Olympics.... Australia KO1 England

Me personally i dont think he is.
He hasnt got that killer instinct like the other captains of Australia have had.
Lee would be a better choice.

I guess we will find out. You get what i mean though.

The distractions of being England captain could hurt your best players game.
Which me personally if i was part of the commitee over there i would not want.

 

If Olympics is Australia KO1 England, Cricket must be KO at the toss.

 

I think Lee has the killer instinct and is at the peak of his career, but where will his form sit in four years time - when Ponting is likely to step aside?

One thing you would get with Clarke is a prime guy who will be able to do the job for some time - but I think the Aussies are reaching a plateau in terms of the development of top class players having had 20 years of continued success (hardly surprising these things happen).

Who are the young prospects coming through - I have seen bits of Noffke, Casson and Bollinger and have been less than impressed, though Marsh and Ronchi look real finds.

 

Marsh will be an amazing player.

Theres no doubt in my mind and being from a famous cricketing family he has what it takes to be a great player and could even captain.

Top Prospects for Australia (All thes guys in 3 or 4 years will be very close to being in the Aussie Squad some already are).

Cam White 24 years old VIC
Aiden Blizzard 23 years old VIC
Adam McDonald 25 years old VIC
Peter Siddle 22 years old VIC
Beau Casson 24 years old NSW
Doug Bollinger 26 years old NSW
Shaun Marsh 24 years old WA
Luke Ronchi 26 years old WA
Ben Hilfenhaus 24 years old TAS
Cullen Bailey 22 years old SA
Dan Cullen 23 years old SA

Then theres two guys that have great talent but just not sure were there at
in Mark Cosgrove and Shaun Tait.

So we have the talent but with Australia its not the Prospects you have to worry about its the guys that Australia find out of nowwhere that shock the Cricket world.

Like the Gilchrists,Symonds type guys that come from nowhere.

 

Bailey is a leg spinner, right? Heard quite a bit about him. Cameron White played county cricket for last year and the year before and did well. He was fantastic (as a batsman) in the T20 tournament. Plus he bowls some decent leg spin.

Luke Ronchi is a good keeper-batsman but what about Brad Haddin? He's not the youngest though I watched him in the ODI's against India last year and his batting was really impressive.

 

I think if Shaun Tait can piece it together he will go a long way. I have seen a bit of Dan Cullen and he did nothing on what must be described as a helpful track.

I suppose there is plenty to go at - over here we have 'The Untouchables' in the top six whilst the bowlers are axed after more than one less than stellar performance.

I think Ronchi will replace Haddin pretty soon - they have been grooming Haddin for quite some time and had him around the squad, he may have benefitted from playing more meaningful cricket rather than the odd ODI when Gilly needed a rest.

 

There is no way Paul Collingwood is a test batsman. He got that score to save his ginger ass, but he'll probably go on another run of single figure scores now. His technique is disastrous. At least he does it when it matters, unlike Bell, but Bell is infinitely more talented and might grow some balls one day

Strauss is crap too IMO.

If I was Shah I'd petrol bomb the ECB.

 

Harmy has took two wickets!!! He was on a hat trick. And another wickets gone just now! Boucher caught behind of Anderson. SAffers 132-6.

 

Colly doesn't have the technique nor the talent to succeed at Test level long term, but he has a great deal more bottle than Ian Bell - which counts for something. You won't see Colly surrendering.

Shah is definitely worth a go - but his fielding would count against him in this instance. I would like to see Joe Denly and Rob Key given extended runs in the side - Strauss hasn't done ****all since saving his career in NZ.

Panesar out as well - he is a total clown. Intimidating umpires and the silly jumping up and down simply isn't on, whilst his fielding and batting are cringeworthy. It just isn't funny anymore :deal

 

Yeah, but who's replacing Panesar?

He can be economical, and if conditions suit he's a real threat. I don't see any others achieveing that, batting and fielding don't even come into it unless you've got somebody comparable.

 

IF Monty's dropped who would your spinner be? Monty's a better Test spinner than Graeme Swann and Rashid is not ready for test cricket yet.

My preferable England XI would be:
Trescothick:deal
Cook
Key
Pietersen
Shah
Bell
Foster(wk)
Flintoff
Anderson/Sidebottom
Hoggard
Panesar

 

Trescothick's gone mental since the reserve keeper started banging his wife while he was on tour

Stick a fork in him.

Rest of the team is alright.

 

His form has been excellent in the county game this season. Despite, the mental issues he's still the best opener we have IMO.:happy

EDit: If Trescothick's not in the team then I'd have Denly to replace him OR Key moves up and someone like Bopara comes in.

 

He's still not going to play, he's retired. Guys bat**** crazy

Prefer Bopara to Key. More potential there. Hasn't set the world alight, but there is some serious talent to work with and he can fill in with some overs

 

Monty's took a wicket!! Saffers 158-7 at tea.