The Ashes: 2006/07

Remove this Banner Ad

Lonie_from_50

Lonie_from_50

Brownlow Medallist
Veteran 10k Posts
Sep 10, 2003
14,759
16
Melbourne
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Seagulls, Bushrangers
I am guessing we are all cricket fans on this forum, and only 10 more days till the first ball of the most anticipated series in the country ever. Australia's form is quite good, despite the fact they haven't played a test match since the Bangladesh tour over 6 months ago. We did however win the Champions Trophy earlier this month in India.

The selection issues are at full flight, with Phil Jaques just in inspiring form, not only in the last 6 months for Worcestershire or Australia A, but his form against England in the last week has been, nothing short of amazing. He made a smashing 112 off only 110 balls against England for the Prime Ministers XI and continued on the great form yesterday on the opening day of the New South Wales vs England tour match. He made 107, at a strike of just under 70, against the attack of Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff and Panesar.

England look very shaky while Australia are struggling to find a best XI due to everyone capable of filling a spot. Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Brad Hodge, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer and Shane Watson are all been thrown around as players on the short-list.

My First Test XI
1. J Langer
2. M Hayden
3. *R Ponting
4. D Martyn
5. M Hussey
6. S Watson
7. +A Gilchrist
8. S Warne
9. B Lee
10. S Clark
11. G McGrath

12th man: M Johnson
 
Am I the only bloke in Australia who can't work out why we select Damien Martyn?

I'm no cricket buff, but I generally watch when it's interesting (ie. when the pressure's up) and he is perpetually MIA.

Bigger front running **************** than Andrew Williams!
 
I know we all sounded pretty confident before the last series but I can't see us losing this time, not at all. (Watch as this comes back to bite me :eek:) England just look very ordinary at the moment, whilst the Aussies are in great form. Our batsman are in better condition than last time, and the greatest difference is that this year we have the great man Hussey! Also this time hopefully McGrath doesn't go down.

My XI for the first test:
1. Langer
2. Hayden
3. *Ponting
4. Martyn/Clarke (Probably lean more towards Marto)
5. Hussey
6. Watson
7. +Gilchrist
8. Warne
9. Lee
10. Bracken
11. McGrath

12th Man: Tait

Bracken is in sensational form and has done all that is asked of him. Tait for 12th man because he is a great bowler, deserves his spot back in the team and is so much better than Johnson it isn't funny. Tait can clean up the top order fairly quickly where as Johnson would be lucky to get one wicket at the tail end. Tait >>>>>>>>>> Johnson.

GO AUSSIES!
 

Log in to remove this ad.

I can't wait, 10 days couldn't come along any quicker either.

Johnson will 'squeeze in' before Clark because he's a Queenslander and the first test is at the Gabba wicket. He's already noted and filed his name as a threat to the Englishmen, don't forget.

Langer is a certainty to play at the Gabba wicket, bit if he fails, given that he does, Jaques would be as keen as mustard to replace him.

My First Test XI
1. J.Langer
2. M.Hayden
3. R.Ponting*
4. D.Martyn
5. M.Hussey
6. S.Watson
7. A.Gilchrist+
8. S.Warne
9. B.Lee
10. M.Johnson
11. G.McGrath

12th man: P.Jaques
 
Lonie_from_50 said:
I am guessing we are all cricket fans on this forum, and only 10 more days till the first ball of the most anticipated series in the country ever. Australia's form is quite good, despite the fact they haven't played a test match since the Bangladesh tour over 6 months ago. We did however win the Champions Trophy earlier this month in India.

The selection issues are at full flight, with Phil Jaques just in inspiring form, not only in the last 6 months for Worcestershire or Australia A, but his form against England in the last week has been, nothing short of amazing. He made a smashing 112 off only 110 balls against England for the Prime Ministers XI and continued on the great form yesterday on the opening day of the New South Wales vs England tour match. He made 107, at a strike of just under 70, against the attack of Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff and Panesar.

England look very shaky while Australia are struggling to find a best XI due to everyone capable of filling a spot. Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Brad Hodge, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer and Shane Watson are all been thrown around as players on the short-list.

My First Test XI
1. J Langer
2. M Hayden
3. *R Ponting
4. D Martyn
5. M Hussey
6. S Watson
7. +A Gilchrist
8. S Warne
9. B Lee
10. S Clark:eek:
11. G McGrath

12th man: M Johnson
Click to expand...

U've gotta be joking Lonie. Im sorry but theirs at least 5 better bowlers than him that should play ahead of him. If he plays im going for the poms haha:thumbsdown:

1. M.Hayden
2. J.Langer
3. R.Ponting
4. D.Martyn (although i believe it should be Pup)
5. M.Hussey
6. S.Watson :(
7. A.Gilchrist
8. B.Lee
9. S.Warne
10. S.Tait
11. G.Mcgrath

12. M.Johnson
 
FIGJAM said:
Am I the only bloke in Australia who can't work out why we select Damien Martyn?

I'm no cricket buff, but I generally watch when it's interesting (ie. when the pressure's up) and he is perpetually MIA.

Bigger front running **************** than Andrew Williams!
Click to expand...

In his "mood" he's a class batsman, despite his age, who times the ball sweetly and has the ability to settle in at number 4, in alarming positions.
 
kempos_kingz_05 said:
U've gotta be joking Lonie. Im sorry but theirs at least 5 better bowlers than him that should play ahead of him. If he plays im going for the poms haha:thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

I think Clark will get the nod because of his line and length is first rate, and has shown it in tests. Mitchell Johnson appears on my screen saver, so I am a big fan, but I believe his ability to be inconsistent is a factor that should be considered.

Then again, Johnson has the ability to swing it both ways as well as reverse swing it. He also has been the man of the moment due to his big name scalps, ie. Lara, Tendulkar, Pietersen, Dravid etc. It seems I am posting this in a way to own myself, as the pros lean toward Johnson before Clark. Clark may be able to boast a spot with his good form in the summer already.

Gillespie is a bowler, and his form hasn't been terrific, however he played in the last test and managed an unbelievable 201*, Bangladesh or not. Bracken has the change, being a left armer and has provided a good lead up for the national team in India. He has proven unsuccessful in tests though.

Clark has also a fantastic record in his short test career. He has taken 21 wickets (in only 4 matches) at an average of 18.76, and his strike rate of 42.00 is recognised as first rate, and even better considering he is a pace bowler. Compare him with Bracken, whose test career has an average of more than 42 and a strike rate of just under 100. Clark's form in the Pura Cup this year has seen him play 1 game, and took 8 wickets @ 9.00 and his economy rate of 1.79 RpO. Tait has taken 13 wickets in his two matches @ 19.38 and been more expensive at 3.76 RpO.

Just thought I would justify my selection.
 
Well, this used to be a long held tradition at my sporting club, pick the first Ashes team, or the squad for when they head to England. FWIW here's my team, i think the only 2 spots up for grabs is Symonds'(could pick Watson, Clarke or Hodge), & Johnsons(Tait, Clark, Gillespie, McGill)

I've gone for Symonds, as Watson has yet to show that he can do anything consistent at Test or One Day level, plus, i just love the way Roy plays. Gone for Johnson cos he offers the left arm variety that Australia's attack has been yearning for, Bracken is not, and never has been or will be a Test Match bowler.

J Langer
M Hayden
R Ponting
D Martyn
M Hussey
A Symonds
A Gilchrist
B Lee
S Warne
M Johnson
G McGrath
12th S MacGill
 
FIGJAM said:
Am I the only bloke in Australia who can't work out why we select Damien Martyn?

I'm no cricket buff, but I generally watch when it's interesting (ie. when the pressure's up) and he is perpetually MIA.

Bigger front running **************** than Andrew Williams!
Click to expand...

When under pressure, he was given a chance to prove himself and failed. Enter Brad Hodge in 2005/06. Hodgey, the Victorian made a statement in his long awaited test start. A fifty on debut, and then a couple innings later, an unbeaten 203. Suprisingly dropped, with an average as good as the best batsmen in the world (R Ponting), due to inconsistency some may say. Martyn was soon given another chance to comeback (why?). He was in crap form in the Pura Cup still, and Hodge was confident that he was the right man for the job, shattered and told the newspapers what he thought of it. Martyn made a half century couple innings into the South African tour, and then in the last test he makes 101. Bangladesh tour sees him make 4 and 7 (lol),

However...

His spot is under pressure, and his chance to keep it was in the Champions Trophy, despite being the different form of the game. He had solid performances and showed his true value, enough for his spot to not be questioned in the test side, FOR, the First Test.

Martyn himself is a quality batsmen. His way of batting may seem slow, however he has a technique other batsmen in the world drool from and makes spectators cream their pants. He has no luck, as in, he goes out playing a bad shot every time. He will loosen up or swing at one when he shouldn't, and he doesn't get relief of almost going out, he is dismissed and walking back to the pavilion every time he takes a risk. He is a wonderful fielder as well. Some of the greatest catches I have ever seen have been taken by Martyn and his accuracy and strength in his arm is also very handy.
 
My First Test XI
1. J Langer / Jaques
2. M Hayden
3. *R Ponting
4. D Martyn
5. M Clarke
6. M Hussey
7. +A Gilchrist
8. S Warne
9. B Lee
10. S Tait
11. G McGrath

Dont need Watson really. Not that good anyway. Would love to see Australia have the balls to dump Langer and give Jaques a go. Need to start thinking about the future. Langer is to old and slow and has been passable just.
 
Australia vs Bangladesh, at Chittagong, 2005/06

1. M Hayden
2. P Jaques
3. *R Ponting
4. M Hussey
5. M Clarke
6. +A Gilchrist
7. S Warne
8. B Lee
9. J Gillespie
10. S MacGill
11. D Cullen

Just an idea of the last test side, :p
 
Aussie form is greatly overrated, they beat the 3 worst teams in the world whilst England made 2 tough trips to the subcontinent then smashed Pakistan who are a much stronger team than South Africa or Bangers and the Windies

Going to be a great series and the selectors look like they could cost the Aussies another Ashes :D
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Recent form is hardly over-rated. Our second-third XI showed England are a joke. Flintoff has come down from his peak, as has Harmison. Hoggard and Jones can't expect overcast conditions every day to reverse swing the ball. Anderson is over-rated, and Sajid Mahmood is too inconsistent, and is their 'man of the moment', before finding another bowler from the county sides who is building a rep.

Australia have selection issues, because there are so many players capable of providing the best for the side.

Eddie, 4-0 Australia ;) :p
 
RoosterLad said:
Yeah but before the last ashes series you lot said you took a lot of confidence out of beating us and it proved we are not unbeatable :p
Click to expand...
Really? I dont remember that, but hey no one thinks we are unbeatable :D

BTW I think the sides we play in the tour matches are also alot better than the ones who posted 500 in a day against the Aussies last year :)

Damn its good to discuss cricket without fear of the dictatorship running wild, might have to stick to this board for the Ashes :p
 
Yes that 500 was shocking and we ended up losing the ashes anyway, so your hammerings by our local sides means you are guaranteed to lose this ashes.

Might have to talk cricket here instead of the proper board for it.

jabso those special people with yellow cards are unable to edit
i mean... why? why do they let us post and not edit? very strange
 
RoosterLad said:
Yes that 500 was shocking and we ended up losing the ashes anyway, so your hammerings by our local sides means you are guaranteed to lose this ashes.

Might have to talk cricket here instead of the proper board for it.

jabso those special people with yellow cards are unable to edit
i mean... why? why do they let us post and not edit? very strange
Click to expand...
It seems the yellow cards are almost like suspensions but you can post, cant edit, supporter club members lose all their priviliges, dont know why they couldnt reveal all this beforehand, seems they are being very secretive about their new system
 
eddiesmith said:
It seems the yellow cards are almost like suspensions but you can post, cant edit, supporter club members lose all their priviliges, dont know why they couldnt reveal all this beforehand, seems they are being very secretive about their new system
Click to expand...
I don't even know how the hell it works, so I'll be damned if I can explain it to anyone else!
 
eddiesmith said:
Wow, using a one day match to justify form, damn, thats worse than the crap posted by those morons over on the cricket board

Atleast we didnt start our tour by losing to Bangers :)
Click to expand...

You just contradicted yourself mate. Our lead in to the Ashes, as justified by you, was a one day series. We lost to England and Bangladesh, and tied the series (didn't win it!). That is some pretty crap form, and it was a result from the ODI series. We then went on to lose the Ashes for the first time in 16 years.

Your form is pretty crap. A Pietersen knock was the only thing that made the side win a game, yet in the same match you let Gayle and Bravo make hundreds. The start of your tour in the land down-under was laughable. A thrashing at the hands of the Prime Minister's XI, (English attack went for 350-5 and then side bowled for 180). Then New South Wales look the better side halfway through a tour match. If it has any significance, this series will be a big win for Australia.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

The Ashes: 2006/07

Similar threads

TradeDraft
The End of Reddit
Replies
5
Views
837
Black_White
Black_White
Daicos Torpedo
The food i cooked omg...
Replies
3
Views
1K
Black_White
Black_White
jonbe54
Roast Football fans and violence the true instigators.
2 3
Replies
53
Views
3K
TradeDraft
TradeDraft

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top