England v Australia, 1st Test, Cardiff, July 8-12

Merlin wrote:Hello hello ... only 58 minutes to go to first ball ..... who won the toss ?

PS - the clock zeroed as i typed that ... clearly the Emperor got on the case and set it right presumably!!

There's a reason why there's a disclaimer in my sig...

vilkrang wrote:I had a dream last night that the weather for first day in Cardiff was glorious sunshine and the pitch looked perfect for batting. Strauss won the toss and said "We'll have a bowl mate". I've never been so angry in a dream before.

I had a dream the other night, just before Canberra played Melbourne in the NRL that Melbourne won by a world record score.

Canberra came out and snapped a 7-year losing streak in the actual game.

vilkrang wrote:I had a dream last night that the weather for first day in Cardiff was glorious sunshine and the pitch looked perfect for batting. Strauss won the toss and said "We'll have a bowl mate". I've never been so angry in a dream before.

PMSL.

Does vilks drink in his dreams as well as pre-forum?

Zat wrote:Does vilks drink in his dreams as well as pre-forum?

Can't remember. Which probably means yes.

Snorfle.

Well, Lee has played his way into the side. He's taken all five wickets so far in the England Lions innings.

That means I'd go with the following side:

1. Philip HUGHES
2. Simon KATICH
3. Ricky PONTING
4. Mike HUSSEY
5. Michael CLARKE
6. Marcus NORTH
7. Brad HADDIN (w/k)
8. Mitchell JOHNSON
9. Brett LEE
10. Stuart CLARK
11. Peter SIDDLE

Katich, Clarke and North to cover the spin option.

Cover it with what, pie?

Clarke and Katich aren't the worst, truth be told. I'd probably play them both before Hauritz.

Hass wrote:Well, Lee has played his way into the side. He's taken all five wickets so far in the England Lions innings.

That means I'd go with the following side:

1. Philip HUGHES
2. Simon KATICH
3. Ricky PONTING
4. Mike HUSSEY
5. Michael CLARKE
6. Marcus NORTH
7. Brad HADDIN (w/k)
8. Mitchell JOHNSON
9. Brett LEE
10. Stuart CLARK
11. Peter SIDDLE

Katich, Clarke and North to cover the spin option.

Yup. That's the best side by a mile.

We picked the best 11 players in the country in our squad but seemed to fail on picking the other 5.

North and Katich actually have more FC wickets, better SRs and better averages than Hauritz. Playing him would be one huge mistake.

Hass's side looks the obvious one. The only doubt is whether they keep the faith with North, who has been Australia's answer to Kev in his recent knocks. I suppose they will.

Ronnie would be the dark red horse.

Hass wrote:

1. Philip HUGHES
2. Simon KATICH
3. Ricky PONTING
4. Mike HUSSEY
5. Michael CLARKE
6. Marcus NORTH
7. Brad HADDIN (w/k)
8. Mitchell JOHNSON
9. Brett LEE
10. Stuart CLARK
11. Peter SIDDLE

It's a good side but none of the spinning options will frighten England so I'd say prepare good batting tracks that offer spin. It's not that Swann & Panesar are suddenly demon bowlers but they both offer control (if they both play) and a much better allround balance to the attack.

In contrast Australias attack, as good potentially as it is would not have much variation, aside from Johnsons left army-ness.

Get the power dryers out working overtime.

JKLever wrote:

It's a good side but none of the spinning options will frighten England so I'd say prepare good batting tracks that offer spin. It's not that Swann & Panesar are suddenly demon bowlers but they both offer control (if they both play) and a much better allround balance to the attack.

In contrast Australias attack, as good potentially as it is would not have much variation, aside from Johnsons left army-ness.

I think it's dangerous for England to prepare tracks based on the perceived weaknesses of the Australian team.

For one, I can see it backfiring as per the law of unintended consequences. Secondly, England should be focusing on their own performance first - I don't think Swann and Panesar are going to win England the Ashhes.

If Australia wins the toss and puts 500 on the board because the track is good for batting it's going to make life a lot easier for that all-seam attack.

JKLever wrote:

Hass wrote:

1. Philip HUGHES
2. Simon KATICH
3. Ricky PONTING
4. Mike HUSSEY
5. Michael CLARKE
6. Marcus NORTH
7. Brad HADDIN (w/k)
8. Mitchell JOHNSON
9. Brett LEE
10. Stuart CLARK
11. Peter SIDDLE

It's a good side but none of the spinning options will frighten England so I'd say prepare good batting tracks that offer spin. It's not that Swann & Panesar are suddenly demon bowlers but they both offer control (if they both play) and a much better allround balance to the attack.

In contrast Australias attack, as good potentially as it is would not have much variation, aside from Johnsons left army-ness.

All 4 bowlers are very different though.