The Ashes 2006-07: The Build-up

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Rachael there was 10 innings, and if all Bell could do was to score two 50s, then that is very ordinary indeed [..] Bell bettered Vaughan you say, well that was not very much to be proud of the form Vaughan was in [...] Bell was poor

I didn't suggest Bell had a good Ashes series... but you said Bell "could not get a score together against the Aussies"... which is just plain wrong: his contribution at Old Trafford was exceedingly impressive... and in that Test Vaughan's first innings contribution was a massive 166 runs!!!!

ps. Simon Hughes didn't get a job as "the analyst" for no reason: I don't know if he has a coaching record as well as a cricketing record... but he clearly has an impressive grasp of the technical side of the game.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Rachael there was 10 innings, and if all Bell could do was to score two 50s, then that is very ordinary indeed, there is no other word for it.

Why is Key one of your favourites then? They have very similar records against the Australians.

With Bell being more consistant against the other nations he's played against, something Key isn't.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Pete

Why is Key one of your favourites then? They have very similar records against the Australians.

Because like Hick and Ramp's he was never sure if he would be playing next time, he was always playing for his place.

Originally Posted by Pete

With Bell being more consistant against the other nations he's played against, something Key isn't.

I have said on one thread today that I would take Bell to India - Pakistan or Sri Lanka, but IMO no way is he good enough to play against the Australian attack.

Horses for courses if you like.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I didn't suggest Bell had a good Ashes series... but you said Bell "could not get a score together against the Aussies"... and in that Test Vaughan's first innings contribution was a massive 166 runs!!!!

I really don't think that the contributions made by either Bell or Vaughan batting wise during the Ashes in 2005 could make a case for either of them going on the plane to Australia this winter on their batting alone.
You have cherry picked the odd innings but we all know neither batsman was in form with the bat, Vaughan at least did captain England to an Ashes win.

Originally Posted by Rachael

ps. Simon Hughes didn't get a job as "the analyst" for no reason: I don't know if he has a coaching record as well as a cricketing record... but he clearly has an impressive grasp of the technical side of the game.

I have nothing against Simon Hughes - I just don't agree that he knows oodles about cricket than the rest of us, also Rachael you have not answered the question "Did Simon Hughes pick England to win the 2005 Ashes series".

[Quagmire]

I think that bell would play well against Australia, (ha-ha I’m a poet and I don’t know it)

He looks like he has a lot of time to play the ball, he did look uncomfortable against Warne, but who didn’t last series.

Cook looks to be a good batsman, Pietersen is playing good cricket when he has his head screwed on straight.

Harminson could either be brilliant or horrible, Hoggard will do what he always does, Flintoff is the one I’m not 100% sure about, will he be 100% fit? Mahmood and Plunkett are not up to test standard, Monty has been discussed way too much, and Trescothick will hopefully be fit because he is important to the standard of the series. Collingwood has been good and Reid has been a hell of a lot better that Jones. Not everything is bad for England there has been improvements in some areas.



The series won't be that one sided.

[Alison]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I remember last year Alison when Bell could not get a score together against the Aussies

Maybe I didn't explain what I meant clearly enough - what I can't see any support for is not whether he is likely to struggle against Australia in general but why you think he'll have a specific problem with Lee but think he'll play Warne well

Originally Posted by Ernest

I have no prejudices at all whan it comed to England players

Of course you do, we all have prejudices/preconceptions about everything - it's part of being human, we can't actually think about things without the use of prejudices/preconceptions, all we can do is try to be aware of what our particular prejudices/preconceptions are and be open to changing them

[Speedboy Salesman]

As long as I don't hear bloody Mark Nicholls commentating on it, I'll be a happy bunny. Especially if in his place I'll get more of Holding, Lloyd et al.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Because like Hick and Ramp's he was never sure if he would be playing next time, he was always playing for his place.

And Bell is/was? Everytime he played people were saying he was the one going to get the chop as soon as Flintoff comes back.

[Collyisamackem]

It was announced on Radio Five Live last night that the BBC has won rights to screen Ashes highlights this winter. They will be screened on the evening (GMT) following the previous day's play in Australia, and shortly prior to the next day's play in Australia.

[Speedboy Salesman]

does that Mark Nicholls ain't commentating, please for the love of GOD, keep this man away from our TV screens.