Ashes Squad Discussion (CLOSED)

[dan warna]

glad a few people are starting to recognise faulkner.
young, smart, tough. something lacking in a few of the players around the middle.

 

[Caesar]

The difference between Faulkner and Henriques with the bat is negligible.

Faulkner>Henriques with the bat

Not sure what planet you guys are living on. Last two seasons:

Faulkner: 20 matches, 798 runs at 28.5 with no centuries and 5x 50s
Henriques: 9 matches, 629 runs at 57.18 with 1 century and 5x 50s

I love Faulkner and he's got a big future, but he is not remotely close to playing in the top 7 for the Test team yet. I can only presume that everyone has the attention span of a goldfish and are reacting to his last innings.

The only two allrounders in the country I'd consider having in the Test side right now are McDonald and Henriques, and Henriques has a bit to prove before he gets to own the spot.

 

[Arbuckle]

It's definitely long past the time to clear out some of the obvious underperformers like Wade, Hughes, Siddle, Smith and Maxwell. Khawaja seems strongly overhyped for someone who has pretty much failed just about every time he has represented Australia, too - although at least, unlike a lot of others, he actually has a decent technique.

So, using that as a starting point, the first XI should probably be something like:

Cowan
Warner
Watson
Clarke
Bailey/Doolan
Burns/Voges
Paine
Butterworth/Faulkner (other than Watson, these two are the best state allrounders by a country mile - and that Butterworth, in particular, hasn't ever been selected for Australia is criminal)
O'Keefe/Agar
Patterson
Bird

12th: Harris/Hilfenhaus

(Where I've got choices between 2 players, I don't really care which one is used ... just as long as it is indeed one of them. Take out one of them, and add in a reserve keeper (either Haddin or Hartley) and that might as well be my 17 for the tour anyway. I'm also assuming Watson will be able to bowl.)

 

[BarneyBent]

Not sure what planet you guys are living on. Last two seasons:

Faulkner: 20 matches, 798 runs at 28.5 with no centuries and 5x 50s
Henriques: 9 matches, 629 runs at 57.18 with 1 century and 5x 50s

I love Faulkner and he's got a big future, but he is not remotely close to playing in the top 7 for the Test team yet. I can only presume that everyone has the attention span of a goldfish and are reacting to his last innings.

The only two allrounders in the country I'd consider having in the Test side right now are McDonald and Henriques, and Henriques has a bit to prove before he gets to own the spot.

This. Henriques is inconsistent, and a fit and firing McDonald is clearly ahead of him, but at this stage, Faulkner is a very good bowler who is a handy batsman, Henriques is a pretty good batsman who is a more-than-handy bowler. In my reckoning, Faulkner is the better player overall, but our bowling stocks are stronger than our batting stocks, and Henriques is definitely the better batsman.

 

[Spitz]

It's definitely long past the time to clear out some of the obvious underperformers like Wade, Hughes, Siddle, Smith and Maxwell. Khawaja seems strongly overhyped for someone who has pretty much failed just about every time he has represented Australia, too - although at least, unlike a lot of others, he actually has a decent technique.

So, using that as a starting point, the first XI should probably be something like:

Cowan
Warner
Watson
Clarke
Bailey/Doolan
Burns/Voges
Paine
Butterworth/Faulkner (other than Watson, these two are the best state allrounders by a country mile - and that Butterworth, in particular, hasn't ever been selected for Australia is criminal)
O'Keefe/Agar
Patterson
Bird

12th: Harris/Hilfenhaus

(Where I've got choices between 2 players, I don't really care which one is used ... just as long as it is indeed one of them. Take out one of them, and add in a reserve keeper (either Haddin or Hartley) and that might as well be my 17 for the tour anyway. I'm also assuming Watson will be able to bowl.)

You realise Siddle was probably our best player across the last two tests of that series? and averages 27 with the ball across his career? and developed into a bloody handy lower order bat

 

[eth-dog]

You realise Siddle was probably our best player across the last two tests of that series? and averages 27 with the ball across his career? and developed into a bloody handy lower order bat

Don't let facts spoil a good story mate

 

[Tyberious Funk]

The reason why Butterworth and (to a lesser extent) Faulkner haven't been considered for Test cricket is that they both lack penetration. Like Nathan Bracken, Trent Copeland or Clint McKay. Faulkner might overcome this stigma (there's a lot of love for the guy), but I suspect Butterworth will always be a domestic player.

 

[Arbuckle]

You realise Siddle was probably our best player across the last two tests of that series? and averages 27 with the ball across his career? and developed into a bloody handy lower order bat

Who cares if he did alright at the end? And did he, anyway? Bloody cheap wickets when innings and series are over are precisely the problem with using Siddle at Test level. He never does anything when it matters - so who gives a toss if he then looks ok shutting the stable door long after the horse has bolted?

Was he injured in the last innings of the last Test, btw? If not, it's probably very telling that Watson didn't even bother throwing him the ball at all.

 

[eth-dog]

Faulkner get's the ball to swing into the right handers and away from the lefties consistently, but he does need another 5 clicks on his bowling

 

[Kyptastic]

Who cares if he did alright at the end? And did he, anyway? Bloody cheap wickets when innings and series are over are precisely the problem with using Siddle at Test level. He never does anything when it matters - so who gives a toss if he then looks ok shutting the stable door long after the horse has bolted?

Was he injured in the last innings of the last Test, btw? If not, it's probably very telling that Watson didn't even bother throwing him the ball at all.

 

[4evablues]

Faulkner get's the ball to swing into the right handers and away from the lefties consistently, but he does need another 5 clicks on his bowling

Have to agree! If we are going to consider him for the Ashes, he needs to be quicker to cause any probs for the poms in their conditions.

Still think Hilfy is a chance

 

[eth-dog]

Who cares if he did alright at the end? And did he, anyway? Bloody cheap wickets when innings and series are over are precisely the problem with using Siddle at Test level. He never does anything when it matters - so who gives a toss if he then looks ok shutting the stable door long after the horse has bolted?

Was he injured in the last innings of the last Test, btw? If not, it's probably very telling that Watson didn't even bother throwing him the ball at all.

Have you watched Peter Siddle bowl, ever? He's built his test career around the fact that he takes wickets when the team needs him to. You just lost all credibility

 

[eth-dog]

Have to agree! If we are going to consider him for the Ashes, he needs to be quicker to cause any probs for the poms in their conditions.

Still think Hilfy is a chance

Hilfy won't go

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Cowan
Warner
Hughes (doubts)
Clarke (capt)
Khawaja
Smith (doubts)
Hartley
Pattinson
Siddle
Harris
Lyon

McDonald if fit and shows form in Aus A games
Watson (prefer someone else, see who does best in Aus A)
Wade (doubts)
O'Keefe
Starc (doubts)
Bird

I reserve the right to amend this squad, as in many cases I really have no idea.

 

[4evablues]

Hilfy won't go

You are probably right but he does alright over there. Bird is ahead of him atm.

 

[Arbuckle]

Have you watched Peter Siddle bowl, ever? He's built his test career around the fact that he takes wickets when the team needs him to. You just lost all credibility

I can only assume your village is missing its idiot. Review multiple Ashes series, multiple Indian series, and at least two South African series at home - in all of which Siddle was a massive contributor to our defeats - then come back to me.

You sound like you form your views on cricket by listening to Mark Nicholas, and can't think critically for yourself.

 

[Spitz]

He never does anything when it matters - so who gives a toss if he then looks ok shutting the stable door long after the horse has bolted?
.

Enjoy.

 

[Caesar]

Faulkner's in the unfortunate position of being the type of player our side doesn't really need right now. Collectively our tail bats pretty long, so there is no pressing need for an allrounder at 8. It means he's got to earn his way into the side on the basis of his bowling, and he's not really there yet.

Right now all we need from an allrounder is someone who can bat in the middle order, bowl 15-30 overs without getting slogged all over the place, and maybe pick up a wicket or two. It's pretty unambitious but if they can do that then it's not unreasonable to expect our 4 specialist bowlers to do the rest (particularly on pace-friendly wickets).

I am sure Faulkner will play Test cricket at some stage, and when he does he will be a big asset to the side.

 

[Arbuckle]

Enjoy.

Wow. Thanks for contributing so well to my point. I didn't think an own goal would be coming that readily.

Do you feel like making a clip of, say, every ball of the second innings (when he was utterly hopeless) and the rest of the crucial part of that series (when he was also utterly hopeless)?

 

[eth-dog]

I can only assume your village is missing its idiot. Review multiple Ashes series, multiple Indian series, and at least two South African series at home - in all of which Siddle was a massive contributor to our defeats - then come back to me.

You sound like you form your views on cricket by listening to Mark Nicholas, and can't think critically for yourself.

Personal attacks. Really necessary. Provide statistical evidence of such. Over the past 3 years Peter Siddle has been Australia's undisputed leader of the attack. He's taken big wickets when the game's been on the line (hattrick in Brisbane vs poms, Tendulker at G).

Nicho is a smart lad, maybe you should listen to him once in a while, you might learn something

 

[The_Reaper]

To be fair I have strong doubts over whether Siddle would be a first choice selection in a number 1 side. But we're far from a number 1 side and he's in our best team at the moment (along with Harris and Pattinson).

 

[BluesMan]

Faulkner won't get near the squad imo. Average bat in the longer form, clearly a one day player atm.

If Harris can be fit for selection, I cant see why we wouldnt pick him. Gotta use his bowling whilst he's fit. Absolute gun bowler. Bird has to travel to. Im pretty sure his injury wasnt very long term, so I expect him to make the trip. Johnson shouldn't go. No need. Maybe a net bowler. Just can't see him making an impact on the tour with the Duke.

Why do people have Ussie starting in the 11, and Smith not even in the 17? Did anyone actually watch the tour of India? Ussie continues to get criminally overrated in here. He just aint that good atm. But give him time.

 

[Arbuckle]

Personal attacks. Really necessary.

You were the one who started the personal attacks on me here, so I responded in kind. Don't blame me if you're perfectly happy to dish it out, but can't take it in return. That's truly pathetic.

Provide statistical evidence of such. Over the past 3 years Peter Siddle has been Australia's undisputed leader of the attack. He's taken big wickets when the game's been on the line (hattrick in Brisbane vs poms, Tendulker at G).

I mentioned multiple series. Do you argue with me on any of them; if so, which ones and why specifically? In return, you deal in not much more than motherhood statements. It's very funny that you are also reduced to now desperately clutching at Siddle's hattrick like your mate on here. Remind me what the result of that game and series was, please?

Nicho is a smart lad, maybe you should listen to him once in a while, you might learn something

Another personal attack. Ever heard of the word 'hypocrite'?

 

[Torz]

It's definitely long past the time to clear out some of the obvious underperformers like Wade, Hughes, Siddle, Smith and Maxwell. Khawaja seems strongly overhyped for someone who has pretty much failed just about every time he has represented Australia, too - although at least, unlike a lot of others, he actually has a decent technique.

So, using that as a starting point, the first XI should probably be something like:

Cowan
Warner
Watson
Clarke
Bailey/Doolan
Burns/Voges
Paine
Butterworth/Faulkner (other than Watson, these two are the best state allrounders by a country mile - and that Butterworth, in particular, hasn't ever been selected for Australia is criminal)
O'Keefe/Agar
Patterson
Bird

12th: Harris/Hilfenhaus

(Where I've got choices between 2 players, I don't really care which one is used ... just as long as it is indeed one of them. Take out one of them, and add in a reserve keeper (either Haddin or Hartley) and that might as well be my 17 for the tour anyway. I'm also assuming Watson will be able to bowl.)

How is Hughes an under-performer, yet Watson is still in your side?

Also I don't think Kurtis Patterson is a test standard bowler yet.

 

[VirgilHilts]

As an England supporter this is the XI I would least like us to be facing on day one of the first Test:

Cowan
Rogers
Hughes
Clarke
Bailey
Warner
Haddin
Starc
Siddle
Pattinson
Lyon

In reserve I'd have: Watson / Smith / Johnson / O'Keefe / Wade / Khawaja / A.N.Other quick