Ashes 2005 Sqaud

[AussieCricketLover]

Originally Posted by Seamer

Domestic performers 04/05 season
P.Jaques (25) 1191 runs, 66.16 ave
A.Vogues (25)362 runs, 72.4 ave
D.Thornley(26) 1006 runs, ave 62.87
B.Haddin (27) 902 runs, ave 60.13 (wickkeeper/batsman)
M.North (25) 747 runs, ave 53.35
These are just a few of the young ones not taking into account the great batsmen that are older and are on the fringes. Also, the Australian domestic comp is the strongest in the world and is in most cases, tougher than test cricket. All of the current Aus test batsmen have higher test averages than first class. In the batting stocks, Australia is set for the next decade

When you have the likes of Clarke and Adam Vogues and Marcus North with such high averages in dom cricket, and with young bowlers like Watson and Tait and Cullen (South Aussies) in the wings Im thinkin we'll be right for the next 10-15 years in both batting and bowling.

[acker]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

They're some good bowlers coming through in other parts of the world as well, and going by how Michael Clarke has risen and then gone somewhat quite, I'm not prepared at all to presume Australia are going to be as dominant in the next ten years batting wise (or in any other respect for the matter) as they have been in the last ten.

Very true Zainub

presumably McGrath & Warne will depart in the next 2-3 years, which means opposing teams will get more 350-400 + scores in their first innings ( a feat pretty hard to achieve during the McGrath/Warne 12 year rule ) and Australian batsmen will be under more pressure than previously experienced.
&
over the next 2-3 years Hayden, Langer & Martyn will approach the far side of 35 (maybe Martyn & Langer with their rigorous fitness routines, strict diets and low body fat to muscle ratios; might possibly re-define the retirement age of cricketers) add to that an ageing Gilly and thats possibly 4 of the top 7 batting positions that will need to be filled by new canditates prior to then.
Hence Australia may start struggling to get over 300-350 runs + in their 1st innings in the not to distant future.

I wish they had of taken the other Hussey brother even at the expense of his teamate Hodge.

[cantplaycantalk]

I know that Jaques was a class act when he was playing in the County Championship as well, Marcus North on the other hand averaged 31ish over a full county season. OK second top average for a seriously struggling team, but behind a 20 year old English kid in that same teams averages.
Harmison and Collingwood were both missing most of the year due to injury or international commitments, Collingwood did play a few one dayers and averaged 51ish in comparison to Norths 31.
So Tait and North both played for Durham last year and both had a "poor" time, I won't compare Tait to the local averages because he had a shocker, and as has been said anyone can have a shocker over a limited period.

Perhaps it is just harder in the English domestic competition

In Conclusion, I can accept that Aus have some decent talent in the wings, just hope some of these guys get some real experience before they retire. Aus have had quality in depth for at least the last decade, and though it may have been dispiriting for some of the other countries at times it does seem to be dragging the general quality of world cricket slowly upwards.

I hope to see the next decade be a much more interesting period, with India finding some good young bowlers, England a much improved side, the West Indies seemingly begining to find some talented young bowlers again, and hopefully the others improving as well.

[Zainub]

Pepole can make thousands and thousands of runs and take thousands and thousands of wickets at first class level, but that is no guarantee they will enjoy similar success in test cricket. The Australian fringe players all come with big reputations on their back, that of being very good players, and I don't doubt they are, but reputation counts for little in test cricket, I'm not prepaired to jump to any conclusion before I can actually see these guys in action. I think I'd be lying if I say I don't think some of these guys in that list aren't over rated or more aptly over estimated in terms of how good they really are. The might well be good players, but to say they're good enough to make Australia dominate the next ten years, I seriously doubt that.

And on Micheal Clarke, a/c to you might be "just" going through a bad patch, but that's what you think, I respect your opinion fully, but if he goes through the entire next season with similar results, I'd be thinking if this is just bad form or if he's really nothing but a flash in the pan. I'm not saying he is, but I'm not prepared as yet to nominate him for greatness. He's got a few things to prove.

[cantplaycantalk]

Well I have seen Jaques and I've seen North, and I am willing to say from my own opinion, Jaques is a VERY good player.

[Beny]

Originally Posted by Zanuib

And on Micheal Clarke, a/c to you might be "just" going through a bad patch, but that's what you think, I respect your opinion fully, but if he goes through the entire next season with similar results, I'd be thinking if this is just bad form or if he's really nothing but a flash in the pan.

He's had two 'bad' series.... Before that he made a fantastic 150 in India in very trying conditions and another ton in Aus against NZ. He dominated the VB series as well. The guy is class, that much is obvious.