Ashes in Australia 2013/14

[QF WP]

Ian Bell for Captain - which will put plenty of noses out of joint (especially Pietersen, but he's not a team player).

Can we go the clean sweep and finally silence the Poms...and hold it for 18 months now

 

[casanovawa]

What's the team dynamics in the English camp that will put noses out of joint if Bell gets the nod??

 

[TonyHancock]

Ian Bell's shot in the second innings at the MCG should prove to anyone in any doubt that he is not captaincy material. (To be fair it pretty much rules them all out...where is Mike Brearley? )

 

[NSWP]

One cannot blame Cook entirely, although his captaincy has not been great, several England players have not supported Cooky.

Stokes and Broad are my standouts in the pom team.

As for a new Captain? Bell is a senior player but is he captain material?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yeah I think we're being shut up by some impressive English cricket.

Not to mention that the overall prize has been secured, so active commentary on the dead rubbers is likely not to happen. Little pride to be had in whitewashing the English 5-0 (if that will happen anyway).

Little pride ??? I think not!

 

[anat0l]

Little pride ??? I think not!

Well the media tends to agree. This is an Aussie redemption more than pride. Especially when we talk about retaining the urn. They're pretty nonchalant about the whitewash, too - it's like, yeah, it should happen....

Maybe the only one exuding a lot of pride might be Clarke, who is also breathing a sigh. Something had to go right during his term as a captain, otherwise he'd be feeling hot under the collar.

 

[JohnK]

I think England really is broken now. Most of the team are about to be on the receiving end of some vicious press coverage. They have the look of a completely humiliated side now.

There is no doubt this English team is atrocious. Cannot continue on past reputations and the signs have been there for a while. Stokes looks like a good cricketer. Broad always gives gives his best.

Australia's bowling attack is very good if not great. Their batting is very fickle. South Africa is going to rip them to shreds next month. If only the bowlers can do the job again.

 

[Deleted User]

Michael Vaughan Commentary from the KFC sky box

"Afternoon chaps, what a lovely way to watch the cricket, it's magnificent up here . It’s the best way to watch England play, you can't see them.."

"All of England batsmen should stay up here tonight"

"you can't see anything up here, it’s marvellous..."

That about says it all about this series...

 

[Grooba]

Australia's bowling attack is very good if not great. Their batting is very fickle. South Africa is going to rip them to shreds next month. If only the bowlers can do the job again.

My bolding.

I hope to come back into this thread after the tour and ridicule that statement. Only time will tell.

 

[cove]

Australia has some top order batting issues as well.
It is just that England's batting has been much worse and our bowlers are doing really well.

 

[kpc]

Just returning after a day at the SCG....13 wickets fell today...looked like a good pitch altho. the variable bounce was a factor in a few of the wickets...whilst the atmosphere at the ground was great, still doesn't beat watching it from your lounge chair in an air conditioned room....PS I agree with JohnK above as I also fear that our batsmen will struggle against South Africa's pace attack.

 

[JohnK]

My bolding.

I hope to come back into this thread after the tour and ridicule that statement. Only time will tell.

Please do so. After all Mitchell Johnson will be man of the series.

I want Australia to win as much as the next person but if you seriously think that batting order is going to stand up against South Africa you are dreaming. They have struggled against a mediocre attack. What makes you think they will score runs again Steyn, Philander and Morkel? Hope?

 

[Jack_OC]

I want Australia to win as much as the next person but if you seriously think that batting order is going to stand up against South Africa you are dreaming. They have struggled against a mediocre attack. What makes you think they will score runs again Steyn, Philander and Morkel? Hope?

It's funny, 6 weeks ago no one was saying Anderson, Broad, Swann et al were a "mediocre" attack.

 

[Deleted User]

Michael Vaughan Commentary from the KFC sky box

That about says it all about this series...

Michael Vaughan Commentary from the KFC skybox - YouTube

 

[whatmeworry]

I still think Watson is not a number 3 batsman.

I still think Katich and Hussey (Mr Cricket) are better then 2 or 3 of our current batsman. Pity Hussey retired from International Cricket.

 

[turtlemichael]

My bolding.

I hope to come back into this thread after the tour and ridicule that statement. Only time will tell.

I'm lucky enough to be going to SA for the three Tests so I'll get to see either the carnage or the renaissance first hand.

 

[Pushka]

Jacques Kallis has retired. He filled the role of batsman and bowler. I wonder if SA will apply to have an extra player to cope with his loss. I wonder how his absence will impact on their performance.

 

[turtlemichael]

Jacques Kallis has retired. He filled the role of batsman and bowler. I wonder if SA will apply to have an extra player to cope with his loss. I wonder how his absence will impact on their performance.

They still have the best bowling attack in the world, even without Kallis, and the best batting attack, even without Kallis. It will require something very special from the Aussies particularity the top order batsmen.

 

[JohnK]

It's funny, 6 weeks ago no one was saying Anderson, Broad, Swann et al were a "mediocre" attack.

Or that Johnson can hit the cricket pitch with his deliveries. Such is life.

 

[Major]

The SA pace attack will certainly expose any weaknesses in our batting. I am not sure we have the top order right.

Warner does tend to play some rash shots from time to time and Watson struggles in the No 3 slot. Perhaps Clarke and Watson should swap places.

I have been impressed with Clarke's leadership and attacking strategies.

It should be an interesting series