Strauss: Australia has lost it's aura

[Seamer]

Some fighting words from Strauss. Good way to put pressure on yourself mate
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.a...E23212,00.html
Strauss vs Australia this summer
Match 6, Runs 98, Ave 16.33
The right words from the wrong guy would'nt you think?

[greg]

At least he's not like Hussain when we toured last time.
"I'll be happy if we compete" Or whatever it was he said.At least he is showing belief that you aren't invincible.

[Beny]

I'm sure his off-stump will be comforted

This is a rediculous article which makes a lot of assumptions and blatently targets a pro-british market, picking out the worst parts of the Aussie team and forgetting the problems England have been having.

One-day opening batsmen Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist have prospered only once beyond the first third of an innings and that was chasing a small total against an equally modest Bangladesh attack at Old Trafford.

And what about England's top order?

Aside from the one ton in a game where I have alrady pointed out, Australian bowlers were struggling, tresco and strauss have been smashed by the Aussie quicks. Vaughn is in the same boat. Hayden and Gilly have at least been able to play their shots and get to 50 odd before one of them falls. The same can't be said for England. And how many English batting colapses have there been now? 33/4 and 28/4... Get real

Ricky Ponting's disturbing habit of ambling across the crease as the bowler delivers has returned, reflected in his 149 runs from seven international innings at the worryingly inadequate average of 21.86. While his century overnight guided Australia to a much-needed victory in the second NatWest Challenge match, there is still cause for concern.

Odd how it's forgoten that Ponting has only been out LBW once in this tour... That's hardly a problem. Other than that he's either been unlucky or been caught on the boundry. And from what I hear his ton last night was preety convincing.

England's off-side plans for Damien Martyn have blunted his freedom to the extent his runs have come at a rate of 65 per 100 balls faced, well short of his one-day career tally of 79.

Also forgets to point out that most batsmen have been forced to score slowly and safely this season. Martyn has looked fine for me.

Michael Clarke has been anything but convincing against the moving ball after encountering similar problems in New Zealand this year.

Notice they dont attack his average..

Australia's best-performed batsmen have been Andrew Symonds and Mike Hussey, neither of whom are in the Test squad assembling in London this week.

No but the best leg spinner in the world and a fantastic opening batsmen who has a few double tons to his name are. Not to mention the reserve of Brad Hodge- who has out done Hussy both at home and in England.

As I'll point out again. What about England's dismal proformances. Finaly we get a good pitch and we smash them, was that just a fluke? And that was with a misfiring Jason Gillespie.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by greg

At least he's not like Hussain when we toured last time.
"I'll be happy if we compete" Or whatever it was he said.At least he is showing belief that you aren't invincible.

Oh i agree with England expressing that sentiment, to do otherwise would be foolish. But considering Strauss's effort vs Australia so far, i question wether he is the right man to say it. Smacks of false optimism and hollowness coming from a guy averaging 16 against Aus would'nt you say?

[The Phantom Ram]

I agree, it seems to me that if Strauss doen't make runs early in the test series his place could seriously be under threat. Especially if Thorpe declares himself fit and Pieterson scores well on Tuesday. It could see Vaugham moving up to open the innings with Trescothick. It is the right approach to take with the Aussies, because you can bet they'll be highlighting our deficiencies but it needs someone at the peak of his form to carry any weight.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Ram

I agree, it seems to me that if Strauss doen't make runs early in the test series his place could seriously be under threat.

why!! He has never been as good in the ODI's as in the Tests...he has a batting average in the 50's in Tests and late thities in ODI's - he has always been better in Tests, where he can wait for the bad ball and punish it, where-as in ODI's he has to make the runs, and is not always so good.

Why move Vaughan when he seems to be settling at 3, while Trescothick and Strauss have become a formidable opening partneship

For me Strauss, Trescothick and Vaughan are the first names on the team sheet as far as batting is concerned. Thorpe would be the same, if he was not so old.

Now come on England fans time to back your palyers. We know the team lets back it, the enemy are wearing baggy-green not English blue...

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Now come on England fans time to back your palyers. We know the team lets back it, the enemy are wearing baggy-green not English blue...

I agree. Strauss should be in for the whole series. If anything, he's shown that he can play big innings under pressure, and that he's willing to fight. Actually he's shown much more than this. And I reckon he will play some key innings this summer, even if he isn't as prolific as he was in SA.

[Aussie-Yank]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

I agree. Strauss should be in for the whole series. If anything, he's shown that he can play big innings under pressure, and that he's willing to fight. Actually he's shown much more than this. And I reckon he will play some key innings this summer, even if he isn't as prolific as he was in SA.

But if he fails with the bat in the first test and Australia wins, you can bet that the Aussie's will remind him of his statement for the rest of the Ashes - the only way out for him now is to make runs.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Aussie-Yank

But if he fails with the bat in the first test and Australia wins, you can bet that the Aussie's will remind him of his statement for the rest of the Ashes - the only way out for him now is to make runs.

Absolutley, and I'm sure that's how he plans to go about it. I think he's got real class, and I expect him to get at least two good scores - a centeury and a 75/80. I also expect he'll het out in single figures a few times - that's 'opening the batting' for you. But I'd back Strauss to average 40 for the series, which is a good effort against the world no.1 team.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Aussie-Yank

the only way out for him now is to make runs.

He's a batsman, that's always the case.

Should the Aussies lose they will all be eating huge slices of humble pie. They haven't played like world beaters, remember how lowly ranked England are in ODI cricket!! England have punhced above their weight thus far, should we do that in the Tests they'll win!