Ernest

[Zainub]

He'd get into the WI team with this record.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Pete

Pretty much up there with the figures of other Slow Left Arm spinners in the world today??

.

True but he's no Murali,

[Pete]

Not many people are mate! How we'd love a Murali or Warne in our team.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

Erne, would one series loss be enough to suggest that Australia are no longer the best?

Yes that is what I am saying Zainub, but that will be on the back of a lucky draw in India, plus India beating them on the last test, no matter what the rating say, if England beat them in 2005, Australia will no longer be the best.

Ratings I dont go by, Heath Streak is still no 5 all rounder, and when did he last play?.

Originally Posted by Zainub

Australia have achieved a lot in the last 10 years or so Erne to get to the sort of accolades they do now, it's a big thing being tagged the best ever team a sport has ever seen, and you don't get that tag over night. They've achieved almost every thing asked of them, they've won home and away in all test playing nations barring Zimbabwe and Bang (and that's b/c they haven't toured there...if I'm write that is!)...

I am glad you wrote this, beacause up and till late, the other teams made them look so good, IMHO.

Originally Posted by flanflinger 29938

True,

The problem with most other Test teams is their weaknesses. That Test team I put up from 1999, had some great strength's but too may weaknesses

Yes and the good thing is, that team is not around any more, They are going to get a good test, you can be sure of that.

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Australia and England - Settled opening bats, great middle order, quailty Keeper/batsmeb and bowling attacks all of whom can take 5fers. Fringe players that could easily get into other Test teams...

Ohhh - it's gonna be fun....

Ohh, it's gonna be fun, I have no doubt we will come out on top, with this team we have to, a record breaking team, should the 0% happen and they should lose, they will never catch up.
Then I will say Ponting is realy Zeus.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Ratings I dont go by, Heath Streak is still no 5 all rounder, and when did he last play?.

That's 'cos there's no-one better. If there was they would have probably got up in the rankings.

Originally Posted by Ernest

I am glad you wrote this, beacause up and till late, the other teams made them look so good, IMHO.

People have been saying that about us recently.

Originally Posted by Ernest

Ohh, it's gonna be fun, I have no doubt we will come out on top, with this team we have to, a record breaking team, should the 0% happen and they should lose, they will never catch up.

Been eating funny mushrooms for breakfast recently?

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Pete

That's 'cos there's no-one better. If there was they would have probably got up in the rankings.

Out of all the Test playing nations, some player has to be better than a semi retired one, I mean no 5

Originally Posted by Pete

People have been saying that about us recently.

Not no more though I doubt.

Originally Posted by Pete

Been eating funny mushrooms for breakfast recently?

LOL no, well I don't think so, but you know what I mean, if not I must have been on the funny cigs, but I dont smoke

[John]

There is no doubt as Flanflinger says its going to be fun. There hasn't been a Test series so antcipated which is great for cricket I just hope it lives up to expectation.
Australia are the best side in the world. They have proved that if Ern or anyone doesn't agree I am not going to convince them.
Ern or someone of his view would be right to say there are a number of unknowns about this series especially in the England side. And if they perform we could be in for English summer.
The word in Englands case is IF as opposed to what Australia have already proved.

[DaveGillespie]

I don't want to keep beating this drum, but - don't underestimate Rafique. He is a very good bowler.

[Mongoose]

Warne never plays against Australia, Rafique never plays against Bangladesh - that's some difference - as much as 10 runs per wicket I'd say. Does that mean Rafique is better than Warne. Stretching it a bit, I know, but Rafique's figures are very good.

However, what's his record like on the road? It's one thing getting wickets in a Bangladesh dust-bowl. On hard flat pitches without much turn, life can be tough for a spinner. It'll be interesting to see how he copes with English conditions. I think he'll struggle.