The Ashes - 2010-2011 Thread

[canveyshrimper]

I'd take Rashid, but expect the selectors to take someone who can block an end. Whether that is Monty or Tredwell, I don't know. I think I'm edging towards Tredwell because at least he can bat and field and I don't expect either to contribute much with the ball if they do play. Tredwell toured last time (v the Bangles), so theoritically he should get the nod again.

Would also take Shazhad, Davies and I suppose Tremlett because I'm struggling to think of viable alternatives. Wouldn't fancy Bresnan one bit on those pitches. I'd be tempted to take Luke Wright as a specialist sub fielder, but I think he'd be better off for his long term development with the academy.

Viable alternatives could have included Plunkett & Mahmood but they seemingly have slipped down the pecking order. It's possible the selectors will opt for Bresnan over Shahzad, but I think Shahzad may offer more on the Aussie pitches. Given that some pitches there often afford bounce as well as turn the second spinner has to be Rashid, apart from which he's good in the field and knows how to hold a bat.

 

[number11]

So Tremlett, Bresnan and Panesar get the nod. Rashid not even in the performance squad (behind the trundler Tredwell and Hampshire's 19 year old Briggs). I can understand them going with Panesar over Rashid in the main squad (if Swann was injured and we stuck with a 4 man attack they may fear Rashid would be attacked) but not to include Rashid in the shadow squad either suggests there is something other than cricket ability influencing their decision, though I have not heard anything of him being a difficult personality or anything.

I find it hard to see how they would not go with 2 spinners in match.....as the inclusion of Panesar over a batsman would leave us depleted of runs (compared to Rashid) and I can't see England playing just 2 seamers......

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

So Tremlett, Bresnan and Panesar get the nod. Rashid not even in the performance squad (behind the trundler Tredwell and Hampshire's 19 year old Briggs). I can understand them going with Panesar over Rashid in the main squad (if Swann was injured and we stuck with a 4 man attack they may fear Rashid would be attacked) but not to include Rashid in the shadow squad either suggests there is something other than cricket ability influencing their decision, though I have not heard anything of him being a difficult personality or anything.

From an Essex perspective, I'm delighted to see Chambers in the development squad... but how / why has Ravi not been included? As curious an omission as Rashid.

 

[number11]

From an Essex perspective, I'm delighted to see Chambers in the development squad... but how / why has Ravi not been included? As curious an omission as Rashid.

I'm hoping he has a contract lined up for an overseas side like he did last year, so will get competitive cricket and the selectors think that will be better for him. Otherwise, I would rather Ravi than anyone else in the development squad should two of our batters get injured......

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I'm hoping he has a contract lined up for an overseas side like he did last year, so will get competitive cricket and the selectors think that will be better for him. Otherwise, I would rather Ravi than anyone else in the development squad should two of our batters get injured......

I'm high on Hildreth, but the only explanation I can think of for Ravi's omission is that like Rashid and Wright, he's already been on development tours and so has little to gain from the experience.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I'm high on Hildreth, but the only explanation I can think of for Ravi's omission is that like Rashid and Wright, he's already been on development tours and so has little to gain from the experience.

I agree with you about Hildreth, and I'm pleased to see Taylor, Stokes & Adams in the development squad. To take your point players like Plunkett & Tredwell have ben on development tours before.

Ravi is obviously high on the selectors list as along with Wright & Bresnan he has an incremental contract and I'm sure he'll be in the T20 & ODI squads, and hopefully he'll go to the World Cup.

From an Essex perspective I'm pleased that Maurice Chambers has made the development squad.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I doubt if it will have an ultimate bearing on the Ashes, but the convicts have just lost 2-0 to India, the loss in the second test came after the scored close to 500 in their first innings. I'm hopeful it may give their confidence a knock ahead of the Ashes which are barely 6 weeks away.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

Latest ICC Test Ratings ...

1 India 130
2 South Africa 119
3 Sri Lanka 115
4 England 112
5 Australia 110

I know the Aussies will still start as clear favourites this winter, however this makes good reading ... when was the last time the convicts were so low in the rankings i wonder

 

[number11]

Australia did run India fairly close and an extra 50 in any innings of either match could have seen them get a credible draw or victory out of this series so I would not get too confident. However, clearly Australia is a good thing and there are some good signs. Ponting doesn't seem to be able to get the really big scores he did of 4 years ago and Hussey's career average is plummeting. North is under a lot of pressure and his runs in the last test should mean he starts in Brisbane. Their 3rd seamer (George) didn't make much of an impression and Hauritz returned awful series figures.....but I can't see them bringing in Smith into a 4 man attack.....Also noted the absence of Haddin and hope that either continues into the ashes, or he is lacking sharpness if he does come back in. Also, with Ponting, Hussey and Katich in the mid-30's and their bowler's not being as good in the field as our bowlers (Anderson, Swann, Broad must be the best collective fielder bowlers there has been?) we could well go into the series being the better fielding side.......

 

[southend4ever]

That is not a true reflection on Aussie's abilities. Such a close series away from home against the best test nation in the world yet Aussie are down in fifth. India would humiliate us IMO.

Bring on the Aussies.

 

[MrB]

Heard a rumour that Jimmy Anderson has broken a rib whilst boxing on the 'boot camp' they all went on and is now a doubt for the first test. Not sure how true it is but if it is, what were they thinking?

 

[number11]

Heard a rumour that Jimmy Anderson has broken a rib whilst boxing on the 'boot camp' they all went on and is now a doubt for the first test. Not sure how true it is but if it is, what were they thinking?

Seem to be a few rumours emerging today suggesting that. Terrible news if so. With only a 4 man attack you want to have your first choices available.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

That would be just about the worse scenario: it's not serious enough to rule him out of the entire series but it would scupper all his preparation and Jimmy's a bowler who needs overs under his belt, so instead we get a not fully fit bowler bowling at 80% for an entire series.

 

[number11]

That would be just about the worse scenario: it's not serious enough to rule him out of the entire series but it would scupper all his preparation and Jimmy's a bowler who needs overs under his belt, so instead we get a not fully fit bowler bowling at 80% for an entire series.

Reports seem to suggest that it was Chris Tremlett who supplied the damaging punch......the same person who is likely to take Anderson's place if Jimmy is not fit. That said, they do seem to think he will make the first test but a)as YB has said, he is the kind of bowler that needs overs b)It is not unknown for England to think a player is coming back from injury only to find he has not fully receoved in time .......

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Reports seem to suggest that it was Chris Tremlett who supplied the damaging punch......the same person who is likely to take Anderson's place if Jimmy is not fit. That said, they do seem to think he will make the first test but a)as YB has said, he is the kind of bowler that needs overs b)It is not unknown for England to think a player is coming back from injury only to find he has not fully receoved in time .......

The surprise is more that Tremlett didn't injure himself in doing so.

 

[number11]

The surprise is more that Tremlett didn't injure himself in doing so.

True, though maybe this is him showing the 'mean streak' he has apparently been lacking but showing lately.........

 

[canveyshrimper]

Reports seem to suggest that it was Chris Tremlett who supplied the damaging punch......the same person who is likely to take Anderson's place if Jimmy is not fit. That said, they do seem to think he will make the first test but a)as YB has said, he is the kind of bowler that needs overs b)It is not unknown for England to think a player is coming back from injury only to find he has not fully receoved in time .......

For once England will be playing two or three games prior to the first test in Brisbane, hopefully there will be time for all the bowlers to get some overs under their belts, rather than arrive "under cooked" as has happened on recent tours.

 

[southend4ever]

Anderson whilst becoming our front line seam bowler in recent years has an average of about 80 in Australia and it just doesn't suit him. I don't think this is as bigger loss as we think!

 

[EastStandBlue]

I don't know about anybody else, but this is certainly the worst, most gutless Aussie side I can remember... I don't, however, want to let that get in the way of how good we've been in the last seven/eight days of the two tests.

One of the convicts at my place spent an hour week before last telling me that Swanny will struggle to take five wickets all series.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Worst Aussie side I've seen, but hey its payback time!