Thread: Ashes 2013!

Originally Posted by bob10

ICC Rankings - Top 10 Test Bowlers as of 24/12/2013
1. Vernon Philander (RSA) 912
2. Dale Steyn (RSA) 890
3. Rangana Herath (SRI) 831
4. Saeed Ajmal (PAK) 824
5. Ryan Harris (AUS) 796
6. Peter Siddle (AUS) 786
7. Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) 767
8. Prahyan Ojha (IND) 748
9. Stuart Broad (ENG) 745
10. Trent Boult (NZL) 729
ICC Rankings - Top 10 Test Batsmen as of 24/12/2013
1. A.B. de Villiers (RSA) 906
2. Hashim Amla (RSA) 881
3. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) 876
4. Ross Taylor (NZL) 871
5. Michael Clarke (AUS) 868
6. Kumar Sangakkara (SRI) 866
7. Cheteshwar Pujara (IND) 838
8. Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK) 783
9. Graeme Smith (RSA) 775
10. Younus Khan (PAK) 769

Rankings?

I once read a comment which suggested the best method to judge a batsman or bowler is to choose the batsman you would actually bet your life on to score a century or in the case of a bowler, one who would take five wickets.

Michael Clarke would be my choice if I had to make such a decision.

And I reckon Ryan Harris would be the bowler.

I'm probably biased though.

Two Aus, bowlers, , & 0ne Aus. batsman in the rankings. Time to put that right this year. Imagine Cummins & Johnson, both at 150 km/hr, just have to get the top order batsmen to fire. Then look out. Bob

Originally Posted by bob10

Two Aus, bowlers, , & 0ne Aus. batsman in the rankings. Time to put that right this year. Imagine Cummins & Johnson, both at 150 km/hr, just have to get the top order batsmen to fire. Then look out. Bob

Yep, Cummins and Johnson would be good. But tell me who you would drop - Siddle or Harris?

Which one of these two should be dropped for Cummins - bearing in mind that we would need to be sure the team would be better with Cummins in and either Siddle or Harris out.

Or would the choice be to drop Lyon and have no specialist spinner?

Ahh to be a selector.........

We are all guilty of making a selection without considering or nominating who should be dropped. Not to mention justifying our "selection" in explaining how the team would be better.

Guess it is "lucky" (as if!) that Harris is a walking miracle and defies medical science in getting onto the pitch each Test match.

Originally Posted by Barra1

Yep, Cummins and Johnson would be good. But tell me who you would drop - Siddle or Harris?

Who would be a selector, true. Our fast bowling depth is getting deeper, with at least 4 or 5 0n the selection cusp. The best thing to happen, IMO, was the stopping of the rotation policy. However, we must have a very strong domestic comp. to keep the contenders interested, And we must stop making our pitches batter friendly, to cater for our out of form batsmen. Let them work for their runs in the domestic comp., my theory is some of these young men have had it too easy, making big money in the T20, and have gotten lazy. Make them work to improve their form. AND, get rid of drop in pitches, who runs Aus. cricket, the AFL ? Bob


Australia news : Australia's fast eight for Ashes | Cricket News ...

www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013-14/content/story/678451.html‎

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Oct 10, 2013 - Australia's selectors have identified eight fast bowlers in line for Ashes duty during ... Posted by cricketsubh on (October 11, 2013, 12:54 GMT).

I'll be up at 5.30 am in the morning heading down to the G for day one.

If I was to bring in another bowler and assuming harris is 100% fit I would drop lyon. Harris and Siddle are to good to be dropped

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

I'll be up at 5.30 am in the morning heading down to the G for day one.

I am just a wee bit jelly of you right now Mr Whippy.
I hope you and warner have a blast tomorrow

Originally Posted by bob10

. AND, get rid of drop in pitches, who runs Aus. cricket, the AFL ? Bob

Very good point

And Mr Whippy, enjoy the day To say I am jealous would be a gross understatement

But can I take a moment to brag - I will be going to the 5th Test which will be the first time I have been to the SCG. (Bragging moment over).