1st Test: England v Australia

[mattfb]

Originally Posted by King Pietersen

Broad's more likely to try and replicate it, not Anderson. Anderson's a pitch up swing bowler, he never looks anywhere near as effective when bowling back of a length. Hopefully he won't get sucked into bowling constantly short all series, will lose his main weapon if he does.

I was just going by what I saw on the badly angled replays of the England tour match. Got some wickets with ferocious looking pace at the body IIRC. But thanks for correcting me on that, haven't watched a lot of England lately. How quick is Broad atm?

[steveb25]

Oh lovely adverts during the Test Match just great!

[King Pietersen]

He's definitely put on a yard of pace. Was hitting 92-93mph consistently for the entirity of the Windies Home series. He's improved a hell of alot.

[mattfb]

Geez that's bloody quick. Last time I remember having a decent look at Broad he wasn't anywhere near that. That just makes me even more concerned for the Ashes then I already was!!

[King Pietersen]

He's improved alot. His record is improving, his pace is improving, he's got more variation and he's pretty damn accurate as well. Gets alot of unfair abuse if you ask me, but I am a Broady fanboy

[mattfb]

Haha, I guess I will see come the first test. I've always thought he was ok but your talking him up quite a bit. You better hope he does good or I will have to start doubting your judgment when it comes to players you like.

(A bit ignorant coming from me. I could talk up Henriques all day before he goes out for a golden duck and gets hit for 80 runs off 10 overs )

[sifter132]

Originally Posted by nz0003

What time will it start in Aus? I'm guessing around 8.

Hopefully Mitchell Johnson or Jimmy Anderson will bowl a Harmy first ball (presuming the open).

If anyone can replicate Harmy, I have faith in my man Mitch

Originally Posted by King Pietersen

Panesar? FFS. The England selectors continue to piss me off. Seriously, I'd love to hear them try and justify that inclusion.

Can you guess who's taken the most wickets for England since the 06/07 Ashes??? That's a clue...

Rashid would have been risky, you don't blood a spinner during your most important series, especially one who just took 1/181 from his 36 overs against the Aussies.

[Howsie]

Broad has improved quite a lot from the first time I saw him, which was in NZ last year in the 2nd and 3rd test matches. I don't think he has improved his seam bowling that much as I still haven't seen him get that much movement, but his pace has really improved. It used to be around 82-86mph and now sits at around 88-92. I saw him bounce Sarwan out on 100 last month which was pretty impressive.

I still think that if a player was to go after him he could still get hit around a bit though.

[Skater]

There are posts on here from a couple of years ago saying 'Broad will lead the attack in 2009'. We should be England selectors, it has happened. He gets a lot of unfounded abuse and he will surprise a few people in the series.

[mattfb]

Hmm that's a bit suspicious. I think someone here must be an England selector...

My bet would be you, skater.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by Feelin Blue?

Hmm that's a bit suspicious. I think someone here must be an England selector...

My bet would be you, skater.

Don't be ridiculous, I'm Australia's fastest bowler, remember?

[Dr. Pepper]

Monty has done sod all in the last couple of years though, how can they pick him? I'd rather have Rashid on the basis of potential because he is capable of worrying batsmen and if the pitch was really turning, select him. I'd go with:

A Strauss (c)
A Cook
R Bopara
K Pietersen
P Collingwood
M Prior (+)
A Flintoff
S Broad
G Swann
J Anderson
G Onions

I'd rather just pick Onions instead of going for the second spinner, because if were going to go for a second spinner, at least pick one that can cause trouble.

[valvolux]

Originally Posted by nz0003

I've already tried, therefore 'guessing 8'.

East aus is 9 hours ahead, Perth is 7 hours...do the math.

Its great to live in england now so this time no late nights for me!
But also not gonna get much work done....refresh refresh refresh cricinfo.

valvolux added 5 Minutes and 15 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by Skater

There are posts on here from a couple of years ago saying 'Broad will lead the attack in 2009'. We should be England selectors, it has happened. He gets a lot of unfounded abuse and he will surprise a few people in the series.

I don't think he'll suprise anyone.....hes definately the weak link in the attack and my tip is he'll be back in county cricket before the series is over. He is prone to pitching way too short and wide which will be money for jam. 92-93mph? turn it up! maybe on his short balls....but this sounds much like the hype the south africans made about steyn...he barely bowled a ball above 90mph - all 3 aussie quicks were faster than steyn in south africa.

[barmyarmy]

Can't see them picking Bell or Panesar so the first test team is pretty much decided. Bresnan out Flintoff in the only change from the Windies.

[Insomniac]

Two "minnowish" teams taking each other on. Great cricket to watch