Is this the worst Australian test side, ever?

[sten_super]

Their batting line-up is great, though they've been let down by their bowlers. Don't forget that two of their best bowlers are injured and may be back for the next test which will certainly give them a boost.

I'm worried that our win will make some of our players think they only have to turn up from now on to win the Ashes. The Aussies are always dangerous in any situation and could easily turn it around if we're not right on top of our game.

Who are the two? Lee I'll give you, but I'm not sure who you think is the second one? I'm pretty sure that Clark is fit, but has been left out because apparently he doesn't have the same pace that he had a year or two ago, and the Aussie view is that without that he's just asking to be spanked around the park.

Oh, and in answer to the question: No, not by a long shot.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Their batting line-up is great, though they've been let down by their bowlers. Don't forget that two of their best bowlers are injured and may be back for the next test which will certainly give them a boost.

I'm worried that our win will make some of our players think they only have to turn up from now on to win the Ashes. The Aussies are always dangerous in any situation and could easily turn it around if we're not right on top of our game.

But the Aussie bowling attack at Lords is the attack that won the series in South Africa.

 

[Stat Brother]

No, they are not the worst Aussie team.... i think their batting line up is awesome, HOWEVER, their bowling attack is there to be taken .

Saves me from writing that.
Although not having staterlite who am I to judge on the back of 45 mins of highlights minus adverts

 

[warsaw]

You are saying that the Australian side that scored 674-6 just over a week ago is the worst ever?

Yes and I also said that this isn't a great England side either. Two average sides I think

 

[Worthai Seagull]

But the Aussie bowling attack at Lords is the attack that won the series in South Africa.

Thats true, but i just think that the attack is not as great as its made out to be. Maybe i will be made to eat my words !

 

[vegster]

you are getting them confused with the one that scored over 400 in a 4th innings of a test match?

Agreed, not many teams would post over 400 batting last. They may not be as good as some touring teams but they are not the worst. Beware !.. plus as a reminder, they do still hold the Ashes and as such, they hold them until they are won.. a 1-1 series result will mean they keep the pot.

 

[Questions]

Yeah that was great. For some reason all the "Australians" in 1984 wore boot polish on their faces - I bet you loved that - and Kim Hughes' burgeoning mental illness led to him referring to himself by the name "Clive Lloyd" throughout that same summer.

Strange post, and surprising seeing as I am on your ignore list.

Who had the mental illness ? Kim Hughes you say.

 

[franks brother]

Does anyone know how KP is?
He is certainly carrying an injury at the moment?

I wonder if Harmison will come back for the next test, or has Onions done enough to keep his place.
Bopara? Can he keep out Key or Bell?
Maybe both would have to come in if KP is not able to play in the next test.
I can see the selectors going for Owais Shah.
Personally, I don't think he is really of test standard

 

[vegster]

Strange post, and surprising seeing as I am on you`re ignore list.

Who had the mental illness ? Kim Hughes you say.

I think that Kim Hughes suffered from an unkind Australian press because he did not drink much and once read a book, this, coupled with having a poor team led to a breakdown.

 

[Questions]

I think that Kim Hughes suffered from an unkind Australian press because he did not drink much and once read a book, this, coupled with having a poor team led to a breakdown.

So why did they get rid of Symons. Proper Aussie he was.To drunk for nets ?:yahoo:

 

[Lady Whistledown]

The truth, as always, is somewhere in between.

Australia aren't as good as they were three or four years ago- how could they be, given the big names they've lost- but there is something about playing against England that seems to bring a bit extra out of even their weaker players at times.

They were by miles the better side in Cardiff but couldn't quite finish the job, England were miles better at Lord's, notwithstanding a few nerves and a bit of Aussie bloody-mindedness in the fourth innings. So there's not that much between them.

Probably be a fairly close series- but I'm sure Ponting is still confident of getting at least a couple of wins out of it.

(damn him)

 

[Stat Brother]

So why did they get rid of Symons. Proper Aussie he was.To drunk for nets ?:yahoo:

Too drunk to stand next to the nets.
As he fell over whilst leaning against a bin, 4 years ago.

 

[Questions]

Too drunk to stand next to the nets.
As he fell over whilst leaning against a bin, 4 years ago.

Quite a read but I did laugh at the bit about Hayden`s missus.



Symonds was set to play in Australia's August 2008 opening game in Darwin, but instead headed back to Queensland after missing the team meeting on the Friday while out fishing. Stand-in captain Michael Clarke told the media that Symonds would have to re-evaluate his desire to represent Australia: "The main concern from us is Andrew's commitment, to playing for this team and, in my opinion and I know the rest of the leadership team's opinion, you need to be committed 100 per cent."[29]

He was also not selected for the Australian tour to India in October 2008, as further punishment for his misadventure. After Australia's two-nil series loss, however, he quickly become an integral part of its future plans and was selected to play the Test Series against New Zealand in November.[30] He did not play any significant role in the First Test, which Australia won, but at the end of the Test, on 22 November, was involved in an incident in a Brisbane pub and reported to have been involved in a brawl with another patron who had attempted to hug and have his photo taken with the cricketer. He was subsequently cleared by Cricket Australia to play in the Second Test.[31]

He then played in the first two Tests of the next series against South Africa but performed poorly and was omitted from the team for the Third Test due to injury; at the same time, many critics called for his omission on performance grounds.

In January 2009, Symonds gave an interview with sports comedians Roy & HG, in which he made remarks about the acquisition of New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum by the New South Wales Blues to play in KFC Twenty20 final against Victoria, despite McCullum's not having played at all for the Blues previously. Sounding intoxicated, Symonds called McCullum a "lump of shit", and declared that having dinner at the home of team-mate Matthew Hayden was enjoyable because he could glance at Hayden's wife. He was charged by Cricket Australia with violating its code of conduct and was fined, following a hearing over the 25-minute interview with Cricket Australia chief Michael Brown. As a result he was also barred from selection for a period until he was deemed to have been successfully rehabilitated.[32

 

[Uncle Buck]

I think their batting is every bit as good as it was four years ago, if not BETTER. With the exception of Hughes they don't have a weak link in the top 8, and even Siddle and Hauritz can hold a bat. It's just their woeful bowling that lets them down.

Looking at the two tests so far it's been exactly as I expected it to be: England's bowling is stronger but Australia's batting is more reliable. Over the course of the series I still expect more draws - in fact, I'd be surprised if more than one of the remaining three tests has a winner.

I would not write that bowling off, this attack won a series in South Africa, granted on faster wickets, the problem is Johnson has been the strike bowler and at present he is suffering from the Sadj's.

There is also the Cooley factor.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Does anyone know how KP is?
He is certainly carrying an injury at the moment?

I wonder if Harmison will come back for the next test, or has Onions done enough to keep his place.
Bopara? Can he keep out Key or Bell?
Maybe both would have to come in if KP is not able to play in the next test.
I can see the selectors going for Owais Shah.
Personally, I don't think he is really of test standard

Key will not get near the side until Freddie has retired, they need to keep Freddie sober.

Bell is next in line for the batting line up.

Shah had his chance in the Windies and did not take it and from what has been written was a tad difficult in the dressing room.

 

[champion7]

Never right of any Australian side.They play better when their been hurt.

 

[Skaville]

The poll doesn't really work as the answers relate to a different question. Is this the worst Aussie aide ever - NO, not by a long shot, they were atrocious in the late 80's. Will they come good. YES. So how should I vote?

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

The poll doesn't really work as the answers relate to a different question. Is this the worst Aussie aide ever - NO, not by a long shot, they were atrocious in the late 80's. Will they come good. YES. So how should I vote?

I thought the same.

However, my take is, the Aussies have a great batting line-up but a very ordinary bowling line-up. Cardiff was more us playing badly than their bowlers playing well

The English are not dis-similar. The only time the we get intimidating is when "Freddie" bowls. Broad is so frustrating, bowling short but with no true bottle. He needs to be involved in a few brawls to change that baby face, he just is not intimidating. Onions whilst deceptive with speed needs cloud conditions to get something to happen. Anderson gives it and is a good foil to Freddie. Personally I would drop Onions and bring in Harmison. If Flintoff, Anderson, Harmison & Broad are all up to it, we will blow the Aussies out. As far as batting goes Bopora and Pieterson are only an innings away from form. Pieterson hasn't turned from one of the most dangerous batters to a useless player, he as all players from time to time is just finding it hard going at the moment.