Counting down to the back-to-back Ashes series in 2013/14

[Gingerfinch]

I think even the staunchest Test cricket devotee would struggle to retain interest over a 7 match series. 4 sounds just fine. Maybe 5 in some cases.

I like 5, especially in England and NZ, where you could have 2 washed out.

[from_the_stands]

So it seems that all sorts of names are now being thrown into the hat for the Oz tour of England. The latest possible squad is; Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin (vice-capt, wk), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Matthew Wade (wk), Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/current/story/631745.html

It seems that Usman Khawaja and Chris Rogers are on the outer, along with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood. I haven't heard any updates about what's happening with Fawad Ahmed. Shaun Marsh and Ryan Harris coming back in seems a bit risky. Witrh this lot, I'd be taking two team physio's.

[Arthur Crabtree]

O'Keefe was a long shot. But the trials of Australia in India might have made them re-evaluate some previous decisions. Maybe Agar then?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Marsh had a poor domestic season I hear. Also, is he the sort to hand his homework in on time?

[from_the_stands]

Marsh had a poor domestic season I hear. Also, is he the sort to hand his homework in on time?

If there is free beer involved, then yes.

[braveneutral]

Marsh had a poor domestic season I hear. Also, is he the sort to hand his homework in on time?

If there is free beer involved, then yes.

Is it Wednesday in your next of the woods FTS? When is the squad out?

[shankycricket]

Yeah, that sounds likely, FTS and pretty much what I'd pick too with the exception of Rogers for Hughes. The pace attack is exactly how I'd have it. Not sure about Agar. Maybe O' Keefe? But they're likely to be back up anyway.

[shankycricket]

I think even the staunchest Test cricket devotee would struggle to retain interest over a 7 match series. 4 sounds just fine. Maybe 5 in some cases.

I like 5, especially in England and NZ, where you could have 2 washed out.

Not for all series. Between good teams, yes.

[braveneutral]

I think even the staunchest Test cricket devotee would struggle to retain interest over a 7 match series. 4 sounds just fine. Maybe 5 in some cases.

I like 5, especially in England and NZ, where you could have 2 washed out.

Not for all series. Between good teams, yes.

I can think of nothing better than a 7 match zim-bd series.

[shankycricket]

I think even the staunchest Test cricket devotee would struggle to retain interest over a 7 match series. 4 sounds just fine. Maybe 5 in some cases.

I like 5, especially in England and NZ, where you could have 2 washed out.

Not for all series. Between good teams, yes.

I can think of nothing better than a 7 match zim-bd series.

[braveneutral]

I think even the staunchest Test cricket devotee would struggle to retain interest over a 7 match series. 4 sounds just fine. Maybe 5 in some cases.

I like 5, especially in England and NZ, where you could have 2 washed out.

Not for all series. Between good teams, yes.

I can think of nothing better than a 7 match zim-bd series.

Heavenly I know!

[shankycricket]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/bow ... .html#poll

[englandmad666]

No mitchell johnson in the squad...... Gutted

[braveneutral]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/bowling-them-over-20130423-2icdx.html#poll

Brilliant!

[meninblue]

I expect Aussies to play better test cricket in England than they did on India tour. Not surprised with the exclusion of Henriques.Expected it on India tour itself in later part of the test series.