*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[flibbertyjibber]

So to put it simply, if we start losing test matches at the Gabba then we would be in real trouble.

So when we go 1 up there then you lot will concede defeat

 

[social]

Heading into the last day of fc matches before the Oz team is chosen for the first test, here are my thoughts on the contentious players

1. Has done more than enough but wont be chosen in the squad under virtually any circumstances

Ronald McDonald

2. Has proven his fitness/form and should be chosen in squad

Ryan Harris

3. Has done 2/3 of **** all but is guaranteed a place in the team

M Hussey, M Johnson and N Hauritz

4. Has done little more than prove what we all know (i.e. excellent on his odd good day but they come about as regularly as a lunar eclipse) but is guaranteed a place in the team

M North

5. Has done **** all but is guaranteed a place in the squad despite no-one knowing whether they are fit

Dougeh and Katman

6. Havent done enough so honourable mention, blah blah blah

Ferguson, Hughes and Usman

In other words, same team as against India in recent first test with only contentious issue being whether Harris replaces Dougeh in the X1

 

[Faisal1985]

The Ashes 2010-11: Ricky Ponting says England will struggle with Gabba pitch | Cricket News | The Ashes 2010-11 | Cricinfo.com

I guess what Ponting is saying to Strauss is, think twice about batting first after winning the toss sucker

 

[Faisal1985]

Heading into the last day of fc matches before the Oz team is chosen for the first test, here are my thoughts on the contentious players

1. Has done more than enough but wont be chosen in the squad under virtually any circumstances

Ronald McDonald

2. Has proven his fitness/form and should be chosen in squad

Ryan Harris

3. Has done 2/3 of **** all but is guaranteed a place in the team

M Hussey, M Johnson and N Hauritz

4. Has done little more than prove what we all know (i.e. excellent on his odd good day but they come about as regularly as a lunar eclipse) but is guaranteed a place in the team

M North

5. Has done **** all but is guaranteed a place in the squad despite no-one knowing whether they are fit

Dougeh and Katman

6. Havent done enough so honourable mention, blah blah blah

Ferguson, Hughes and Usman

In other words, same team as against India in recent first test with only contentious issue being whether Harris replaces Dougeh in the X1

That's like the whole team......

Are you saying Aussies are underdogs going into first test?

 

[chalky]

An English fan or the England team might just see this as a verbal jibe from Punter prior to the start of the series, but he is absolutely spot on here.
The Gabba is arguably the safest ground in the world for the Australian side, as the pitch there has always been very sporting and the bounce and pace have been true, and these are the conditions that most Australian cricketers feel pretty comfortable in and it suits their game very well.
So to put it simply, if we start losing test matches at the Gabba then we would be in real trouble.

I think the point has been raised been raised before thast most teams are horribly under done for the 1st test (not Australia's fault) and therefore generally cop a pasting at the Gabba. England's prep has been a lot better this tour so expect them to be a lot more competative.

 

[GotSpin]

Heading into the last day of fc matches before the Oz team is chosen for the first test, here are my thoughts on the contentious players

1. Has done more than enough but wont be chosen in the squad under virtually any circumstances

Ronald McDonald

2. Has proven his fitness/form and should be chosen in squad

Ryan Harris

3. Has done 2/3 of **** all but is guaranteed a place in the team

M Hussey, M Johnson and N Hauritz

4. Has done little more than prove what we all know (i.e. excellent on his odd good day but they come about as regularly as a lunar eclipse) but is guaranteed a place in the team

M North

5. Has done **** all but is guaranteed a place in the squad despite no-one knowing whether they are fit

Dougeh and Katman

6. Havent done enough so honourable mention, blah blah blah

Ferguson, Hughes and Usman

In other words, same team as against India in recent first test with only contentious issue being whether Harris replaces Dougeh in the X1

Who would you actually replace both North and Hussey with. I'd obviously have Usman in there, but has anyone else actually proved themselves? Maybe Ron if anything

 

[Julian87]

Struggling to see how you could leave McDonald out of the Gabba test squad at the very least.

While his batting results have been superb his bowling has once agan gone under rated and not even mentioned by many. Against a quality team, bowling alongside blokes who are in line for test selection, he once again goes for less than 2 an over.

And this is coming from a bloke who really doesn't like what he sees in McDonald. But considering the Gabba will seam, he surely must be in the squad.

 

[Howe_zat]

Struggling to see how you could leave McDonald out of the Gabba test squad at the very least.

While his batting results have been superb his bowling has once agan gone under rated and not even mentioned by many. Against a quality team, bowling alongside blokes who are in line for test selection, he once again goes for less than 2 an over.

And this is coming from a bloke who really doesn't like what he sees in McDonald. But considering the Gabba will seam, he surely must be in the squad.

From the sound of it, it seems Watson's extra bowling ability is what's keeping him out. Currently he would be batting 6/7 and bowling 5th/6th, so he's not seen to have much place in the side.

Of course, I'd rather have him over North at the very least.

Of course, I think if you play well for Leicestershire then you must be an all-time great.

Of course, I am a dip****.

 

[TumTum]

McD will bat horribly if he selected to play Tests again. The guy has no Test match temperament or ambition.

 

[howardj]

Rhino Harris (you gun) has been invited to the Ashes launch at the SCG next week.

 

[Prince EWS]

From the sound of it, it seems Watson's extra bowling ability is what's keeping him out. Currently he would be batting 6/7 and bowling 5th/6th, so he's not seen to have much place in the side.

Of course, I'd rather have him over North at the very least.

Of course, I think if you play well for Leicestershire then you must be an all-time great.

Of course, I am a dip****.

Of course!

 

[pup11]

McD will bat horribly if he selected to play Tests again. The guy has no Test match temperament or ambition.

You are his good mate or something!? I thought you needed to know someone personally to know about their ambitions!!

 

[Spark]

You are his good mate or something!? I thought you needed to know someone personally to know about their ambitions!!

TumTum making a massive over-the-top call shocker.

 

[pup11]

I think the point has been raised been raised before thast most teams are horribly under done for the 1st test (not Australia's fault) and therefore generally cop a pasting at the Gabba. England's prep has been a lot better this tour so expect them to be a lot more competative.

Its not so much about the preparations mate, its about how different the conditions are at the Gabba. I would stick my neck out and say that the Gabba pitch is probably the quickest in the world right now, and its no wonder visiting teams struggle there.
England have put in good preparations prior to the series, but you shouldn't forget that they are going to play all their practice games on three of the most placid pitches in the Oz right now. So playing at the Gabba after playing on those pitches would be a huge change.
Anyways, leading into the 1st test not liking how Chappell is handing over advice to Mussey through the media, the guy is already under a lot of pressure and this is the last thing he needs right now.

 

[Spark]

He has a point though. Hussey looks best when he's active and taking initiative. Not necessarily smashing it to all parts, but looking for a single on every ball and turning ones into twos. When he's grinding it out and just occupying the crease he looks terrible.

 

[Nate]

The next round of the Shield and the 'A' game will be crucial imo. Excited.

 

[BoyBrumby]

95% sure we'll be resting quite a few for the "A" game. Skipper, Prior, Swann & two of Jimmeh, Finn or Chris jr out for the non-players thus far would be my my guess.

Prior could conceivably play as specialist bat if the heads reckon (say) Colly has enough form in the bank too.

 

[Howe_zat]

I doubt Strauss will be rested, partly because he thrives on form - leaving him out of the Bangladesh tour was a mistake - but mostly because there isn't a spare opener in the squad. Collingwood more likely to be left out of the Hobart game.

 

[Jarquis]

Davies can bat in the top order or Trott maybe.

 

[pup11]

He's actually not looked out of form. What's concerning is precisely that he's not converting - he used to be one of the best, if not the best, in converting a start into a hundred. I think it was in 2003 or so I saw a stat that showed his average once he got past 20 was 80 or something - so rather like North, except whilst North is fail fail fail fail fail win, Ponting was win win fail win fail win win. But now he's just throwing it away, playing across to otherwise inoccuous straight ones, chasing wide balls that there is zero need to play at, pulling balls that are miles outside off and hence should probably be cut or even better left alone, or (worst of all) running himself out.

Pressure of captaincy might have something to do with that, as the captain he has a lot on his plate at the moment and that's probably starting to show in the kind of ways he is getting out.
Its true what you said regarding Hussey, but Chappell could easily give this advice to him in private but talking through the media is just not on.