*Official* Road to 2013 Ashes

[uvelocity]

pea hearted spud. patto is going to eat him alive

[sphynx]

Looking at the winter from an England point of view if before the India tour started we had been offered a draw and a win in the two series we'd have snatched your arm off. The fact we have done it the less obvious way round is a bit weird but not losing in our last 6 tests away from home is a good effort.

As for the ashes, we basically know the England side already as long as Swann and KP are fit with the only selection headache being the number 6 slot which I think Root will get. Good to know we are virtually secure with our line up and the opposition have question marks over ever department of their game. Bring it on I say.

Question marks over every department?

I think the bowling lineup is pretty settled.

Either way, the third seamer is going to be pretty decent.

Harris, Bird or Starc. Harris just bowled about 60 overs in the Shield Final, he's rdy to go.

[Adders]

stoked bell will be nailed on

Yeah, you were pretty stoked about him playing last time too Uvo........how'd that work out for you

[Furball]

In contrast to Cowan?

Since last Ashes:

Cowan - 17 Tests, 987 runs @ 32.90, 1 ton, 6 50s.
Watson - 14 Tests, 627 runs @ 24.11, 0 tons, 4 50s.

[Furball]

England has not been spoken about much in this thread but they obviously have their issues as well, specifically:

a. No. 6

b. 3rd seamer - Finn was largely poor in NZ

c. The fitness of Anderson, Swann and KP - major issues as there are no replacements of remotely similar qualities

Opener could also become an issue as jury is still out on Compton who will probably get the gig for the first couple of tests

Our batting is so ridiculously reliant on Cook and KP it's not funny. It's seriously, seriously weak at the moment.

And we need to pray that Bres or Tremlett are fit and start the season well, Finn's not a Test bowler at the moment. Still bowls the garbage he did 2 years ago but has completely lost the happy knack of fluking wickets anyway.

[social]

Our batting is so ridiculously reliant on Cook and KP it's not funny. It's seriously, seriously weak at the moment.

And we need to pray that Bres or Tremlett are fit and start the season well, Finn's not a Test bowler at the moment. Still bowls the garbage he did 2 years ago but has completely lost the happy knack of fluking wickets anyway.

At least you have a series against NZ to sort some things out and it will undoubtedly be important for guys like Compton, Root, Bairstow, Monty, Finn, Onions (must come into consideration after Finn's showing), etc

Anyway, as it stands, Eng are in a much better position than Australia

[Neil Pickup]

So the only side you play in England is one of the weakest ones, makes sense to me. Why help you along, hardly likely to give us a hand are you?

It's called hosting.

We're not the BCCI.

[Neil Pickup]

What would a combined XI look like at the moment?

Cook
Warner
Trott
KP
Clarke*
Bell
Prior+
Swann
Harris/Siddle
Pattinson
Anderson

?

[Prince EWS]

It's called hosting.

We're not the BCCI.

Quite.

I didn't want to warmonger his post either but the England Lions just toured here and CA pulled players out of the short Sheffield Shield and Ryobi Cup seasons to play for Australia A against them. I didn't really have a problem with that happening either (although I'd have preferred if it could have been arranged to not actually conflict) but either way you shouldn't be going out of your way to give the opposition the most diluted preparation you can get away with. I'm not saying that's what the ECB have done here at all, I don't know the circumstances behind who organised the tour fixtures and who requested what, but yeah.

[Prince EWS]

What would a combined XI look like at the moment?

Cook
Warner
Trott
KP
Clarke*
Bell
Prior+
Swann
Harris/Siddle
Pattinson
Anderson

?

Yeah, straight up that.

[uvelocity]

maxwell for bell

[Marcuss]

Love how Bell still has his reputation from 05

[flibbertyjibber]

Question marks over every department?

I think the bowling lineup is pretty settled.

Either way, the third seamer is going to be pretty decent.

Harris, Bird or Starc. Harris just bowled about 60 overs in the Shield Final, he's rdy to go.

Wouldn't know what the best attack is though would you? The way you chop and change it means we could all guess it and still be miles out. Not saying your attack is bad just not settled.

[Scaly piscine]

I'll finish this sentence for you:

Harris just bowled about 60 overs in the Shield Final, he's rdy to go

[Spark]

Love how Bell still has his reputation from 05

Innings today was good, sure, you have seen some of the shots he's played over the last 18 months, yeah? Almost became a parody of himself at times - Ian "caught at short extra cover" Bell.