MadAsHell

You're not wrong there Rogue. That's why the only way something like the breakaway that I'm talking about to happen would be if they tapped into a market like USA or China where there's money. USA I reckon would be the best bet. It may require some type of concession to allow USA to be competative. For example USA are allowed to field 1 player from each of Australia, NZ, RSA & England who's under 23 who's not in their countries best XI. Would give that player some international experience and also help USA be somewhat competative while still getting to play 7 natives in their XI. I know it's a long shot, but something drastic will need to happen to end the BCCI's xurrently monopoly on the game.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/india-board-president-n-srinivasan-may-be-crickets-most-destructive-figure/story-fn67wltq-1226636632524 The BCCI really are staring to get out of hand! Kerry Packer stood up to the ICC back in the 70's, not only for his own good but for what was in the best interests of the game. And I reckon it's time that someone with the financial backing and balls came out and stood up to the BCCI. I'd love to see a 6 nations breakaway from the BCCI led ICC. Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and I'd love West Indies (but doubt as their financially tied to the ICC) so maybe USA (shorter forms of the game only) to start their own cricket calender comp. Something needs to happen to get the balance of power right, India are calling all the shots and this isn't good for the game, all nations need to have equal say in how the game is run and clearly this doesn't happen. Australia, England, New Zealand & South Africa have shown that their willing to vote against India in many matters already so they're the 4 most obvious nations to lead this breakaway. Ireland are clearly at least equal to, if not better then either of Bangladesh or Zimbabwe they we should get them involved and the USA should be looked at also at least for the short formats of the game to try and generate revenue through TV over there with their market. I have no doubt this would be a very difficult thing to attempt and pull off, but something has to give as Tim May says himself, there is a clear cancer currently in the ICC. I just wonder who the white knight could be or if there ever will be one?

I see what you're saying Macca, and I have no trouble with Australian cricketers playing in the IPL in general. I just think we should draw a line at our contracted players, for example the below list: CRICKET AUSTRALIA'S CONTRACTED PLAYERS FOR 2013/14: (with age) George Bailey (TAS) - 30 Michael Clarke (NSW) - 32 Ed Cowan (TAS) - 30 Patrick Cummins (NSW) - 19 Xavier Doherty (TAS) - 30 James Faulkner (TAS) - 22 Brad Haddin (NSW) - 35 Ryan Harris (QLD) - 33 Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS) - 30 Phillip Hughes (SA) - 24 Mitchell Johnson (WA) - 31 Nathan Lyon (SA) - 25 Glenn Maxwell (VIC) - 24 Clint McKay (VIC) - 30 James Pattinson (VIC) - 22 Peter Siddle (VIC) - 28 Mitchell Starc (NSW) - 23 Matthew Wade (VIC) - 25 David Warner (NSW) - 26 Shane Watson (NSW) - 31 Those contracted players were announced earlier this year, and when a player gets a contract I reckon part of that should be that they waive the right to play in the IPL for that season. As this related article shows http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/the-6-million-man-michael-clarkes-huge-pay-rise/story-e6frfmqi-1226406055466 players who play often for Australia are earning over $1,000,000 a year as it is anyway so it's not like they're struggling to make a crust. One has to be vary careful with greed as it comes at a cost, just look at what the US banks being to greedy created, hello G.F.C. Any un-contracted Australian cricketer I'd say go for your life with the IPL bt anyone who gets a contract then it should be off limits for mine, And for players who miss large chunks of the year through injury like your Ryan Harris's and Pat Cummins, surely there should be some type of bonus cricket Australia can pay them for missing out on the IPL.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2013/content/current/story/632264.html One has to ask the question, what the hell is someone as injury prone as Harris doing playing over in the IPL in the lead up to the Ashes??? I know this argument has been done to death but can we please stop allowing our contracted players (which Harris os one of) to play in the circus! The English players don't seem to mind not playing in it and the Indians don't allow there's to play in the BBL so why do we let ours go over there and allow stuff like this to happen?

Agree with pretty much all of this Macca. I'm assuming that if anything were to happen to Watson then Faulkner may be given a debut cap and put in at number 7. He's certainly capable with the bat, just hasn't shown consistency yet at shield level. From what I've seen in the media I'm now left with the impression that Haddin will be given the gloves and that one of Khawaja or Hughes will play as a batsman meaning Wade will just be backup gloveman. Also was some mention in todays Age that Warner may be pushed down the order in the hope that Rogers & Cowan can take some shine off the duke ball. Makes me think the main XI could look something like: Cowan Rogers Khawaja Clarke* Warner Watson +Haddin Siddle Pattinson Lyon Bird Harris & Strac to be rotated in with the other 3 quicks. We possible could see all of Siddle, Pattinson, Bird, Harris & Starc play 3 tests each? I reckon Wade will simply be reserve keeper, Faulkner reserve allrounder and Hughes reserve batsman. Agar possibly to be drafted into the squad in case anything were to happen to Lyon.

Announced the Ashes squad! http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/tasmanian-james-faulkner-will-be-selected-in-a-16-man-ashes-squad/story-e6frfg8o-1226628456005 Australia's 16-man squad for the Ashes: Michael Clarke ©, Brad Haddin (vc), Jackson Bird, Ed Cowan, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson Very inteesting squad. Do they play Haddin as a batsman/vc and Wade with the gloves or does Haddin take the gloves and Wade miss out? Also odd with only 1 spinner. Fawad Ahmed's citizenship obviousnly hasn't come through fast enough which is disapointing, as I believ he'd have more to offer then Lyon. My ideal first test XI would probably be: C. Rogers D. Warner E. Cowan M. Clarke* B. Haddin (vc) S. Watson +M. Wade P. Siddle J. Pattinson N. Lyon J. Bird Great to see Harris back in the squad along with Rogers, two of our better performers at state level and deserve their call up. Faulkner's an interesting one. If Watson's form continues to dive he could get an opportunity over there. Hughes continues to have more lives then a cat and Khawaja's and Starc's selections are obviously expected. George Bailey possibly a little unlucky despite his poor shield season, thought his weight of ODI runs may have forced him in there.

I just want them to play the best spinner available. Whether that's Ahmed or Lyon or Agar doesn't bother me. Although personally on what I've seen I suspect it's Ahemd.

Good squad Macca and I like the idea of Cowan dropping down to number 3. I don't think it's the right spot for Clarke but also don't think it's a position we should be throwing someone new into either. Cowan's probably been around enough time now to feel somewhat comfortable enough with his game that he can make a go of turning that spot into his own. Taht then allows Clarke at 4 and Warner to open with someone like Watson (if he's not bowling) or the man I hope comes in Rogers. Smth probably will get another gig with some reasonable performances over in India, Khawaja may get his chance also. However the selectors may go back to their love child Phil Hughes or an uncapped player like Burns, Doolan or Bailey may come into the fray. I think we've mentioned the same fast men and keepers. I think Wade will need some scores and to improve his glovework within a few tests to keep any heat off him. This could be one of the weaker touring parties we ship off to England, even weaker then our 89 squad who we thought had no chance...

Recently turned 31 years of age, so a leggie who knows his trade and the reason he hasn't played more first class cricket is probably due to the threat of death by the Taliban when he was in Pakistan. http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/240609.html 16 wickets in 3 shield matches this year @ 28.37 at a run rate of 3.07 to Nathan Lyon's 7 shield wickets in 5 matches @ 71.42 at a run rate of 3.78. I'm not bagging Lyon, I think he's been very servicable and right now he's the best eligable Australian spinner we have. But the second Fawad's citizenship goes through then Lyon becomes the 2nd best spinner we have. Even James Hopes said that Fawad Ahmed's the best spinner in the country at the moment and Ahemd also due a lot of praise from the Aussie players when he bolwed to them before the 1st Test of the summer in the nets at the Gabba, so if he's available he should play. As Macca said, Lyon's clearly not cemented in the team given his 2nd test dropping, and he's had 22 chances to cement himself in the team but is yet to do so. Fawad Ahme'd only 31 so could easily have 5 years of test cricket ahead of him. Enough time for Nathan Lyon to improve or a Zampa, Agar, Muirhead or Holland to come on. I'm ready to see a wrist spinner back in the Aussie team, they always look more threatening and this country has a rich history of quality wrist spinner (Warne, O'Reilly, Grimmett, Benaud, MacGill) not so much finger spinners.

Good squad there Django and covers all bases. It will be interesting to see what way the selectors go considering Micky Arthur made the comment that there wasn't much outside of the Indian squad that would come into the team. Faulkner's an interesting one, if he could improve his batting he'd be a very good all rounder I think, I just hope his bowling doesn't follow a similar path to Nathan Bracken in being very effective in ODI cricket but ineffective in Test matches. Matthew Wade I think if he's to survive needs to make more runs more often. He needs to keep his average around the 40 mark, because if he's only going to average around 30 you may as well go for the best gloveman in the country which is probably Paine who you have in your squad or Hartley. Don't know a lot about Sayers so I can't really comment, but those numbers are impressive.

England held on for a draw with Matt Prior doing a Faf Du Plessis. New Zealand 1st Innings 443 P. Fulton 136 S. Finn 6/125 England 1st Innings 204 M. Prior 73 T. Boult 6/68 New Zealand 2nd Innings 6/241dec P. Fulton 110 M. Panesar 2/53 England 2nd Innings 9/315 M. Prior 110* K. Williamson 4/44 Shattering for New Zealand. One must ask should New Zealand have declared a little earlier? Only 4 sides have ever chased down more then 400 to win and the record is 418. McCullum set England 481. Perhaps if only 420-450 were set then that may have been enough time for one final wicket???

One over remaining. Boult to Panesar!

Kane Williamson picks up Broad and Anderson in 3 deliveries. Monty and Prior to try and survive the last 19 deliveries!

Getting tense in Auckland now, 15 overs remain and England still have 3 wickets in hand. Broad's faced 45 deliveries without scoring!

In better news at least England are on the brink of loosing their test series against New Zealand at tea on Day 5. New Zealand 1st Innings 443 P. Fulton 136 S. Finn 6/125 England 1st Innings 204 M. Prior 73 T. Boult 6/68 New Zealand 2nd Innings 6/241dec P. Fulton 110 M. Panesar 2/53 England 2nd innings 7/237 I. Bell 75 K. Williamson 2/36 New Zealand managed to pick up Ian Bell in the last over before tea. 3 wickets needed in the final session for a historic win with only Prior and the tail (minus Finn nightwatchman) left. Come on the black caps, now my 2nd team and one who sadly seem to have a better future and better batting line up then Australia right now!

You're probably right about Doolan or Burns there Macca, either of them could get a call up in favour of Smith or Bailey. I have no doubt that Khawaja will be in the squad. I guess it depends on what way the selectors go. If they're looking at current form Doolan would have to come into calculations, although his long term First Class form isn't overly flattering, while if they look to the future Burns would be a geat pick although his summer was under par compared to what he did in the two summers previously.. Here's an article I found on Cummins http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/west/australian-bowlers-pat-cummins-eyes-a-spot-in-the-upcoming-ashes-tour/story-fngr8j33-1226580570202 If he can make that Australia A squad it would have to put him firmly in contention for the Ashes. Would love to see Pattinson and Cummins terrifying the English batsmen! We've said it a thousand times but Fawad Ahmed could be really crucial to our chances also. A good leggie who can take wickets consistenly would be the icing on the cake. The batting is obviously where we need the most work. Outside of Clarke there's 6 spots up for grabs and everyones auditioning. Cowan, Warner, Hughes, Watson, Smith, Maxwell, Wade, Henriques, Haddin, Paine, Khawaja, Rogers, Burns, Bailey, Doolan, Klinger, Hartley. You could fish any 6 of those names out of a hat and could argue that they'd do just as well as any other combination.

Everyone's XI listed above for you Nasher minus Rouge's. I'll leave it to Rouge to present it to you but in some type of what I think would be a rough batting order this is Rouge's XI so you don't have to go through the whole draft order to figure it out. Chris Gayle (WI) Taufeeq Umar (PAK) Phil Hughes (AUST) Jacques Kallis (RSA) Virat Kohli (IND) Misbah Ul-haq (PAK) Dinesh Chandimal (SL) Graeme Swann (ENG) Peter Siddle (AUST) Mark Gillespie (NZ) Kemar Roach (WI)

Well then I guess it's over to you Nasher to make your decision if Rouge's failed to present his XI.

I hear what you;re saying Jumping Jack. I actually think that one of White or Hussey may be in the firing line this off season. We've probably underachieved for a few seasons now and White's leadership and the ageing Hussey who despite just scoring a century did have a very ordinary season underperformed. McDonald or Finch (if he could score runs against the red ball) would be good options to lead the Bushrangers. With McDonald coming back into the Victorian middle order (4-7) next seson as well as Maxwell who I don't think will be a permanent member of the Aussie team, not yet anyway and whoever our keeper is (Wade, Handscomb or Carters) that leaves only one spot in the middle order between White and Hussey as neither of them will bat at 3. Rogers and Quiney will keep their spot at the top of the order with Finch, Handscomb or Hill hopefully capable of takign the no 3 spot. I can see change coming next season and it will be at the expense of one of White or Hussey in my opinion. Can't fault to much of what you said there Titan, although I think Pattinson gets a start in the first Ashes test even before Siddle does. Sadly there's no obvious answer. Warner I think has enough brownie points in the bank to excuse a poor series in India, but he'll want to play well in the Ashes. Hughes I'm now convinced just wont make it at Test level, and there's no shame in that. Michael Bevan and Nathan Bracken couldn't make it at test level but had very good ODI careers, maybe Hughes falls into that category? I think you're right about Henriques and his first class career suggests so. This is a reason why we need Watson back bowling and Mitch Marsh to come on. I don't think there's much of an international career ahead for Henriques, will probably be an Ashes squad member due to McDonald and Marsh missing most of the Shield season but beyond that I can't see much ahead. Smith I also agree, don't think he's quite a good enough batsman and certainly not a good enough bowler yet. Maxwell has his measure in both fields and I don't think Maxwell's ready yet either. I'd rather see Bailey, Burns, Voges, Klinger or Khawaja playing ahead of Smith as a batsman. We will do betetr on the bolwing front over in England then in India no doubt. I see us sending 5 fast men, Pattinson, Siddle, Cummins (If he gets through the Australia A series in the lead up), Starc and Bird over there with Harris, Hilfenhaus and Johnson coming into consideration also. Fawad Ahmed will hopefully have his citizenship by then and be over there also with Lyon as his back up. If Doherty or god help us Michael Beer make it over there then we're in serious trouble. By the First Ashes Test with any luck our XI may look something like: Chris Rogers David Warner Ed Cowan Michael Clarke George Bailey Shane Watson Matthew Wade Peter Siddle James Pattinson Patrick Cummins Fawad Ahmed Other Squad Memebrs: Usman Khawaja Steven Smith Moises Henriques Brad Haddin Jackson Bird Mitchell Starc Nathan Lyon

And good to see at least that Pattinson's taken the right approach to the whole thing and is lookign at getting on with everything. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-insists-he-and-shane-watson-have-a-good-working-relationship-despite-india-tour-walkout/story-e6frfg8o-1226595856814 Quote Pattinson said the quartet deserved to be axed. And while Watson is believed to be weighing up his future, Pattinson wants the all-rounder on deck for the Ashes. "He's a fantastic guy to have around and a fantastic player," Pattinson said. "Hopefully we can see him back as soon as possible."

Well said Macca. 100% agree with all of the above.

Agree, but the punishment would fit the crime. If I didn't supply feedback to a conference I attended or have a file finalised in time I'd hear about it no doubt and read the riot act and told to lift my game. But I wouldn't have my pay garnished or sent home for a few days without pay. Clarke says there's more to it and that standards have dropped, but is that this 4 specifically, or is it an overall thing and these 4 are the sacraficial lambs? Punishment should fit the crime. What would they have done if 9 players on tour hadn't of done it? And what happenens now when there's a serious breach, like a player gets in a scuffle in a nightclub or turns up to a game/training in a hung over state? As I said, I'm all for punishment and setting standards. but they've gone over the top, you'd expect it in a highschool team, not in the Australian team.

I pray that there's a lot more to this then has come out so far, because if they are just being made an example of then this is a frace! I'm all for setting standards and fostering a good team culture and expectations, but to get dropped for not giving a presentation on time (Pattinson told Arthur he'd gie it on Monday) then that's the most stupid thing I've ever heard. They're over there representing the country to play cricket, this is a professional team, they're not there on a highschool trip. On the flip side it mightn't work out that badly, Pattinson (who's taken more then a 3rd of our wickets in the series so far) very well may have been due for a rest anyway. Watson's been underperforming, Johnson in my opinion in 7th in our pace pecking order anyway (the injured Bird, Harris & Cummins all ahead of him) but it could be reallY bad news for Khawaja. He's been trying to secure a batting spot in this line up for so long, the chance was finally there but now this! How long till his next chance??? As a result of all of this I'm predicting this 3rd test will be all over before stumps on the 3rd day, but hoping for a bit of fight come the 4th test when Pattinson's back in the team. I reckon Watson will announce his international retirement and focus on the IPL, BBL and his family. Johnson will remain a fringe player for another few years and Khawaja, who knows??? Australian XI for the 3rd Test E. Cowan D. Warner M. Clarke M. Henriques S. Smith M. Wade or B. Haddin depending on Wade's fitness. G. Maxwell P. Siddle M. Starc X. Doherty N. Lyon P. Hughes 12th man.

New Zealand have declared this morning after about 45 minutes of throwing the bat. England 167 J. Trott 45 I. Bell 24 J. Anderson 23 N. Wagner 4/42 B. Martin 4/43 T. Boult 1/32 New Zealand 9/460dec H. Rutherford 171 B. McCullum 74 P. Fulton 55 J. Anderson 4/137 S. Broad 3/118 M. Panesar 1/83 On top of Hamish Rutherford's impressive debut innings on 171, special mention should be made of the other New Zealand debutant left arm spinner Bruce Martin. Took 4/43 when bowling in the first innings and made a valuable 41 with the bat batting down at number 9 in a vital partnership with McCullum. With a first innings lead of 293, fingers crossed New Zealand can bowl England out today and wrap the match up with a day to spare.

Stumps on day 3 as bad light stops play. England 167 J. Trott 45 I. Bell 24 J. Anderson 23 N. Wagner 4/42 B. Martin 4/43 T. Boult 1/32 New Zealand 7/402 H. Rutherford 171 P. Fulton 55 B. McCullum 44* J. Anderson 4/108 S. Broad 2/89 M. Panesar 1/83 Great effort by Hamish Rutherford and New Zealands pushed their lead over 200. Lost a few quick wickets in that last session going for quick runs and I wouldn't be suprised if they declare early tomorrow once they've pushed their lead past 250 given day 1 was lost to rain, most of the last session today was lost to to bad light and there always is a bit of rain around Dunedin if you've ever been there before. The test will be if they can get another 10 wickets with only 4 bowlers and the part time spin of Williamson? And in Shield news Fawad Ahmed took 2/35 from 16 overs against NSW. Give that man his citizenship! Edit: Updated since tea.