The Ashes Thread

[Hammo]

My thoughts on the first ashes test....

1) Gutted it is staged at Cardiff

I am all for big and new venues getting fixtures and broadening horizons but really feel that the first and last tests of the Ashes should be at the home of cricket Lords.

2) Interesting selection

Has anyone else noticed how Collingwood hasn't scored any runs for a long time. He is a senior pro in the team and a level head with great experience but is simply not getting runs. This accumulated with Bell's selection who has most recently been left out and not been scoring big runs was a bit of a surprise to me. Onions picked in the squad, he performed great in the 3 lions shirt last time out and has had a great season with a 13.02 average last I saw. Good luck. But can Monty rediscover his form? Time will tell.

3) Opening partnerships

I think the opening partnerships for both teams is absolutely vital. Teams need to get 20 wickets to win these test matches and that is the key. A strong start and it will breed confidence throughout the team. Seeing Johnson out of the bowling attack for the first test is important because he is dangerous.

4) Spin the key?

Hauritz has looked far from international ability so far in his career. He is seen as a more defensive spin option than the other lad (can't think of his name) who was left out. Monty and Swann could be the key for us especially if the wicket turns as expected in Cardiff.


Overall, I think this has potential to be a very close test but I think with Lee out who bowled brilliantly against England Lions that is a massive blow. I am backing our boys for a win! Come on England!

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

Good thoughts there Hammo

Have you joined in Pubey's "Fantasy Ashes" comp btw ??

 

[Hammo]

Good thoughts there Hammo

Have you joined in Pubey's "Fantasy Ashes" comp btw ??

No very keen to get involved... I will have a look now. But if you could send a link just in case. Thanks mate.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

No very keen to get involved... I will have a look now. But if you could send a link just in case. Thanks mate.

It has its own thread on here ..

http://www.shrimperzone.com/vb/showthread.php?t=52297

 

[canveyshrimper]

Sorry Hammo but can't agree with your statement that the first and last tests should be played at Lords. Given our record against the convicts at Lords we should never play them there. Traditionally the second test of an Ashes series has always been at Lords, although 2005 was an exception to this. IMO this is how it should remain.

The reality of playing in Cardiff is now finally dawning but to be fair to the ECB this test match was announced immediately after the last home Ashes series.

 

[number11]

Sorry Hammo but can't agree with your statement that the first and last tests should be played at Lords. Given our record against the convicts at Lords we should never play them there. Traditionally the second test of an Ashes series has always been at Lords, although 2005 was an exception to this. IMO this is how it should remain.

The reality of playing in Cardiff is now finally dawning but to be fair to the ECB this test match was announced immediately after the last home Ashes series.

I have nothing against holding a test in Cardiff, but it seems odd to give them an ashes test for their first one. Im not sure why they didnt get some minor tests first, like Durham's Riverside has, to establish themselves. Going into the first test of the Ashes on a new and unknown pitch / ground (and one that has been reported already this season) seems like something only the ECB could come up with.

Also, I find it disappointing that we never seem to utilise home advantage as much as other countries seem to. I know Old Trafford is now refurbishing but Im sure they would have delayed that if they had been given an ashes test and we have a really good record their in recent years, especially with the bounce it can provide to our superior spinners.

 

[Hammo]

Sorry Hammo but can't agree with your statement that the first and last tests should be played at Lords. Given our record against the convicts at Lords we should never play them there. Traditionally the second test of an Ashes series has always been at Lords, although 2005 was an exception to this. IMO this is how it should remain.

The reality of playing in Cardiff is now finally dawning but to be fair to the ECB this test match was announced immediately after the last home Ashes series.

I've no problems to you disagreeing. My point was made merely from the fact it is the biggest event in the England cricket sporting calendar. Lords is and always will be the home of cricket and I couldn't think of a better venue to hold the first test of an Ashes Series. With the history surrounding the venue it really is that bit extra special. It also accomodates for thousands more spectators.

Your point is valid, visitors always up there game at Lord's and we don't have the best of records but there is no reason why we shouldn't perform there. Our squad have more experience playing there than the Australians.

As I said I am all for new stadiums being used in the International arena but this is just pure personal preference which I think makes more sense. As for playing 2 tests at Lords in a series if you disagreed with that I could understand more, this doesn't happen too much.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I agree with you. Durham have had tests against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh & a woeful WIndies all in May and we know Durham is not the warmest in the height of summer. I heard that the Rose Bowl gets a test next summer against Sri Lanka (I think) so better opposition that Durham have had thus far.

Old Trafford missing out seems daft to me, however that's the ECB!! Also I never thought I'd see the words "England's superior spinners" in the same sentence.

 

[SARF]

The Aussies won in South Africa ..We lost in the Windies.. I fear we may be overating our chances just because the familer names have gone from the Aussies squad ..
Why is Bell in the squad? He never scores runs under pressure.. Bring him in for any dead rubbers to get his average up.... 2005 was great but we had all our best players firing on all cylinders at home.. They lost their best bowler and we still only just scraped over the line.. We then went down under and got totally humiliated! I think the Aussies win this..

 

[number11]

The Aussies won in South Africa ..We lost in the Windies.. I fear we may be overating our chances just because the familer names have gone from the Aussies squad ..
Why is Bell in the squad? He never scores runs under pressure.. Bring him in for any dead rubbers to get his average up.... 2005 was great but we had all our best players firing on all cylinders at home.. They lost their best bowler and we still only just scraped over the line.. We then went down under and got totally humiliated! I think the Aussies win this..

Who would you bring into the squad ahead of Bell? Unfortunately batting candidates are not exactly battering the door down demanding inclusion....?

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

My thoughts on the first ashes test....

1) Gutted it is staged at Cardiff

I am all for big and new venues getting fixtures and broadening horizons but really feel that the first and last tests of the Ashes should be at the home of cricket Lords.

2) Interesting selection

Has anyone else noticed how Collingwood hasn't scored any runs for a long time. He is a senior pro in the team and a level head with great experience but is simply not getting runs. This accumulated with Bell's selection who has most recently been left out and not been scoring big runs was a bit of a surprise to me. Onions picked in the squad, he performed great in the 3 lions shirt last time out and has had a great season with a 13.02 average last I saw. Good luck. But can Monty rediscover his form? Time will tell.

3) Opening partnerships

I think the opening partnerships for both teams is absolutely vital. Teams need to get 20 wickets to win these test matches and that is the key. A strong start and it will breed confidence throughout the team. Seeing Johnson out of the bowling attack for the first test is important because he is dangerous.

4) Spin the key?

Hauritz has looked far from international ability so far in his career. He is seen as a more defensive spin option than the other lad (can't think of his name) who was left out. Monty and Swann could be the key for us especially if the wicket turns as expected in Cardiff.


Overall, I think this has potential to be a very close test but I think with Lee out who bowled brilliantly against England Lions that is a massive blow. I am backing our boys for a win! Come on England!

1. Not fussed that it is being held at Cardiff, other than the pitch is unlikely to suit England
2. Collingwood's form has been excellent since he was dropped against South Africa, although he hasn't had much match practice this year because of the IPL. God knows why Bell is in there: specialist 12th man would be my guess as we probably lack a specialist short leg. It's certainly not because he'd score any meaningful runs against the Convicts.
3. I actually think the key will be lower order partnerships. If I had to pick a key man, I'd say Mitchell Johnson, not so much with the ball (although he's a very dangerous customer) but with the bat. Him and Haddin can kill you with lower order runs. I expect Haddin and Johnson will be the difference between the teams.
4. Absolutely, spin is the key. It is the biggest red herring going. If Australia have any sense they won't go in with a specialist spinner, but will rely on the part-time spin of North, Clarke (who unlike Swann has actually won a test match with the ball) and the chinamen of Katich. England will be shooting themselves in the foot if they go in with a twin-spin attack (sic) of Panesar and Swann. Swann and Panesar showed in India that they can't bowl out half-decent teams on turning surfaces. It didn't work in the West Indies either. Orthodox spin may have a role in test cricket, but it is in keeping the pacemen fresh as the 5th bowler in the attack. If England's game plan is to bowl them out twice with spin, we're done for. Australia aren't weak against spin.

Hughes has shown himself vulnerable to proper pace, yet we don't include Harmison. Katich had all sorts of issues to Flintoff going around the wicket last time. Ponting isn't weak against spin, neither is the classy Clarke, nor Hussey, nor North. You bowl teams out by swinging it at pace. Give me Harmison over Panesar every day of the week. Panesar has only ever been effective against lesser teams on pitches where the ball bounces and the turn is quick, in otherwords on pitches where someone like Harmison will get something out of it. Maybe there is a role for a Panesar or a Swann at the other end, but you've got to be looking at a Harmison or a Flintoff to be your spearhead. England haven't learnt their lessons from this winter.

 

[Hammo]

I like your post Yorkshire Blue I think I was getting more confused with Collingwood's one day form.

In test series since the beginning of 2008 his series averages have been:

40
11
58
43
61
68

I like Collingwood, a trustworthy player and great fielder. Well respected in the team.

As for lower order partnerships. Ofcourse they are important they bat lower down than us. But having listened to a lot of pundits and formed my own views with friends I firmly believe that seeing off the new ball is vital this summer. Without a world class spinner they could prove a bit thin on the ground certainly in comparison to yesteryear.

 

[Grayson]

Who else is at home to watch today?

I am :) I really cannot wait. It's like the feeling you get the Saturday morning before the first SUFC match of the season.

 

[number11]

Saw some of the interviews last night and unfortunately left me a little bit gloomy about our prospects. Ponting matched up with Ravi at 3 shows what a big task we have. Id fancy Hussey to outscore Collingwood at the 5 slot, North to match Prior at 6, Haddin to outscore Flintoff at 7 and Johnson to heavily outscore Broad at 8. Therefore I really feel for us to have a chance we need our openers to have an amazing series, and win a few of the crucial tosses.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

I have a sneaky feeling we are going to bowl first and get them out shortly before tea for 124

But then i am on medication ....

 

[Uncle Leo]

England win the toss and elect to bat.

 

[number11]

So Monty, Swann and Hauritz all picked.

 

[number11]

England win the toss and elect to bat.

2nd psychological blow to us then! Picking two spinners looks much less risky now. Come on England.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Advantage England.

 

[SARF]

Who would you bring into the squad ahead of Bell? Unfortunately batting candidates are not exactly battering the door down demanding inclusion....?

Anyone.. If you bring your bat you can have a go!