A likely Ashes squad

[lemmon]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

We must pick Carey ahead of Paine - I see no reason to keep Paine in the side now that the senior players are back.

I don't rate Marnus but the bulk of runs in undeniable. Has forced his way in if Ussie can't go.

Who captains?

[Happy Days]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Who captains?

I personally would give it back to Smith but the branding exercise that was his suspension will probably prevent that.

If Ussie's fit then he gets the job, otherwise we could be bold and go with Head.

[Bornadog]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

We must pick Carey ahead of Paine - I see no reason to keep Paine in the side now that the senior players are back.

I don't rate Marnus but the bulk of runs in undeniable. Has forced his way in if Ussie can't go.

I tend to agree. Carey has proven he can be the number one gloveman and bats ok too. Paine made too many mistakes last summer.

[GVGjr]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

In a bit of a showdown for spots the selectors have named a 25 man squad to be trimmed by games at Southhampton

No Maxwell or Stoinis, 8 quicks named in the 25 man squad

Squad: Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Joe Burns, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Tim Paine, Kurtis Patterson, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, David Warner

[Axe Man]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Apparently it will be a squad of 16. Who's in your squad?

There will likely be 5 fast bowlers with Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Pattinson seemingly locked in. Who gets the fifth spot out of Siddle, Bird, Tremain and Neser? I would lean towards Bird or Tremain.

I imagine Warner, Smith, Harris, Khawaja, Head, Patterson, Paine, Lyon are all in, so that leaves 3 spots.

I suppose Holland gets a spot in case Lyon gets injured. Perhaps one of Marsh or Labuschagne as an all rounder. Leaves one more spot for a specialist batsman out of Bancroft, Burns, Handscomb, Pucovski, or Carey and Wade who can provide backup for Paine. I would go with Wade on form.

[GVGjr]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Thanks Axeman

I''ll pick our best 11 and then 5 players to support
Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Patterson
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon

Burns
Labuschagne
Holland
Pattinson
Tremain

Wade or Handscomb could easily be selected ahead of Labuschagne and I'm not really sold on Holland

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Thanks Axeman

I''ll pick our best 11 and then 5 players to support
Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Patterson
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon

Burns
Labuschagne
Holland
Pattinson
Tremain

Wade or Handscomb could easily be selected ahead of Labuschagne and I'm not really sold on Holland

I'm not sold on Holland either. I'd be bold and not pick a 2nd spinner. Lyon has proven durable, and we're unlikely to have a need to play two spinners in the same test. Should Lyon go down we could fly in a replacement in either Holland or Agar.
In the absence of Maxwell and Stoinis, I'd select Mitch Marsh over the 2nd spinner. Yes he's hit or miss, but gives us better coverage and flexibility, and on his day can be a playmaker with bat and ball.

I'd probably go Bird over Tremain.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

So after the Australian XI 4 day game v England Lions at Canterbury, which finished on Wednesday I think the first test team is shaping up as follows:

Warner
Harris (50 in the second innings and Burns failed in both has him ahead)
Smith
Head (Century in the 1st innings
Wade (note, took a knock on the elbow, so will need to prove fitness; century in the 1st innings)
Patterson (note, needs runs in the Australia A game next week, at risk if Khawaja is fit)
Paine (0 & 38, is under a little bit of pressure with his batting, but I can't see he change being made)
Cummins
Starc
Pattison (some think Hazelwood, but Pattison takes wickets. Will be a bowl off in Southampton next week)
Lyon

[DOG GOD]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Paine is the only captain choice they have, no way will he be overlooked for Carey.

[Twodogs]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Thanks Axeman

I''ll pick our best 11 and then 5 players to support
Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Patterson
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon

Burns
Labuschagne
Holland
Pattinson
Tremain

Wade or Handscomb could easily be selected ahead of Labuschagne and I'm not really sold on Holland

Is Paine in our best 11 on talent?

[GVGjr]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Is Paine in our best 11 on talent?

Until another captain can be identified I suspect he's almost the first player selected
Given the slow and changing game that Test cricket is the captain is such an important selection

[Twodogs]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Until another captain can be identified I suspect he's almost the first player selected
Given the slow and changing game that Test cricket is the captain is such an important selection

Yeah I tend to agree. Cricket is one of the few sports left where the captain is so important when it comes to the tactical side.

[Axe Man]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Ball dominating bat so far in the warm up game, 20 wickets for 225.

In better news England are 8/64 in their test v Ireland.

[Bornadog]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Ball dominating bat so far in the warm up game, 20 wickets for 225.

In better news England are 8/64 in their test v Ireland.

England all out for 85. Scorecard makes great reading

[Twodogs]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

England all out for 85. Scorecard makes great reading

Fox made great watching!