MadAsHell

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?

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???

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.

Stumps on Day 2 in what's been a rain effected day. Australia 4/266 Watson 90 Clarke 45 Hughes 44* Haddin 38* Khawaja 27 Cowan 3 Good innings from Watson as openenr and an encouraging start for Hughes giving him the early front running over Cowan and Khawaja. I'm 90% sure Rogers will play the 1st Test. Don't think they would have picked a 35 year old who's played 1 test years ago for this tour to just sit in the dressing room. One things for sure, our poor form and Warner's suspension has certainly made selection interesting and added something to these warm up matches.

Score at stumps. Somerset 320 Strac 4/33 Pattinson 4/56 Faulkner 1/70 Lyon 1/75 Australia 0/2 At one stage Somerset were 2/304 so it was a pretty amazing result to bowl them out for 320. But the fact we let them get to 2/304 is pretty concerning considering bowling is suppose to be our strength.

I'm hoping that Rogers will be one of our bright lights this tour.

Not in the squad so we shouldn't have to worry about that thankfully!

That's a fair concern, and I expect both Ahmed and Agar to overtake him in not to long a time. Also look out for John Holland, James Muirhead and Adam Zampa. But having said that Lyon is still an upgrade on what we previously had. Beer or Hauritz.

IMO you should always play a specialist spinner unless you are playing on an absolute green top that's likely to see a result within 3 days. Remember The Oval in 2013.....

I'm in two minds about Faulkner. I really rate him as a One Day player, but question whether his batting average in first class cricket 29.odd is good enough for a top 7 spot. But then again with Warner likely to miss the first test are playing two of Khawaja, Hughes or Wade as specialist batsmen likely to do any better? Faulkner's left arm fast would be handy as the 5th bowling option and meaning that 3 of Pattinson, Siddle, Bird or Harris can play along with Lyon as Faulkner averages around 23 with the ball in first class cricket which is very good. However again I worry that his bowling may be very similar to that of Nathan Bracken, very good in ODI's and First Class cricket, but just not quite good enough to cut the mustard in Test cricket. If we had a really good keeper batsman like Gilchrist or AB De Villiers who's capable of batting in the top 6 then there would certainly be very good argument to play Faulkner, but with Haddin's poor form before he was dropped and Wade's struggles for consistency, coupled with our horrible batting line up of late (Clarke excluded) you wonder if this will weaken it even more or is the argument that it can't get any worse? If Faulkner does play as the all rounder it would then mean Watson can concerntrate on his batting and return to the top of the order where he's at his best. The XI would likely look like IMO: Rogers Watson Cowan Clarke* Khawaja +Haddin Faulkner Siddle Pattinson Lyon Bird Gives us a new, hopefully more stable openning combination. Cowan at 3 who's got a good technique and will hopefully help sure us up and not allow us to loose quick early wickets. Clarke up to 4 as we need him in as early as possible. Khawaja at 5 for me. I know he's a top order player, yet this would allow him to come in a bit lower down with less pressure on him, his highest test score so far I think was scored at no 5 or 6. Haddin at 6 and hopefully can re-discover some batting form, Faulkner as the bowling all rounder at 7 and then the bowling line up as I've mentioned, although Harris could come in for Bird? Will be interesting to see what way Boof goes.

I should apologise for my emotional outburst yesterday afternoon, just staggering to see the whole team turn to shambles from what it once was. Anyone out there think that boof can turn this sinking ship around in such a short amount of time?

Clarke's now resigned as a selector also, fair call I reckon. Given the circumstancs and what's been going on of late resigning as captain may have been called for also IMO. We're in desperate need of a clean out of the toxic culture that's alive in this team at the moment, Clarke's probably the only one (who I reckon is contributing to it) that you'd carry through it. First up I'd be telling Steve Smith not to worry about joining the squad and I'd also be sending home Hughes, Khawaja, Pattinson, Wade, Warner & Watson and replacing them with Ahmed, Bailey, Burns, Klinger, McDonald & Paine. All of whom are either great leaders amongst their states, have worked their butts off to get an opportunity or in Burns case have shown a great amount of ability at a young age. Bailey comes in as captain and Klinger vice captain. Go into the first test with an XI of: Cowan Rogers Klinger Clarke Bailey* McDonald +Paine Siddle Harris Lyon Bird Burns: reserve batsman Faulkner: reserve all rounder Haddin: reserve keeper Starc: reserve quick Ahmed: reserve spinner That's a squad that sadly would fill me with a lot more confidence of at least putting in a real fighting effort then the mess we've got over there at the moment. Was really looking forward to the Ashes, now it's all turning into a nightmare!

Along with Boof they need to get a few others in there to stop the rot and get the players to STFU and fall into line and get the nationback on track. Border batting coach. S. Waugh fieldijg coach Big Merv bowling coach Surround these pretenders with people who have been there, done that and have actually achieved something at the top.

I agree HT, I have no issues with Boof becoming coach, in fact I think he'll be good for them bringing back a bit of old school mongrel. It all sounds to me like Cricket Australia were loosing control of some of their players and instead of putting the foot down with them they've sacked the coach instead. Smith into the squad would only make sense to me if they were sending Warner home (which they should do). They need to get some professionalism into that team and stop with the individualism, I'm talking about the likes of Warner, Watson and Clarke despite how good he is who seem to think it's all about them if you believe the stories and rumors out there. But who knows? I had high hopes of an 89' style tour coming up, but instead of I think it could be more like the 06/07 series with the roles reversed the way things are going.

What the hell is going on over there!!!

You're not wrong about Harris causing a nice problem to have. We'll be left with 5 quicks fighting it out for 3 bowling spots. As you mention, as did I in my perdicted XI to play the 1st Test, I think Bird has to play. The conditions over there should suit him perfectly. Personally I think Pattinson should play as I reckon he's our most dangerous bowler, especially against the top order. If you look at his career so far, the majority of his wickets are against top 6 batsman, and we really need to knock over the likes of Cook, Trott, Bell and Pietersen (if he's fit) as cheaply as possible. That then leaves 3 bowlers for 1 spot. Starc for mine would probably be the first that I'd rule out, despite the variation that he does offer with the left arm. Opposite to Pattinson, the majority of his wickets seem to be against the tail (as handy as that is) and he does have a habbit of leeking runs at times, although not as bad as Mitch Johnson... So for me that then leaves it between Siddle & Harris. Siddle's last 24 months would lead you to think he'd be given the nob given he's led the attack really well and he's as fit as an ox and can run in all day compared to Harris who's only ever played back to back tests once in his career. Although Harris's record is very, very good. Maybe Rhino should be our first alternate if any of the other quicks are injured or need a rest mid tour? It's a difficult one for the selectors.... Edit: English

Good work on the organising 45. And good luck Jasmine!

Early prediction for our 23 man squad for Rio 2014. Goalkeepers: Schwarzer Federeci Defenders: Neil Olganovski McKay Carney Spiranovic North Williams Defensive Midfielders: Wilkshire Milligan Jedinak Emerton Attacking Midfielders: Bresciano Cahill Holman Kewell Rogic Oar Strikers: Kruse McDonald Kennedy Thompson A few unlucky players maybe like Brosque, Troisi & Valeri. Wonder what others thoughts are?

Great game, I really rate Iraq as a football team, they've always been a tough opponent for us, I'm amazed they finished below both Oman and Jordan in our group. But then again they never get to play at home, so it takes it's toll. Brazil will be interesting. The pass mark will be final 16. If we can avoid being grouped with any of Spain, England, Germany, Argentina & Brazil I think we'll have a shot of it. There will be 5 groups minus those teams.

Personally I think it was time for punter. Mike Hussey still had good cricket left in him. I agree on Warner. When he does come back I think the number 6 role maybe his go. We need the likes of Cowan, Rogers, Khawaja and going forward any of Hughes, Maddinson, Burns, Handscomb, Doolan, Klinger to hold up the top 3 spots

We could certainly do worse. He's a great fieldsman also Klinger which is always a bonus.

Both good line ups Macca & TU considering what we have to choose from. My XI would look something like. 1. Cowan 2. Rogers 3. Khawaja 4. Clarke* 5. Watson 6. Wade 7. +Haddin 8. Harris/Siddle/Starc??? 9. Pattinson 10. Ahmed/Lyon?? 11. Bird Don't think there's anyway that Warner can play with no lead in matches to the 1st test, then when you consider his form there's no chance IMO. I would have moved him down the order personally anyway as I reckon we need to block out the new swinging duke ball. Cowan, Rogers & Khawaja up the top of the order is our best bet to do this.. I don't care if we only score 50 runs in the first session, as long as we don't have another top order collapse and Clarke for once can come in against a slightly older ball. Clarke up to number 4 as 5 is just to low down for our best batsman in our current position. Watson to 5. Although batting as an openner is his best position we need his bowling and by batting down the order a bit means he should be able to bowl a little more. Wade to play as a batsman at 6 in place of Warner due to his lack of time in the middle and ahead of Hughes. I'd play Wade ahead of Hughes due to Wade ability to play spin better then what Hughes can. Although Wade's not the best player of spin I rate him ahead of Hughes, and with the English pitches drying out the way they are we need to play the best players of spin that we have. I'm not sure who should get the first crack as our first change quick. Harris, Siddle or Starc? Pattinson's our best quick IMO and should certainly play and I reckon the conditions over there will suit Bird down to a tea and he should get the gig as our into the breeze bowler. That leaves the 3 I've mentioned for first change. I love Harris's wicket taking ability, Siddle's guts and determination and the variety that Strac offers. It's a tough one but I think I'd probably give Siddle first crack due to his credits over the last few years. The spinners spot, as I've said previously if he comes into the squad I'd give Fawad Ahmed first crack, but if that doesn't happen then obviously Lyon to play as the spinner. Always play a specialist spinner IMO.

Should count himself lucky IMO.

Two things of note. 1. Fawad Ahmed MUST be included in the Ashes squad and in my opinion should be given first crackahead of Lyon. Australia have always been at their best when playing an attacking leg spinner. Warne, MacGill, Benaud, O'Reilly, Grimmett etc.... Not the defensive spinners such as Lyon, Bright and Peter Taylor. A four pronged bowling attack of Pattinson (spear head), Bird (into the wind, McGrath type), Siddle, Starc or Harris as our dangerous first change bowler and then the leg spin of Fawad Ahmed should ask the English XI plenty of questions. 2. David Warner is loosing the plot and it sounds to me like the man is becoming to big for his own boots and needs to pull his head in. It's not all about him. Personally I'd be sending him home for the remainder of the Champions trophy and the English leg of The Ashes. Tell him to play some county cricket and Shield cricket later in the year. If he can knuckle down, keep his head down and make some runs then he may be able to get his spot back for the home series. Get George Bailey to replace him in the middle order at 5 or 6 for the English series.

What about whoever had Colin Munro???