England will stuff the aussies

[NZBeth]

Ok you whitewashed NZ recently but haven't you forgotten something? The Natwest series perhaps where NZ didn't drop a single game! I hve enjoyed seeing England play and they are in the best form they have been for a long time but I'm still not convinced. Their true colours will show when they land opposition like upcoming South Africa and Australia. With the Saffies playing like they are it would be best to really hit them while they're still down but as for Oz, you never catch these guys unprepared. An old team, sure-but with experience and knowing each other like they do, this can only add to their strength. want to see someone give them a good go. I'm not sure NZ will be able to after being drawn against them in the ICC trophy but please can someone prove that everyone has bad days!?

[deep-point]

Originally Posted by NZBeth

as for Oz, you never catch these guys unprepared.

In the '97 Ashes summer the Aussies were caught terribly unprepared, were well beaten in all three one day games and the first test, and it wasn't until the third test that they finally started to play like they were capable of. And that was when the England team were still trying to work out how to prepare properly at all!

The reason I refer to the fact that Oz is an old team is that, yes this does have its benefits, but one day it will be their downfall. All great teams eventually fall by the wayside and are ousted by an up and coming side (such as the West Indies by Oz themselves) and I get the feeling that this time is not too far away. Forgive me for hoping that England could be that up and coming team!!

[Beny]

Australia may have an aging team but there are good young players who can take the place of some of the older guys. The've simply been kept out because we will always try to field the best team possible.

I posted a list of some of these and their back grounds on the "Ponting Quaking in His boots" Thread.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Beny

Australia may have an aging team but there are good young players who can take the place of some of the older guys. The've simply been kept out because we will always try to field the best team possible.

.

Hi Beny

All teams are prone to leave out young players, because they trust thier older players more, then they have to come in cold.

[deep-point]

Originally Posted by Beny

there are good young players.....I posted a list of some of these and their back grounds on the "Ponting Quaking in His boots" Thread.

And I'm sure I could give you a list 10 times as long of good young players who couldn't turn their potential into equivalent test match success when their chance came. Potential does not a good team make, so it remains to be seen whether or not those guys can cut it at the top level.

Another point is that by not blooding these young players, particularly in their batting line-up, Australia run a greater risk of having to introduce them into a struggling side. England have certainly proven over the years that it is much harder for a young player to do this when the pressure to perform is much greater.

[NZBeth]

[ Ok, in 1997 some 7 years ago. There is a bit of time between then and now, and I hope you're not underestimating the Australian side here and instead being lifted by the possiblity that England could fight them out of the game because that just isn't going to happen. When the old members fall to the wayside then maybe, but Ponting, Gillespie, Warne, Gilchrist, McGrath(need I go on?) have not reached there expiration date yet. Don't get me wrong however, I would love to see a team bring them down to earth, but it's not going to happen soon. They're just too strong. However, I like your optimism.

[Beny]

Possible team in 2005 if all our players over 34 were not included. Note: This is personaly and Im not a selector, there are lots of others who could lay claim. Tait is a big "if". And some new players might make an impression this summer.

Jimmy Maher
Brad Haddin (wk)
Ricky Ponting (c)
Mike Hussy
Brad Hodge
Michal Clarke
Andy Symmons
Cammeron White
Brett Lee
Jason Gillespie
Shaun Tait or Mathew Innes

[Zeke]

Misfounded optimism... Sad, really.

[NZBeth]

Zeke, you claim to support Australia. How is that misfounded optimism. You should be saying they could all play with their hands tied behind their backs and England still wouldn't stand a chance. Maybe I'm confused. . .

[Beny]

So am I?