shaz619
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England should have allowed to go home now, MERCY! MERCY! [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION]
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Contact the PP Team
2017-18 Ashes Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Abdullah719
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Hasan123
Test Star
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- Mar 25, 2016
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May as well rest him with the series won. Need him fit for the South Africa series .
Cricket Australia confirms Mitchell Starc will miss Boxing Day Ashes Test
Mitchell Starc will miss the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne because of his bruised heel, Cricket Australia has confirmed.
Jackson Bird will replace the he series’ leading wicket-taker for the fourth Test against England, after the news was announced before practice at the MCG on Sunday morning local time.
Starc was described the previous day by his fellow Australia pace bowler Pat Cummins as having only a “50/50” chance of taking part in the fourth Test.
The left-armer, who has taken 19 wickets in three matches so far and been a driving force in Australia’s surge into a series-sealing 3-0 lead, has spent much of the past week on crutches to try to speed up his recovery.
Despite being injured, Starc took exception to Jimmy Anderson’s comments on Thursday over Australia’s strength in depth. Anderson had said “they’ve had three bowlers who all can bowl 90mph and they’ve stayed fit for three games, but you look beyond that and they’ve got problems”.
Starc replied that England have “got plenty more to worry about than the depth of Australia fast bowling” and that he “hopes [Bird] takes five for and sticks it up this daft comment from the Poms.”
Starc has an unhappy habit of missing Boxing Day Tests, although he played a starring role 12 months ago against Pakistan as Australia earned an innings victory in Melbourne.
Injuries or form have often counted him out, and fellow Australia quick Josh Hazlewood indicated it was no laughing matter. “We were joking around, but it’s still a bit off limits, those jokes about Boxing Day,” Hazlewood said, according to Cricket Australia’s website. “He’s obviously been unlucky.”
Source Link:https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...stralia-england-ashes-bruised-heel-boxing-day
Mitchell Starc will miss the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne because of his bruised heel, Cricket Australia has confirmed.
Jackson Bird will replace the he series’ leading wicket-taker for the fourth Test against England, after the news was announced before practice at the MCG on Sunday morning local time.
Starc was described the previous day by his fellow Australia pace bowler Pat Cummins as having only a “50/50” chance of taking part in the fourth Test.
The left-armer, who has taken 19 wickets in three matches so far and been a driving force in Australia’s surge into a series-sealing 3-0 lead, has spent much of the past week on crutches to try to speed up his recovery.
Despite being injured, Starc took exception to Jimmy Anderson’s comments on Thursday over Australia’s strength in depth. Anderson had said “they’ve had three bowlers who all can bowl 90mph and they’ve stayed fit for three games, but you look beyond that and they’ve got problems”.
Starc replied that England have “got plenty more to worry about than the depth of Australia fast bowling” and that he “hopes [Bird] takes five for and sticks it up this daft comment from the Poms.”
Starc has an unhappy habit of missing Boxing Day Tests, although he played a starring role 12 months ago against Pakistan as Australia earned an innings victory in Melbourne.
Injuries or form have often counted him out, and fellow Australia quick Josh Hazlewood indicated it was no laughing matter. “We were joking around, but it’s still a bit off limits, those jokes about Boxing Day,” Hazlewood said, according to Cricket Australia’s website. “He’s obviously been unlucky.”
Source Link:https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...stralia-england-ashes-bruised-heel-boxing-day
The Ashes 2017-18: Craig Overton ruled out of Boxing Day Test; Tom Curran likely to make debut
England paceman Craig Overton is out of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia with a fractured rib, officials said on Sunday. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed he would not play in the Melbourne Test, starting on Boxing Day. Uncapped fast bowler Tom Curran will reportedly make his debut to replace him, although fellow speedster Mark Wood has trained with the team this week. Overton, who made his Test debut in Adelaide this month, was diagnosed with a cracked rib during the third Test in Perth.
England paceman Craig Overton is out of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia with a fractured rib, officials said on Sunday. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed he would not play in the Melbourne Test, starting on Boxing Day. Uncapped fast bowler Tom Curran will reportedly make his debut to replace him, although fellow speedster Mark Wood has trained with the team this week. Overton, who made his Test debut in Adelaide this month, was diagnosed with a cracked rib during the third Test in Perth.
He was struck when batting in Adelaide and exacerbated the injury when he tumbled while attempting to take a catch off his own bowling in Perth. It is a blow for England, with Overton one of their best players on a troubled tour in which the Ashes urn was surrendered before Christmas.”It’s obviously quite sore…and not the most ideal thing to get,” Overton told reporters last week.”It just seemed like battling through the pain was in my nature. I’ve always been taught to fight through things and that’s what I’ve had to do.”
Curran, a right-armer from Surrey, was only added to England’s Ashes squad when Steve Finn was ruled out at the start of the tour with a torn knee cartilage. Born in South Africa, the 22-year-old played a one-day international and three T20s for England earlier this year.
http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...y-test-tom-curran-likely-to-make-debut-672813
England paceman Craig Overton is out of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia with a fractured rib, officials said on Sunday. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed he would not play in the Melbourne Test, starting on Boxing Day. Uncapped fast bowler Tom Curran will reportedly make his debut to replace him, although fellow speedster Mark Wood has trained with the team this week. Overton, who made his Test debut in Adelaide this month, was diagnosed with a cracked rib during the third Test in Perth.
England paceman Craig Overton is out of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia with a fractured rib, officials said on Sunday. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed he would not play in the Melbourne Test, starting on Boxing Day. Uncapped fast bowler Tom Curran will reportedly make his debut to replace him, although fellow speedster Mark Wood has trained with the team this week. Overton, who made his Test debut in Adelaide this month, was diagnosed with a cracked rib during the third Test in Perth.
He was struck when batting in Adelaide and exacerbated the injury when he tumbled while attempting to take a catch off his own bowling in Perth. It is a blow for England, with Overton one of their best players on a troubled tour in which the Ashes urn was surrendered before Christmas.”It’s obviously quite sore…and not the most ideal thing to get,” Overton told reporters last week.”It just seemed like battling through the pain was in my nature. I’ve always been taught to fight through things and that’s what I’ve had to do.”
Curran, a right-armer from Surrey, was only added to England’s Ashes squad when Steve Finn was ruled out at the start of the tour with a torn knee cartilage. Born in South Africa, the 22-year-old played a one-day international and three T20s for England earlier this year.
http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...y-test-tom-curran-likely-to-make-debut-672813
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,863
http://www.skysports.com/cricket/ne...oins-ben-stokes-and-mark-wood-in-no-ball-club
England debutant Tom Curran is not the only player to miss out on a first Test wicket due to a no-ball this decade. Benedict Bermange explains...
Surrey seamer Curran became the fifth player to miss out on a maiden Test wicket due to a no-ball this decade - and the third for England in the last four years...
Michael Beer (2011)
Ben Stokes (2013)
Mark Wood (2015)
Stuart Binny (2015)
Tom Curran (2017)
England debutant Tom Curran is not the only player to miss out on a first Test wicket due to a no-ball this decade. Benedict Bermange explains...
Surrey seamer Curran became the fifth player to miss out on a maiden Test wicket due to a no-ball this decade - and the third for England in the last four years...
Michael Beer (2011)
Ben Stokes (2013)
Mark Wood (2015)
Stuart Binny (2015)
Tom Curran (2017)
kingusama92
ODI Captain
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- Runs
- 45,437
- Post of the Week
- 1
I'm starting to wonder about umpires and how many no-balls they miss during a Test match.
I doubt that's the first time these guys overstepped in their debut match.
Waugh has 90 Test wickets & Watson has 75 @ 33avg & hit 140k+. I'd say they were both real allrounders, just batting allrounders. But both were genuine contributors with the ball, Waugh turned a few matches & close series during the 90s, had a great habit of getting Cronje out in tough fought series.
Not sure if Cummins will ever be good enough to bat 6 or 7, I'd agree probably not. But for balance & to enhance the potency of the other quicks, an allrounder really helps. Stops our big guns from getting tired doing donkey bowling.
Not sure if Cummins will ever be good enough to bat 6 or 7, I'd agree probably not. But for balance & to enhance the potency of the other quicks, an allrounder really helps. Stops our big guns from getting tired doing donkey bowling.
Mike Hussey's plea to selectors over Usman Khawaja
Michael Hussey has urged Australian selectors to either pick No.3 Usman Khawaja in every Test, or not at all.
Khawaja has been in and out of the Test team depending on the conditions, snubbed by selectors in five of Australia’s six Tests played on the subcontinent in 2017.
Selectors opted for Shaun Marsh who they felt was better equipped to face spin bowling.
But the left-hander earned a recall to the team for this Ashes series after impressing in the early Sheffield Shield rounds prior to the first Test.
Hussey, the former Australian Test batsman, says Khawaja deserves to know where he stands.
“I’m sure there’s a bit of anxiety in Usman’s mind,” Hussey told Fox Sports News 500.
“This has to go one of two ways. If they think he’s the man and they back him, then just pick him all the time as Australia’s No. 3 batsman, no matter where they are playing.
“If they don’t, then maybe it’s time to look somewhere else.”
Khawaja has struggled for consistency in the series so far, producing scores of 11, 53, 20, 50 and 17 in his five innings with an average of 30.2.
Khawaja's woes weren’t lost on former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who casted doubts over his commitment.
“A bit lazy,” Healy said on SEN’s Summer Breakfast when asked about Khawaja’s performance on day one of the fourth Test at the MCG.
“The energy levels. We were hopeful he was going to come out with good intensity levels and hustle yesterday, but he didn’t. He strolls out and is a laidback character.
“He wasn’t finding the middle of the bat or the gaps, and he didn’t do anything about it. He just fought hard and tried to have it flick for him and it didn’t happen.
“He needs to get going and get his career kick-started again. He needs to bust the door open or he will get in a bigger hole.
“Australian cricket is at its best when we are hustling and threatening to take quick singles.
“(Khawaja) is so far from that it’s not funny at the moment.”
Khawaja is expected to remain in the team for the Sydney Test along with the tour of South Africa, but a trip to the UAE – where Australia will play Tests against Pakistan later in 2018 - will show where the selectors stand.
Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns are the main contenders to replace Khawaja if he is dropped.
The inclusion of Maxwell would likely force Shaun Marsh to move up to No.3.
http://www.sportingnews.com/au/cric...s-australia-england/1s3tg3q9kqyj1nlo769hif6tf
Michael Hussey has urged Australian selectors to either pick No.3 Usman Khawaja in every Test, or not at all.
Khawaja has been in and out of the Test team depending on the conditions, snubbed by selectors in five of Australia’s six Tests played on the subcontinent in 2017.
Selectors opted for Shaun Marsh who they felt was better equipped to face spin bowling.
But the left-hander earned a recall to the team for this Ashes series after impressing in the early Sheffield Shield rounds prior to the first Test.
Hussey, the former Australian Test batsman, says Khawaja deserves to know where he stands.
“I’m sure there’s a bit of anxiety in Usman’s mind,” Hussey told Fox Sports News 500.
“This has to go one of two ways. If they think he’s the man and they back him, then just pick him all the time as Australia’s No. 3 batsman, no matter where they are playing.
“If they don’t, then maybe it’s time to look somewhere else.”
Khawaja has struggled for consistency in the series so far, producing scores of 11, 53, 20, 50 and 17 in his five innings with an average of 30.2.
Khawaja's woes weren’t lost on former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who casted doubts over his commitment.
“A bit lazy,” Healy said on SEN’s Summer Breakfast when asked about Khawaja’s performance on day one of the fourth Test at the MCG.
“The energy levels. We were hopeful he was going to come out with good intensity levels and hustle yesterday, but he didn’t. He strolls out and is a laidback character.
“He wasn’t finding the middle of the bat or the gaps, and he didn’t do anything about it. He just fought hard and tried to have it flick for him and it didn’t happen.
“He needs to get going and get his career kick-started again. He needs to bust the door open or he will get in a bigger hole.
“Australian cricket is at its best when we are hustling and threatening to take quick singles.
“(Khawaja) is so far from that it’s not funny at the moment.”
Khawaja is expected to remain in the team for the Sydney Test along with the tour of South Africa, but a trip to the UAE – where Australia will play Tests against Pakistan later in 2018 - will show where the selectors stand.
Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns are the main contenders to replace Khawaja if he is dropped.
The inclusion of Maxwell would likely force Shaun Marsh to move up to No.3.
http://www.sportingnews.com/au/cric...s-australia-england/1s3tg3q9kqyj1nlo769hif6tf
Robert
Test Star
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- Nov 4, 2007
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- 37,604
- Post of the Week
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Tugga got into the side as a bowling allrounder.
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
Agar added to the squad for the SCG Test.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,863
Ashton Agar is in line to play his first Test on home soil after he was added to an extended Australian squad for the fifth Magellan Ashes Test in Sydney.
Agar beat out fellow left-armers Steve O'Keefe and Jon Holland and could partner Nathan Lyon in a two-man spin attack at the SCG. Lyon and O'Keefe have both played the past two Tests at the ground that has recently returned to its former glory as the best for spin bowling in the country.
Agar missed the early part of the JLT Sheffield Shield season after breaking a finger on his right hand in October, but was Australia's second-choice spinner behind Lyon on their most recent overseas Test tour to Bangladesh.
Australia's 14-man squad for fifth Magellan Ashes Test: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb.
O'Keefe, who played all four Tests in India earlier in the year, was handed a shock recall for the second Test of that tour after initially being overlooked for the younger Agar, joining him and Lyon in a three-pronged spin attack in Chittagong. Captain Steve Smith had made it clear that Agar's initial selection over O’Keefe was made with one eye on grooming him for their next Test series in India.
Having helped Perth Scorchers to victory over Melbourne Renegades in their KFC BBL clash on Friday night, Agar declared that he was bowling better than he ever has in long-form cricket.
"I think so," he told cricket.com.au. "It comes down to understanding your action, what your best ball is, what you can fall back to and just thinking of getting the batter out.
"I'm not thinking about my action anymore or how the ball is coming out. All I'm thinking about is how to get the batter out at any point in time or the game situation.
"That's a really good headspace to be in as a spin bowler."
Holland, who played two Tests in Sri Lanka in 2016, was overlooked for both tours this year despite being the standout spinner in Shield cricket in recent years. He took 50 wickets at 21 last Shield campaign and after missing the first three games of this summer due to injury, picked up 11 dismissals in just two games before the mid-season break.
O'Keefe (four wickets in two games) and Agar (four wickets in one game) have also had their Shield campaigns affected by injury, while leggies Mitchell Swepson and Fawad Ahmed (16 wickets each) have led all spinners this season.
With no Shield matches at the SCG so far this summer, selectors are somewhat flying blind in regards to whether or not the pitch will take turn again and a decision on the final Test XI won't be determined until after the squad arrives in Sydney.
Paceman Mitchell Starc is hopeful of proving his fitness for his home Test having missed the current match at the MCG due to a foot injury.
A cricket.com.au poll asking readers who Lyon's back-up spinner should be saw nearly 30 per cent of respondents select Agar, narrowly ahead of Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. More respondents said Australia did not need a second spinner (16.2 percent) than picked Stephen O'Keefe (16.14 per cent) or Victoria tweaker Jon Holland (13.64 per cent).
2017-18 International Fixtures
Magellan Ashes Series
Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.
England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.
First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard
Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard
Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard
Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets
Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets
Gillette ODI Series v England
First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets
Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets
Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets
Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets
Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets
Prime Minister's XI
PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets
Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series
First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets
Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets
Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets
Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14
Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16
Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18
Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21
https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ash...n-allround-australia-ashes-england/2017-12-30
Agar beat out fellow left-armers Steve O'Keefe and Jon Holland and could partner Nathan Lyon in a two-man spin attack at the SCG. Lyon and O'Keefe have both played the past two Tests at the ground that has recently returned to its former glory as the best for spin bowling in the country.
Agar missed the early part of the JLT Sheffield Shield season after breaking a finger on his right hand in October, but was Australia's second-choice spinner behind Lyon on their most recent overseas Test tour to Bangladesh.
Australia's 14-man squad for fifth Magellan Ashes Test: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb.
O'Keefe, who played all four Tests in India earlier in the year, was handed a shock recall for the second Test of that tour after initially being overlooked for the younger Agar, joining him and Lyon in a three-pronged spin attack in Chittagong. Captain Steve Smith had made it clear that Agar's initial selection over O’Keefe was made with one eye on grooming him for their next Test series in India.
Having helped Perth Scorchers to victory over Melbourne Renegades in their KFC BBL clash on Friday night, Agar declared that he was bowling better than he ever has in long-form cricket.
"I think so," he told cricket.com.au. "It comes down to understanding your action, what your best ball is, what you can fall back to and just thinking of getting the batter out.
"I'm not thinking about my action anymore or how the ball is coming out. All I'm thinking about is how to get the batter out at any point in time or the game situation.
"That's a really good headspace to be in as a spin bowler."
Holland, who played two Tests in Sri Lanka in 2016, was overlooked for both tours this year despite being the standout spinner in Shield cricket in recent years. He took 50 wickets at 21 last Shield campaign and after missing the first three games of this summer due to injury, picked up 11 dismissals in just two games before the mid-season break.
O'Keefe (four wickets in two games) and Agar (four wickets in one game) have also had their Shield campaigns affected by injury, while leggies Mitchell Swepson and Fawad Ahmed (16 wickets each) have led all spinners this season.
With no Shield matches at the SCG so far this summer, selectors are somewhat flying blind in regards to whether or not the pitch will take turn again and a decision on the final Test XI won't be determined until after the squad arrives in Sydney.
Paceman Mitchell Starc is hopeful of proving his fitness for his home Test having missed the current match at the MCG due to a foot injury.
A cricket.com.au poll asking readers who Lyon's back-up spinner should be saw nearly 30 per cent of respondents select Agar, narrowly ahead of Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. More respondents said Australia did not need a second spinner (16.2 percent) than picked Stephen O'Keefe (16.14 per cent) or Victoria tweaker Jon Holland (13.64 per cent).
2017-18 International Fixtures
Magellan Ashes Series
Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.
England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.
First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard
Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard
Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard
Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets
Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets
Gillette ODI Series v England
First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets
Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets
Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets
Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets
Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets
Prime Minister's XI
PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets
Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series
First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets
Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets
Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets
Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14
Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16
Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18
Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21
https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ash...n-allround-australia-ashes-england/2017-12-30
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,863
Former Australia leg spinner Stuart MacGill has been called in by England to help prepare Mason Crane for a potential Test debut in Sydney this week.
MacGill, who worked with the England Lions earlier this winter, has become a mentor to Crane since he played in Australia last year.
MacGill will work with Crane in the nets at the Sydney Cricket Ground from Tuesday with England believing the 20 year-old leg spinner is ready for a Test debut.
If Crane plays in place of Moeen Ali he will become England’s youngest spin bowling debutant for 90 years.
England are loyal to their Test regulars and it would be with great reluctance that they drop Moeen but his bowling has been ineffective and his form with the bat has fallen away. He started the tour promoted to no 6 in the Ben Stokes role but is averaging 19 with a highest score of 40 and has been dismissed six out of seven times by Nathan Lyon.
Crane’s other route into the side is in place of Tom Curran and England play two spinners. Australia have covered this possibility by adding Ashton Agar to their squad.
“There’s maybe no time like the present to find out,” said Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, when asked if Crane is ready for a Test debut. “We think he’s a guy that has got the goods and the more he plays at this level the better he will get. You have got to start somewhere.”
Crane does not lack for confidence, just experience. He was earmarked for a Test debut against West Indies last summer but that changed when England suffered a surprise defeat at Headingley in the second Test. They became nervy of giving him a debut in the third Test with the series on the line even though West Indies were highly unlikely to be able to repeat their Leeds performance. Moeen balances the England team as an allrounder, and losing his batting, regardless of his form, will be something Bayliss weighs up.
“We will need to have a bit of a chat about it (balance of the team). The type of wicket we play on might play a part,” he said. “Normally it’s been the case in the past that you can easily play two spinners but looking at the wicket on TV it looked like it had a decent covering of grass,” Bayliss, who coached and played for New South Wales, added. “I think it will still spin towards the end of the game – it’s still the same soil – but we will just have to take a look. There’s been no decision right now. And with the series lost it gives us an opportunity to look at some different people.”
Root was dropped in Sydney four years ago, a temporary measure after his form suffered. Root chose his words carefully about Moeen in Melbourne pointing to a strong future within the team further down the line but it looks like he will now have to concentrate on improving his batting to regain a regular place in the side. In Australia he has struggled against the short ball forcing him to take extra risks against Lyon. Moeen has been outbowled by Lyon whose off spin is more suited to harder Australian pitches.
“Like any player, you go through highs and lows. At the moment the number of runs and wickets makes it one of his lows. But just a couple of months ago we were singing his praises as one of the best all-rounders in the world,” said Bayliss. “Conditions are a bit different here and it’s taken him longer than he would have liked to feel comfortable, there’s not a lot of spin – he’s different to Lyon, who gets over-spin. Mo doesn’t and things don’t happen as quickly, without the bounce that Lyon gets. Mo is a free spirit and one or two shots or wickets and he will be off and running. So I’m not concerned long term.”
Ben Stokes was formally removed from England’s one-day squad for the series against Australia on Monday while he awaits a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service over whether he will be charged following his arrest in September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm. The ECB confirmed he has been cleared to play in the IPL but remains on suspension from the England team until the CPS decision is announced. Dawid Malan has been added to England’s ODI squad as cover.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...ed-england-help-prepare-mason-crane-possible/
MacGill, who worked with the England Lions earlier this winter, has become a mentor to Crane since he played in Australia last year.
MacGill will work with Crane in the nets at the Sydney Cricket Ground from Tuesday with England believing the 20 year-old leg spinner is ready for a Test debut.
If Crane plays in place of Moeen Ali he will become England’s youngest spin bowling debutant for 90 years.
England are loyal to their Test regulars and it would be with great reluctance that they drop Moeen but his bowling has been ineffective and his form with the bat has fallen away. He started the tour promoted to no 6 in the Ben Stokes role but is averaging 19 with a highest score of 40 and has been dismissed six out of seven times by Nathan Lyon.
Crane’s other route into the side is in place of Tom Curran and England play two spinners. Australia have covered this possibility by adding Ashton Agar to their squad.
“There’s maybe no time like the present to find out,” said Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, when asked if Crane is ready for a Test debut. “We think he’s a guy that has got the goods and the more he plays at this level the better he will get. You have got to start somewhere.”
Crane does not lack for confidence, just experience. He was earmarked for a Test debut against West Indies last summer but that changed when England suffered a surprise defeat at Headingley in the second Test. They became nervy of giving him a debut in the third Test with the series on the line even though West Indies were highly unlikely to be able to repeat their Leeds performance. Moeen balances the England team as an allrounder, and losing his batting, regardless of his form, will be something Bayliss weighs up.
“We will need to have a bit of a chat about it (balance of the team). The type of wicket we play on might play a part,” he said. “Normally it’s been the case in the past that you can easily play two spinners but looking at the wicket on TV it looked like it had a decent covering of grass,” Bayliss, who coached and played for New South Wales, added. “I think it will still spin towards the end of the game – it’s still the same soil – but we will just have to take a look. There’s been no decision right now. And with the series lost it gives us an opportunity to look at some different people.”
Root was dropped in Sydney four years ago, a temporary measure after his form suffered. Root chose his words carefully about Moeen in Melbourne pointing to a strong future within the team further down the line but it looks like he will now have to concentrate on improving his batting to regain a regular place in the side. In Australia he has struggled against the short ball forcing him to take extra risks against Lyon. Moeen has been outbowled by Lyon whose off spin is more suited to harder Australian pitches.
“Like any player, you go through highs and lows. At the moment the number of runs and wickets makes it one of his lows. But just a couple of months ago we were singing his praises as one of the best all-rounders in the world,” said Bayliss. “Conditions are a bit different here and it’s taken him longer than he would have liked to feel comfortable, there’s not a lot of spin – he’s different to Lyon, who gets over-spin. Mo doesn’t and things don’t happen as quickly, without the bounce that Lyon gets. Mo is a free spirit and one or two shots or wickets and he will be off and running. So I’m not concerned long term.”
Ben Stokes was formally removed from England’s one-day squad for the series against Australia on Monday while he awaits a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service over whether he will be charged following his arrest in September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm. The ECB confirmed he has been cleared to play in the IPL but remains on suspension from the England team until the CPS decision is announced. Dawid Malan has been added to England’s ODI squad as cover.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...ed-england-help-prepare-mason-crane-possible/
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England coach Trevor Bayliss has hinted that young leg-spinner Mason Crane will make his Test debut against Australia in Sydney this week.
The tourists have already surrendered the Ashes, Australia having gone 3-0 up in Perth, but England recorded an encouraging draw in Melbourne to ensure they will not suffer a third 5-0 whitewash in four tours down under.
And, with Moeen Ali out of form, Crane could get his chance in the final Test of the series, which gets underway at the SCG on Thursday.
If the 20-year-old does begin his Test career this week, he will be doing so on the same ground where his spell in grade cricket last winter culminated in an unexpected Sheffield Shield call-up for New South Wales.
Asked if Crane is ready for Tests, Bayliss said: "There's maybe no time like the present to find out.
"We think he's a guy that has got the goods, and the more he plays at this level the better he will get. You've got to start somewhere."
Crane may be selected even if Moeen is retained, but the Worcestershire all-rounder has endured a tough tour so far, with three wickets at a cost of 135 each in four Tests, and only 136 runs at under 20 an innings.
Bayliss added: "At the moment, the number of runs and wickets makes it one of his lows. But, just a couple of months ago, we were singing his praises as one of the best all-rounders in the world.
"Mo is a free spirit, and one or two shots or wickets and he will be off and running. I'm not concerned long term."
Asked whether England might play both of the spinners, Bayliss replied: "Normally it's been the case in the past you can easily play two spinners [at Sydney] but, looking at the wicket on TV, it looked like it had a decent covering of grass.
"I think it will still spin towards the end of the game, it's still the same soil.
"There's been no decision right now - with the series lost, it gives us an opportunity to look at some different people."
http://www.skysports.com/cricket/ne...s-england-think-mason-crane-has-got-the-goods
The tourists have already surrendered the Ashes, Australia having gone 3-0 up in Perth, but England recorded an encouraging draw in Melbourne to ensure they will not suffer a third 5-0 whitewash in four tours down under.
And, with Moeen Ali out of form, Crane could get his chance in the final Test of the series, which gets underway at the SCG on Thursday.
If the 20-year-old does begin his Test career this week, he will be doing so on the same ground where his spell in grade cricket last winter culminated in an unexpected Sheffield Shield call-up for New South Wales.
Asked if Crane is ready for Tests, Bayliss said: "There's maybe no time like the present to find out.
"We think he's a guy that has got the goods, and the more he plays at this level the better he will get. You've got to start somewhere."
Crane may be selected even if Moeen is retained, but the Worcestershire all-rounder has endured a tough tour so far, with three wickets at a cost of 135 each in four Tests, and only 136 runs at under 20 an innings.
Bayliss added: "At the moment, the number of runs and wickets makes it one of his lows. But, just a couple of months ago, we were singing his praises as one of the best all-rounders in the world.
"Mo is a free spirit, and one or two shots or wickets and he will be off and running. I'm not concerned long term."
Asked whether England might play both of the spinners, Bayliss replied: "Normally it's been the case in the past you can easily play two spinners [at Sydney] but, looking at the wicket on TV, it looked like it had a decent covering of grass.
"I think it will still spin towards the end of the game, it's still the same soil.
"There's been no decision right now - with the series lost, it gives us an opportunity to look at some different people."
http://www.skysports.com/cricket/ne...s-england-think-mason-crane-has-got-the-goods
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc is confident of playing in the final Ashes Test, says team-mate Pat Cummins.
Left-armer Starc, the leading wicket-taker in the series, missed the drawn fourth Test with a bruised heel.
The 27-year-old bowled in the nets at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The fifth Test starts there at 23:30 GMT on Wednesday.
"He was running around without limping and it looked like he was bowling quickly," said fellow paceman Cummins.
"He's pretty confident that he's going to play. Now it's about seeing how it recovers."
Australia had already secured the Ashes by winning the first three Tests, before Starc missed out in Melbourne.
With the urn already won, Australia may choose not to risk Starc in Sydney, with a four-Test tour of South Africa to come in March.
"If he didn't think he could get through the match, then he wouldn't play," added Cummins. "He's played a lot of cricket now and he knows what he can get through."
In Starc's absence, and on a slow, lifeless pitch in Melbourne, England posted 491 - their highest total of the series.
His replacement, Jackson Bird, returned figures of 0-108.
"No disrespect to Jackson, he's got a fine record himself but compared to Starc it made quite a difference," said England opener Mark Stoneman.
"Starc bowls 10-15kph quicker, with a different angle. He swings the new ball and is good with reverse swing as well.
"The pitch was on the slow side, but Starc's absence made it harder for them to rotate the attack. At the key moments, they had to bowl Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in tandem, and after that there was a release in pressure."
Source Link:http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/42539343
Left-armer Starc, the leading wicket-taker in the series, missed the drawn fourth Test with a bruised heel.
The 27-year-old bowled in the nets at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The fifth Test starts there at 23:30 GMT on Wednesday.
"He was running around without limping and it looked like he was bowling quickly," said fellow paceman Cummins.
"He's pretty confident that he's going to play. Now it's about seeing how it recovers."
Australia had already secured the Ashes by winning the first three Tests, before Starc missed out in Melbourne.
With the urn already won, Australia may choose not to risk Starc in Sydney, with a four-Test tour of South Africa to come in March.
"If he didn't think he could get through the match, then he wouldn't play," added Cummins. "He's played a lot of cricket now and he knows what he can get through."
In Starc's absence, and on a slow, lifeless pitch in Melbourne, England posted 491 - their highest total of the series.
His replacement, Jackson Bird, returned figures of 0-108.
"No disrespect to Jackson, he's got a fine record himself but compared to Starc it made quite a difference," said England opener Mark Stoneman.
"Starc bowls 10-15kph quicker, with a different angle. He swings the new ball and is good with reverse swing as well.
"The pitch was on the slow side, but Starc's absence made it harder for them to rotate the attack. At the key moments, they had to bowl Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in tandem, and after that there was a release in pressure."
Source Link:http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/42539343
James
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Starc dodged a bullet by missing that match, totally lifeless wicket and he can return tomorrow to take more wickets.
Woakes a doubt for tomorrow, if he's ruled out we'd presumably be forced into playing Moeen independent of whether it was originally intended or not. Can't see us going in with 4 bowlers with Crane debuting or 5 bowlers with Curran batting at 7.
CricTragic
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I would be shocked if Moeen not playing tomorrow.
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Chris Woakes has a week to prove his fitness for the one-day series in Australia after being ruled out of the fifth Ashes Test with the recurrence of a side injury.
Woakes had a scan on his left side on Wednesday and has been diagnosed with a minor strain after bowling 48 overs on a slow pitch at the MCG last week. Mason Crane was named as his replacement with England picking three seamers and two spinners for the final Ashes Test.
The injury is the same as the one that cost him most of last summer after he broke down while bowling in the opening match of the Champions Trophy in June. He was out for more than two months and as a precaution against that happening again England decided not to risk him at the SCG this week. The one-day series starts at the MCG on Jan 14.
Woakes has played every game on tour apart from the two day match in Perth between the second and third Tests. He bowled 48 overs at the MCG and James Anderson is the only seam bowler who has had a greater workload from either side in the series.
“Chris has pulled up a bit sore from the last game. He had problems with the side strain in the summer and this is probably a game too far for him to risk playing in this one,” said Joe Root, the England captain. “It was a significant injury and he missed quite a lot of cricket and so in the best interests of us moving forward as a side, he'll miss out this week. It might the case that he's ready to go in a week. He is obviously an integral part of both white ball and the Test team and it is important he doesn’t have another setback like he did in the summer. It gives a great opportunity for Mason Crane to come in and make his debut.”
Crane has been named as Woakes' replacement with England opting for two spinners
Woakes has not been the same bowler since his side injury last summer. He could not be faulted for effort in Australia but with the ball not moving laterally he has lacked penetration. In the five Tests he has played since his summer injury, Woakes has taken only 12 wickets at 51.41.
Crane was always going to play at the SCG. Woakes’s injury saved either Moeen Ali or Tom Curran from being dropped. While England have opted for two spinners, Australia welcomed back Mitchell Starc from a heel injury and left Ashton Agar out of their starting line up.
“The way he has conducted himself for the whole trip has been outstanding,” said Root about Crane. “For a young man to apply himself and absorb himself in the environment as he has is exactly what you are after. He has bowled well when he has had the opportunities on this trip and it is a really good chance for him to show what he is capable of and on this surface he is going to be a really good option.
Mitchell Starc returns for Australia, who have opted for quick bowling over more spin
“It looks like it (the pitch) should give a bit of turn throughout. Generally does here anyway but it looks like it has definitely dried out in the last 24 hours. It should spin anyway. That is why we have gone with two spinners and a leg spinner could be quite hard work late on in the game.”
Australia read the pitch differently with Steve Smith opting for pace. The Australia selectors have also decided to hit England with fast bowling in the one-day series with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Starc all named in their squad yesterday.
The surprise was the dropping of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell with Smith saying he needs to be more professional. “Looking at the way he trains, he could train a bit smarter. We’ve seen the way he can play and do all his funky stuff and be pretty cool with that but when he puts head down he’s a really good batsman as we seen in Shield. If he keeps switched on trains well focuses on basics more than expansive things will help him have consistency and if he’s doing that you want him in team.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...n-now-has-week/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Woakes had a scan on his left side on Wednesday and has been diagnosed with a minor strain after bowling 48 overs on a slow pitch at the MCG last week. Mason Crane was named as his replacement with England picking three seamers and two spinners for the final Ashes Test.
The injury is the same as the one that cost him most of last summer after he broke down while bowling in the opening match of the Champions Trophy in June. He was out for more than two months and as a precaution against that happening again England decided not to risk him at the SCG this week. The one-day series starts at the MCG on Jan 14.
Woakes has played every game on tour apart from the two day match in Perth between the second and third Tests. He bowled 48 overs at the MCG and James Anderson is the only seam bowler who has had a greater workload from either side in the series.
“Chris has pulled up a bit sore from the last game. He had problems with the side strain in the summer and this is probably a game too far for him to risk playing in this one,” said Joe Root, the England captain. “It was a significant injury and he missed quite a lot of cricket and so in the best interests of us moving forward as a side, he'll miss out this week. It might the case that he's ready to go in a week. He is obviously an integral part of both white ball and the Test team and it is important he doesn’t have another setback like he did in the summer. It gives a great opportunity for Mason Crane to come in and make his debut.”
Crane has been named as Woakes' replacement with England opting for two spinners
Woakes has not been the same bowler since his side injury last summer. He could not be faulted for effort in Australia but with the ball not moving laterally he has lacked penetration. In the five Tests he has played since his summer injury, Woakes has taken only 12 wickets at 51.41.
Crane was always going to play at the SCG. Woakes’s injury saved either Moeen Ali or Tom Curran from being dropped. While England have opted for two spinners, Australia welcomed back Mitchell Starc from a heel injury and left Ashton Agar out of their starting line up.
“The way he has conducted himself for the whole trip has been outstanding,” said Root about Crane. “For a young man to apply himself and absorb himself in the environment as he has is exactly what you are after. He has bowled well when he has had the opportunities on this trip and it is a really good chance for him to show what he is capable of and on this surface he is going to be a really good option.
Mitchell Starc returns for Australia, who have opted for quick bowling over more spin
“It looks like it (the pitch) should give a bit of turn throughout. Generally does here anyway but it looks like it has definitely dried out in the last 24 hours. It should spin anyway. That is why we have gone with two spinners and a leg spinner could be quite hard work late on in the game.”
Australia read the pitch differently with Steve Smith opting for pace. The Australia selectors have also decided to hit England with fast bowling in the one-day series with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Starc all named in their squad yesterday.
The surprise was the dropping of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell with Smith saying he needs to be more professional. “Looking at the way he trains, he could train a bit smarter. We’ve seen the way he can play and do all his funky stuff and be pretty cool with that but when he puts head down he’s a really good batsman as we seen in Shield. If he keeps switched on trains well focuses on basics more than expansive things will help him have consistency and if he’s doing that you want him in team.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...n-now-has-week/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
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Robert
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Interesting article in i paper today suggesting that there is no such thing as a dead rubber Ashes match, as the Ashes are not a sequence of series, but a continuous flowing river. Vaughan’s supposed dead rubber hundred in 2003 was the beginning of the Ashes win in 2005, because he came to a personal revelation. Smith said the final test dead rubber win in the last English Ashes was important because it gave hope that Australia could win in 2017/8.
The Ashes never stop......
The Ashes never stop......
hadi123
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The MCC World Cricket Committee has called for the adoption of standardised methods of measuring temperature and confirmed that in extreme heat umpires are empowered to take the players off the field.
It comes after Joe Root was taken to hospital suffering from severe dehydration after spending almost the whole of Sunday on the field during the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG on a day when the city sweltered in a record temperature of 47C.
Root fell ill from gastroenteritis but the gruelling heat the day before added to his problems. Grade cricket in Sydney was suspended at the weekend because of the heat but in Test cricket there are no guidelines for suspending play in such a situation.
The match referee did allow for extra drinks breaks in the afternoon so the players could rehydrate and it would be a public relations issue if the teams were taken off at a full stadium due to the heat but these days there is a greater focus on duty of care.
Cricket Australia already has extreme heat guidelines in place using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index to measure discomfort levels. The index takes into account temperature, humidity, wind, sun angle and cloud cover. “Such an index could be used by other boards, including the ICC, to protect players, officials and fans in extreme temperatures,” said the MCC committee in a statement.
At a press conference after the meeting at the SCG, Ricky Ponting recalled being on the field in temperatures higher than 50C while playing a Test match against Pakistan in the UAE and John Stephenson, the MCC’s head of cricket, confirmed the umpires are empowered to act under Law 2.7.1 covering dangerous conditions.
“Joe’s thing probably wasn’t completely a result of how hot it was. He probably had a viral thing too but having one or two players go down seriously ill like that is a dangerous precedent just to ignore,” said Ponting.
It is a tricky issue because heat conditions are different around the cricketing world. “If it is 35 degrees in Colombo it feels different to 35 degrees in Sydney,” said Ponting. “There will have to be a lot of research to come up with the right formula going ahead.”
The committee also called for the full use of substitutes in the case of concussion injuries and for stem guards on helmets to be mandatory in professional cricket.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...committee-call-change-extreme-heat-measuring/
It comes after Joe Root was taken to hospital suffering from severe dehydration after spending almost the whole of Sunday on the field during the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG on a day when the city sweltered in a record temperature of 47C.
Root fell ill from gastroenteritis but the gruelling heat the day before added to his problems. Grade cricket in Sydney was suspended at the weekend because of the heat but in Test cricket there are no guidelines for suspending play in such a situation.
The match referee did allow for extra drinks breaks in the afternoon so the players could rehydrate and it would be a public relations issue if the teams were taken off at a full stadium due to the heat but these days there is a greater focus on duty of care.
Cricket Australia already has extreme heat guidelines in place using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index to measure discomfort levels. The index takes into account temperature, humidity, wind, sun angle and cloud cover. “Such an index could be used by other boards, including the ICC, to protect players, officials and fans in extreme temperatures,” said the MCC committee in a statement.
At a press conference after the meeting at the SCG, Ricky Ponting recalled being on the field in temperatures higher than 50C while playing a Test match against Pakistan in the UAE and John Stephenson, the MCC’s head of cricket, confirmed the umpires are empowered to act under Law 2.7.1 covering dangerous conditions.
“Joe’s thing probably wasn’t completely a result of how hot it was. He probably had a viral thing too but having one or two players go down seriously ill like that is a dangerous precedent just to ignore,” said Ponting.
It is a tricky issue because heat conditions are different around the cricketing world. “If it is 35 degrees in Colombo it feels different to 35 degrees in Sydney,” said Ponting. “There will have to be a lot of research to come up with the right formula going ahead.”
The committee also called for the full use of substitutes in the case of concussion injuries and for stem guards on helmets to be mandatory in professional cricket.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...committee-call-change-extreme-heat-measuring/
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