I agree that he is a very talented individual, but his introduction to First Class Cricket was slow, and his introduction to Tests was slow. BUT I feel that he has started to feel at home, and I am a firm believer that now he has realised that he can play at Test level, he will kick on and will get better.

I am also a firm believer that Bell will not struggle as much in this years Ashes, and I am convinced that his innings over the weekend will help him to mentally feel better.

I wouldnt worry too much about what Warne is saying. His opinion about dropped catches may be true in that read is a better keeper than jones, but it doesnt meant that if jones didnt play well in the last ashes he wont in this one either. On the bell thing.. i sincerely think that if england will have any chance to win the ashes or come close to winning them, sorry retaining them, it will be because of a huge contribution from Bell.

__________________

Yep Mile and with good reason, why would Warne reallly care if Giles played rather than Panesar, or Jones rather thaan Read - he is just trying to put doubts in the minds of Giles & jones IMO, they may well make his pay.

He might be right, but I can't see him wanting England to play what he considers the better 1X, he sould rather play whatev he feels the weaker.

__________________
Ern

For all Warne's comments about strengthening the batting by going for Jones and possibly Giles we could throw it straight back at the Aussies that picking Watson originally was a weak choice to protect McGrath.With Clarke now set to play instead of Watson the Aussies now only have 4 bowlers again and one of those isn't certain to be able to bowl long spells due to fitness doubts.

I think Warne's big gob has backfired on himself now.

I'd agree that picking Watson was a sign of weakness: picking a 5 man attack always is. That said.... Rod Marsh has always said the same thing.... and Warne echoes that sentiment - he says you pick six batsmen to score the runs and is almost certainly another who will be pleased that Clarke will now take Watson's place.

That said... Watson was in no way suggested as cover for McGrath (especially for a pitch like the Gabba, which should suit him more than any other ground in the series). He was 'cover' for the speedsters... none of whom (including Lee) can be relied on to get through more than 3 overs in a spell before being smashed out of the attack.

Can McGrath be relied upon to be fit to bowl in the final session of a hot day after already bowling 12-15 overs earlier in the day.He hasn't proven his fitness and he showed in England that the petrol tank empties quickly these days,He needs to do his damage early like at Lords or he fades.

You mean the guy whose test average was a tad over 50 prior to last Ashes?


Greg I would bet any money that McGrath is fitter than most of the English players and I'm not sure where you're getting this idea that McGrath faded at Lords. The Aussie team goes through some of the toughest physical training of any any sports people. And in anycase, McGrath has proven his fitness or else he would'nt be selected.

Let's be clear. Watson has been in the selectors eye's for years now, simply because who would turn down a middle order batsmen who can bowl at 140km/h...

__________________
It's hard enough to remember my opinions, without remembering my reasons for them!
Nietzsche

Time will tell i guess but he only bowled well once in England last summer and that was at Lords.After that he faded,could easily repeat that this time.