Ashes 2013

[Alexikokopops]

Harsh, the side was unbeaten for a year before this tour and had only lost once in 17 tests. A couple of changes yes but you dont need to go ripping the side apart after three bad games,

Cook, Root, Bell, KP, Anderson, Broad, Swann are still World Class players (though Swanns form is worrying) and far better than anything coming through, if we can get Stokes, Bairstow, Ballance and a bowler to go with them its still the base of a good side.

Finding a number three could be the biggest problem, they may even gand it over to Sam Robson.

Very early but a possible Ashes 2015 side, think this is the retirement series for KP, Anderson and Swann and they would deserve a chance to put this right unless their form completely collapses (or Kerrigan develops into a World Class spinner) Tymal Mills is the best young bowling in the country and will hopefully be ready by then, a left arm seamer would also play into the hands of an off spinner if we are retaining Swann.

Cook

Root

Robson

KP

Bell

Stokes

Bairstow (wk)

Broad

Swann

Anderson

Mills

I had the same first five in my 2015 Ashes side when I was chatting to some Aussies this morning, with the possibility of trying Bell at 3 again (would that work? I'm not sure). I'm not sure about Bairstpw keeping wicket though. I say that with no knowledge over who might take the gloves otherwise, though.

Anyway, I don't think there's enough anger directed at Stokes for giving us hope, goddammit!!! I went in with none, then went for lunch convinced it was in the bag. While I was finishing my VB Stokes got out and I got back to the ground in time for the rest of the wickets.

[surrifox]

There are a few competent W/K batters around but the one I suspect the selectors have hopes for is Jos Buttler . He is considered a one-day/20/20 specialist but he hits it miles and is as likely to hit the first ball he receives out of the park if it's up there.

he has just changed counties with the aim of pushing his test credentials apparently. I think it might be forgotten that when Prior came onto the international scene there were strong doubts about his glove work but his batting kept him in there - he improved greatly and became a test regular

[SOCCERROO FOX]

I don't think any of you would admit it but you would all love Warner in your team.

In relation to the keeping what ever happened to Kieswetter?

[Donut]

I don't think any of you would admit it but you would all love Warner in your team.

In relation to the keeping what ever happened to Kieswetter?

 

To be honest, if theres one world player i wish we could could have had that isnt English it would be Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The guy is like a wall. You cant get him out.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

Hasim Amala at 3 would of been brilliant for us.

[Captain...]

I don't think any of you would admit it but you would all love Warner in your team.

In relation to the keeping what ever happened to Kieswetter?

 

We do need an aggressive opener, we have never really replaced Trescothick, a player like Warner would be a welcome addition, but preferably not a complete bogan, if I could pick an Aussie player for the next match it would probably be Haddin, Prior is so off form that it is now affecting his glove work, whereas Haddin has just been superb, every time we have seemed to get on top of the Aussie batting he comes in and leads the counter attack.

 

Edit: Or Johnson, or Harris, or Clarke or Watson, I think on the basis of the last 3 test I would take Smith and Lyon too. It's crazy to think how the Aussies have made a couple of changes from the Summer, Johnson and Bailey (who one over apart has been the weak link), and suddenly turned into a great batting and bowling unit, whereas England have made 2 changes, Carberry (not really done much worse than Root in the Summer) and Stokes (only positive from the last test) and turned into a shambles.  

[leicsmac]

I don't think any of you would admit it but you would all love Warner in your team.

In relation to the keeping what ever happened to Kieswetter?

 

I'd enjoy a player of Warners particular skill in my team, but not Warner himself as quite frankly the man is a complete tosser.

[Guest MattP]

I don't think any of you would admit it but you would all love Warner in your team.

In relation to the keeping what ever happened to Kieswetter?

 

Echo everyone else, I'd want Warner the player but not the man. Definition of a Bogan.

 

There are a few competent W/K batters around but the one I suspect the selectors have hopes for is Jos Buttler . He is considered a one-day/20/20 specialist but he hits it miles and is as likely to hit the first ball he receives out of the park if it's up there.

he has just changed counties with the aim of pushing his test credentials apparently. I think it might be forgotten that when Prior came onto the international scene there were strong doubts about his glove work but his batting kept him in there - he improved greatly and became a test regular

 

Buttler definitely has the talent to do it. The test will come when he has to dig in for a innings. If he can do that we've got a natural replacement for Prior.

[Guest MattP]

I liked the Bob Willis team on the verdict for the last two tests.

 

Cook

Root

Bell

Pietersen

Ballance

Stokes

Bairstow (wk)

Bresnan

Finn

Anderson

Panesar

 

Harsh on Carberry but he's 34 and wont be around in 2015 so we may as well go back to what the intention is for the next 6-7 years at the top, Ballance and Bairstow simply have to have their chance, pointless them coming on the tour if we don't give them a crack when 3-0 down. Prior has averaged 15 since Auckland so its clearly time for a rest.

 

No need to play Broad, get him fully fit for the one dayers, Finn should be chomping at the bit, I don't agree on Panesar but Swann probably should be taken out for confidence reasons.

[Bert]

Don't see the problem moving Bell up. He opens for us one day.

[Uncle Albert]

The Carberry selection was always a funny one, the Coaching staff must of thought it would bring instant success.. Like you've said Matt, he's 34!

I don't mind that team what Willis has gone for, young hungry Cricketers wanting to take their chance! Could be the making of Bairstow as well, a lot to prove after the Summer.

I tell you what will happen as well IF Finn comes in, I can guarantee he takes wickets and will be the nasty bastard we wanted in the first three Tests! Shame he never filled anyone with confidence before the first Test..

[notnow john]

I don't think any of you would admit it but you would all love Warner in your team.

In relation to the keeping what ever happened to Kieswetter?

Warner is morons version of Joey Barton.

[Uncle Albert]

We miss a cricketer David Warner but him as a person, no, absolute willy puller.

[Finnegan]

To be fair, as a neutral, he's hilarious.

Far more entertaining than Barton in football. Barton's Twitter celebrity is cringeworthy.

[notnow john]

You're about as neutral as Abul Hamza.

[Bobby Hundreds]

Meh, Warner is a very average cricketer.

 

Complete ass hat though.

[Uncle Albert]

He's not average at all, he can sets the tempo for the Australians innings..

Average yet he's gone past 50 in 5 of his 6 innings, 29 is his lowest score in this series so far. I know he is a fool but please appreciate what a good cricketer he is.

[Bobby Hundreds]

Cook, Trott, Bell and KP are all better IMO.

 

Warner is no Matthew Hayden.

[Donut]

Warner's test average hovers around 43 so its nothing particularly fantastic, but he is having an unbelieveable series without question.

 

Was Matthew Hayden a bit of a flat track bully? He made big runs but it was part of the best test team ever

[SOCCERROO FOX]

I think Warner is a little misunderstood, he loves giving the batsmen a send off etc but it's no real different than what Swann was doing in the UK series. No real different than an AFL or Rugby player does, they get stuck in and give a bit of lip.

 

I think if you ask the majority of Aussies they hate Swann, love Warner. As majority of Englishmen they hate Warner, love Swann. It just depends what side of the fence you sit on.

 

This is an interesting article on him

 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/rags-to-riches-dad-and-dave-warner-from-housing-estate-to-millionaire/story-fni2fnmo-1226768233072

[Super_horns]

Been quite interesting to see the difference between football and cricket in that generally most of the blame for the bad performances has been aimed at the players themselves rather than Andy Flower whereas the manager is always blamed first in football.

 

Have we just see too many players under perform together or are some really past their best?

[Donut]

Just a case of the England players having been below par on this tour as the Australians have all hit form together really in my opinion.

 

Prior will be struggling to retain his place in the side going forwards to the summer against the Indian's but looking at the top order, id still put Cook in the world class category and definitely have him ahead of Warner and Rogers and Root will only get better. Bell is a mainstay too.

 

Its early to say but we might have found a genuine all rounder which would be fantastic in Stokes.

 

Bowling wise Jimmy's got nothing out of the ball but is world class and has had a bad tour. We need another quality spin option though.

[Captain...]

Been quite interesting to see the difference between football and cricket in that generally most of the blame for the bad performances has been aimed at the players themselves rather than Andy Flower whereas the manager is always blamed first in football.

 

Have we just see too many players under perform together or are some really past their best?

 

Flowers has overseen a great year up to now, he is not responsible for KP et al making rash shots, the selection choices have been odd at times, but that is down to the selectors. You could argue that the caution first approach hasn't worked this series, but it worked so well the rest of the year, I would like to see us be more aggressive at times, but really I want to see us win. 

[Guest MattP]

Difference of course between Swann and Warner giving a send off is that Swann is actually a bowler getting someone out, nothing worse than a fielder giving a send off.

Also Hayden > Warner by a mile.

Hope Flower starts on, he has had a bad series a well as the players but his record is impeccable with England and I couldn't think of anyone more suited to putting this right.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

Difference of course between Swann and Warner giving a send off is that Swann is actually a bowler getting someone out, nothing worse than a fielder giving a send off.

Also Hayden > Warner by a mile.

Hope Flower starts on, he has had a bad series a well as the players but his record is impeccable with England and I couldn't think of anyone more suited to putting this right.

 

That's what i'm talking about, when Swann is fielding. Just like when he caught Agar out he celebrated like they had just taken Michael Clarkes wicket for a duck not a number 11 who had just smacked around 98. Was double fist pumping to the crowd acting like a knob.