Counting down to the back-to-back Ashes series in 2013/14

[GarlicJam]

These things work both ways I think. Cowan has the chance to acclimatise. The English county system has a look at his technique. I suspect Australia, on balance, are the winners though.

I agree. Plenty is known about Cowan's technique and shortcomings, admittedly not in English conditions though. As literate as Hairy Ed is, nothing will replace the experience of game time facing a moving ball.

No idea of when the squad is announced. Media down here have switched to football season mode. Having a (very) unsuccessful tour of India would have encouraged that....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Doesn't say when the squad will be announced on the CA website. Arthur does say the squad will be pretty much the same. Australia A are playing in UK in the early summer, so it's possible that someone could make a case from there. Maybe Fawad.

Now we've been murdered 0-0 in NZ, as an England supporter, I'm not allowed to look forward to the Ashes anymore until after the NZ series. I'm doing my bit towards not underestimating the Kiwis. Though I'm anticipating the whole lot. And a bit of sun. Even the CT, and a bit of sun.

[Alviro Patterson]

Ed Cowan signed with Notts for the lead up to the Ashes.

Notts v Yorkshire in the County Championship should be fun, Ed Cowan and Joe Sayers in a contest on who can grind out the longest

[englandmad666]

Why would australia fasttrack fawad though? Have they not learned anything in the last few years? Stick with lyon until there is a suitable replacement, he did ok in the last few tests in india and could be a handful especially as england have ways of getting themselves out against decent but not exceptional spin

[Arthur Crabtree]

England have struggled against spin in Asia. But outside Asia they have tended to dominate it.

These are the stats PM (post Murali) outside Asia, ordered by overs bowled.

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

[andy]

Clarke's fitness is surely a huge worry for the future....first time he has missed a test match because of the back problem...also was in hopsital past few days with Gastro---ness.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Aussie contracted players.

George Bailey, Michael Clarke, Ed Cowan, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson.

I suppose any different picks wouldn't immediately get a central contract, so we may see some different faces in England. Inverarity has said that Doolan and Voges are in contention. And Smith, Khawaja, Henriques and Bird were close to contracts.

Faulkner is an emerging name. David Hussey has been dropped from the list.

Any theories on the mystery squad for the CT?

[Making_Splinters]

I get the feeling Australia would be better off just picking the likes of Doolan, Ussie, Burns or even Silk and just sticking with them for a year or two rather than the current farce.

If they are serious about winning the Ashes then:

Rogers
Cosgrove
Cowen
Clarke
Haddin
Warner
Watson
Starc
Pattinson
O'Keefe
Siddle

[from_the_stands]

I get the feeling Australia would be better off just picking the likes of Doolan, Ussie, Burns or even Silk and just sticking with them for a year or two rather than the current farce.

If they are serious about winning the Ashes then:

Rogers
Cosgrove
Cowen
Clarke
Haddin
Warner
Watson
Starc
Pattinson
O'Keefe
Siddle

Crikey, Brad Haddin at 5! As much as I like him, Mark Gosgrove won't get a gig. His weight ruined any Test aspirations he may have had, unfortunately. I'd drop Twatto from the Test XI. Not so sure about Steve O'Keefe either, even though I do rate him. There is talk that Chris Rogers might come into contention, but with Warner and Cowan there, it's unlikely that the Oz selectors will bring in a 35 year old in from the cold. What a shame that he and Phil Jaques weren't given a proper go at it.

[Making_Splinters]

I get the feeling Australia would be better off just picking the likes of Doolan, Ussie, Burns or even Silk and just sticking with them for a year or two rather than the current farce.

If they are serious about winning the Ashes then:

Rogers
Cosgrove
Cowen
Clarke
Haddin
Warner
Watson
Starc
Pattinson
O'Keefe
Siddle

Crikey, Brad Haddin at 5! As much as I like him, Mark Gosgrove won't get a gig. His weight ruined any Test aspirations he may have had, unfortunately. I'd drop Twatto from the Test XI. Not so sure about Steve O'Keefe either, even though I do rate him. There is talk that Chris Rogers might come into contention, but with Warner and Cowan there, it's unlikely that the Oz selectors will bring in a 35 year old in from the cold. What a shame that he and Phil Jaques weren't given a proper go at it.

Haddin may not immediately inspire confidence but he's made shield runs and would add vital international experiance to a batting line up which only contains Clarke as any sort of seasoned player worth their spot.

Cossie and Rogers have English experiance opening the batting and would add some much needed stability against the swinging ball, I'm not a fan of Cowen but he's solid and seems suited for the number three slot, I include Watson with the caveat that he's bowling and I feel Warner may be better suited down the order rather than at the top where his hit or miss atributes are not the best solution.

I'd quite like to see Australia ignore the fact that it is the Ashes and pick a side they are commtied to sticking with for the next two seasons come hell or high water.

[shankycricket]

I get the
feeling Australia would be better off just picking the likes of Doolan,
Ussie, Burns or even Silk and just sticking with them for a year or two
rather than the current farce.

If they are serious about winning the Ashes then:

Rogers
Cosgrove
Cowen
Clarke
Haddin
Warner
Watson
Starc
Pattinson
O'Keefe
Siddle

Who is Silk?

Whats your opinion on Steve Smith, btw?

[Making_Splinters]

I get the
feeling Australia would be better off just picking the likes of Doolan,
Ussie, Burns or even Silk and just sticking with them for a year or two
rather than the current farce.

If they are serious about winning the Ashes then:

Rogers
Cosgrove
Cowen
Clarke
Haddin
Warner
Watson
Starc
Pattinson
O'Keefe
Siddle

Who is Silk?

Whats your opinion on Steve Smith, btw?

A young Tassie.

Has the ability, no doubt about that. Needs a decent run to really decide anything - might be the Aus Bopara.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Anyone looking forward to the 5 match ODI series coming up after the Tests are finished!?

[GarlicJam]

as I always think, it should be before the tests. 2020, ODIs, tests - appetiser, entrée, main course.

Dessert would be the post series celebrations, if suitable.

[Alviro Patterson]

ODIs after a tests are a massive anti-climax, didn't care for the last four England-Australia ODIs. Ashes 2005 series had that special build up of a triangular tournament, mini ODI series then the real deal.

Touring times could be cut if 2/3 day tours were played at the same time as ODIs/T20s, that way fringe players get a valuable workout. Australia had the right idea in playing a T20 match against the West Indies at home whilst their test squad was in India.