*Official* Road to 2013 Ashes

[BoyBrumby]

From an England point of view I would be an awful lot happier if they go with Starc over Bird from what we have seen in this series.

Starc went pretty well with the French last season, tbf. Leading T20 wicket taker in our domestic comp.

[vic_orthdox]

Starc still reminds me of Finn, all the basic ingredients are there, he manages to take wickets, even if he's not bowling particularly well (and will definitely do so when hot), but there will be times that he leaks like a sieve.

[Tangles]

So if Watson wants to open again and not bowl I'm fine with dropping Ed but what happens to the middle order? Clarke and Khawaja at 4/5 or the reverse is fine but we really need runs at 6 imo. Maxwell first in line with a shot at the all rounder spot maybe.

[AlanJLegend]

If Watson wants to open the batting and can make some big scores in that position in the shield, considering his record there and Ed's inability to run properly between the wickets I think he would make a pretty good case for himself.

Would not be opposed to putting Khawaja at 6 and Cowan at 4, even if just temporarily until we find somebody better. Seems like a good guy to have around the team, just needs to justify his selection via weight of runs.

[vic_orthdox]

As opposed to Watto's running between wickets...

[Daemon]

Cowan's career will always be like how it's panned out so far imo. Steady but unspectacular.

Don't really think there's a need to change the one thing that's doing well in Australia's batting, Cowan and Warner have been one of the better opening pairs in recent times.

[Noppe]

Cowan's career will always be like how it's panned out so far imo. Steady but unspectacular.

Don't really think there's a need to change the one thing that's doing well in Australia's batting, Cowan and Warner have been one of the better opening pairs in recent times.

Steady is way too favourable to Cowen, he just isn't good enough.

[Sarun]

Siddle seems to be the only sure of getting a spot among pacers for Ashes, right?

Seems like other contenders could make a case or get behind others depending on performance against India.

[Tangles]

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson/Khawaja
Clarke
Maxwell/?
Wade
Siddle
Starc/MJ
Bird
Lyon

India is going to be very important for people to lock down Ashes spots. If you look at the current team plus a Hussey replacement probably only Clarke would survive a horror series. Warner, Wade, Siddle and Lyon probably get tickets with average performances. If he's fit Pattinson would probably be ok also. Hard to know where MJ fits with all the crap the selectors keep saying but if he failed then that would be MJ being MJ right.

The batting is where the heat will be on to perform. I don't know how much leeway Cowan and Hughes have if they hit a trot and I have a feeling that Khawaja/Maxwell/? would have none. No doubt that 100 against a SL B team means Wade is a lock baring injury.

[andyc]

Siddle seems to be the only sure of getting a spot among pacers for Ashes, right?

Seems like other contenders could make a case or get behind others depending on performance against India.

Injury aside, Pattinson is 100% in.

India is going to be very important for people to lock down Ashes spots. If you look at the current team plus a Hussey replacement probably only Clarke would survive a horror series. Warner, Wade, Siddle and Lyon probably get tickets with average performances.

I really can't see them dropping Warner, regardless of how he goes in India. Only injury would keep him out of the being on the plane to England. He's done enough already IMO and there's simply not anyone else sticking their hands up.

[Tangles]

When is Pattinson expected back?

[Spark]

I hear he's already bowling in the nets.

[social]

Starc still reminds me of Finn, all the basic ingredients are there, he manages to take wickets, even if he's not bowling particularly well (and will definitely do so when hot), but there will be times that he leaks like a sieve.

Starc definitely has the better action (IMO, Finn's has definitely deteriorated lately) and has the additional advantages of being left-handed and being able to swing both the old and new ball

Having said that. both are relatively young so inconsistency is to be expected

[Philhughesisbes]

The batting is where the heat will be on to perform. I don't know how much leeway Cowan and Hughes have if they hit a trot and I have a feeling that Khawaja/Maxwell/? would have none. No doubt that 100 against a SL B team means Wade is a lock baring injury.

If Hughes doesn't make it to the first ashes test selectors would have seriously lost it.Hughes and Clarke will be the backbone of our batting for atleast the next 5 years.Bird , Pattinson, Siddle and Lyon are our best attack.RIghtly imo Lyon is a certain for the ashes.I wonder where all this Lyon hate came from.The guy is the best option by a mile.

[Monk]

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson/Khawaja
Clarke
Maxwell/?
Wade
Siddle
Starc/MJ
Bird
Lyon

India is going to be very important for people to lock down Ashes spots. If you look at the current team plus a Hussey replacement probably only Clarke would survive a horror series. Warner, Wade, Siddle and Lyon probably get tickets with average performances. If he's fit Pattinson would probably be ok also. Hard to know where MJ fits with all the crap the selectors keep saying but if he failed then that would be MJ being MJ right.

The batting is where the heat will be on to perform. I don't know how much leeway Cowan and Hughes have if they hit a trot and I have a feeling that Khawaja/Maxwell/? would have none. No doubt that 100 against a SL B team means Wade is a lock baring injury.

If Watson can't be relied upon to bowl, this is what I'd be looking at for India/ the Ashes...

- Warner
- Cowan
- Hughes
- Khawaja
- Clarke
- D. Hussey
- Wade
- Siddle
- Pattinson
- Starc/Cummins
- Lyon

Loads of left handers in that top order, but I'm thinking that might be a good thing against Anderson's swing?

Dussey provides the following- a proven first class record, experience, a fifth bowling option and very good fielding. Considering how green our whole side is, I think he's a sensible option.

If Harris can get fit, he provides another good option. Think he'd be awesome in both India and England.