*Official* Road to 2013 Ashes

[uvelocity]

[Stumpcam]

I think your method is the only way anyone will see Clarke holding the little urn next year, or the year after.

[flibbertyjibber]

Good to see the tourists start at Taunton on the road to dishearten the bowlers then off to Floodville. Can see them turning up well undercooked for Trent Bridge.

[vic_orthdox]

Two games doesn't seem enough preparation, but I guess most of the team will be over there already with the Champions Trophy.

If they were serious, they'd have the non-ODI playing guys over in England for a good two to three weeks before the tour started.

[uvelocity]

so 16/9/13 is the last game on this tour

followed by champions league t20
7 odi's in india in oct

next ashes starting in nov 2013

[Spark]

worst scheduling, srsly

[vic_orthdox]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

His conversion rate took a hammering when he got the captaincy. Other than that I don't think he's declined much since his recall in 2008. In fact it was very similar to this summer- runs against a fairly weak side touring in May before getting owned by Morkel and co. in July and August.

His weaknesses have become very high-profile though. In '09 Australia stayed over the wicket to him the entire time and he punished them. Can't see them making that mistake again this time next year.

We don't have a guy who naturally moves the ball away from the left hander though. It's what you need to be doing to be effective from around the wicket.

Our left armer, the best candidate, was Johnson who slides it into the left hander.

[uvelocity]

think you'd get him out with a cantelope at present

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by vic_orthdox

We don't have a guy who naturally moves the ball away from the left hander though. It's what you need to be doing to be effective from around the wicket.

Our left armer, the best candidate, was Johnson who slides it into the left hander.

Not sure if you're aware of Mitchell Starc.

[Spikey]

I think he was speaking in past tense about 2009

that said, if he wasn't, Michael Hussey could probably give bowling left handed a shot and be better than MJ at it

[vic_orthdox]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Not sure if you're aware of Mitchell Starc.

I was thinking of him with future series in mind, but not sure that he'll get picked unless there are some injuries.

[Spikey]

nathan lyon 'round the wicket obv

assuming he hasn't been dropped for doherty, anyway

[BoyBrumby]

Originally Posted by vic_orthdox

I was thinking of him with future series in mind, but not sure that he'll get picked unless there are some injuries.

Made a decent impression up here for France, by all accounts.

Won't help him if he stinks out his domestic season tho, obvz.

Meanwhile Mike Selvey in The Guardian thinks Strauss is still the best man for the job, but how things go in India will determine whether he'll be in charge come the Ashes double.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

Made a decent impression up here for France, by all accounts.

Won't help him if he stinks out his domestic season tho, obvz.

Meanwhile Mike Selvey in The Guardian thinks Strauss is still the best man for the job, but how things go in India will determine whether he'll be in charge come the Ashes double.

I hate it when England and Australia obsess over the Ashes, but seriously I don't think England could plan it all any worse than sacking their captain (or having him resign) right before back to bash Ashes series. If they're still 50/50 about whether he'll be leading the team for the Ashes in England they should give him the arse right now.

[benchmark00]

Starc is absolutely smashing the door down. I expect him to overtake a couple of the incumbents within the next 6-12 months. Discussion for a different thread though.