* * * The Ashes - Official Thread * * *

[vegster]

I can't see what the point is in bringing in the inexperienced, Michael Beer for the Perth Test. Unless I've missed something, traditionaly the WACA is one of the fastest and bounciest wickets in the world ?

Beer is going to be put under immediate pressure to hold an end up while the quicks rotate. Talk about make or break

 

[OzMike]

Beer plays for the Western Warriors, his home ground is the WACA so they will be hoping for a home advantage so to speak.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Has to be Tremlett for me. He can be unplayable on his day, is a lot more experienced than Shazad and is certainly more menacing than Bresnan. The wicket should suit him also.

With regard to the Aussies, to be honest i'm surprises Smith didn't start the series, whenever i've seen him play in the one dayers he looked quite handy and seemed to have more of the Aussie confidence about him, i'm sure he will be an improvement on North with bat and ball.

 

[Simster]

:vuvu2:

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Beer is unlikely to play though isn't he? Smith will be the spinner, so Beer would be the second spinner which I can't see the Aussies doing.

 

[Gwylan]

Beer is unlikely to play though isn't he? Smith will be the spinner, so Beer would be the second spinner which I can't see the Aussies doing.

They played North with Doherty in the previous two tests so they're certainly happy to play with two spinners (and Smith, like North, is a spinning batsman rather than a frontline bowler). They also haven't got the Clarke option as he's got a bad back. My guess is that the four bowlers will be Johnson, Harris, Beer and Hilfenhaus (with Smith and Watson as back-up).

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Bouncy old pitch though Gwylan ...... !

Whatever they decide, the Aussie side looks pretty patched up.

 

[Alan Cundle]

Good article about Beer selection
http://http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010-11/content/current/story/491154.html

 

[Gwylan]

Bouncy old pitch though Gwylan ...... !

Whatever they decide, the Aussie side looks pretty patched up.

I think the key is Johnson. He can be absolutely dreadful, as he was in England and in the first test, but he's got a decent test record and did some damage to South Africa. If he's firing, then Aussies have a chance, if he's crap, then they have none. But I reckon it's a gamble they have to take - i can't see Siddle and Hilfenhaus bowling England out.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Beer's early stats aren't brilliant - 16 wickets at 40 apiece. And the guy will be 27 next birthday.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

From the article referred tp above:

The inclusion of Smith leaves the selectors to choose between a four-man pace attack, or three fast bowlers with Beer as a second spinner. And for all Smith's flaws as a bowler, it makes no sense to play both him and Beer at the WACA. Ben Hilfenhaus, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson, who can slide back in as a fourth fast man used in short, sharp spells, is the way to go.

 

[BensGrandad]

Beer's early stats aren't brilliant - 16 wickets at 40 apiece. And the guy will be 27 next birthday.

I wont be concerned if Beer gets all 10 wickets provided they are at his current rate of 40 runs a wicket. That should ensure we dont lose.

 

[8ace]

The guy in the black and blue Villa away shirt above you in that pic is one of my best mates here in Sydney. His family now live in Adelaide.. He loved it

I met another Albion fan who was visiting from Sydney on day 2, said he was from Heathfield area.
I'm planning to go to the one day game at the North Sydney Oval tomorrow - should be interesting to see the 25-25-20-20 over format.

 

[pottert]

I can't see what the point is in bringing in the inexperienced, Michael Beer for the Perth Test. Unless I've missed something, traditionaly the WACA is one of the fastest and bounciest wickets in the world ?

Beer is going to be put under immediate pressure to hold an end up while the quicks rotate. Talk about make or break

The way I read it they are going to play smith as a batter (replacing north) with beer the spinne possibility of not playing designated spinner but extra seamer.
If that is the case aussies have very strong batting line up but no variation

 

[Seagull over NZ]

Beer plays for the Western Warriors, his home ground is the WACA so they will be hoping for a home advantage so to speak.

True, but he only recently moved to WA and has only played 3 games there, hardly a massive advantage !! If they go with just Smith and 4 quicks that will be a real risk, none of the quicks have set the world alight but they need to play the extra bowler to get 20 wickets. It's great seeing the Aussies with all the issues!!

 

[Sheebo]

I met another Albion fan who was visiting from Sydney on day 2, said he was from Heathfield area.
I'm planning to go to the one day game at the North Sydney Oval tomorrow - should be interesting to see the 25-25-20-20 over format.

Did u get his name mate?

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

True, but he only recently moved to WA and has only played 3 games there, hardly a massive advantage !! If they go with just Smith and 4 quicks that will be a real risk, none of the quicks have set the world alight but they need to play the extra bowler to get 20 wickets. It's great seeing the Aussies with all the issues!!

There must be England players who have had more games on that square than Beer!

 

[jakarta]

Just a quick bounce of this thread as no-one has mentioned about the England No.7 being the latest to make a Century Down Under - well done our very own Matt Prior

As the MCG is the venue for the Test I'm going to I was a bit worried to see how it was a rain-affected result - it had better be sunny & hot on Boxing Day!

 

[Marc]

yeah well done Matty

 

[8ace]

Did u get his name mate?

If I did I have forgotten it now, I'm not very good with names.