MadAsHell

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???

He is a talent Williamson. I reckon they'll be alright the Kiwis, if they can unearth a bowler or two they'll get back to the type of cricket they played under Fleming and will be more then capable of giving us a run for our money. Ashes will be very interesting. I hope our top 3 consists of Cowan, Rogers & Khawaja, three guys that have good defences and put a high price on their wicket then allowing the likes of Clarke, Watson, Warner and Haddin an easier time against the older ball, Can't wait till it all gets underway!

As has been mentioned, I think Watts is to important to the club to let go. Loosing another No 1 Pick isn't a great look. The fact that Jack isn't a free agent leaves us in a decent position to retain him anyway. I wouldn't be suprised if he signs a Tippet type deal in that we sign him for 3 years (up till he's a restricted free agent) and if he wants to walk after that we'll let him. I'm also confident Sylvia will stay (very loyal bloke), Gawn will stay (don't even know where this rumor came from, and I reckon he thinks he owes the club) and we don't really have to worry about Chip for another 12 months, so not loosing any sleep there. Some may say I have my head in the sand, but I'm not concerned at all. These poor excuse for journos have to sell papers some how and we're an easy target!

The old better the devil you know thought process. But I agree, I think Channel 9 do a good job and want it to stay there, but more cricket on FTATV is only a good thing. I must say I like this idea: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/ca-ponders-oneday-carnival-20130509-2jant.html Would certainly help build interest over the month of October heading into the international season which normally kicks off late November. I reckon a 4 week carnival type season would work well. Although I'd og thought they may have to bring back the Canberra Commets so everyone gets 6 games (3 home & away).

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!