First Ashes Test Team predictions

[the joker]

Must admit im yet to be convinced by Bailey in the longer form of the game. Definately killing it at one day and T20 level but isnt this the same bloke that averaged 18 in the shield last season? Also recently averaged 22 in the English county season, hardly great form.
Seems to be a bit of a joke that guys are getting caps for doing well in meaninless hit and giggle games

he did bat in tassie last year. Most matches lasted 2 days

[Jim05]

Must admit im yet to be convinced by Bailey in the longer form of the game. Definately killing it at one day and T20 level but isnt this the same bloke that averaged 18 in the shield last season? Also recently averaged 22 in the English county season, hardly great form.
Seems to be a bit of a joke that guys are getting caps for doing well in meaninless hit and giggle games

he did bat in tassie last year. Most matches lasted 2 days

Ponting and Doolan topped the shield averages didnt they?

[the joker]

Must admit im yet to be convinced by Bailey in the longer form of the game. Definately killing it at one day and T20 level but isnt this the same bloke that averaged 18 in the shield last season? Also recently averaged 22 in the English county season, hardly great form.
Seems to be a bit of a joke that guys are getting caps for doing well in meaninless hit and giggle games

he did bat in tassie last year. Most matches lasted 2 days

Ponting and Doolan topped the shield averages didnt they?

they may have.
He is following in the footsteps of Andrew symonds and getting pick from ODI form

[GWW]

Johnson should only play in the WACA test, nowhere else.

As an MJ knocker, I can't believe I'm saying this but I disagree. MJ is a strike bowler. If we leave him out we've got too many 'workhorses' Siddle, Faulkner, Watson. We need someone who get England jumping and Johnson is the man who can do that. He'll need to do it without easing the pressure on the batsman though that is his challenge.

I believe Harris, Johnson and Siddle will put more sustained pressure on England thatn Harris, Faulkner and Siddle and this will also help Lyon as they might have to take more chances against him, increasing his chances of taking wickets.


regards,

REB

You are probably right REB, I think it does depend on his form and mindset though.

His best and worst are further apart than most, and when he is struggling, he really struggles and is a liability, such as when he was having problems with his mother, which were well-publicised a few years ago.

[Rik E Boy]

Absolutely no confidence in our batting.

Bailey will last two tests at most imo.

Top order remains the problem. A 35 year old, a swing and miss merchant and an injury prone all rounder who doesn't want to bat there. Bailey must play all summer as khawaja and hughes are utter horseshit. Kicking blokes out after two tests does nothing for the player or the side. If we pick Bailey we must back him.

regards,

REB

[The Dark Knight]

Exactly right REB, I think we'll have no issue taking 20 wickets, the top order definitely our weakness, must stand up and perform if we're going to win back the urn

[Brodlach]

Smith in the runs again, currently 38*, he is in good form

[bennymacca]

smith is a good example of someone that was picked and persisted with (recently at least) and it seems to be going ok

[Rik E Boy]

smith is a good example of someone that was picked and persisted with (recently at least) and it seems to be going ok

westcoastpanther a massive fan!

regards,

REB

[whufc]

Won't matter, won't be much play, weather is forecast shit house

[Rik E Boy]

Won't matter, won't be much play, weather is forecast shit house

Having the first test here in Brisbane in November is almost as stupid as letting the Windies in their prime rip us a new one in the first test at Perth every series. I've been up here nine years and in eight of those years it absolutely pisses down in mid to late November.

Just as well the Ashes series isn't a major revenue raiser for Cricket Australia.

Brisbane should be the last test or part of a 'top end' series with Cairns and Darwin.

regards,

REB

[Jim05]

Won't matter, won't be much play, weather is forecast shit house

Having the first test here in Brisbane in November is almost as stupid as letting the Windies in their prime rip us a new one in the first test at Perth every series. I've been up here nine years and in eight of those years it absolutely pisses down in mid to late November.

Just as well the Ashes series isn't a major revenue raiser for Cricket Australia.

Brisbane should be the last test or part of a 'top end' series with Cairns and Darwin.

regards,

REB

Agreed, dont need to be Nostradamus to predict it will rain in Brissie this time of year

[whufc]

Seeing the weather forecast has actually taken away a fair bit of excitement waiting for tomorrow's play knowing it will more than likely be pointless

[RustyCage]

Seeing the weather forecast makes me want to agree with KPs assessment of the city

[bennymacca]

draw is paying $2.70 at the moment, jump on!

[Ecky]

Won't matter, won't be much play, weather is forecast shit house

Having the first test here in Brisbane in November is almost as stupid as letting the Windies in their prime rip us a new one in the first test at Perth every series. I've been up here nine years and in eight of those years it absolutely pisses down in mid to late November.

Just as well the Ashes series isn't a major revenue raiser for Cricket Australia.

Brisbane should be the last test or part of a 'top end' series with Cairns and Darwin.

regards,

REB

Agreed, dont need to be Nostradamus to predict it will rain in Brissie this time of year

But it is significantly more likely to rain in Brisbane in Dec-March than in November, (see http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040214_All.shtml)

so if you are going to play a summer Test in Brisbane, this is the best time. Also, it is less frustrating to have a rain-ruined match at the start of a series than if it was the last test and the series was tied 2-2.

[Coach Bombay]

fellas is there a free live stream for this match?

[Brodlach]

Doubt there is one like the SS as they are slugging people $19.95 to stream the series

[scoob]

Im struggling to even get the ABC radio online? are they not even allowed to stream commentary?

Edit : can get thru Cricket Australia website...

[bennymacca]

Just google and you will find a dodgy stream pretty quickly