Cricket: The 2006/2007 Ashes Thread

[jenny]

Cheeky Beefy says we're creaky

By Jon Pierik

November 13, 2006 12:00
Article from: The Daily Telegraph



ASHES great Ian Botham has mocked Australia's ageing warriors who he feels could crack and not last the distance this summer.

Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer were yesterday dubbed "Dad's Army" in Britain's News of the World after the famous British comedy series set during World War II.

Australia may begin next week's first Ashes Test with their oldest Test side in 80 years, prompting Botham to attack Ricky Ponting's bunch of "colonial geriatrics".

"The Aussies are a year and a half older than when the teams clashed last time and they were creaking then ? especially in the bowling department," he said.

"If they go into a Test with Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Stuart MacGill and Damien Martyn, the Aussies will have seven players aged 35 and over.

"I can't imagine there has ever been a team that old in international cricket.

"True, age doesn't necessarily mean you're no good.

"Warnie took 40 wickets last time and still finished on the losing side.

"There are some great cricketers in that list, but when Father Time starts to call, it can all fall apart very quickly."

While Botham is a noted pot-stirrer, his claims have substance this time as there is a feeling the longer the series is "alive", the better a more youthful England's chances are of retaining the precious urn.

The five-Test series will be held in a little over six weeks, with back-to-back clashes to close the summer in Melbourne and Sydney particularly gruelling.

Botham also called on England skipper Andrew Flintoff to launch verbal hand grenades at the Australians.

Ponting and the likes of McGrath have gone on the verbal offensive since the tourists arrived, but the England camp ? with the affable Flintoff as its front man ? has largely been reserved.

"This bunch, led then by Michael Vaughan and now by Freddie Flintoff, are not scarred by Ashes failure. That's why I want to hear the England camp talking more positively," he said.

"I want to hear them saying how good they are and how p . . . poor the Dad's Army of Aussies are.

"That's the attitude they must have. If they allow the Aussies any psychological advantage, they might as well come home.

"I am fed up hearing things like 'if we are right' and 'if we have a little bit of luck'. That's bull. . . ..

"Lads, the Aussies are more than a year older than the team you beat last time. Start believing in yourselves.

"I wasn't worried about England not doing well in the Champions Trophy.

"If they are fit, and the bowlers are strong and up for 25 overs a day, England will keep the Ashes.

"If England pick their best bowlers, then they will win because they are better than Australia."

Botham, 50, also dismissed Australia's superb form since losing the Ashes, claiming they "haven't played anyone" despite winning 11 of their past 12 Tests.

[jenny]

Pick MacGill in Brisbane

Exclusive by Steve Waugh

November 14, 2006 12:00
Article from: The Daily Telegraph



LEG-SPIN is the Poms' achilles heel and it's our great fortune to have the two best exponents of this craft residing in Australia.

For that reason, I believe Stuart MacGill should join Shane Warne in the first Test line-up at the Gabba.

The single most important set of statistics in deciding Australia's first Test team belong to the Pakistan reject Mushtaq Ahmed.

During the English county cricket season he claimed a monumental 102 wickets ? 41 more than the next best, including 11 five-wicket hauls at an average of under 20 at a strike rate of one wicket every six overs.

The key to these impressive numbers is, wait for it . . . he bowls leg-spin! Combine this with Warne's 40-wicket standout performance during the last Ashes campaign and the selection dilemma is a no-brainer.

Forget MacGill's current form, his indiscretion with a grade cricket umpire or anything else for that matter, the guy was born to play at the top level and he loves the mental and technical examinations it presents. MacGill craves the challenge and enjoys the spotlight.

Much of the hype surrounding the first Test centres on the supposed favourable conditions that will present themselves for the pacemen with the extra bounce and pace in the pitch.

This will happen on the first morning but the more significant play will be the turn and bounce that Warne and MacGill would extract from the grooved and gouged footmarks as they dry out from the first few hours of wear and tear under the spikes of the quicks when the soil is moist.

Brisbane can be the best surface in Australia for the tweakers to prosper and a double barrelled assault against an unproven middle order could set the tone for the whole series.

Unfortunately, however, I do not believe this will happen as convention suggests the safer selection option rests with the pacemen who are queuing up, all with solid credentials.

Assuming Shane Watson has the No. 6 position wrapped up ahead of Michael Clarke, the tough call is who of the four outstanding candidates make the final XI.

Does Andrew Hilditch and company leave out the destructive talents of Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait, who could slipsream in behind Lee and blow England out of the water?

Or the mini McGrath, Stuart Clark, who has improved enough to suggest he's the real deal at this level?

Or perhaps the often neglected Bracken whose swing is something modern day batsman find tougher to conquer than a Rubicks Cube?

My gut feeling is Johnson will debut on his home ground and support Lee, McGrath, Warne and Watson and cause problems with his pace and movement away to the left-handers.

I put Johnson up there with Warne, Lee and Tait as guys who I felt exuded that something special when I first laid eyes on them.

On the batting side of things. it seems pretty straight forward with possibly the only change worth consideration is elevating Mike Hussey up to No. 4.

The Aussies look primed for a initial onslaught as England seem to be sluggish at present.

But very often the form book is an illusion at the top level as it is the will of the individual and the strength of the unit that drives success. I can't wait for that first ball to be delivered as the hush descends around the ground.

[Poida]

Lol at the crap this english mob over there is saying.
who cares if we got older players.
theyre in form

[Grimmace]

First Test team announced

November 16, 2006 12:00


STUART Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait will face off for the fourth Australian bowling spot with all being chosen in the 13-man Ashes squad for the first Test.

With three bowling spots to be occupied by Glen McGrath, Shane Warne and Brett Lee, the trio of quicks will go head to head for inclusion in the final 11.

Left-arm Queenslander Johnson has come to prominence for the Brisbane fixture with a sizzling domestic form and a recent four wicket one-day international haul against India. Likewise, Tait?s impressive form for South Australia and firebrand bowling style make him a wild card option

However, Clark?s typically probing spell against the English this week, as well as his stunning start to his Test career, will put him at the forefront of the selector?s minds when the final team takes the field next Thursday.

As expected, Justin Langer held onto his opening spot despite the great form of NSW run-machine Phil Jaques. All-rounder Shane Watson will make his fourth Test appearance, replacing Michael Clarke in the middle-order.

Meanwhile, England have chosen Middlesex batsman Ed Joyce to replace Marcus Trescothick, who returned home yesterday suffering depression. Joyce was chosen ahead of Robert Key, Owais Shah and this year?s English County Player of the Year, Mark Ramprakash.

Australian squad:

Ricky Ponting (c) TAS
Adam Gilchrist (vc) WA
Stuart Clark NSW
Matthew Hayden QLD
Mike Hussey WA
Mitchell Johnson QLD
Justin Langer WA
Brett Lee NSW
Damien Martyn WA
Glenn McGrath NSW
Shaun Tait SA
Shane Warne VIC
Shane Watson QLD


Commenting on the squad selected for the first 3 mobile Ashes Test, NSP Chairman Andrew Hildtich said: "We?ve picked a very strong squad which reflects the fact that Australia has been successful at international level for some time.

"We are showing faith in those players who have contributed to that success, while at the same time injecting some youth into the squad with the inclusions of Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait.

?We believe this is a squad capable of winning back the Ashes. As far as Shane Watson is concerned we see his inclusion to the Test squad as an exciting development for Australian cricket.

"Shane has an outstanding first-class record with the bat, averaging over 45 and his bowling ability gives us the flexibility in our attack that we have been looking for. It will be interesting to see how he develops as a Test cricketer in this series.

?Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden as an opening partnership have been one of the most successful partnerships in Australian cricketing history. Matthew had a great international season last year and is in fine touch this year.

"Justin has started the domestic season strongly, averaging over 70 so far and he scored an unbeaten hundred against Tasmania in Western Australia?s recent Pura Cup clash. The performance of the opening pair in this series will be crucial against a classy English bowling attack.

?The inclusion of extra pacemen in the squad reflects one of the strongest starts to the domestic season of young talent in recent memory. It reflects the development of Mitchell Johnson in the past 12 months, some eye-catching fast bowling from Shaun Tait and the performance of Stuart Clark in South Africa and since his return from injury domestically.

?The selection of the final eleven will be a tough decision and will be made in Brisbane after assessing the conditions and the pitch. We intend to pick the best balanced side to represent Australia against England.?

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said: "Our last 12 months of Test cricket have been terrific, there?s been huge excitement, anticipation and build-up in this Ashes series and now that we?ve actually selected our squad we can relax a little bit, get on and prepare for this first Test match.

?We have got a well documented experienced team going into this series but I think historically what you want in any team is a good mix of youth and experience and I think we?ve certainly got that.

?Shane Watson?s cricket over the last 12 months has come along in leaps and bounds, he?s got a terrific record at first-class level with the bat and his bowling has really taken off, probably since Troy Cooley has been around the group.

?It?s really exciting as far as I?m concerned to have that depth of fast bowling talent around the country at the moment. You look at Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark who have all started this season off extremely well and are all putting their hands up for selection.

?This series is going to be huge, we?ve all been waiting for it for 14-15 months and the crowds around Australia have been exactly the same, there?s been huge anticipation for this series and the players are really excited about getting to Brisbane and getting our preparation under way. When we turn up at the GABBA, it?s a great ground and great stadium, it will be full and we?re looking forward to getting the show on the road.?

For information, the 13th man will return to home port no later than the morning of the first 3 mobile Test match and the 12th man will be released to play domestic cricket in the games commencing Friday 24 November.

Source: Daily Terlegraph

[Casey's Angel27]

no michael clarke?

[Titanium_BD1103]

Nope... Pup is a batsman and Australia decided to go with an allrounder in Watson... so Pup will just have to keep fighting hard like Jaques for NSW and hope for the best....

[Robbie_Dee]

yeah and Clarke isn't all that consistent! If he's on his game he can be really damaging but when he's not he can be someone that could let Australia down. :dead: IMO smart move to leave Clarke out...as much as i like him...i think theres better men for the job ie, Watson

[Grimmace]

I like the squad good thing is if you dont perform someone can take your place.

However i hope they dont go with clark, If england can get settled against Mcgrath we are wasting a bowling spot so id either give it to tait or johnaon but id be more leaning towards tait.

[BrisbaneBroncosRule]

I thought we would have left out Martyn for Pup.

My team would be -

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Hussey
Watson
Gilchrist
Lee
Warne
Tait
McGrath

[jenny]

Ashes star's private hell

By Robert Craddock

November 16, 2006 12:00
Article from: The Daily Telegraph



ENGLAND feared Marcus Trescothick was having a complete mental breakdown when the sobbing cricketer locked himself in his hotel room a day before his SCG dressing room meltdown.

Trescothick flew home on Tuesday after suffering a relapse of a stress disorder, hiding in a toilet and needing to be consoled by a team doctor for two hours.



The dramatic breakdown prompted Trescothick to abandon the Ashes tour, but it was revealed yesterday that team officials had already planned to send the mentally fragile batsman home before Tuesday.

The 30-year-old broke down in his hotel room a day earlier and teammates feared he was on the verge of a total breakdown.

Coach Duncan Fletcher admitted yesterday he had decided to send Trescothick home before the 76-Test star quit the tour.

"He was feeling pretty upset. He wanted to go back," Fletcher said.

"At first we decided maybe the best thing was to get his wife and family out here early but I wasn't too happy with that.

"I was going to speak to Marcus after the game and say we have a difficult tour here, and going to discuss whether he would fly back and not let his wife come out here.

"It was unpleasant in the change room. He was feeling pretty upset. He wanted to go back."

Trescothick's depressive illness is understood to be linked to travelling. He abandoned a tour of India last March after which he acknowledged he might not rescue his career.

Trescothick's departure from Australia was met with widespread sympathy yesterday, with the spotlight now on the increasingly common plight of depression in sport.

Sports psychologists confirmed more and more top athletes ? most notably in cricket and rugby ? are battling depression as they deal with pressures and expectations on the sporting field.

England selectors came under fire yesterday for choosing the mentally fragile Trescothick for such an important tour.

Former England spinner Phil Tufnell, who spent a night in a psych ward in Perth 12 years ago as he battled his own Ashes demons, questioned whether the ECB had monitored Trescothick properly.

"It beggars belief England have already lost an opening batsman barely a week into the tour," Tufnell said.

"Who was keeping an eye on him and monitoring his progress? This kind of illness is such a cloudy issue you'd have thought the management were keeping very close tabs on it.

"It's a shame England have lost Trescothick. He's fantastic against Shane Warne and can take the fight to the Aussies by scoring quickly and dominating."

Former England captain Geoff Boycott warned more cricketers face possible mental breakdown given the demanding touring schedule set down by cricket's bosses.

"If you think this is a one-off then think again. It is just the beginning and more players will crack up in the future," Boycott said.

"Sadly the game is led by people with one thing on their minds ? making lots of money. It means players are being worked into the ground and the burden of playing non-stop cricket is taking its toll.

"There is a quick and easy way of stopping this happening, but it would involve the game's administrators taking the one step that they dread ? cutting back on the amount of international cricket.

[Poida]

Watson in doubt for Ashes Test with hamstring injury
Fri 17 Nov, 8:34 AM


PERTH, Australia (AFP) - All-rounder Shane Watson injured a hamstring playing for Queensland in a domestic one-day game here and is in doubt for next week's first Ashes cricket Test against England.

Watson was bowling the first ball of his sixth over against Western Australia at the WACA Ground when he pulled up sharply, clutching the back of his right leg.

Looking concerned, Watson conferred with Queensland captain Jimmy Maher and team-mates before leaving the ground with the team trainer.

Watson was considered a certain selection to bat at six against England in next week's first Test at the Gabba, allowing Australia to go with four fast bowlers and play wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist at seven.

But if Watson is forced to withdraw Australia may look for a replacement all-rounder -- possibly Andrew Symonds -- pick five specialist bowlers, or another batsman.

The injury scare is the latest in a series of untimely set-backs for Watson, who has been restricted to three Tests since making his debut in January 2005.

After breaking into Australia's one-day team in 2002, stress fractures to his back at the start of 2003 forced him to miss the last World Cup.

Then last year he was drafted into the Test team with the intention of becoming the designated allrounder, but dislocated his shoulder diving to field in his second Test.

[BrisbaneBroncosRule]

Marcus North should be his replacement as another batter.

[jenny]

Cricket
Flipper is ready to tweak havoc

By Jon Pierik
November 20, 2006

SHANE Warne last night lobbed a hand-grenade into England's Ashes camp by declaring he had again mastered his deadliest weapon - the flipper.

In a warning which is sure to have the tourists sweating, the champion leg spinner has vowed to unleash the wicked under-spinner in his first over of the series opener, beginning Thursday at the Gabba.

But he refrained from disclosing which ball of the over it would be, adding more suspense to what promises to be an explosive Test.

"I am going to bowl one in my first over just to let them know that it's back," a pumped Warne said. "I was landing two out of five - now it's closer to three, even closer to four out of five.

"That's what I wanted. I haven't been able to bowl it much since I broke my spinning finger at Punt Rd (six years ago). But my finger and my shoulder now feel great."

As the Australia squad gathered in Brisbane yesterday, Warne revealed he had fine-tuned one of cricket's most venomous deliveries during the northern summer while playing for county side Hampshire.

In one innings against Middlesex he dismissed three batsmen leg before - part-time England players Owais Shah and Jamie Dalrymple and New Zealand all rounder Scott Styris - with the famed delivery which skidded through the best of defences in the 1990s.

He has continued to refine it this summer during Victoria's Pura Cup matches.

Warne has been unable to master the flipper since he broke his spinning finger while fielding at slip for Victoria during a one-day game at Punt Rd six years ago.

But, having grown more confident with his reconstructed finger and shoulder in the past year, cricket's greatest wicket-taker is ready to unleash mayhem.

"I am feeling really good about the flipper now," he said.

Warne spent years earlier in his career developing the flipper, a delivery that Cricket Australia had banned from junior coaching manuals because of the stress it creates on the bowling hand.

He spectacularly launched this hard-to-bowl ball against the West Indies in 1992-93 when it skidded on to master batsman Richie Richardson's off-stump. The vicious delivery also memorably befuddled dangerman Alec Stewart at the Gabba in 1994-95 when the Englishman shaped to cut but was fooled by the lethal underspin and was bowled.

Warne now has a full bag of tricks and looms as an even more dangerous proposition than when he tormented England with 40 wickets last year.

"I am bowling more wrong-uns now than I ever have. They are coming out well," he said.

The flipper can now safely sit alongside the zooter (a straight ball delivered out of the back of the hand), the slider (a straight ball delivered from the front of the hand), the conventional top-spinner, a wrong-un and the leg spinner, which can be imparted with little or maximum spin.

[Poida]

i knew warne would master it again.
its a great ball to use

[~Wild Child~]

i knew warne would master it again.
its a great ball to use

Woot.. Great news Go Warney :win: