1st Test: England v Australia

[Therbs]

My choice would be Johnson, Siddle, Clark, Hilfy. I wouldn't pick McDonald for a negative role. It reeks of "not wanting to lose". I'd rather go for the throat. We need to show a winning mind set and be aggressive. Our batsmen should score the runs and the bowlers get the wickets. Bits and pieces players are not match winners.
Go for the win!!!

[karnog]

Yeah its really depends on how much Ponting trusts Hauritz. He calls the final selection right?

[aussie1st]

He seems to have enough faith with him. I'm sure I read Ponting and Nielsen don't have much say in the selection table. As if you look at the selection of White and then Ponting use of him in India, you could tell he didn't want to use him.

After the 1st Test we will know if we need a swing bowler or not. I'm hoping Johnson discovers his SA form again as if not he won't have the same impact.

[aditya123]

I don`t know why Australia wasted a spot in their squad by picking Manou in there. They could always have called for a replacement if they needed one. They should`ve gone in with a specialist batsman or bowler instead. I don`t think Hauritz would do any major damage to the English lineup. Krejza would`ve been a better option as he is the more attacking of the two.

The Aussies would need Siddle step up in the absence of Lee as Iam not yet sure of Johnson as a leader of the attack although he did well against the Proteas. Is Hilfenhaus in the squad?
The English bowling surely has the edge over the Australian bowling at the moment.

As for the buildup, there is reasonable hype here among cricket watchers in India as well with no Indian cricket for the next couple of months and no major sporting event as well.

[aussie1st]

Krejza was seen as too much of a risk. He was dropped and told to become more economical and sadly for him he didn't have enough FC games to show this.

Hilfy is in the squad he played the 1st tour match.

[karnog]

Time is a valuable thing. With Watson and Lee injured for two games i think the selectors need to make a brave choice and send home one of them for a specialist. I say Watson and replace him with Dussey or Hodge.

[aussie1st]

I'm sure you don't need to replace them like in a tournament. You can just bring them over as cover.

In fact here you go.

Steve Magoffin, the Western Australia fast bowler, will fly to South Africa as cover for Australia's struggling attack following niggling injuries to Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle. The squad has already been expanded by Brett Geeves, who is there in case Doug Bollinger fails to recover from a stomach problem in time to be considered for Friday's second Test in Durban.

http://www.cricinfo.com/rsavaus2009/...ry/393329.html

[cricketmad09]

Hauritz should not play. It is very useful to have a good spinner in the team. But the key word there is good. Hauritz is not. So the team would be much more effective with 4 fast bowlers than Hauritz who will not only struggle to take a wicket, but allow the batsmen to play themselves into form.

I read a good quote about Hauritz and his bowling from somewhere. "Containers are useful in the shipping industry, not so much in test cricket"

[piriyanth]

Oh man Brett Lee is injured that is a big blow for our bowling attactk.

[w3lshrugby]

Guys. I might have a spare ticket for the 1st Test; Day 4, on Saturday. It's a single seat next to me and a mate in the main grandstand @ £50. Anyone possible interested as I'm waiting for another mate to get back to me about it but not sure if he'll make it or not?

Cheers. Rhys.

[King Pietersen]

"If they can do the same and improve in one or two areas they will do really well and probably win 5-0," he said.

McGrath's former team-mate Shane Warne also thinks Australia should retain the Ashes, though he believes it might be closer.

"Looking at current form, Australia have been in transition but after a period of not playing well they have gone to South Africa and won, which is no mean feat," said Warne.

"England have struggled in the Test arena, they struggled against West Indies, so if you look at the form of both sides you'd have to say Australia are the favourites going into the series, though England have a big chance."

BBC SPORT | Cricket | International Teams | Australia | McGrath expects Aussie whitewash

Finally. He took his bloody time. Wouldn't have been The Ashes without a McGrath 5-0 prediction.

[Radaga]

getting close now. i'm almost about to blow my load in excitement haha
bad luck for binga. i hope they play hilfy as his replacement. there is no way in hell they will do it; but it would be nice.... nothing better than seeing outswing bowling beating the edge

[OffCutters]

Damn. Not having Lee is gonna be costly. We need him back. Hauritz......damn.

[karnog]

To spin or not to spin; that is the question.

[Themer]

I cannot wait for this now, regardless of who wins this should be an epic contest. Very even teams now.