Macca, I hope Hughes doesn't bat early.

If 4 & 6 are open,,, & Hughes plays, please don't play him in the top 4... play him at 6 then? I'd like to see as much grit & reliability in the top 4, rather than hit & miss fast runs.

nothing against quick runs but not at the expence of instability. I'm sorry Warner is out, as I think he could bat at anything from 1st drop, down to the middle order.

Hughes did make 76 batting at 5 in this game so maybe the decision has been made with that effort. Clarke batted at no.4 so it looks like he'll bat at that spot in the Test matches.

Khawaja has a chance tonight to get himself a good score - he opened the batting in the 2nd innings (of this warm up game) and is 18 not out. Cowan is 14 not out. It could be that both these batsmen are fighting for the one spot. (that's if Rogers is pencilled in)

The positive is that Hughes and Watson have both spent good time at the crease in the current game. Clarke batted for nearly 2 hours in the 1st innings as well (he made 45)

Regardless, we could expect Swann to be brought into the attack very early on in the Test matches. They've got a very good bowling attack but Swann could be our biggest worry - especially if the wickets presented are dry and take spin.

It would be preferable that whoever bats at no.6 can play spin well. If it was out of Warner, Wade or Khawaja, I'd go for Usman. Brad Haddin should bat at no.7 in an ideal batting line-up.

Edit: ... McDermott warms to an Ashes return ... Warnie could be helping out as well. Billy worked well with the bowlers in his previous stint.

Edited June 29, 201311 yr by Macca

Hughes' best spot is as an opener (like Watson, Rogers, Cowan and Warner) A lot is going to depend on where Clarke bats. If 'Pup' bats at no.4 (as he did in the 1st innings of this warm up match) then there may not be room for Hughes or Khawaja in the top 4. Hughes really worries me in the top order, as IMO he's too impetuous, without the true skills & decision making to not get out

I think we could book Watson in to open and you'd reckon Cowan will play. That only leaves one spot left in the top 4 (either another opener or a no.3) Rogers may not play - although it seems like he should. I don't know anything about rogers? whats he like?

Just would look a bit odd having Hughes and Khawaja batting at 5 and 6. Khawaja could adapt but Hughes' ability against spin (Swann) would surely be tested (along with a couple of others) He did make 76 batting at 5 in this game so maybe the decision has been made with that effort. It doesn't worry me about looks (perception),,, I'd like to see khawaja eased in from the middle order then work his way to the top.

The concern with Clarke batting at 4 is that if he has to go in early, we may lose out on the impact he can have at 5. The counter argument is that if we can get a reasonable start, we've got our best player in to take advantage of the situation. My concern is both this Ashes tour, but also a view to the future without Clarke.. so Now I'd like to keep him where he is, & place an interim No 4 (even punter if avail) or a young rising star? I think our No 3 is the key to this batting lineup, & we need to find a goodUn... lets not shuffle the deck too much. leave Clarke in his spot, because I think his End is nearing, with his injury. keep it settled.

Khawaja has a chance tonight to get himself a good score - he opened the batting in the 2nd innings (of this warm up game) and is 18 not out. Cowan is 14 not out - if he gets a score he may book his spot. The positive is that Hughes and Watson have both spent good time at the crease in the current game. Clarke batted for nearly 2 hours in the 1st innings as well (he made 45)

Regardless, we could expect Swann to be brought into the attack very early on in the Test matches. They've got a very good bowling attack but Swann could be our biggest worry - especially if the wickets presented are dry and take spin.

Edit: ... McDermott warms to an Ashes return ... Warnie could be helping out as well. Billy worked well with the bowlers in his previous stint.

Hughes' best spot is as an opener (like Watson, Rogers, Cowan and Warner) A lot is going to depend on where Clarke bats. If 'Pup' bats at no.4 (as he did in the 1st innings of this warm up match) then there may not be room for Hughes or Khawaja in the top 4. Hughes really worries me in the top order, as IMO he's too impetuous, without the true skills & decision making to not get out

I think we could book Watson in to open and you'd reckon Cowan will play. That only leaves one spot left in the top 4 (either another opener or a no.3) Rogers may not play - although it seems like he should. I don't know anything about rogers? whats he like?

Just would look a bit odd having Hughes and Khawaja batting at 5 and 6. Khawaja could adapt but Hughes' ability against spin (Swann) would surely be tested (along with a couple of others) He did make 76 batting at 5 in this game so maybe the decision has been made with that effort. It doesn't worry me about looks (perception),,, I'd like to see khawaja eased in from the middle order then work his way to the top.

The concern with Clarke batting at 4 is that if he has to go in early, we may lose out on the impact he can have at 5. The counter argument is that if we can get a reasonable start, we've got our best player in to take advantage of the situation. My concern is both this Ashes tour, but also a view to the future without Clarke.. so Now I'd like to keep him where he is, & place an interim No 4 (even punter if avail) or a young rising star? I think our No 3 is the key to this batting lineup, & we need to find a goodUn... lets not shuffle the deck too much. leave Clarke in his spot, because I think his End is nearing, with his injury. keep it settled.

Khawaja has a chance tonight to get himself a good score - he opened the batting in the 2nd innings (of this warm up game) and is 18 not out. Cowan is 14 not out - if he gets a score he may book his spot. The positive is that Hughes and Watson have both spent good time at the crease in the current game. Clarke batted for nearly 2 hours in the 1st innings as well (he made 45)

Regardless, we could expect Swann to be brought into the attack very early on in the Test matches. They've got a very good bowling attack but Swann could be our biggest worry - especially if the wickets presented are dry and take spin.

Edit: ... McDermott warms to an Ashes return ... Warnie could be helping out as well. Billy worked well with the bowlers in his previous stint.

Rogers has been playing county cricket prior to joining the squad and he has a couple of big scores to his name this season. There's 2 schools of thought - they've put him in the squad to play him immediately to shore up the top order ... or as a back-up if our top order doesn't measure up. He's made a lot of 1st class runs in his career.

It's looking more likely that Clarke will bat at no.4 with Hughes to possibly bat in the late middle order (no.5?) I edited my previous post mentioning this. I agree with you re the no.3 spot. Traditionally it's the most vital spot in the order and often the best batsmen bat in that spot. Khawaja has spent a large part of his cricket batting there so he's the more logical choice however, Rogers or Cowan could bat there at a pinch.

Much will depend on what happens in the current warm up game and the next one. In the past, these games were used as practice for our 'established' batting order. Right now it's more about who can do well enough to get a game in the Tests. Pattinson and Starc look like they've done enough to get into the team for the 1st Test. Match totals of 7 wickets for Patto and 6 for Starc.

Edited June 29, 201311 yr by Macca

Rogers has been playing county cricket prior to joining the squad and he has a couple of big scores to his name this season. There's 2 schools of thought - they've put him in the squad to play him immediately to shore up the top order ... or as a back-up if our top order doesn't measure up. He's made a lot of 1st class runs in his career. I just looked up rogers earlier to see what he is & he could pinch hit for a missing Warner,,, (@ 3 ???)

It's looking more likely that Clarke will bat at no.4 with Hughes to possibly bat in the late middle order (no.5?) I edited my previous post mentioning this. I agree with you re the no.3 spot. Traditionally it's the most vital spot in the order and often the best batsmen bat in that spot. Khawaja has spent a large part of his cricket batting there so he's the more logical choice however, Rogers or Cowan could bat there at a pinch. I don't see Cowan as a stroke maker, so I think he's a one dimensional player, however he's sturdy & usually reliable.... so I think he's an opener solely. his danger I think, is he could lose his spot to Rogers after the first test (Rogers/Watson)... I hope Rogers bats @ 3 in the first test, to see where we are at after the last 12 months.

Much will depend on what happens in the current warm up game and the next one. In the past, these games were used as practice for our 'established' batting order. Right now it's more about who can do well enough to get a game in the Tests. Pattinson and Starc look like they've done enough to get into the team for the 1st Test. Match totals of 7 wickets for Patto and 6 for Starc. Yep, I like starc over there as he moves the ball about, Pattinson is a must, as is Siddle... but we also need {to find} a medium pacer, like a Terry Alderman.

(a Viv Richards would be handy)

Edited June 29, 201311 yr by dee-luded

Rogers has been playing county cricket prior to joining the squad and he has a couple of big scores to his name this season. There's 2 schools of thought - they've put him in the squad to play him immediately to shore up the top order ... or as a back-up if our top order doesn't measure up. He's made a lot of 1st class runs in his career. I just looked up rogers earlier to see what he is & he could pinch hit for a missing Warner,,, (@ 3 ???)

It's looking more likely that Clarke will bat at no.4 with Hughes to possibly bat in the late middle order (no.5?) I edited my previous post mentioning this. I agree with you re the no.3 spot. Traditionally it's the most vital spot in the order and often the best batsmen bat in that spot. Khawaja has spent a large part of his cricket batting there so he's the more logical choice however, Rogers or Cowan could bat there at a pinch. I don't see Cowan as a stroke maker, so I think he's a one dimensional player, however he's sturdy & usually reliable.... so I think he's an opener solely. his danger I think, is he could lose his spot to Rogers after the first test (Rogers/Watson)... I hope Rogers bats @ 3 in the first test, to see where we are at after the last 12 months.

Much will depend on what happens in the current warm up game and the next one. In the past, these games were used as practice for our 'established' batting order. Right now it's more about who can do well enough to get a game in the Tests. Pattinson and Starc look like they've done enough to get into the team for the 1st Test. Match totals of 7 wickets for Patto and 6 for Starc. Yep, I like starc over there as he moves the ball about, Pattinson is a must, as is Siddle... but we also need {to find} a medium pacer, like a Terry Alderman.

(a Viv Richards would be handy)

We ended up winning by 6 wickets (after declaring at 5 down in our 1st innings) Haddin and Hughes posted half centuries whilst Khawaja got 73 and Cowan 46. Quite a good hit out really and the team would have achieved a number of goals ... scorecard

The next 4 day warm up game starts in a couple of days so we could expect Rogers, Wade, Smith, Bird and Harris to all get a run. Hard to know who may be rested but possibly Pattinson, Siddle and Starc could sit things out if it's been decided that they'll be the starting trio of quicks in the 1st Test.

We ended up winning by 6 wickets (after declaring at 5 down in our 1st innings) Haddin and Hughes posted half centuries whilst Khawaja got 73 and Cowan 46. Quite a good hit out really and the team would have achieved a number of goals ... scorecard

The next 4 day warm up game starts in a couple of days so we could expect Rogers, Wade, Smith, Bird and Harris to all get a run. Hard to know who may be rested but possibly Pattinson, Siddle and Starc could sit things out if it's been decided that they'll be the starting trio of quicks in the 1st Test.

Macca, what was the Aussie batting order for this game? where was hughes picked to bat?

# ... was hughes promoted in the order in the 2nd dig?

Edited June 30, 201311 yr by dee-luded

Macca, what was the Aussie batting order for this game? where was hughes picked to bat?

# ... was hughes promoted in the order in the 2nd dig?

1st Innings

Watson

Cowan

Khawaja

Clarke

Hughes

Haddin

Faulkner

2nd Innings

Cowan

Khawaja

Hughes

Clarke

Haddin

Faulkner

None of the bowlers got a hit (apart from Faulkner) but all the batsmen spent good time at the crease.

1st Innings

Watson

Cowan

Khawaja

Clarke

Hughes

Haddin

Faulkner

2nd Innings

Cowan

Khawaja

Hughes

Clarke

Haddin

Faulkner

None of the bowlers got a hit (apart from Faulkner) but all the batsmen spent good time at the crease.

I couldn't find the Full batting order anywhere, only the one you posted,,,,, so I wasn't totally convinced I was reading it correctly, or if Hughes was elevated in the 2nd.

what is Faulkner like; do we have anyone alike an 'Alderman' (bowling) ?

I couldn't find the Full batting order anywhere, only the one you posted,,,,, so I wasn't totally convinced I was reading it correctly, or if Hughes was elevated in the 2nd.

what is Faulkner like; do we have anyone alike an 'Alderman' (bowling) ?

Let me introduce you to the greatest cricket website of all, Cricinfo:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/engine/match/566928.html

I couldn't find the Full batting order anywhere, only the one you posted,,,,, so I wasn't totally convinced I was reading it correctly, or if Hughes was elevated in the 2nd.

what is Faulkner like; do we have anyone alike an 'Alderman' (bowling) ?

Reckon that's the role of Harris and/or Bird. Both seem ideally suited to the conditions in England but not sure either will play in the 1st Test. Who knows though? I'd like to see either play but you can't play them all. At least it looks like we've got a bit of depth in the bowling. The batting needs to click - that's the key.

Faulkner seems a likely type. Quite the competitor. At Test level? Suppose he needs an opportunity or 2 to find out. He's not overly quick but he's a left armer. Bats well for a bowler.

For me the big questions that will determine our XI for he 1st Test will be:

1. Does Warner play despite not playing any warm up games?

2. With Watson now openning, does he still play as a genuine allrounder? Or does that mesn that we have to consider Faulkner?

3. What's more valuable in England, a genuine into the breeze bowler like Bird, or do we get Siddle to play that role and look for either the strike power of Harris or variation of Starc?

4. With Hughes seemingly having secured his starting spot with two 50's, who's ahead for the other spot, Cowan or Khawaja?

None of those questions are easy to answer IMO.

siddle will bowl the same speed all day and tomorrow, its his value

starc for variation and swing

pattinson pure speed and Yorkers

bird/harris swing workers

don't play the hack lyon

don't think much about warner

and not sure about sally Watson either

they could go about it 2 ways

1. play 7 batsmen for the first 2 tests and kill their bowlers, this tatic wont be employed

2go with 4 pacemen and 7 batsmen including haddin

it gives them a chance to hold and not break in the first 2 tests

Edited July 1, 201311 yr by jazza

For me the big questions that will determine our XI for he 1st Test will be:

1. Does Warner play despite not playing any warm up games?

2. With Watson now openning, does he still play as a genuine allrounder? Or does that mesn that we have to consider Faulkner?

3. What's more valuable in England, a genuine into the breeze bowler like Bird, or do we get Siddle to play that role and look for either the strike power of Harris or variation of Starc?

4. With Hughes seemingly having secured his starting spot with two 50's, who's ahead for the other spot, Cowan or Khawaja?

None of those questions are easy to answer IMO.

Going to be tough for Warner if all the other batsmen get runs in the warm up games.

By all accounts Watson is back bowling again - though he didn't bowl in the just completed warm up game. Probably don't want to risk him If he is fit to bowl then Faulkner may miss out.

I reckon Patto, Starc and Siddle will start in the 1st Test although Siddle's form isn't great. He normally steps up though so I think he'll play. I'd have Bird or Harris starting but I'm trying to read the selectors minds (is that a pointless task, TD?)

You'd reckon Hughes will play and possibly bat at no.5 (where he batted in the 1st innings of the first warm up game) We might get an indication on which batsmen are earmarked for the 1st Test by who plays in the 2nd warm up game (starting tomorrow) If Rogers gets a score he could play himself into the team.

The pleasing news is that we got some good practice from the 1st warm up game. Would like to have seen a hundred or 2 in there but a lot of our batsmen got good time at the crease. Patto and Starc getting wickets was a good sign too.

siddle will bowl the same speed all day and tomorrow, its his value

starc for variation and swing

pattinson pure speed and Yorkers

bird/harris swing workers

don't play the hack lyon

don't think much about warner

and not sure about sally Watson either

they could go about it 2 ways

1. play 7 batsmen for the first 2 tests and kill their bowlers, this tatic wont be employed

2go with 4 pacemen and 7 batsmen including haddin

it gives them a chance to hold and not break in the first 2 tests

corner stones...

IMO you Have to have corner stones, siddle is the corner stone in our bowling, & we have to have a corner stone in our batting, & ideally one in our fielding as well.

I think 'Punter' once held that mantle in batting & fielding.

IMO the corner stones hold the team together, & make all walk straight & tall.

yeah , so name them in the current team

we haven't gat a skipper

we haven't gat a leader

we haven't got a keeper

we do have a pace attack

we don't have a spinner

we don't have a batting line up

yeah , so name them in the current team

we haven't gat a skipper

we haven't gat a leader

we haven't got a keeper

we do have a pace attack

we don't have a spinner

we don't have a batting line up

I feel the same, other than Siddle...

although Clark is closest re batting, but is really vulnerable in his health.... so I wouldn't count on building the new team, around him.

.... the new 'Vibe' with 'BOOF' at the helm may change things Up, & it will be interesting to see who responds.

Edited July 26, 201311 yr by dee-luded

that's the prob

ponting refused to rebuild and is costing the team now

Clarke is similar because he took haddin and didn't want a keeper,

kuwaja should have 35 tests under his belt by now and would be a rock for the current line up

but as usual the beach walker hilditch dropped him because of 30s,

his time at the crease was great and he needed support from selecters and didn't get it

interesting, last series in india , which he was in the squad, aussie selecters earlier in the year said he needed shield cricket because he couldnt play spin but still took him to INDIA mmmmmm .

me thinks they don't know what their doing

maybe changes now that the bowling ball has taken over

Going to be tough for Warner if all the other batsmen get runs in the warm up games.

By all accounts Watson is back bowling again - though he didn't bowl in the just completed warm up game. Probably don't want to risk him If he is fit to bowl then Faulkner may miss out.

I reckon Patto, Starc and Siddle will start in the 1st Test although Siddle's form isn't great. He normally steps up though so I think he'll play. I'd have Bird or Harris starting but I'm trying to read the selectors minds (is that a pointless task, TD?)

You'd reckon Hughes will play and possibly bat at no.5 (where he batted in the 1st innings of the first warm up game) We might get an indication on which batsmen are earmarked for the 1st Test by who plays in the 2nd warm up game (starting tomorrow) If Rogers gets a score he could play himself into the team.

The pleasing news is that we got some good practice from the 1st warm up game. Would like to have seen a hundred or 2 in there but a lot of our batsmen got good time at the crease. Patto and Starc getting wickets was a good sign too.

Wish someone could rread the minds of the selectors Macca, would be amazing to see how they justify some of their decisions.

I agree re: Warner, will be very tough to justify his selection.

My gut for the first test XI is telling me it might be along the lines of:

Rogers

Watson

Cowan

Clarke*

Hughes

Khawaja

+Haddin

Siddle

Starc

Pattinson

Lyon

With both Harris & Bird stiff to miss out. I know Jazza you're keen for a 4 pronged pace attack, but I doubt the selectors will go that way, but who on earth knows???

yep

probably the only person to get close to picking the team will be walking the dog on a beach in SA

Australian team for first-class match v Worcester:

Shane Watson

Ed Cowan

Chris Rogers

Michael Clarke ©

Phillip Hughes

Steve Smith

Brad Haddin

James Faulkner

Ryan Harris

Ashton Agar

Jackson Bird

Nathan Lyon (12th man).

Rogers and Watson have been confirmed as openers for the first Test.

It's interesting that Khawaja isn't playing in the final tour match, yet Smith is.

Off to a good start in the tour match against Worcestershire. Rogers got 75 and Watson a ton. Currently 2/248

Here's a BBC audio podcast special. It centres on an in depth interview with Darren Lehmann ...

... Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show - 1 July

And that's stumps on Day 1!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/engine/match/566929.html

Watson 109

Rogers 75

Clarke 62

Cowan 58

Smith 21*

Hughes 10*

Good to see us hitting some form leading into the Ashes, all be it again weak opposition.

The big thing to look forward to on Day 2 is the battle of Bird & Harris with the ball to see if either of them can put pressure on Siddle for the 3rd bowlers spot?

its all about time in the middle. the news people make a big thing over line up and centuries

but its all about that precious time at crease

things might be on the UP

And that's stumps on Day 1!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/engine/match/566929.html

Watson 109

Rogers 75

Clarke 62

Cowan 58

Smith 21*

Hughes 10*

Good to see us hitting some form leading into the Ashes, all be it again weak opposition.

The big thing to look forward to on Day 2 is the battle of Bird & Harris with the ball to see if either of them can put pressure on Siddle for the 3rd bowlers spot?

I think at this stage, after the past 12 months, its all about our players getting to feel 'insync' with their games, & with their batting positions in the side... personal rhythm gathering, & the net gain in feeling good, & confidence.

It looks good so far...