Ashes 2010/11

[taylorsworkrate]

Someone needs to have a word with Straus, some very negative Captaincy, but some very poor bowling. I agreee that we need to go with 5 Bowlers Bresnan who can bat a bit and i would include Morgan. If Peterson does not perform then drop him for the 5th test

Very poor bowling?

When?  1st innings at Brisbane when Anderson bowled beautifully without luck?

Because since then the bowling has been very good.  They have bowled a decent batting line up out cheaply 4 innings in a row on 2 very good pitches.

The batsmen lost the game at Perth, not the bowlers.

[VillaZogmariner]

I agree with you TWR, however I still have my doubts about Finn and think he should be dropped for the next test.

I would go for -

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Bell
Morgan
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson

Gives the tail that little bit more wag than it had in Perth.

[Villan For Life]

KP cannot be dropped. He's the one player that we have with genuine star quality, a player that can really make things happen. He's just scored a double hundred!!

People have such short memories. The Crims slaughtered us at Leeds in 2009 and we still went on to regain the Ashes.

They have to play attacking cricket which will suit us. As it stands, at 1 - 1 we retain the Ashes. We won't bat as poorly again.

[peter w]

No need to panic. We lost one test but Austarali aren't suddenly brilliant we simply batted poorly twice. For that Collingwood has to be looked at as he is not contributing with the bat. but, his catching is probably worth 50 runs+ alone. So, i'd look at Finn's fitness and leave it there. I'd swap him and Bresnan if he is struggling and swap Bell and Collingwood around. No point Bell coming in - and despite the stats he is currently out best batsman - so get him in early enough to make a difference.

There's an argument to put bell back in at 3 but he's seems happier in the lower - middle order in terms of runs scored. Give Collingwood the series to save his career in tests.

[TheTimVilla]

I agree with you TWR, however I still have my doubts about Finn and think he should be dropped for the next test.

I would go for -

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Bell
Morgan
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson

Gives the tail that little bit more wag than it had in Perth.

I agree, except for Morgan in for Colly. I'm not a big fan of Colly in the longer form, but it's a bit much to throw Morgan in to a game like that. Also swapping 5&6, changing one bowler is about as much disruption as we need at the moment. There's a good balance to that side.

[spangley1812]

id go for ;

Strauss
Cook
Trotty
KP
Bell
Colly
Prior
Swann
Tremlett
Shazad
Jimmy

I think Colly is running out of chances and Strauss should try giving Trotty/Bell a couple of overs just for variation
Im no fan of Bresnan he is a average championshp player

[VillaZogmariner]

Went on a tour of the MCG today, fantastic day out. Found my seats for where I will be sitting too for the 4 days, sadly can't see anywhere I'll be able to put the flag though  Am bottom tier and it would cover advertising which is not allowed.

Before the tour I watched the Aussies in the nets for about half hour. Only thing of note was that Ricky never batted and his finger is still wrapped up. Also Clarke got clean bowled twice in successive deliveries from some young spotty quick bowler. First ball was a beaut, but second one was an average looking delivery that fooled him completely. Long may that continue!

[Rotterdam]

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pieterson
Bell
Colly
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson

Swap Bell and Colly for me, and Shazad for Finn. Bat first and stick 450plus on the board  .

[cheltenhamlion]

We shouldn't start messing with the line up too much. I would consider dropping Finn for Bresnan to give u a bit extra with the bat though.

Whilst Finn has taken wickets he has been bloody expensive in this series.

[Andy Poole]

Swap Bell and Colly for me, and Shazad for Finn. Bat first and stick 450plus on the board  .

First day pitch at the MCG is traditionally slow......I'm not saying don't bat first...but beware!

I'd advocate swapping Bell and Collingwood around...but in hindsight...i'd keep Finn, he is the leading wicket taker on either side...and i'm fully aware his average is one of the worst...but form is EVERYTHING!

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Incredibly, Atherton in todays' Times has done a complete U-turn and says that the two sides 'have equal ability'
I wish he'd make his mind up.

Previously he said that Australia couldn't compete and were not as good as us and that Ponting 'has lost the ability to fight back.'

[TheTimVilla]

Anybody else nervous?

[Shrek]

Anybody else nervous?

Me!!! I think we need to bowl first to get our confidence back, get the early wickets which we have been getting and then they are a one man batting team with Hussey.

I think/hope Perth was just a one off that totally suited their 5 quicks, meaning we can get our confidence back on this pitch.

As I'm writing this we have won and will bowl.. Get in !!!

[KevinGage]

Anybody else nervous?

Yeah, just a tad.

A few early wickets might sort that out though.

Ponting says he'd have bowled first too.
Awkward decision to make, the kind of toss you probably wouldn't mind losing.

[TheTimVilla]

Not too unhappy with the change (and non-changes). Let's hope Bresnan doesn't let us down. Or Colly!