Key England Ashes players/Split edition.

[Paoli]

Who holds the key for England winning the Ashes??

[Paoli]

The thing with South Africa in the recent series is they got the balance all wrong.

Dale Steyn played a test too many...Hashim Amla played a test too many...Andre Nel was injured; your only threat, Langeveldt, busted his hand...Dippenaar injured himself after a century...AB de Villiers was buggered with too much (Eg Opening Bat, No 7 and WK etc) and Thami Tsolekile probably shouldnt've played in the first test...

[bigfella]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

The thing with South Africa in the recent series is they got the balance all wrong.

From the peanut gallery, that was my observation as well...Then again there is the racial side to it....

Back to the Ashes thread---I can't really see England in with a show because your bowling is sub par currently...Harmison needs to hit his straps and your third bowler has to be a la Kasper....Lets not even go into Gilo vs. Warnie debate..

[John]

I think we are in agreement here. To paraphrase from the US election Bush 1 1992 "Its the bowling stupid" (orginal quote "its the economy stupid").
I (we) are not convinced of Englands bowling. Against one of the best batting lineups ever to play in the same Test sides you need good bowlers not Englands lineup which decent.

[Ernest]

England bowling has had a good rest John, and flintoff has had reatment at last fot that heal spur, I think you will see a different England attack this time.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

The thing with South Africa in the recent series is they got the balance all wrong.

As far as I could see, they did not have a lot of choice, kirsten used to hold South Africa together IMHO.

[John]

Sure Ernest I agree when discussing these things we cannot follow every eventually through. And you are right to point out these other factors. Thats what makes it interesting we can't cover every angle. I hope for a neutral like myself they make a real match of it.
Its just my concerns lie with Englands bowling. The batting of England I think has come on leaps and bounds. They look a very confident batting outfit. They take on attacks like no other England side.Okay they collapse now again but all good batting lineups do that now and again.
I got the impression against SA it was complacency that caused the collapses not batsmen being found out. The batting is solid.

[Ernest]

You are right john, I warned in a thread not long ago, it was unthinkable that England would be beaten in South Africa, for some reason that escapes me, South Africa had been wiped out as an international force, yes England did underestimate South Africa.

No we cant cover every angle, I agree, a good thing as well I think.

[John]

Don't forget all good batting sides collapse Australia and India. Just because England batting lineup collapsed doesn't mean that much. They have got a choice who to leave out. Hopefully in the future SA will have this luxury.
I am sure the Aussie coach is aware of the England batting and if he has got his screwed on he won't be complacent. The Aussie players won't have forgotten what Vaughan did last time or that Tersco might be more of a force this time. They will know that long periods in the field will be a feature of this tour.

[Paoli]

If Kirsten held RSA together Ern, I tell ya, Kallis isn't doing THAT bad a job of it...better IMHO...They've got a bit to look forward to do South Africa, they are a good unit but need to get the bowling spot on..