The Ashes And Champions Trophy

[pumpdoc 2]

I happen to have better than 20/20 eyesight in my left eye and i am begining to get sick of your comments.

Just like I'm tired of your hate America comments.

[ykickamoocow 0]

Just like I'm tired of your hate America comments.

p**s off. I dont make radom comments designed to insult people. If you werent a moderator i would report you as you are a terrible moderator as you are one of the most bias people on this forum.

[pumpdoc 2]

p**s off. I dont make radom comments designed to insult people. If you werent a moderator i would report you as you are a terrible moderator as you are one of the most bias people on this forum.

That's the best you can do? p**s off?

[ykickamoocow 0]

That's the best you can do? p**s off?

The best you can come up with is throwing wild 1950's accusations at me. It is truly pathetic.

[ykickamoocow 0]

I thought it would be intersting if everyone could list therir all time 11 for their respective countries. Here is the best Australian 11 in m opinion.

1. Matthew Hayden (One of our fastest scoring openers ever)

2. Justin Langer (One of our fastest scoring openers ever)

3. Don Bradman (Statistically the best batsman who have ever lived)

4. Ricky Ponting (Strong batsman with a great average and strike rate)

5. Greg Chappell (Strong batsman with a strong average)

6. Steve Waugh © (Statistically the best captain of all time, great batsman and good bowler)

7. Adam Gilchrist (Good wicket keeper and has one of the best strike rates in test cricket)

8. Shane Warne (Best leg spin bowler Australia has ever had)

9. Jeff Thomson (Extremely fast bowler with the ability to destroy the opposition)

10. Dennis Lillee (Fast and accurate)

11. Glenn McGrath (Medium pace but one of Australia's best bowlers of all time)

[Shane2 0]

Wow hard question there i dont know where to start but i think we could use another batsman like Geoff Boycott

[ykickamoocow 0]

Wow hard question there i dont know where to start but i think we could use another batsman like Geoff Boycott

Id say Ian Botham would be in Englands team as the All Rounder.

[Shane2 0]

Yeah he was good. In bowlers would have to go with Gough and Cadd#ck

[narain fan 0]

BTW ,England have an absolute record of the shortest reign over the URN ,of 463 days

[ykickamoocow 0]

Yeah he was good. In bowlers would have to go with Gough and Cadd#ck

I think George Lohmann should also be in the all time great English team.

[aussief1 4]

I thought it would be intersting if everyone could list therir all time 11 for their respective countries. Here is the best Australian 11 in m opinion.

1. Matthew Hayden (One of our fastest scoring openers ever)

2. Justin Langer (One of our fastest scoring openers ever)

3. Don Bradman (Statistically the best batsman who have ever lived)

4. Ricky Ponting (Strong batsman with a great average and strike rate)

5. Greg Chappell (Strong batsman with a strong average)

6. Steve Waugh

[ykickamoocow 0]

I thought i would go throught the Australian squad and predict what it will look like for the next Ashes series.

Nathan Bracken

Stuart Clark

Michael Clarke

Dan Cullen

Brad Haddin

Brad Hodge

Michael Hussey

Phil Jaques

Mitchell Johnson

Simon Katich

Brett Lee

Ricky Ponting

Andrew Symonds

Shaun Tait

Shane Watson

It still looks like a competitive team but it doesnt look like a dominant team to me.

[ykickamoocow 0]

Aussies in for future shock

SAVOUR the moments. In two adoring Tests Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath will be gone and Australia's life on a cricket field is unlikely to be so successful again.

The packed Boxing Day and New Year Tests in Melbourne and Sydney will be the party before the hangover. Waking up next season without the most successful bowling duo in Test history will be a sobering experience.

Australian fans have flocked to Test cricket in ever greater numbers over the past decade to watch the spellbinding magic of Warne, the deadly precision of McGrath and a batting line-up that has scored at an unprecedented four runs an over.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground will overflow for a cricket match like never before, with up to 100,000 fans expected on each of the first three days.

Records will tumble as Australia attempts to extend its 3-0 series lead and take the consecutive number of Test victories from 10 to 11, equalling the second most successful streak set in the halcyon days of the West Indies 22 years ago.

The rampant Australians are pressing for a 5-0 whitewash, only achieved once in an Ashes series under the command of 'The Big Ship', Warwick Armstrong, in 1920-21.

But marching on towards the 16-match winning streak, set by Steve Waugh's sides between October 1999 and March 2001, with many of the players in this team, including McGrath and Warne, will take something super human from a side robbed by age of its most damaging weapons.

Warne and McGrath have taken a staggering 963 wickets at 23.53 between them at the rate of five per innings in their 102 Tests together, more than 200 ahead of any other bowling duo.

The second most successful pairing is former West Indies greats Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, with 757 wickets at 22.73 in 95 Tests, at a rate of 4.37 wickets per innings.

Adam Gilchrist, who has no intention of retiring in the near future, believes Australia can maintain its position as No.1 in the world, but the battle will be all the tougher without the dynamic duo.

"It's going to be extremely difficult to maintain the playing style or types of standards we've hit under the guidance of Warne and McGrath, whenever that day does come that they're both not there together," Gilchrist, 35, said in Melbourne yesterday.

"We've been without them at the same time before and we've still been able to win, but maybe it's not been quite as comprehensive.

"It's been more of a fight, and that's natural because they've got 1200 wickets between them and it's the best ever. They'll be very tough shoes to fill but I do think we can maintain our standards of being one of the most competitive teams in the world, if not maintain that No.1 position."

There is an eerie sense of deja vu, about next season, when Sri Lanka tours for two Tests and India for four.

When the Indians were here three seasons ago they spoilt Steve Waugh's retirement party, largely because a suspended Warne and an injured McGrath were unable to attend.

The remaining bowlers were smashed everywhere and Australia came from behind to scramble a 1-1 scoreline from the four Tests, avoiding the first series loss in Australia since the West Indies won here so narrowly 14 years ago.

Stuart MacGill was the leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets at an average greater than 50 and Brett Lee, the only bowler from that series still in the team, took eight wickets at 59.5.

Worryingly, Lee has a very similar average this series, eight wickets at 58.38, given he will be expected to take more responsibility without McGrath from next summer.

McGrath, 36, remains coy about his plans beyond this summer in the wake of Warne's announcement that he will retire after the Sydney Test in a fortnight.

"All I'm saying is that, to me, it's business as usual," McGrath said in Sydney yesterday before flying to Melbourne.

"I'm just preparing for these next two Test matches, then it's the one-day series and then I'll take it from there."

Certainly Warne had privately discussed announcing his retirement before his home Test in Melbourne so McGrath could do the same in Sydney.

Ricky Ponting said he had heard nothing about McGrath quitting.

"I haven't heard or spoken with him about anything along those retirement lines. I certainly haven't had the conversation I had with Warnie prior to finding out about his plans," Ponting said after arriving in Melbourne yesterday.

While Ponting's focus remains firmly on the next two Tests and a 5-0 whitewash, Australia's captain knows that the selectors must start mining for gold if they are to replace the irreplaceable Warne.

The greatest concern is that with the confirmed or likely departure of Warne, McGrath and Justin Langer, Australia will suffer the same dreadful fate as when Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell and Rod Marsh all retired together in 1984, plunging Australia into a three-year abyss of constant failure.

So does Lillee believe Australia is better prepared for a changing of the guard than in 1984?

"Absolutely," Lillee said yesterday at the MCG, where a bronze statue of his likeness was unveiled at the ground.

"There are some terrific reserves and they are ready to come in and start doing very well for Australia. So I think that by (the next Ashes tour) in 2009 we should be very well prepared.

"Then (the mid 1980s) they (the selectors) probably should have pensioned a couple of us off, bit by bit so there wasn't a mass exodus.

"This time it's just happening. I think the guys that come in are very, very ready for it now."

Marsh remains worried about the hole that losing Warne and McGrath will create.

"You can't be as good without Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath," he said. "I think we're all right for fast bowlers. There's two or three ready to play now. I'd like to see a bank of 10 (quicks) because it's such an important part of the game.

"But even with the fast bowlers, with some of the pitches today you need some serious spinners as well. I know Cricket Australia is looking closely at a spin program just as they've got a fast-bowling program headed up by (bowling coach) Troy Cooley. I totally endorse that."

Whatever happens, life on and off the cricket field in Australia is unlikely to be quite so enthralling again after this Boxing Day-New Year party.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...5009880,00.html

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I personally dont think McGrath will be retiring after The Ashes but i do believe he will be retiring after the World Cup next year. It will be intersting to see how the Australian team will cope in the next few years when more of our aging stars retire.

[Shane2 0]

I hope they don't whitewash us, but i would have to say it wouldn't surprise me if they did

[ykickamoocow 0]

McGrath seeks 'fitting end'

AUSTRALIA paceman Glenn McGrath has ended days of intense speculation by confirming he will retire after the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground and McGrath's home-town game at Sydney Cricket Ground consequently will see the fast bowler bow out alongside leg-spinning genius Shane Warne.

McGrath's announcement, which he said had been on his mind only for "the last few games", came two days after Warne confirmed his imminent retirement.

As late as yesterday, McGrath remained publicly cagey about his plans.

He explained today that he had wanted to make his statement ahead of the Sydney Test, but the ongoing speculation meant that became impossible - partly because of the pair's enormous impact on Test cricket, with a combined tally of 1254 wickets.

"It's funny how it comes up that we retire from Test cricket at the same time," McGrath said.

McGrath aslso said he spoke initially to Warne before the third Ashes Test in Perth about his plans.

"The plan we came up with was for Shane to announce it before the Melbourne game and I was going to announce it before Sydney," McGrath said.

"(But) with the scrutiny and the hearsay and what's happened mainly in the last few days, I wanted to get it out in the open, get it over and done with, basically, so we could get back and concentrate on the last two Tests.

"For me personally, going through the Test and trying to deny I'm retiring without lying, it's a bit tough - I feel I've always been quite honest."

McGrath also admitted he had spoken to some teammates about wanting to retire.

His announcement was a lower-profile event than Warne's, which was held in front of a media throng at the MCC dining room.

By contrast, McGrath held his press conference in the workmanlike surroundings of the MCG indoor nets.

"I must say I'm a bit disappointed; I thought there would be more people here, seeing Shane's press conference the other day," McGrath joked.

McGrath said his retirement was unrelated to wife Jane, who continues to battle breast cancer.

"In respect to Jane, her health has nothing to do with the decision that I've made here today, or over the last few weeks," he said.

But McGrath said he wanted to spend more time with Jane and their children, James and Holly.

McGrath is the most prolific Test paceman in history with 555 wickets.

Only Warne (699) and Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (674) have taken more wickets.

McGrath made his Test debut in 1993, and his personal honours include the 2000 Allan Border medal and Australia Test player of the year, the 1998 Wisden cricketer of the year and the 2001 limited-overs international player of the year.

Nicknamed Pigeon because of his long, skinny legs, McGrath was never a fearsome paceman in the mould of Dennis Lillee or Curtly Ambrose.

But he became renowned for his unerring accuracy and subtle variations of bounce and movement.

The retirement of McGrath and Warne, combined with the sudden departure of middle-order batsman Damien Martyn earlier this month, will leave a massive hole at the top of Australian cricket.

While McGrath felt Warne was impossible to replace, he was confident his shoes would be filled quickly in the Test and national limited-overs teams.

Citing Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait as examples, he said "the cupboard isn't bare there" for Australia's fast bowling talent.

"I'm comfortable to leave now, knowing there are plenty of guys to hopefully come in and take over my role," he said.

"In respects to Shane, I think that's a hole that's going to take a long time to fill.

"To me, he's one of the best, if not the best, cricketers that have been, and definitely the best guy I've played alongside."

McGrath said at 36 he was surprising himself with how well he was coping with the physical demands of international cricket.

But his "gut feel" is that it's time to retire.

He decided to go through to the Cricket World Cup early next year to honour his contract and try to help Australia win the title for the third consecutive time.

While McGrath was peerless as a fast bowler, he raised a few laughs today when talking about his batting.

A fixture at No.11 in the Australian order, McGrath takes great pride in his top Test score of 61, which featured a lusty six.

He developed into a reliable outfielder, taking a freakish diving catch at Adelaide Oval in 2002 to dismiss Michael Vaughan.

"I'm not sure if you'd class those two ... as highlights or miracles - if you ask my teammates, probably the latter," he said.

McGrath named Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar as the two best batsmen he had bowled to, with the West Indies legend slightly better.

But the man who has always prided himself on the mental side of the game could not resist another dig at the Old Enemy when asked to name his best England opponents.

"Tough one, isn't it," he said with a chuckle.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,20968015-23212,00.html

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This is going to make upcoming matches interesting as we will no longer have our 2 best bowlers.

I hope they don't whitewash us, but i would have to say it wouldn't surprise me if they did

Do you think England will be able to beat this side in 2 years time.

Nathan Bracken

Stuart Clark

Michael Clarke

Dan Cullen

Brad Haddin

Brad Hodge

Michael Hussey

Phil Jaques

Mitchell Johnson

Simon Katich

Brett Lee

Ricky Ponting

Andrew Symonds

Shaun Tait

Shane Watson

As i think this will be Australia's squad in 2008.

[Shane2 0]

I think it will be a lot easier without warne and McGrath. The rest of the australian attack are relatively ordinary.

[aussief1 4]

I think it will be a lot easier without warne and McGrath. The rest of the australian attack are relatively ordinary.

Us with an ordinary attack will still be as good if not better than most other countries full blown bowling attack.

[Shane2 0]

I don't really agree with that, a lot of Australia's success is owed to those 2.

[ykickamoocow 0]

I don't really agree with that, a lot of Australia's success is owed to those 2.

Agreed. May i just say that i think ive figured out a big reason why England havent done well in the Ashes. Look at the Australian lineup and the last proper batsman is in position 8 (Adam Gilchrist) which is a very long batting line up. Compare this to England who's last real batsman is at number 6. England have a very long tail which i think hurts them alot.

[ykickamoocow 0]

Is anyone else getting really annyed at the media constantly saying the Shane Warne is the best spin bowler of all time when it simply isnt true. Look at his figures.

Shane Warne

Tests - 143

Wickets - 703

Bowling Average - 25.49

Runs Per Over - 2.65

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/...layer/8166.html

Muttiah Muralitharan

Tests - 110

Wickets - 674

Bowling Average - 21.73

Runs Per Over - 2.39

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/srilanka/c...ayer/49636.html

Muralitharan has played 33 fewer tests and is only 30 wickets behind Warne. He also has a better strike rate and concedes fewer runs per over than Warne. In almost any statistic Muralitharan is superior.

[aussief1 4]

Is anyone else getting really annyed at the media constantly saying the Shane Warne is the best spin bowler of all time when it simply isnt true. Look at his figures.

Shane Warne

Tests - 143

Wickets - 703

Bowling Average - 25.49

Runs Per Over - 2.65

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/...layer/8166.html

Muttiah Muralitharan

Tests - 110

Wickets - 674

Bowling Average - 21.73

Runs Per Over - 2.39

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/srilanka/c...ayer/49636.html

Muralitharan has played 33 fewer tests and is only 30 wickets behind Warne. He also has a better strike rate and concedes fewer runs per over than Warne. In almost any statistic Muralitharan is superior.

You are neglecting one major difference between the two bowlers ykick.

Muralitharan has played a vast majority of his tests in the Sub Continent where the pitches are alot more condusive to spin bowling than the Australian pitches which are more favorable to medium/fast bowling than spin bowling.

If S.K Warne was from the sub continent he would have taken many many more wickets.

Think about it.

[ykickamoocow 0]

You are neglecting one major difference between the two bowlers ykick.

Muralitharan has played a vast majority of his tests in the Sub Continent where the pitches are alot more condusive to spin bowling than the Australian pitches which are more favorable to medium/fast bowling than spin bowling.

If S.K Warne was from the sub continent he would have taken many many more wickets.

Think about it.

Alright. I selected a yardstick to settle this debate. My yardstick is testmatches against India in India which is one of the hardest countries in the world for a spin bowler.

Shane Warne

Tests - 9

Wickets - 34

Bowling Average - 43.11

Runs Per Over - 3.19

Muttiah Muralitharan

Tests - 8

Wickets - 31

Bowling Average - 39.58

Runs Per Over - 2.90

[aussief1 4]

OK interesting.

Can you give the bowling figures for the two against other countries then?

[Shane2 0]

Hmm intriguing stuff.

Another point, is that our batting lineup is a bit youthful, we need more from our top order batsmen. We just give away our wickets far too cheaply

[ykickamoocow 0]

OK interesting.

Can you give the bowling figures for the two against other countries then?

Sure. Here are the statistics for the 2 players playing against New Zealand in New Zealand.

Shane Warne

Tests - 9

Wickets - 49

Bowling Average - 21.30

Runs Per Over - 2.48

Muttiah Muralitharan

Tests - 6

Wickets - 30

Bowling Average - 19.96

Runs Per Over - 2.29

Here are the matches against the West Indies in the West Indies.

Shane Warne

Tests - 7

Wickets - 17

Bowling Average - 39.64

Runs Per Over - 3.03

Muttiah Muralitharan

Tests - 4

Wickets - 25

Bowling Average - 18.24

Runs Per Over - 2.61

Here are the matches played against Pakistan in Pakistan

Shane Warne

Tests - 3

Wickets - 18

Bowling Average - 28.00

Runs Per Over - 2.77

Muttiah Muralitharan

Tests - 7

Wickets - 49

Bowling Average - 21.48

Runs Per Over - 2.56