The Ashes 2009

[paulhackett]

Average isn't the whole story. Johnson has gone at a shocking runrate and his pie-chucking has given England belief. His appalling bowling – and it was appalling, you can't read too much into averages over two tests – is the main reason England got off to such a flier at Lord's. Just two sessions into the match and Australia were already in deep shit. They'd be mad to keep him in the team when bowling with such a total lack of confidence, so let's hope they do.

I agree with you (just putting the theory forward)!

I looked at him bowling against SA and like Harmy when he fires, he fires and you wouldn't want to face it, so on potential he has somewhere to go whereas this is the best Siddle will do. It's a tough call, which has nothing to do with Siddle in fact..

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I agree with you (just putting the theory forward)!

I looked at him bowling against SA and like Harmy when he fires, he fires and you wouldn't want to face it, so on potential he has somewhere to go whereas this is the best Siddle will do. It's a tough call, which has nothing to do with Siddle in fact..

I entirely agree. At their best, Johnson is a far better bowler than Siddle. But he has to show something. I'm sure Australia are desperate to pick him, but by all accounts his bowling was awful again at Northants. Aus have to bring Clark in now – should have been in from Cardiff imo. I'm guessing that they will drop Siddle again, but I'm also guessing that Johnson will flop again. After all, Harmison didn't come good after a similarly awful start last Ashes, did he?

 

[paulhackett]

If the pitch is flat and spongy then it sounds like a good game for a seamer to miss..

It's almost as if Johnson is getting the old left arm spinners problem of the yips.. I can't believe how badly he has bowled.

 

[Nemo]

Good point. Altho theres a lot of pressure coming from the aussie media to get rid of Johnson. Selectors often cave in.

I'd pick him. Form is temporary, class is permanent after all. And he's a classy bowler on his day. Not to mention a pretty handy tailender.

The batting is not really a good reason to pick him imo. England have spent years making baffling selection decisions based on someone's supposed batting abilities being better than their competitors who nonetheless are better at keeping/bowling (witness Geraint Jones and Ashley Giles once Panesar was on the scene) and it's ultimately self-defeating. The people who are there to get runs are the top order, and if they don't, getting thirty or forty more from Johnson isn't going to do an awful lot of good when at current rates he'll concede that many in five or six overs of bowling.

 

[gabi]

The batting is not really a good reason to pick him imo. England have spent years making baffling selection decisions based on someone's supposed batting abilities being better than their competitors who nonetheless are better at keeping/bowling (witness Geraint Jones and Ashley Giles once Panesar was on the scene) and it's ultimately self-defeating. The people who are there to get runs are the top order, and if they don't, getting thirty or forty more from Johnson isn't going to do an awful lot of good when at current rates he'll concede that many in five or six overs of bowling.

He'll take 10 wickets in this match - he's due.

 

[Nemo]

He'll take 10 wickets in this match - he's due.

From the sound of it, it's not a friendly pitch for bowlers, so I'd be surprised.

 

[TrippyLondoner]

From the sound of it, it's not a friendly pitch for bowlers, so I'd be surprised.

My prediction of a draw seems likely then.

 

[Nemo]

My prediction of a draw seems likely then.

Especially given that it's going to rain.

 

[fen_boy]

Edgbaston's looking a bit wet at the moment.

e2a well it was earlier, link's broken now

 

[paulhackett]

Flintoff fit
Panesar released so between Harmison and Onions..

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Broad definitely to play then?

 

[liquidlunch]

Broad definitely to play then?

fucking beauty,i was hoping he would

 

[Nemo]

fucking beauty,i was hoping he would

So how are your men Johnson and Hughes?

 

[liquidlunch]

So how are your men Johnson and Hughes?

as well as can be expected under the circumstancesMitch has never had a bad run in 1st class cricket,its all been easy until this series.I suppose this is where one's character comes to the fore.He isnt lacking in that department and neither is Hughes.Given time at this level is what is required.Might not do us a lot of good in this series but will stand us in good stead later on

 

[Relahni]

as well as can be expected under the circumstancesMitch has never had a bad run in 1st class cricket,its all been easy until this series.I suppose this is where one's character comes to the fore.He isnt lacking in that department and neither is Hughes.Given time at this level is what is required.Might not do us a lot of good in this series but will stand us in good stead later on

Johnson has been shit by his standard and is still taking wickets. If he gets it right, it could be disastrous for England.

I think the bowlers are key to this series. Whoever wins that battle, will win the ashes.

Anderson and Flintoff have got the edge so far. I'm certain the Aussies will bounce back.

If Johnson returns to form, it wouldn't be the first time egg is on the face of the English.

Here's hoping he doesn't return to form!

 

[baldrick]

they've cracked down on internet at work and now i can't even listen to tms any more

 

[paulhackett]

as well as can be expected under the circumstancesMitch has never had a bad run in 1st class cricket,its all been easy until this series.I suppose this is where one's character comes to the fore.He isnt lacking in that department and neither is Hughes.Given time at this level is what is required.Might not do us a lot of good in this series but will stand us in good stead later on

I thought he was dropped even by Queensland a few years ago?

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Johnson has been shit by his standard and is still taking wickets. If he gets it right, it could be disastrous for England.

I think the bowlers are key to this series. Whoever wins that battle, will win the ashes.

Anderson and Flintoff have got the edge so far. I'm certain the Aussies will bounce back.

If Johnson returns to form, it wouldn't be the first time egg is on the face of the English.

Here's hoping he doesn't return to form!

Bowlers are key to all Test series. That's what I love about Test cricket – batsmen can salvage a draw, but bowlers bring about victories.

Mike Selvey wrote an interesting article about Johnson. Basically, with his slingy action, the moment of release not only affects his length but also his line, so timing is even more important to him than it would be for, say, McGrath or Clark who have high arm actions. Selvey reckons the timing could all click together any time – in the middle of an over some time – that Johnson won't know what he's doing different, and that once it's back, he'll wonder how he ever lost it. I guess that's why Australia will feel they have to pick him – he's their only (potential) genuine strike bowler with Lee injured.

 

[liquidlunch]

they've cracked down on internet at work and now i can't even listen to tms any more

find work elsewhere

 

[liquidlunch]

I thought he was dropped even by Queensland a few years ago?

Dont know about that.
He would have been in school a few years ago

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Dont know about that.
He would have been in school a few years ago

He's not that young. Late twenties.

 

[butchersapron]

Bowlers are key to all Test series. That's what I love about Test cricket – batsmen can salvage a draw, but bowlers bring about victories.

Mike Selvey wrote an interesting article about Johnson. Basically, with his slingy action, the moment of release not only affects his length but also his line, so timing is even more important to him than it would be for, say, McGrath or Clark who have high arm actions. Selvey reckons the timing could all click together any time – in the middle of an over some time – that Johnson won't know what he's doing different, and that once it's back, he'll wonder how he ever lost it. I guess that's why Australia will feel they have to pick him – he's their only (potential) genuine strike bowler with Lee injured.

Roebuck sugests that the action he's working with right now is not his natural action - it's one hothoused by the backroom to provide an inswinger - and that it's killing him. It's something forced on him that he's not able to adapt to (for now) without losing everything that makes him a good bowler.

 

[llion]

Mathew Hayden was surprisingly funny and chipper on Radio 5 tonight (he's joining the Test Match Special team for the rest of series). Seemed quite different to his aggressive/arrogant image. Even made a joke about how he was tempted to join in with some of the Barmy Army's chants about David Boon etc during the more boring spells of play!
Really hope the weather doesn't wreck things too much for this game...

 

[paulhackett]

Roebuck sugests that the action he's working with right now is not his natural action - it's one hothoused by the backroom to provide an inswinger - and that it's killing him. It's something forced on him that he's not able to adapt to (for now) without losing everything that makes him a good bowler.

That'll be Troy Cooley ruining him as he did Anderson for a while.. nice one Troy!

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Roebuck sugests that the action he's working with right now is not his natural action - it's one hothoused by the backroom to provide an inswinger - and that it's killing him. It's something forced on him that he's not able to adapt to (for now) without losing everything that makes him a good bowler.

Selvey touched on that. Apparently his inswinger appeared last winter in SA, but Selvey reckons that was more the product of swinging conditions and, essentially, luck than anything intentional. Selvey also recommended that he should abandon the idea of an inswinger.

Good to see so many former England players (did Roebuck ever actually play for England?) giving such good advice to the Aussies' main weapon.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

That'll be Troy Cooley ruining him as he did Anderson for a while.. nice one Troy!

The beauty of Anderson is that he can swing it both ways, virtually at will when he's on song.

 

[paulhackett]

Dont know about that.
He would have been in school a few years ago

2002/3 apparently, so in his early 20s

 

[paulhackett]

The beauty of Anderson is that he can swing it both ways, virtually at will when he's on song.

Cooley was trying to make him 'look up' when he bowled as he drops his head. He then lost his 'natural' ability to swing. That or being 12th man and bowling at a stump for a summer.

 

[butchersapron]

Selvey touched on that. Apparently his inswinger appeared last winter in SA, but Selvey reckons that was more the product of swinging conditions and, essentially, luck than anything intentional. Selvey also recommended that he should abandon the idea of an inswinger.

Good to see so many former England players (did Roebuck ever actually play for England?) giving such good advice to the Aussies' main weapon.

Pretty sure he didn't. The arse.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Pretty sure he didn't. The arse.

That's your erstwhile leader you're talking about!