The Ashes Series (Cricket: Australia Vs England)

Thanks for the reminder again tyi

 

I just learnt that Fletcher picks his teams with the aid of Strauss, Paul Collingwood and Geraint Jones as well as the captain. How can England expect to get the best team when the Coach has favourites, especially ones that may not be the best for the position.

 

I can understand him talking to Strauss as he should have been captain, I dont believe he talks to the others, the only reason he would consult Jones is to see how he feels the bowlers are pushing it through, but that only really comes into effect after the match has started.

 

For some reason I am surprised that Kevin Peterson(sp?) is not in that group.

 

Such a long wait until the next one! A whole week still to go!

I'm still on a high from the last!!

 

It's just a cricket game Tyi... wait, I should be shot for saying that.

Bring on Perth!

 

Martyn in shock retirement

News article

Australian batsman Damien Martyn has announced his retirement from all cricket, effective immediately.

Interesting. I thought he would want to play at his home ground.

 

All together now:

Hallelujah, hallelujah, halle-lu-jah!

 

I hear, because Watson's not ready, they're going to go for Symonds - which would be a step back in my opinion. Blooding someone new who's going to be around for a while would be my choice

 

Symonds? I thought they would just slot in Phil Jacques - as he has been knocking on the door lately!

 

They will play Symonds, they have been wanting to play an all rounder all series, ideally Watson because as you say he will be around for a while, but with Martyn stepping down it gives them the oppertunity to play Symonds.

I thought that Martyn would play on his own ground, I know he has has a poor series to date, and he is a class player anyone wo has an Ave of 46 in test cricket is worth their place and I am sad to see him go so suddenly. I do believe that part of the reason he has decided to go is because the media has hounded him about his run of poor form and he has just decided to say stuff it ive had enough.

 

Yes, the motivation to play cricket just left him. That's the main reason why I think he stepped down.

I'll be very keen to hear if Symonds is definitely in the team... I love watching him play.

 

is Jacques injured or something?

 

I hadn't thought so.

However, because you said it, I went to see if there was anything about it. And in fact it does look like he is injured, from this cricket article about the new inclusions in the Australian side.

While a "flabbergasted" Symonds was an outsider, Voges was not even on the radar until Martyn walked away. Voges, a hard-hitting 27-year-old, was chosen ahead of the injured Brad Hodge and Phil Jaques, Chris Rogers and Marcus North.

News to me.

 

I don't think Jaques is injured (I know Hodge is though (Victorians never have any luck)), but Jaques is a specialist opener and is probably going to walk into the team after the Ashes whether or not Hayden or Langer retire.

 

Voges is the most likely to take over in my opinion.

 

If he'd scored runs in that WA/Eng game he would have been close, but he only made 30 odd.

They'll pick Symonds because they need the extra bowler (Which is why they've been wanting Watson for so long).

 

Still 3 days untill the next Test... I wish I could speed up time.

 

Out of curiosity, why would you say "need"? They've just played two tests without this extra bowler (unless you're counting Clarke?).

That said, I do think Symonds will be the man, I'm just curious is all.

 

Well, maybe not need, but they definately want an all-rounder after what Flintoff did in the last Ashes series. They kept with Symonds all throughout last summer even though he was playing poorly and wh they keep pushing Watson even though he's never done anything spectacular, especially with the ball.

The way Warne, Lee and Clark are batting at the moment, and knowing what Gilchrist can produce, they'd probably be better off going in with 5 bowlers than pushing forward an allrounder who may not be test class.

 

Actually, I would just sum it up by saying the way Ponting and Hussey are batting.

I agree with you. I only think all-rounders are a bonus in one-dayers. That's not, of course, saying that people who can bat and bowl aren't exceptional on the team. Just not worth pushing. We don't need to copy the Flintoff to have a good team.

 

Symonds is playing.

 

I want to see him bat without holding back.

England is still a mystery as to who is playing, however.

 

Well, it's underway. Aussie in to bat. 9 without loss...

 

69 / 3

Great wicket by Panesar.