Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

I reckon most of the England batters have looked suspect under the short ball this summer, especially the lower order. I think Australia must be favourites now after an unconvincing home summer for England. They only looked convincing in the field in conditions which massively helped their fast bowlers (and that has made Cook's captaincy less of an issue) but that will play into the hands of the Australian pacemen. Wonder if Cummins or Pattinson will squeeze out Siddle to get some more pace in the side?

hopeforthebest wrote:

Arthur Crabtree wrote:The series will decided on Johnson and Harris.I imagine England's batters will struggle against pace.

Will Harris be put back together by then, what's the current situation with him? If he's fit and in form he'll be hunting Cooks next summer.

I do think we've seen the last of Harris in Test cricket... sadly... although I've said that before and he came back and was a revelation. As much as I admire his toughness, there comes a time when a warrior can take no more, and I feel that his body has reached this point. Should his Test career be indeed at an end, what a finish to an all too short career for the great man..

I wouldn't be surprised if Michael Clarke retires after this next Ashes series. I hope he doesn't, but I reckon its on the cards.

from_the_stands wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if Michael Clarke retires after this next Ashes series. I hope he doesn't, but I reckon its on the cards.

His back is not getting better. And he is now struggling against the short ball. I think the next ashes will be his last series as well

Shame to hear about Ryan Harris, who seems a good bloke.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Shame to hear about Ryan Harris, who seems a good bloke.

surprisingly so (modest as well) for sucha good fast bowler.

I think an ageing Australia team will carry on playing in the Ashes 2015 while the younger players will play in the ODIs and 20/20s.

Rogers, Warner, Watson, Clarke, Smith, Bailey, Haddin, Johnson, Harris, Siddle, Lyon. (Probably the last series for Rogers,Watson, Bailey, Haddin, Harris and Siddle)

Reserves: Doolan, Pattinson, Cummins, O'Keefe, Paine
Maxwell could replace Watson and bat lower down the order or take Bailey's place.

The Oz squad has been announced. Fawad Ahmed and Adam Voges are both in and deservedly so.

Stats for England openers since WWI, in home Ashes series. Look who is below Mike Brearley. And below McGrath's bunny. Minimum five Tests.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

Good old Tim. Had a wonderful summer, then went to the West Indies.

In defence of Butcher (less than a run behind Steely) he would have played against a great attack.

Gingerfinch wrote:Good old Tim. Had a wonderful summer, then went to the West Indies.

A memorable summer of batting.

Cook though is a better player away from home, than at home.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:

Gingerfinch wrote:Good old Tim. Had a wonderful summer, then went to the West Indies.

A memorable summer of batting.

Definitely.

Steve Smith must have been appointed Glenn McGrath's pre-Ashes successor.

Smiffy wrote:"I can't wait to get over there and play another Ashes against England in their conditions after beating them so convincingly in Australia,"

"It's going to be nice to go in their backyard. If we continue to play the way we have been playing over the last 12 to 18 months, I don't think that they'll come close to us to be honest."

Now, it's not as if a lot of people here may disagree with him - I do, I think although Aus will win, it will be closer than he thinks - it is hardly the most politic thing to say. Especially for a leader.