Ponting's assignments

[Salamuddin]

How do you guys feel Ricky Ponting and his men will go in the test series this year viz v Sl (away) v ZIM (away assuming it occurs), v SL (home) , v IND (away) and v Pak (home).

Do you think he'll win all of them ?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

in SL - draw
in Zim - comfortable win
v SL in Aus - win
in Ind - loss
v Pak - draw/win - could be a close one

 

[masterblaster]

Wow, he's got the entire subcontinent to take care of this year.
Ill be bold and give my predictions:

Aus in SL: SL Win
Aus in Zim: Aus Win
SL in Aus: Aus Win
Aus in Ind: Ind Win
Pak in Aus: Aus Win

Still Australia will remain on top of the rankings this season as they will comfortably win three of their 5 series.

 

[Langeveldt]

Aus in SL: Aus Win
Aus in Zim: Aus Win
SL in Aus: Aus Win
Aus in Ind: Draw
Pak in Aus: Aus Win

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Still Australia will remain on top of the rankings this season as they will comfortably win three of their 5 series.

Unless South Africa go on a (not unlikely) rampage.

 

[Langeveldt]

Unless South Africa go on a (not unlikely) rampage.

That would be good viewing, however I still think SA are the second best in the world... Dont think they were tested by the WI....

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

IMO South Africa has better bowling resources than Australia (ie player pool) and a fast improving batting lineup. I think South Africa are the team of tomorrow.

 

[Craig]

Dont West Indies tour Australia next summer? If not they would tour the year after.

 

[Langeveldt]

IMO South Africa has better bowling resources than Australia (ie player pool) and a fast improving batting lineup. I think South Africa are the team of tomorrow.

Its hard to see past the mass of players in Australia who could do well for any international side... But their bowling worries me...

I hope you are right, SA need to prove themselves against the best now...

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

If South Africa were to play Australia now it would be a very close series, even if McGrath and Warne were to return.

Kallis is in unbelievable form and Nel, Ntini, Pollock are not in the worst of it either. I think South Africa would slip home.

 

[marc71178]

Its hard to see past the mass of players in Australia who could do well for any international side

Or could they?...

 

[age_master]

im gonna tip An Aussie win in everything, Pontings captaincy will be good and Warney will be back (which also solves the first slip problem) obviously the India series will be the toughest but i think we can win there too, no surprises there though, Harbajan has been seen and will probably take alot fewer wickets than last time.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

As great a player as Warne has been, I wouldn't take a successful return for granted.

 

[Craig]

Agreed. Nothing is certain.

 

[Langeveldt]

As great a player as Warne has been, I wouldn't take a successful return for granted.

But do they really need a succesful warne? Despite MacGill bowling poorly against India, his figures suggest he isnt much worse anyway.....

 

[Langeveldt]

Or could they?...

Well, who knows... Although they seem to have massive backup batting reserves which seem to strengthen their status at the very top....

 

[Neil Pickup]

im gonna tip An Aussie win in everything.

Why does that not surprise me?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

But do they really need a succesful warne? Despite MacGill bowling poorly against India, his figures suggest he isnt much worse anyway.....

Stuart Charles Glyndwr MacGill
30 Tests
147 wickets @ 28.63
4.9 wickets per Test
9x5w
2x10w
SR 55.2
Econ 3.11

Shane Keith Warne
107 Tests
491 wickets @ 25.71
4.58 wickets per Test
23x5w
6x10w
SR 60.8
Econ 2.53

MacGill tends to have the better overall figures, but I would always toss the ball to Warne before I would MacGill. Especially in a bowling attack which lacks the depth of resources such as this Australian attack appears to.

 

[Mister Wright]

Dont West Indies tour Australia next summer? If not they would tour the year after.

No, they pulled out, their place is being taken by New Zealand.

Australia next year:

SL: Aus win 2-1 (weather permitting)
Zim: Aus 2-0
SL (Home): Aus win 2-0
Ind: Ind 3-1
Pak (Home) Aus 2-1 (The series I'm least sure of)
N.Z (Home) Aus 2-1

 

[Craig]

Why did they pull out?