Mitchell Johnson (Under Wraps)

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

No matter how much people are wishing Australian cricket is dying, one series lose 2-1 where one test was decided by a few runs and every one says that they are finished. A full strenght Australian side is still the best side in the world, just have a look at the ICC Team & Player rankings

Exactly right. I don't have much time for ratings but the fact that we occasionally lose a test or an ODI seems to set the doomsayers on a merry run.

As for Johnson, I agree with acker. We've lost Stuey "Glenn McGrath" Clark through injury. Johnno's being kept under wraps and WILL play in the Ashes. The fastest left armer since Wasim Akram.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

No matter how much people are wishing Australian cricket is dying, one series lose 2-1 where one test was decided by a few runs and every one says that they are finished. A full strenght Australian side is still the best side in the world, just have a look at the ICC Team & Player rankings

Quagmire,

I have no doubt that Australia are the best team in the world, and have some of the best players. But how many of those highly rated players are sub 30!! How many of them will still be playing in 4 years?

You have a guy who is 25, clearly talented, and ready to play, yet he will only get in the side if a 31 year old (with little Test match experience anyway) is injured!!

What I would do is skip Clark and Braken, permanently leave Gillespie and Kasprowicz in Pura cup Cricket, and look towards Tait and Johnson. Get them playing Test cricket and starting to find their feet. No matter how good domestic cricket is, it is not replacement for Test experience.

If you don't start looking at permanent solutions rather than stop gaps, when McGrath, Lee and Warne do retire you will be in serious trouble.

[Quagmire]

This same thing has always been said, the reason why Australian cricket is so strong is because they look to the present not the future, what was said when Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, McDermott, Boon, Border, Hughes retired people said the same thing. Then players like Hayden, Ponting, Langer, Elliot, Bevan, Blewett, Martyn, Gilchrist, Gillespie, Lehmann came into the picture, a mix of ages some old some young. Age and Youth combined. They were chosen because they were the best cricketers at the time; there not off with the fairies dreaming about the future. A lot of the cricketers debuted early but didn’t really get a solid career unless they performed at the standard. To say that Australia have not been trying out there young players is silly, Cosgrove, Cullen, Johnson have all been involved in One day series and they will be experimenting with other young players.

[Paoli]

McDermott

Getting himself in the news this week!

[flanflinger]

Good to see Australia picking the fairly average Bracken over the potential match winner Johnson....

I got the feeling that would be the route the Australian selectors would go down...

Don't expect to see Johnson in the Ashes line up either, they will almost certainly go for Kaspa, Gillespie and Clark before they even consider playing a potential future match winner in Johnson or Tait.

[darksideofthemoon]

Only problem is they will realise their mistake and we will have to face Johnson instead of Bracken on Saturday

[Quagmire]

Hahahahahahah.... average bracken ay? Bracken is second in the leading wicket takers for the year in oneday internationals with 38 wickets at an average of 18, Brett Lee is top of the list with 39 wickets at 24.

[greg]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

Bracken is second in the leading wicket takers for the year in oneday internationals with 38 wickets at an average of 18, Brett Lee is top of the list with 39 wickets at 24.

But you still managed to lose to a side who were skittled for 80 in their previous game despite having these supposedly great bowlers.

[Quagmire]

Ok that has nothing to do with the bowling attack if it was not for Morton and Lara they would have gone out for around 120 like England the other day.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

Hahahahahahah.... average bracken ay? Bracken is second in the leading wicket takers for the year in oneday internationals with 38 wickets at an average of 18,

All very good, but what is his Test record like? If he plays against England in the Ashes, then I will be a very very happy man.