Damien Martyn - Should he be dropped?

[Cliff-UK]

I think your debate about Gilchrist and many others seems to forget one point: that they will perform better against other opposition and that England';s tactics didn't allow them to play their best.
I can't believe your'e discussing Gilchrist. He's still the best.

However, maybe it's true too, given what Pollock was saying yesterday that the aussies' aura of invincibility has gone and the plans England employed will be used and refined by Australia's subsequent opponents.

[acker]

Unfortunately players have gotten old and we have tasted defeat. Most of these players in question wont be around for the next ashes series; and it should be argued as in the case of our topic "Damien Martyn" should'nt have been around for this series.

The team needs changes, the sooner the better. As I alluded to earlier, England had to cut off a bit of dead-wood Stewart, Caddick, etc.. before advancing to this Ashes victory, we have to swallow the bitter pill and hurt a few feeling's now ourselves. Other wise we will be stuck in decline.

[Cliff-UK]

i suppose the point is whether the replacements would do better than the incumbants. I must say Gilchrist's spectacular catch in England's second innings - i forget who he got - shows he's still got it. But I see what you mean. It is exciting as a cricket fan to think a new Australia will emerge in the next few years. The next Ashes series is too close fo wholesale changed to be implemented in time but a mix of the old and the new is good. I think we will beat you lot again down under, our team will be stronger - mainly cos there are at least a couple of v good, very young batsmen in the wings.

Conserevative selection was a problem for Austrlia, I reckon. I follow Durham and have seen Hussey - he kind of reminds me of the Austrlians of old, a throwback to Keith Miller. He;s not much of a bowler of course, but what a batsman. He is not in th first flush of youth. But he should have been playing already.

[acker]

I think that with the age problem with our current team, that Phil Jaques, Shane Watson and Cameron White will be the next candidates.

[Zainub]

James Hope yesterday made a century against Pakistan A at Pindi, and he's a centerally contracted player as well, I'm sure he must be in the reckonning some where as well.

[Paoli]

Mmm...James Hopes...in my opinion, he is no more than a bits and pieces allrounder; really, just a bowling all-rounder who opens the innings for Queensland with no other objective in mind than to score quick runs.

He won't play a test match for Australia unless something massive goes his way, and may struggle to get in the ODI squad as the selectors are more keen on Watson for now. I'd like to see Cameron White in the ODI squad this summer though.

[acker]

I'm now starting to realise Mike Hussey and Martin Love would just be short term solutions to a long term problem "our ageing side".

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by acker

I'm now starting to realise Mike Hussey and Martin Love would just be short term solutions to a long term problem "our ageing side".

acker...have you by any chance looked at how many batsmen we have who are under twenty five....Very few mate!

Phil Jaques- a possibility for a call up
Mark Cosgrove- Lose some weight, not yet
Travis Birt- He's only had one season

I can't think of any more, but acker, can you please tell me what you think a good age is to be put into the Aussie side? And how many players, namely, fit that category?

[acker]

Yeah but Hussey and Love are over 30 Paoli, I dont mind 26-27 YO's but we must make a concerted effort to bring the age of our squad down.

[acker]

Martyn has been dropped along with Kasper and Gillespie from the Australian squad.