The Ashes 2006-07: The Build-up

[Quagmire]

No one expect Johnson to rip through England, I know I don't. McGrath will knock over Strauss and Trescothick early on a couple of occasions but the openers will also make runs. England’s batting is really the same quality but England’s bowling is questionable. The Pomes relying on Panesar who is ok but not good enough to succeed on Australian soil, yet. Flintoff has far too much work to do, and Harmison has not been in the best form and has been injured. My inside English sources tell me that Mahmood won't play they will be more likely to go for Anderson and even Plunkett would play before Mahmood (I’m not sure why). Panesar had a good couple of series but nothing special ten matches 32 wickets at 32.40, not just hit stats are average i watched him bowl a fair bit in the tests and he was ok but nothing special. Is anyone going on about Clark as a bowler he has had a good start and should be playing in the Ashes if he is not injured 4 matches 21 wickets at 18.

[Collyisamackem]

A question though Quagmire, how do Monty's stats in India compare with those of Shane Warne? I haven't looked it up myself but I would think that a young spinner playing against India in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will need to bowl a lot better to do well than a 30-year old seamer bowling in Bengali and South African conditions (Clark). Don't forget Panesar's list of test victims, including Tendulkar, Kaif, Yousuf, Inzamam et al. How would you rate him against Ashley Giles in all departments?

[Quagmire]

Warnes bowling style is not suited to Indian conditions at all he has always struggled, Montys bowling style is more of an Indian styled spinner so it is perfect conditions for him.

[Collyisamackem]

That may be the case, not that I'm entirely convinced by the comments about Warne but each to their own. What about your opinions on Panesar vs Giles?

[England_Fan_Lee]

I know that this year the ashes is in Australia but i have a feeling that england will gain a draw, With Flintoff coming back, Harminson is back, i think we can take wickets.

The only doubt is the batting form of Flintoff, yes i know he has only played two games but if his is struggling against Australia all ready i think they can dismiss him early in the Tests.

[Collyisamackem]

Flintoff averages 40 against Australia in tests, I wouldn't be too worried to be honest. Hopefully his fitness will be right up there by November 23rd.

[John]

Originally Posted by Collyisamackem

Flintoff averages 40 against Australia in tests, I wouldn't be too worried to be honest. Hopefully his fitness will be right up there by November 23rd.

Against an Australia lacking McGrath and bowling a totally out of form Gillespie.
McGrath is working his way back and Mitchell Johnson looks good. I don't think it will be the same bowling attack of last summer Flintoff faces.

[Collyisamackem]

John, did you see McGrath today? He has a month before the first test and looks very out of sorts and a long way from the bowler he was. Johnson has never played a test, and experience counts for an awful lot in the Ashes, the same applies to Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken who have precious little test experience. So you can substitute last year's problems for this year's fitness and experience ones. The one constant is Shane Warne, who had the best series of his life last summer, whilst Freddie was scoring runs. Brett Lee is the other, and he has still not got rid of the old inconsitencies, I think.

[John]

Originally Posted by Collyisamackem

John, did you see McGrath today?

He is on his way back. I accept he won't be the McGrath of old ( thats why I think they should play five bowlers). But nor do I accept he is washed up. I think if fit he could be an important tool in the Australian attack.
So you would have me believe that with McGrath gone and Gillespie bowling rubbish that the Australian attack is going to be as poor as that this winter? That the overdependce on Warne who took 40 wickets is the only hope? Warne will have to take 50 wickets to regain the Ashes because Australia have nobody else? Australia's hopes are slender indeed!

[Collyisamackem]

I'm not honestly sure what you're asking John. Are you saying that we only won the Ashes last summer because the bowlers who bowled the other half of Australia's overs (i.e. aside form Warne) were just really poor, and in fact our performance had nothing to do with it? I don't accept that, Gillespie aside, the Aussie bowling was poor - I just believe ours was better and our batting was at times too good, though at other times not so good.

If you are saying the Aussie bowling attack was "weakened" last summer, then surely you are comparing it to their attack of old? The McGrath/Gillespie/Kasprowicz/Warne (give or take Bichel, Lee, Reiffel et al) attack that is. Well, if that's the case, then I believe an attack of a half-fit, 36 year old McGrath, Lee, Clark/Johnson/Bracken and Warne won't be any better. Contrast it to Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff, Anderson, Mahmood/Plunkett and Panesar and I think we are stronger. Maybe the bowling attacks aren't the issue? Maybe it's the batting that will decide the destiny of the Ashes?