The Ashes 2006/07: The Brisbane Test Thread (Day 1)

[John]

Australia morning only Flintoff bowled well. The rest will have to improve by 20%.

[Ernest]

Good session for Australia, Langer in good form, a lot depends on Ponting who looked shaky at the start.

I think Fletcher was right picking Giles, he would have been daunted by this Aussie onslaught.

Except for Harmison England have bowled OK, he was better in his second spell, not a lot for the batsmen.

Matches are won and lost in sessions, two quick wickets and Aussie will be 120 for 3, a bad session for England and England will have to hope their batsmen have an answer.

Flintoff is a plus, but can't take all the wickets.

[Aussie-Yank]

I must add this now - to the people who measured Langer verus Jacques - 68 not out, that would be 1-0 to the selectors. He may be getting on - but apparently he can still score runs against the youngsters.

[Quagmire]

good start to Australia. Flintoff looks to be the only capable bowler that is worrying the Australian top order. No real movement for Hoggard and Harmison has been horrible so far. There have been a lot of nerves but both teams will come out more settled after tea.

[south beds mikey]

We need 3 wickets this session just to get level. Great start for the Aussies. I would like to know why we're pussy footing round Langer. We've hardly bowled a head high bouncer at him. Whether Monty would have been overawed we'll never know will we?

[Ernest]

Yes there has been a lot of Strauss v Flintoff for captain - Jones v Read for keeper - Panesar v Giles for spinners spot.

At the end of the day you need some experience in the side, Flintoff is right for captain, Jones/Read will go on for ever, and Fletcher was right to pick Giles over Panesar.

With Trescothick gone, so did Panesar's chance, also Panesar may look like Bedi, but bowls more like Giles.

Langer is not finished yet, but I think Jaques would have IMO have been a better bet than Hayden, in fact before long Jaques should be in the Aussie side, again IMO.
Also England have missed a trick not picking Mahmood, I reckon Australia maight have had the same score, but maybe a wicket or two more down.

[south beds mikey]

I qute like saj as well. If Harmy keeps this up he might get his chance. We'll have to agree to disagree on the spinners as I am at completely the other end of the spectrum.

I do hope Fred doesn't run himself into the ground.

[Ernest]

Flintoff gets Langer SBM - well lets ee what Giles does with the bat, strange bringing Mahmood and not playing him.

[Django]

Originally Posted by Ernest

..... also Panesar may look like Bedi, but bowls more like Giles. Also England have missed a trick not picking Mahmood, I reckon Australia maight have had the same score, but maybe a wicket or two more down.

IMO Both Harmison and Panesar have been over-rated. Apart from one good series against a mediocre West Indies team, Harmison has done nothing worthwhile. Panesar is too inexperienced as yet to be considered as a striking force. Also Left arm orthodox spinners have, by and large, struggled in Australia. The only exceptions perhaps, are Underwood on occasions and Vettori in one series.

[south beds mikey]

Fred our best bowler no question, I just don't want him to break down again. Lets hope Giles gets a wicket or 2 aswell as some runs. I would have preferred Monty but I'm still right behind Giles.