Predict your Ashes line up...

yellowandgreens

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If you had to pick 11 englishmen to take on the Aussies in the ashes tomorow, and everyone was fit, (within reason) who would you go for?

1.Strauss (c)
2.Cook
3.Bopara
4.Pietersen
5.Bell
6.Prior
7.Broad
8.Flintoff
9.Swann
10.Anderson
11.Onions

-Pretty strong batting order all the way down to Swann at 9. Broad batts ahead of Flintoff who's in as more of a bowler who can hold a bat (thats what his is now in my opinion, and Broad has shown class so we should back him)

-Bell over Collingwood is a tricky decision. Don't think theres a massive difference between the two players, both good fielders and can fill in overs here and there with the ball. Bell averages over 50 when not batting at 3 for England!

-Onions can't be dropped after last weeks performance, although I'm not sure he's ready, this minute he's better than Harmison, Hoggard (who ain't actually done that much wrong!) and any others. A fit Simon Jones would be close, but that aint happening.
Only other option, depending on the wicket would be playing two spinners, Monty or Rashid?- I think I'd lean towards Rashid and back youth.
 
Simon Jones? Has he played since the time Australia toured England last?
 
Id swap Bell for Collingwood and move FF down the order.

The rest I agree on.
 
1.Strauss (c)
2.Cook
3.Bopara
4.Pietersen
5.Collingwood
6.Prior
7.Broad
8.Flintoff
9.Swann
10.Anderson
11.Onions

1. Hughes
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. Watson
7. Haddin
8. Hauritz
9. Johnson
10. Lee
11. Siddle
 
arjwiz said:
How Hughes gets in ahead of Hodge I'll never know.
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Because he's a much superior player. Not taking anything away from Hodge, who is an excellent player.

I would've had Symonds instead of McDonald and Hodge instead of North in the Australian squad.
 
You guys are all overrating Hughes. He's decent on the off but that's about it. His pull shots are very susceptible.

Hodge on the other hand is much more experienced for a series such as the Ashes and can bring the side out of a minor collapse, much like Clarke.
 
His figures are unbelievable. The best stats since Bradman. Only 1 bowler has ever got to him (Nannes from Victoria). He is the least of the Australia worries. The all rounder and spinner positions are the first that need to be fixed.
 
mjdj said:
His figures are unbelievable. The best stats since Bradman. Only 1 bowler has ever got to him (Nannes from Victoria). He is the least of the Australia worries. The all rounder and spinner positions are the first that need to be fixed.
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How come Australia let Nannes declare for Holland?

I've seen him only in the IPL but he's been great. He's bowling at 145~ and he's 31. Amazing story really. I read that he only started playing cricket when he was 29.

And yea, Australia lack a proper spinner. Hauritz and Clarke's part-time bowling should be enough balance to beat England, though. England aren't very good.

Not sure why you say all rounder is a problem. Watson is brilliant.
 
And what's happened to Jason Kreza? Haven't seen him in a while. Has he been injured or is he just not in form?
 
zing said:
Not sure why you say all rounder is a problem. Watson is brilliant.
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Thats because he is the cricketing version of Saha. No doubts about his talent but he is a liability as he is likely to break down at any moment of the match.
 
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