*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[Prince EWS]

Shouldn't really be picking the team based off two matches anyway IMO, so I don't have a huge problem with it.

[social]

Saw Roebuck state that today. Think it doesn't make a difference, the top 6 will be the same as what we've seen, these rounds of matches are just to sort out the pecking order of potential replacements.

Whilst what your saying is undoubtedly correct, it's absolutely ludicrous that North and/or Hussey could fail a number of times and potential replacements succeed without it making one iota of difference to the selectors thinking - it's that sort of attitude that has got us where we are ffs

[GotSpin]

Yeah it's good to see Hussey and North get a freeroll into the Ashes. I hope Khawaja scores big in both FC matches beforehand though

[pup11]

Sometimes four isn't enough though. Having five (six even tbh, North's useful) bowling options > having four. You can't just ignore the fact that Australia have an extra couple of decent bowling options - or you can, but then it doesn't make sense to then take the batting all the way down to nine.

I'll put it this way - I don't think the bowling of Watson and North is less likely to have an impact on the series than the difference between the batting of Hauritz/Johnson and Broad/Swann.

Agree with this, and I think Hauritz should bat at 8 and Johnson should bat at 9.
Like Johnson's bowling, even his batting has gone slightly downhill in the last 18 months, and I think if Hauritz bats at 8, its gives him a chance, to build an innings, and then Johnson at 9 can come, and play his shots, as that's when he is at his best.
As for Australia's top 6, I feel Hussey is gonna be disappointing, in this series as well. Nothing wrong with his technique or anything, but he seems to have a mental cluster, that's making things hard for him, in the longer form of the game.

[vic_orthdox]

Talk on Ch 7 that they'll pick a 15 man squad anyway, so it might not mean anything in the end.

[flibbertyjibber]

Seems a strange one to announce the team before the A game even if they pick a 15 man squad.What if they pick Ferguson in the squad and he gets a pair in the A game and Khawaja gets a ton?

Having said that,a 15 man squad for a test at home shows the selectors have no idea what the best side is at present.You could understand it if there was an injury doubt so they don't need a late call up but unless Katich or Bollinger are worse than has been reported then it makes no sense.

[Nnanden]

Imo, there are a few spots that are 50/50, and I believe the Shield/'A' game could well dictate who gets those spots. So there bloody well better be a 15 man squad.

[Spark]

Probably because the selectors having no idea is something close to their default state of being tbh.

[GotSpin]

I'm more annoyed with the squads being announced early because it means the selectors are putting little pressure on Hussey and North to finally perform...If they even have a chance too beforehand

[GIMH]

All jokes aside, it is so weird going to an Ashes series 95% sure what our team will be whilst Australia are unsettled. Almost like a parallel universe.

[NUFAN]

I'm more annoyed with the squads being announced early because it means the selectors are putting little pressure on Hussey and North to finally perform...If they even have a chance too beforehand

Yep for sure. It also gives England more time to prepare tactics if do see a surprise selection or two.

So many things in Aus Cricket make so little sense at the moment. ****ing crazy.

[GotSpin]

All jokes aside, it is so weird going to an Ashes series 95% sure what our team will be whilst Australia are unsettled. Almost like a parallel universe.

Doesn't mean your team is any good just because it's set

[flibbertyjibber]

Doesn't mean your team is any good just because it's set

Good enough to beat you last time and we have improved since then and you have gone backwards.

[GotSpin]

Good enough to beat you last time and we have improved since then and you have gone backwards.

Difference is you're playing in our backyard.

We haven't gone that far backwards either. The media have just pumped it up. Obviously it'll depend somewhat on the squad (XI) that the selectors choose, but it's a bit of a beat up to suggest that our test team is in shambles. We were two inches away from going one up in India - This discussion wouldn't be happening otherwise.

IMO, once play starts, it'll all click again

It's fortunate somewhat for you blokes that there is so much debate regarding our middle order that the Australian media have largely forgotten the fragility of the English batting and your lack of a strike or leading bowler (unless its a cows meadow for Neo)

[GotSpin]

Yep for sure. It also gives England more time to prepare tactics if do see a surprise selection or two.

So many things in Aus Cricket make so little sense at the moment. ****ing crazy.

I'll be waiting in anticipation for the squad. Will be absolutely ropeable if Usman isn't included