*Official* Road to 2013 Ashes

[Daemon]

It's called hosting.

We're not the BCCI.

They gave Australia two strong teams in the Ind A and BP XI tbf. England got 3, 2 of them were **** sides (Mumbai A and Haryana) but they still managed to do well against them.

[Scaly piscine]

Bell would probably be Australia's vice captain.

That is hilarious.

Not half as hilarious as Watson being Australia's vice captain though.

[flibbertyjibber]

Not half as hilarious as Watson being Australia's vice captain though.

Best bit is dropping him for disciplinary reasons then bringing him back as captain next match. Makes the KP affair seem like a storm in a teacup.

[Lillian Thomson]

I'm really looking forward to this series. It makes a change to see both teams so full of holes with unproven Test players. I think one or two of the new Australian faces might surprise people. I think Compton might surprise a few people as well - but only if he comes out to bat wearing a red nose and funny hat.

[LongHopCassidy]

Quick question which isn't so relevant nowadays: why did counties so often field 2nd XIs against touring Australian teams? Was it on decree of the MCC to give them less of a warm-up/hide Test players or was it just seen by counties as a chance to rest the starting players without jeopardizing their CC rank?

[Prince EWS]

Quick question which isn't so relevant nowadays: why did counties so often field 2nd XIs against touring Australian teams? Was it on decree of the MCC to give them less of a warm-up/hide Test players or was it just seen by counties as a chance to rest the starting players without jeopardizing their CC rank?

The latter.

[uvelocity]

Best bit is dropping him for disciplinary reasons then bringing him back as captain next match. Makes the KP affair seem like a storm in a teacup.

yeah because the watson dropping involved him giving dhoni inside info against his teammates and dragged on for weeks through the press

[Daemon]

Yeah, if anything, Watson's was the storm in the teacup because it all resolved so quickly and painlessly.

[LongHopCassidy]

On top of that, the respective "It's Tough Being Me" threads have 718 replies for KP and 55 for Watto.

[wpdavid]

Bell has had a couple of lean years for sure, but still managed to ave 33.6 (2011) and 38.25 (2012)..........should we see how that stacks up against the Aussie top 6

You sure about those averages? I thought his figures were pretty stellar in 2011 and probably worse than 38 in 2012.

Beyond that, his figures in the tougher series (Pakistan in UAE, SA and India) shouldn't be glossed over by the relatively easy runs in other series.

[marc71178]

He means 2012 and 2013. Not sure why his India series figures (43.00) need glossing over though.

[Cabinet96]

He means 2012 and 2013. Not sure why his India series figures (43.00) need glossing over though.

But he played one bad shot that looks funny on youtube.

[flibbertyjibber]

On top of that, the respective "It's Tough Being Me" threads have 718 replies for KP and 55 for Watto.

Maybe that is because one is a class player and the other is a dick nobody cares about?

[Adders]

He means 2012 and 2013. Not sure why his India series figures (43.00) need glossing over though.

Sorry my bad.....typo. Yes it was 2012 and 2013 I was referring to. And good point about his ave in India too..........only M Clarke bettered that for the Aussies over there.

So my point remains. The Aussies can and will continue to LOL at Bell........but he'd still be their second best batsmen.

[burr]

On top of that, the respective "It's Tough Being Me" threads have 718 replies for KP and 55 for Watto.

Probably because KP actually performs and people were concerned about the prospect of losing him long-term from the England team.

Anyway, I know people like Cowan b/c he tries hard and is generally the only guy with a brain-cell who doesn't present as a bogan in the Australian XI, but I don't hold high hopes for him. He's limited, +30 and can't see him making big tons (or even tons) in England. Hope I'm wrong as he's sure to start but my hopes rest with Hughes. They're not high hopes; more a glimmer that he'll find a way to work with that 'wonderful' technique and score big. Can't see Warner succeeding so maybe Hughes could even move to opening which I'd prefer.