.

[valleys07]

Poor England- they came here 4 nothing

[Spargo]

Poor England- they came here 4 nothing

You mean 5 nothing

[valleys07]

Poor England- they came here 4 nothing

You mean 5 nothing

Hopefully in 7 days time

Apparently if 5-0 does happen, it will be only the 3rd clean sweep in ashes history.

[Grahaml]

I'd like to see the same eleven finish the series. Injuries might determine that can't happen though. Would not surprise me to see Bailey go, but he's been there this long, let him finish off the series. I just think that if you gain a reputation for giving blokes who you call up a decent go it helps every new bloke who comes in relax a bit knowing he's got some time.

However, if the selectors do move Bailey on, I find it strange people are talking of Faulkner batting at 6. Would you really bat him before Haddin? Haddin batted 4 for a long time for NSW, I'm sure he'd be able to move up 1 spot. Given the form he's in and his experience that would be to me the most logical thing.

If Watson doesn't come up, move Clarke to 3 and bat Doolan 4. 4-0 up what better time to try Clarke at 3. If we want to become the world #1 side we need a number 3 who can dominate an innings. Watson is just incapable of doing that without slogging.