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

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'm surprised Johnson isn't in the A squad, instead of one of the new names. No shock not to see Maxwell. Or Doherty.

I'm thinking of this as a squad of 22, as it seems likely that a good performance for the A team will lead to a place in the full squad. Otherwise, the choice of only one spinner in the main party would be ridiculous. But it does signal, as I believe, that Australia will be looking to play an all pace attack.

No Hilfenhaus.

Hope we see Hughes in the first Test. I'd like to see something like: Warner/Cowan/Hughes/Watson/Clarke/Khawaja(or ideally, Smith)/Wade/Faulkner/Siddle/Starc/Lyon. And not see: Warner/Rogers/Cowan/Clarke/Khawaja/Watson/Haddin/Siddle/Pattinson/Harris/Bird.

But the batting looks a problem however you shake it up. Mightn't Bailey or Voges have been in the A team? And Copeland and Coulter-Nile ahead of Sayers?

Silk just looks like one for the future. I guess he'll be dreaming though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Of course, Maxwell and Doherty will be in the CT squad (if Australia can bear to name it) during the A tour. As may Mitch Johnson.

[shankycricket]

I'm surprised Johnson isn't in the A squad, instead of one of the new names. No shock not to see Maxwell. Or Doherty.

I'm thinking of this as a squad of 22, as it seems likely that a good performance for the A team will lead to a place in the full squad. Otherwise, the choice of only one spinner in the main party would be ridiculous. But it does signal, as I believe, that Australia will be looking to play an all pace attack.

No Hilfenhaus.

Hope we see Hughes in the first Test. I'd like to see something like: Warner/Cowan/Hughes/Watson/Clarke/Khawaja(or ideally, Smith)/Wade/Faulkner/Siddle/Starc/Lyon. And not see: Warner/Rogers/Cowan/Clarke/Khawaja/Watson/Haddin/Siddle/Pattinson/Harris/Bird.

But the batting looks a problem however you shake it up. Mightn't Bailey or Voges have been in the A team? And Copeland and Coulter-Nile ahead of Sayers?

Silk just looks like one for the future. I guess he'll be dreaming though.

Bailey, Voges and Johnson will be in the Champions Trophy squad. Not sure Copeland is in the plans but he's playing County cricket anyways and they've not named those who are playing CC (Cowan, Rogers) and of course those who will be a part of the CT squad.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, I occasionally forget about the CT squad. maybe because they won't announce it!

[shankycricket]

Yes, I occasionally forget about the CT squad. maybe because they won't announce it!

I can guess :

Twatto
Warner
Hughes
Clarke(c)
Bailey
Wade(wk)
Faulkner
Johnson
Starc
McKay
Doherty

Maxwell
Cutting
Voges
S Marsh/Finch (probably Marsh as Finch was dropped towards the latter half of the ODI summer). They could conceivably pick another seamer than a back up batsman for this spot, in which case, I'm expecting it to be Coulter Nile as he played a T20 vs WI and isn't in the Aus A squad.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Posters might like to keep an eye on this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... hane-warne

[Arthur Crabtree]

This got me thinking about great moments in Ashes history, so I looked up the Oval Test 0f 1882, the one that was (allegedly) so tense, (with England needing 85 to win, and losing by seven runs) that a supporter died of a heart attack, and another gnawed through the handle of his umbrella. Of course, spawning the Ashes legend about the death of English cricket. The match was famous for the bowling of the legend Fred Spofforth, and there a couple of great quotes about him on wikipedia.

Tom "Felix" Horan records that, when he did so (dismissed Grace), "he jumped about two feet in the air, and sang out: 'Bowled! Bowled! Bowled!' And at the finish in the dressing-room, he said: 'Ain't I a demon? Ain't I a demon?' gesticulating the while in his well-known demonaic style. Whether or not he christened himself the demon, he certainly was a demon bowler." Spofforth confirms this: "To myself, it will always be a noteworthy occasion, since it was then that I first earned my popular sobriquet -- 'the Demon'


As a consequence of this victory, writes Plum Warner, the "fame of Australian cricket was established for all time." Spofforth became known forever as "The Demon Bowler". He was the bowler whom English batsmen most feared and is also regarded as the one who first brought into the game, as a scaring technique, eye-to-eye contact with the batsman. Spofforth would often stare straight into the batsman's eyes to scare and shake him.

Fred was born in Balmain, NSW. He later lived in Derbyshire, and played for Yorkshire, which was where his father was born. The Demon became a successful tea merchant, and died a rich man in 1926.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Spofforth

[SaintPowelly]

Yes, I occasionally forget about the CT squad. maybe because they won't announce it!

I can guess :

Twatto
Warner
Hughes
Clarke(c)
Bailey
Wade(wk)
Faulkner
Johnson
Starc
McKay
Doherty

Maxwell
Cutting
Voges
S Marsh/Finch (probably Marsh as Finch was dropped towards the latter half of the ODI summer). They could conceivably pick another seamer than a back up batsman for this spot, in which case, I'm expecting it to be Coulter Nile as he played a T20 vs WI and isn't in the Aus A squad.

I'd be amazed if Maxwell wasn't in the XI.

[GarlicJam]

Yes, I occasionally forget about the CT squad. maybe because they won't announce it!

Today is the day for that.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Still no word on why it was delayed.

[GarlicJam]

Cricket Australia don't work to anyone's schedule. Not even their own.

[shankycricket]

Yes, I occasionally forget about the CT squad. maybe because they won't announce it!

I can guess :

Twatto
Warner
Hughes
Clarke(c)
Bailey
Wade(wk)
Faulkner
Johnson
Starc
McKay
Doherty

Maxwell
Cutting
Voges
S Marsh/Finch (probably Marsh as Finch was dropped towards the latter half of the ODI summer). They could conceivably pick another seamer than a back up batsman for this spot, in which case, I'm expecting it to be Coulter Nile as he played a T20 vs WI and isn't in the Aus A squad.

I'd be amazed if Maxwell wasn't in the XI.

Well, he shouldn't be.

[Arthur Crabtree]

So Bopara will bat at six in the Ashes! It's no more far fetched than his being in the CT squad.

[Gingerfinch]

So Bopara will bat at six in the Ashes! It's no more far fetched than his being in the CT squad.

Ha, be shocked at that one, Arthur.

[braveneutral]

I wouldn't if he has a good CT.