Mitchell Starc

[SuperMarcoRowell]

Reports he will be dropped for the Ashes opener. A big sigh of relief from England batsmen no doubt.

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[Chappers]

Reports he will be dropped for the Ashes opener. A big sigh of relief from England batsmen no doubt.

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Seems as strange decision that mind

 

[Scotty 1978]

Micheal Vaughan predicted this last week, listening to talksport yesterday, the edgbaston pitch might be quicker than usual, so reckon he will play

 

[SuperMarcoRowell]

He can be wayward but when he gets it right it’s unplayable. And these days he gets it right more often than not.

 

[zebediah]

Mind games already?

 

[Liverpool Beachball]

Both sides have more good pace bowlers than spaces to fit them in

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

Very sensible from the Aussies.

Would be tempted to go for Hazelwood not Siddle as reported, but Mitchell Starcs swings from the arm with the red ball (i.e. it's not late English swing) and bowls too full to take advantage of seam movement. This isn't Australia, it's not about raw pace and aggression, its about exploiting the conditions. Siddle is better at that, Hazelwood too.

What I'm seeing from Langer is a bit worrying. We've won the last few Ashes series here because they turn up, arrogant as hell, and try and play their usual game for at least a few tests before the message gets through. Most obviously on batting where they flash hard at moving deliveries and nick off, but in bowling too where they can't pick the length and try too hard. Langer's selections - Bancroft, maybe Siddle - seem to suggest they are mentally more accepting of English conditions. Their mentality is better. We had better be on it.

Fortunately, we're at Edgbaston first - can't see anything other than England win at the fortress.

Mind, having said all that, if they're going horses for courses, they should be rocking up to Lords with Siddle and Hazelwood, more than Edgbaston. And I don't much rate Pattinson either.

 

[SuperMarcoRowell]

Must say I fancy the Aussies for the series, our batting is so weak.
Really rate Hazlewood and Cummins and their spinner is excellent.

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

Must say I fancy the Aussies for the series, our batting is so weak.
Really rate Hazlewood and Cummins and their spinner is excellent.

Don't think they are picking Hazelwood!

I am confident. They are a better all-court side than us, definitely. They are definitely better at batting. However, they are nowhere near as good as side as India and we beat them 4-1 so I see no reason as to why we can't do similar here, based almost entirely on some streaky lower middle order slogging and an untouchable seam attack in home conditions. That's how we beat India - Cook only contributed right at the end.

They'll win at Lords and the Oval. We'll win other three 3-2.

 

[Dexter]

How is it a choice between Starc, Hazlewood and Siddle? Is Pattinson a guaranteed starter these days?

 

[wayne entwhistle no9]

A bit like Bancroft with the bat Pattinson was the stand out bowler in the trial match and is expected to get selected according to Jim Maxwell.

 

[SuperMarcoRowell]

They reckon pattinson is a defo starter. I would choose Starc over him all day long like.
Watch him get five wickets now I’ve said that..
Siddle has never let them down neither

 

[smoker]

Nope, the correct selection. Starc has been really poor in the warm ups and Siddle has been swinging it all over, taking wickets.

Australia are picking players on form and their ability to perform in English conditions, this is going to be the hardest home series for years.