Strauss: Australia has lost it's aura

[oz100no]

Never put too much stock into one-day form, always a 50/50 chance. Much harder to keep the presurre up over 5 days which is what Australia are masters at and England have yet to prove. Teams will always have good sessions even good days but to compete with Australia over 5 days you need to be at your peak the entire time. One day cricket still has pressure but not the same as Test. Gillepsie an ongoing concern however.
Bring on the Ashes!!!

[Collyisamackem]

I wouldn't say we have that much to prove, certainly not as much as you say and certainly nothing whatsoever to the rest of the world. The fact is we are a very, very good test team, how else are the 2004 stats of only one test defeat, and no series defeats for nearly 2 years explained? We just have to prove we are mentally stong enough to take the Aussies on for real, since we have the talent and the respect of the rest of the world.

[oz100no]

No doubt, England have become a very good cricket side and I believe this series will be close. Just saying that they are yet to prove themselves over 5 days of tough, intense test cricket, which is were Australia excels.

[Collyisamackem]

If you add "against Australia" I agree, but against any other side no. I understand your gist.


I agree, this series could be a classic in my opinion, and will be very close given that we have a quality, progressive team and an outstanding captain with an average of 60 against your guys. It's great that it's #1 vs #2 as well

[Aussie-Yank]

Originally Posted by Collyisamackem

I agree, this series could be a classic in my opinion, and will be very close given that we have a quality, progressive team and an outstanding captain with an average of 60 against your guys. It's great that it's #1 vs #2 as well

Last time I heard the catch cry of #1 vs #2 in the world was Australia verus South Africa;

3 Nil to Australia at Home.
3 Nil to Australia in South Africa.

All I hope this time is that England lives up to the tag and plays well against Australia. I have no problems (except ego) with England thumping 5-0 as long as each test was extremely close and could go anybodies way - Ie Against India at home.

[Collyisamackem]

True about the 1 vs 2 thing not necessarily inferring a close series, but I don't think a 5-0 is on the cards, I reckon it will be a 2-1.

[Paoli]

I agree with you on that one Colly. I think we are forgetting that England pumped the spineless Windies 8 times, New Zealand three times and beat South Africa 2-1 in very unconvincing fashion. Taking a 2-1 victory over South Africa is not what you want coming into this series; as Aussie Yank said, last time the 1 v 2 catch cry was uttered, Australia won 5-1. I'm still a bit unconvinced as to how England will go later on in the series. That is why you need a KP in there rather than a Thorpie, who would've hardly beaten the Aussies. KP has no psychological scars of previous battles.

As for the aura comment, Strauss I believe, from reading in the Herald Sun yesterday, said that he has "never felt" an aura; understandable as well, given that apart from Sunday's match we have played either atrociously or below par.

[Junior_Flem]

Originally Posted by IslandKev

One day stats dont mean anything in real tests. Just check Michael Vaughans average. You crims are in for serious problems. And you know it

No we don't know it. You people have allowed your media to whip you into an overconfident frenzy. SUre we've had some form problems. So what? We've also often lost ODI's in England before trouncing you in Tests.

England have had a good run and deserve their No 2 test ranking. But you haven't beaten Aus in Aus or India in India. You've beaten NZ (big deal), the lowly West Indies and South Africa.

I laugh when I hear comments like "Warne is old". English batsmen traditionally play spinners from the crease. Unless they have suddenly learned to use their feet Warne will still weave his magic on them. Hayden hasn't been in the greatest of form but he's done better than some of your openers so far. And Langer has been the better of the opening batsmen over the past 12 months so he will add steadiness to the top order. Ponting has just regained form and he is one of the top batsmen in the world at the moment. Martyn scored six Test centuries last year. Hussey can't even get into the squad! McGrath... need I say any more? Do you want me to go on?

Our bowling lacks depth but is still winning us the odd ODI. The only real concern there is Dizzy. But can England's attack bowl out the batsmen I mentioned above? TWICE in 5 days? Our batsmen have thrown away their wickets in the quest for quick runs in ODI's. That won't happen in the Tests.

Yes, England have improved and the English supporters have every reason for optimism and enthusiasm. It is going to be a very hard fought and close series. Like everyone else, I'm looking forward to it. But keep things in perspective. Australia are still World Champs and England are the CHALLENGERS. Nothing has changed.

[Trescothick]

Our bowling lacks depth but is still winning us the odd ODI. The only real concern there is Dizzy. But can England's attack bowl out the batsmen I mentioned above? TWICE in 5 days? Our batsmen have thrown away their wickets in the quest for quick runs in ODI's. That won't happen in the Tests.

The same applies for England!! Our batsmen have thrown away their wickets as well in quest for quick runs. This won't happen in tests. Our ODI team lacks bowling depth a Collingwood is our 5th bowler... So your Aussie point also apply to England... Even more so IMO.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

What weakness have the discovered. If you had actually watched him bat you will know his big weakness is trying to smash an odinary bowler out of the attack.

Actually, my take on it is he is rather shotless. When he tries to play a big one he fails. I won't write him off for the tests, but he would have to be one of the worst ODI batsmen in the world. If England want to rank higher than 6, they should remove him and save him some embarrasment.