The Ashes 2013

With The Ashes coming up in a couple months with Australia vs England does anyone think Australia will reclaim The Ashes from England with the squad that was chosen today


This is the Australian ashes squad

1:Michael Clarke (Captain)
2:Brad Haddin (Vice Captain)
3:David Warner
4:Ed Cowan
5:Chris Rogers
6:Phillip Hughes
7:Shane Watson
8:Usman Khawaja
9:Matthew Wade
10:James Faulkner
11:Peter Siddle
12:Mitchell Starc
13:James Pattinson
14:Ryan Harris
15:Jackson Bird
16:Nathan Lyon


Brad Haddin selection puzzles me do they let both Matthew Wade & Brad Haddin play or do they leave Matthew Wade out and have Brad Haddin as keeper

They only chose one fulltime spinner in Nathan Lyon

I dunno, I"m not filled with a huge amount of confidence. Probably more worried about the batting line up than the bowling.

I thought Watson quit to make way for the "future"? Haddin??

Watson only quit as vice captain

According to Australia's current form it is a tall order fir them at the moment to beat England but miracles can and do happen in Cricket.

Yep, knew he only quit as VC (although I have a little quiestion about him being named at all!) but the way he said it all made it sound like it was to let a younger bloke come in and be trained up for the captaincy. Haddin doesn't really fit the bill.

I find Shane Watson so overated

Delighted to see Chris Rogers get another go. I think he was selected based on his excellent first class performances in England as well as back here. He and Cowan to open with Warner to bat at 6.... Hopefully Harris can stay fit.

Australian fast bowling must be cursed cause Ryan Harris is out for 2 months with injury he suffered in the IPL

Geez, way to jinx him, Mike!

This is the most amusing thread on the whole of FT.

Please flopsy, keep the sniggering to a level that can't be heard on this side of the equator :-)

'The Age' this afternoon was reporting that management were very, very confident he'll be right for the tour. Hence, he's gone...

I concur. After his dummy spit in India he should never have been allowed to play for Australia again. He could have said he came back home simply for family reasons and left it at that; most would have understood. But he insisted on making jibes about those within Cricket Australia and speculating on his future. Mate, you were one of four people who stuffed up and were disciplined for doing so. The other three copped it on the chin but you, who is built like Tarzan, reacted like Jane.

Well The Ashes series between Australia vs England starts today i can't wait as much as it pains i'm choosing England to win the series 2-1 with i reckon their will be at least 2 drawn tests

This is a shocker Ashton Agar is making his Test debut today for Australia against England

Australia's 1st test squad


1:Shane Watson
2:Chris Rogers
3:Ed Cowan
4:Michael Clarke
5:Phil Hughes
6:Steve Smith
7:Brad Haddin
8:Peter Siddle
9:James Pattinson
10:Mitchell Starc
11:Ashton Agar

12th man:Nathan Lyon


England:

1:Alastair Cook
2:Joe Root
3:Jonathan Trott
4:Kevin Pietersen
5:Ian Bell
6:Jonny Bairstow
7:Matt Prior
8:Stuart Broad
9:Graeme Swann
10:Steven Finn
11:James Anderson

I think Agar is Inverarity's baby. Being a fellow West Australian has helped, but I read today that Mike Hussey reckons that Agar is the "complete package".
I had to have a little laugh when I saw Agar's name in the team. Everyone was making a big thing about Fawad Ahmed having his citizenship rushed through so that he is available, and when it finally happened, he's sent home and an unknown 19yo gets the gig!

Oh, and just to weigh into the debate about Bad Haddin, I watched the first session of day 1, and in that 2 hours, Haddin let through, I think, 6 byes, and jumped over the top of a catch. I saw on the highlights tonight that he almost baulked Watson at 1st slip when Bell edgecd the ball. Haddin started to go and then stopped, which is a strict no-no for a keeper.
Wade had an ordinary tour of India with the gloves, but the ball was rolling along the ground for the most part, so if they were set on having Haddin as VC, surely the best scenario would be to bat Haddin at 6 and bat Wade at 7 and keep.

Agar is in the nervous 90s ..

Well, I like to think I can keep a sense of proportion about games. I've never cared about the nationality of the Wimbledon champion or the result of an England football game. But Agar's dismissal for 98 was a real disappointment: I'd happily have given a lot to see him get a hundred. England have so far made six off six overs in the second innings: the game has certainly turned round – for an hour or two at least.

What a debut for Agar i went to bed when he made his half century i should've stayed up and i think they should drop Ed Cowan i just don't understand why Phil Hughes wasn't batting at no 3 & Surprise Surprise Shane Watson is injured again

If Ed Cowan and Shane Watson were horses they would have been shot a long time ago and turned into Findus Beef Lasagna meals. How long are the selectors going to persist with these two jokes?

I went to sleep when he was in the seventies .. wish I had stayed up!
The commentators were very quick to change their tune when he got his eye in from "the innings will be over soon" to "he's only at number 11 because he's on debut and only 19" (he was only 19 .. let me hum that song for the next six hours!)

It's like the start of holidays .. all this cricket stretched out in front of us.

I'd actually forgotten about him being in the team and I couldn't think who was batting 11 until he came out. First thing I thought was, "Why the heck is he batting 11 with a first class average of over 30?", but Botham's comments were pretty right - seniority of the other bowlers took precedence, and no-one in the team is a slouch with the bat (well, apart from Haddin..). I'll put money on him being higher than Siddle in the 2nd innings.
And what Tom ssid also applied to the crowd at the ground. When he got his 50, the Barmy Army gave him a standing ovation!

it's almost like the elephant in the room ...


Should Stuart Broad have walked?

I think that every Australian would have held his ground as well and he had every right to stay right where he was.
Possibly my only problem with it is that with is happening so early in the double Ashes series I wonder if good sportsmanship has any chance in the rest of the Tests.

As far as the supporters go ... There were so many comments about whinging Poms after the Trott (non)dismissal the day before that I think we are very close to being crowned the new whingers.

Geoff Boycott has also said that Aussies never walk, but I'm sure I remember Adam Gilchrist walking more than once. However, men like him are very rare in any country in the modern game.

Certainly a batsman has every right to stay at the wicket if he's given not out. After all, if he's given out caught behind when he knows he didn't get an edge, he has to go.

Leaving questions of sportsmanship aside, the practical lesson seems to be "Don't waste reviews on close-shave decisions: save them for cases where you have a good chance of getting the umpire's decision overturned."

I remember that it was such big news when Gilchrist started walking that it probably shows it's a rare thing.



oh exactly!
Can you imagine if there were no restrictions on the amount of reviews?

While I understand the pragmatic view is to 'leave it to the umpire', I'm not sure that I liked seeing it happen. I've read that none other than Shane Warne has said that Broad did nothing wrong.

Let's hope sportsmanship continues to shine through. Remember that Swann caught Agar, then ran to congratulate him on his great innings. Shades of Flintoff/Lee, there.

There is more tendency in international cricket to "walk" these days, simply because, with the review system, they pretty much know they won't get away with it. Generally if a bloke doesn't "walk", it's because he doesn't believe he's nicked it, like Michael Clarke in the second innings.

Heartbreaking for Australia as they lost by 14 runs i thought for sure they would get them with Brad Haddin

It was a great game, despite the disputed decisions. From my position in the crowd, it was difficult to see (or hear) the latest ones, it will certainly be interesting to see the replays on TV later. The crowd loved every minute and to be fair, it was a shame to see either team lose.

2nd Ashes Test Team Changes


Australia:

In:
Usman Khawaja
Ryan Harris

Out:

Ed Cowan
Mitchell Starc


England:

In:

Tim Bresnan

Out:

Steven Finn

2nd Ashes Test


England have won the toss and decided to bat first

Well, Harris is certainly justifying his selection. Root and Pietersen dismissed in his first three overs!

He is with 3 wickets & Steve Smith is a suprise as well

Couldn't watch so much of it last night ... maybe after the footy tonight I can sit back and watch. Seems like England had a dodgy patch to start and to finish but were solid enough in the middle of it all!

We're just raising your hopes, ready to dash them again (I hope!).

Y'know it's only fair that Smith picked up wickets.

The Australian bowlers have been expected to score all the runs, so it's about time the Australian batsmen started to take wickets!

Man what happen to Australia i went to bed when Australia came in to bat and were all out for 128

The BBC headline said it all: "Australia folded like napkins".

And England got in a few pleats of their own before the day ended, 31-3? What's that about?

If you're looking for me, I'll be in my backyard doing a rain dance... by proxy for London

Can a rain event last for at least a month? That will allow us to escape with only a 1-0 loss. Things are looking extremely bleak.

I feel very sorry for Chris Rogers. He obviously wanted to review the decision but didn't so as to preserve the last team review. The less said about Watson's choice, the better. As someone posted on CricInfo, each innings has one review for Watson, another for Australia.

Don't forget we're talking about the UK. If I start the rain, it might well last a month. I just need to turn the tap a little. For the Brits here, I don't want it to flood, you've had enough of that lately. I'd just like enough misting rain during cricket hours to prevent play. *sigh* It wasn't that long ago that were were doing as well as the Poms in sport. Enjoy it while it lasts, duckies!

It was St Swithin's Day this week, it was sunny - so do the rain dance all you like, it won't work. Although we could do with some rain, it's too bloomin' hot!

I'll note the date in my diary for the next tour

It's about time for Michael Clarke to bat at No 3

Well, Khawaja looked ok, and Clarke didn't exactly set the world on fire. Clarke is most comfortable, and most effective, at 5, so if that's where he wants to bat, then he should. If you recall, Steve Waugh and Allan Border spent a large part of their time as captain at 6, and were very effective.

Of course, Waugh and Border had some decent bats above them...

It's going to be one of those weekends you'll hate. Mo Farrah broke the longstanding British record for the 1500m yesterday and he's not even a middle distance runner. Chris Froome should (fingers crossed, touch wood, barring accidents) win the Tour de France tomorrow - as if a Brit winning the Tour wasn't enough to send the French into paroxysms of grief last year, another one's going to win it this year, oh la la! And then there's the cricket... but you know about that.

I just checked the rugby union trophy case and felt like Old Mother Hubbard! We'll survive the weekend somehow and plough on until we reign supreme again.... one day... in one sport or other

Then you just had Manchester United beat A League All Stars 5-1 last night in Sydney

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things,
Of the British and the Lions,
And all the British cyclists' wins,
While in cricket there's the Ashes -
So many sporting things."

"A game of golf," the Walrus said,
"Is what we really need:
At Muirfield there's the Open
With Westwood in the lead -
And Murray won the tennis so
Life's very good indeed!"

"Oh Aussies," said the Carpenter
"You had a pleasant run!
Shall we invent another sport
That you can play for fun?"
But the Aussies were quite silent
For trophies had they none.



With apologies to Lewis Carroll

OK flopsymopsy, you asked for it.

To the tune of Peter Allen's 'I Still Call Australia Home'


I've watched some cricket and golf in my time
Rugby and tennis and blokes riding bikes
While at present you Poms might be better at sports
Our weather's much warmer than yours.

I tried watching soccer but soon gave it up
When the players fell over at every slight touch
You can call it the world game, I call it a bore
At least Aussie Rules brings a score.

When all the sons and daughters of the Southern Cross
Men, women and girls and boys
Head out to the paddocks to watch the coin toss
You'll hear them shout out Oi Oi Oi!

And one day we'll dominate the Poms once again
And the Ashes will go to much worthier men
But 'til then there's something for which we can cheer
In Australia we don't drink warm beer.

So today being day 4 of this test match i reckon England will declare before lunch then bowl Australia out after tea the way Australia has been batting the only luck they would have if it rain for the next 2 days

Is it possible for an Aussie to be Poet Laureate? I nominate Aussiedrongo!

LOL, excellent.

I'll refrain from mentioning that you stole "Oi Oi Oi" from Devon, I'll mention it some other time.

Oggy Oggy Oggy!

Your prediction is working so far, wwe84. Any suggestions for next week's lottery numbers?

No need for me to remind you that we are a nation of thieves, rogues and ruffians in that case then, is there?

Nope, no need. We'll just draw a veil over the fact that one of them was my great-great-great-uncle Bill... but he was pardoned and came back!

Neat fourth wicket partnership going on at present. Making things more respectable. And Agar yet to come - I'd almost like him to get his ton this innings. But note the word 'almost'.

England has just won the 2nd Ashes test by an 347 runs with 3 balls left on day 4

England leads the 5 match series 2-0

That was a bit close for comfort, let's do better next time!

Considering the new royal baby will also be the monarch of Australia, I'm surprised it's not out by now!

Australia's fast bowler James Pattinson has been ruled of the rest of the Ashes series with a back injury

One of your better batsmen, too...

After 2 Tests, only 3 batsmen are averaging over 30 - Agar, Khawaja and Pattinson!

Pattinson and Agar's batting averages are certainly respectable. Pity their bowling averages to date are even higher!

On Cricinfo, there is currently a poll to decide who would be the best player to bring into the Australian side to turn their fortunes around.
The nominees are - David Warner, Ed Cowan, Nathan Lyon and Simon Katich. And guess who gets the most votes. Yep, The nearly-38yo Simon Katich, who wasn't even thought of as good enough until Langer retired 6 years ago!

David Warner just made 193 for Australia A against South Africa A and get this one day player Glenn Maxwell made 100

I guess the selectors have 193 reasons now to pick David Warner

My question relates to the game v Sussex. After copping the father of a hiding in the 2nd Test, no fewer than 6 players are rested, rather than having some well-needed match practice, including Watson and Rogers, who both need runs under their belt. Agar has to play, even though he's carrying an injury. And more bizarrely, two guys have been called in to make up the numbers who aren't in the squad, one has not even played a First Class match in his life!
Ashton Turner, 20, is a West Australian allrounder who has played one one-day domestic match. He is suddenly viewed as Australian Test material? At least they only brought Travis Head in as 12th man!

I've never heard of those 2 before today & if the selectors want to pick someone pick Glenn Maxwell he is an all-rounder

The second Test brought no great joy to me so I stopped watching and did some reading instead. I was interested in learning more on the history of cricket between Australia and England but wasn't expecting to find what I did. It turns out the first game of cricket between the two was much earlier than what most believe and the result much different to recent matches. I found a poem commemorating this game of cricket written by a certain Susie A. Gordon which reads thus:


'Twas in the month of April
Back in seventeen-seventy,
When Captain Cook made landfall
At the bay called Botany.
He spied himself some natives
And thought "I've just the ticket,
I'll teach these naked savages
The noble art of cricket."

So Cook he cut some branches
From a eucalyptus tree,
And carved them into cricket stumps,
Not one, nor two, but three.
Then from a canvas haversack
He took a bat and ball,
For Englishmen do come prepared
For whenever battle calls.

"Good day old chaps," said Captain Cook,
"Pleased to meet. I'm James.
I'd be obliged if I could teach
You all a little game.
Now one of you go stand up at
That end of the wicket,
I'll stay down here and toss this ball
Then you just try to hit it."

Off two steps did Captain Cook
Send the first ball down,
The native hit it back at him
But kept it on the ground.
A little quicker was the Captain's
Next delivery,
The native hooked, the ball it hit
A grazing wallaby.

"Not bad old chap!" said Captain Cook
"At least for a beginner.
But watch the ball more closely now,
This next one is a spinner."
Now Cook he took a run up,
Of nine yards, maybe ten,
The native whacked the ball back flying
A mile above his head.

Well Cook he was dejected,
His bottom lip did pout,
"I think I'll have a bat," he said,
"You try and get ME out."
The native bowled a yorker
That made the Captain jump.
He followed with a googly
That found the middle stump.

A dozen balls the native bowled
And each one found the wickets.
"Give a man a chance." Cried Cook
"I say, it's just not cricket."
He took his bat and took his ball
And doffed his hat and then,
He went back to his ship and sailed
And was never seen again.

The natives well remember though
The pale man from the sea,
Who once provided them such mirth
With his frivolity.
They still immortalise this man
In traditional dance and song,
At corroborees when they perform
'The Bloody Whingeing Pom.'

 

Oh man, I had the same thought when they said about Watson having the week off. If anyone needs some match practice it is him. It's giving the likes of Warner and massive foot in the door. I just don't understand the whole selection thing ... the team is getting changed around all over and not getting the chance to settle into being a cohesive unit.

If anyone reads Cricinfo, the main pic today was of Darren Lehmann in the nets getting batting practice.
Perhaps Boof is thinking, "If these blokes can't do the job, then I'll just have to go out and do it myself!"

The 3rd Ashes Test is about to get under way

England has named unchanged side from the 2nd test


Australia changes

In:
David Warner(He is batting at no 6)
Mitchell Starc
Nathan Lyon


Out:
Phil Hughes
James Pattinson(Injured)
Ashton Agar

Well Australia has learned how to bat Chris Rogers with 80+ Michael Clarke getting a century & Steve Smith passing his 50 aswell

Well, Australia has outplayed the England XI, but their twelfth opponent - the English weather - has been too much for them. This is a very disappointing way for the fate of the Ashes to be decided.

Australia was so unlucky after the way they played in the 1st innings with Michael Clarke getting to to 180+,Australia should've won that but the lousy English weather wins again

The one thing that this Test highlighted was how much of a mess the ICC and the MCC have made of the game.
I won't go into the debacle that is called the DRS again (which some people reckon stands for "Don't Refer, Stupid!") as that's something that the ICC need to address urgently, but the MCC need to have some more people look at scenarios before changing Laws.
What I am specifically referring to is the situation that occurred on the 4th evening. The umpires were concerned about the light, to the extent that they suggested to Cook that he bowl spinners if they wanted to stay out there. Now, that was their first error, as it was drummed into us that you DO NOT suggest that to the captain. The mere sight of the umpires coming together should tell the fielding captain that the light may be a problem, so they don't need you to coach them. Having said that, it's the umpires' primary concern to look after the safety of the players, no argument there. HOWEVER, the Australians were scoring freely, and if the umpires had a concern about the fielders'safety, they surely would not have suggested bowling spin. So, instead of offering the light to the batsmen, as was the Law until 2010, the umpires just called play off. You cannot blame Clarke for being livid at the decision, even though rain stopped any chance of a resumption not long after.
The fact is, the game needs to go back to being simple. I don't mind the technology for run-outs, stumpings and obvious errors, but when 49% of the ball is hitting the stump on a referral and it is rejected because it's not 51%, and the fielding side loses a referral because of it, then maybe there is a problem?

4th Ashes test is about to begin England has won the toss & is batting first


England Team is unchanged from 3rd Test

Australia Team Changes:

In:
Jackson Bird

Out:
Mitchell Starc

That'll teach Starc to score runs and take wickets!

Seriously, Bird is a class act and should do well.

I don't get dropping someone who made it past 50 in the last test i'm all for Jackson Bird coming in they should've dropped Nathan Lyon

4th Ashes Test:Stumps Day 1 England 9/238,Nathan Lyon gets 4 wickets

Australia ends Day 2 at 5/222 with Chris Rogers on 101 no

Interestingly, Rogers is only the 17th oldest debut Test centurion, but the 2nd oldest Australian.
Obviously, such things as wars, bans and late recognition for countries come into it, but I think it's still an amazing stat.

I thought Australia had a chance with David Warner & Chris Rogers in the 2nd innings with Australia at 7/187 needing 299 for victory England have won this

Someone on the BBC website described it as a 'collapse of English quality'. I remember those days so well & never thought I'd see an Aussie team follow suit.

The Australian batting their are no words for how badly they are batting

Australia with 2 overs to go in the day 9/211

It's all over now!

Just read about the Ashes series going between women atm in England the Australian women are doing much better at beating England than the men

Perhaps we should swap the teams...

If you put Ellyse Perry in the Mens side she would go OK

I've seen wet tissue paper with more substance than our middle order. So who will play in the last test? My predictions:

Faulkner in for the injured Watson.

Hughes to replace Khawaja. I have a lot of time for Usman but I think he needs to get settled back on Australian wickets - he looks out of his depth at the moment.

Hopefully Harris will be fit.

Matthew Wade needs to come in,i agree with Faulkner

There seems to be a problem with the way batsmen are being developed in First class cricket and State cricket. Maybe too much pyjama game and 20/20. They don't seem to have the grit to grind out a big score.

The womens one off Ashes test ended in a draw

It's an interesting format for the women's matches. Points are awarded over all the games, including the one dayers and 20/20, and whichever team has the higher number wins the Ashes.

If it was applied to the mens Ashes series England will be winning by a landslide

I thought they already were...

This link was all Rossian's idea!

I wish I could remember who was saying this .. all I can remember is that is was a past Australian captain .. but he was saying that with all the different forms of cricket at the moment it is splitting up the top players so he doubts that we'll have the teams of the past with multiple world class players.

If you enjoy listening to podcasts then the "World Cricket Show" is a good one. It's the only one I've found that isn't by past international players (a good thing!) .. it's just a couple of blokes from Guernsey talking cricket. Bit of a laugh.

Flitoff ad

This made me smile

I get an ad for Jacobs crackers.

Flopsy you beat me to it with that link ROFL!

Watson has come good, at last, curse him! I thought he was supposed to be injured...

Australia ends day 1 of the 5th Ashes test at 4/307 with Shane Watson making 176 where has this been form been all series for Australia

Australia declares at 9/492 after Steve Smith makes a 138 following on from Shane Watson's 178 and England ends Day 2 at 0/33

Off to a pretty good start.
Australia has almost breathed a sigh of relief that Watson got a good score ... and he did but I'd like to see him have a bit more consistency before all is forgiven.

Here's a funny youtube video about DRS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqT3__sO6WU&list=HL1377047713&noredirect=1

There are 18 overs left in this Ashes series and England are 2/112 needing a another 115 runs to win

10 overs left England need 67 runs, What happen Australia their 1st innings was excellent

Well, that was a shame. Bad light faded England's hopes when it looked as though we were actually going to win. Oh well, the Ashes are still where they belong.

A very disappointing end to a wonderful day's cricket. Full marks to Michael Clarke for an aggressive attitude in the third innings and a well timed sporting declaration,and to England for responding to the challenge.

It was an exciting day's cricket, especially after England's slow progress on Friday. Well done to Michael Clarke for setting it up. It's a shame that the umpires had no choice but to end the day early, but it was pretty gloomy.

The English women won their match, so are now ahead in their Ashes challenge, too.

I thought it could've been over with Piertsen & Trott smashing the ball all over the place

Now can Australia win a match in either the one-day series or 20/20s with England

Australia has been stronger over the past few years in ODIs than Tests, so perhaps they will find their mojo.
But really, who cares? They went there for an Ashes tour, not for a couple of Mickey Mouse tournaments.

Totally agree with you, dalgleish. The real cricket is finished and heartiest congratulations to the Poms for a deserved and resounding 3-0 victory! Overall, I thought there were only 2 players that made a substantial difference - Ian Bell (the standout) and to a slightly lesser extent, Graeme Swann. Other English players made very useful contributions here and there (Anderson, Pietersen). It was Australia's batting that let us down whereas the bowling was generally very good (Ryan Harris please note - stay fit!), with the exception of not being able to dismiss Bell the Rock.

The biggest loser over the series (ignoring Mickey Arthur) - The Decision Review System and more specifically the umpire adjudicating on that technical information.

Now for some slap and tickle before the real stuff returns in the Antipodes in a few months. Will I watch the ODIs and 20/20s? Of course. Will I care very much whether the Aussies win or lose? Not really.

England's record in ODIs isn't great and several players have been rested, so your chances should improve, even if no-one is that bothered, including us. That little urn is what counts.

Does anyone think Australia has chance to win the Ashes this summer in Australia if they played like what they did in the 5th test i say yes

Yeah, if they are smarter than they have been, then yes.
Look at the facts from the recent series - yes, England won 3-0, but the 1st Test was by 14, and Australia had the better of two other Tests which were crueled by rain. England didn't pass 400 once, Australia did it twice. England's much vaunted top 3 averaged only around 23 between them, whereas Australia didn't even have a top 3 until the last Test.
Australia still has a lot of work to do, particularly in the batting dept. They need two steady openers, not just one, they need Watson to make 3 his own, and they need a reliable 5 or 6, as well as a reliable keeper/batsman, not just a stopper/part-time batsman. The bowling seems to be sorting itself out, so if Boof can wave his wand one more time, then we are a big chance.

Watching the 20/20 between England and Australia what an innings by Aaron Finch he scores 156, Australia are 3/227 in the 17th over

Australia innings ends at 6/248, England needs 249 to win

Australia beat England by 39 runs in the 1st 20/20 match

That was an exceptional innings by Finch. I don't think any bowler in the world could have contained him the way he was playing. England made a better attempt than I expected. Well done Root for scoring so well, especially after being hit in the face by a ball sneaking through the grille.

If only if they played Finch in the test matches who knows what would've happen


England beat Australia to win the Womens Ashes

Finch's first class record last season was ordinary. He was dropped from the Victorian side, so you really can't factor him into Ashes calculations.

I think that was pretty much a 'one off' innings where everything went his way. Today's match went some way to proving that, and also means the 20/20 matches are shared.

So the Australian selectors have dropped David Warner from the one day series with England


This is the 15 man squad for the one day series against England

1:Michael Clarke(c)
2:George Bailey(vc)
3:Fawad Ahmed
4:Nathan Coulter-Nile
5:James Faulkner
6:Aaron Finch
7:Josh Hazlewood
8:Phil Hughes
9:Mitchell Johnson
10:Shaun Marsh
11:Glenn Maxwell
12:Clint McKay
13:Adam Voges
14:Matthew Wade
15:Shane Watson


England One day Squad
1:Eion Morgan(c)
2:Ravi Bopara
3:Jos Buttler
4:Michael Carberry
5:Steven Finn
6:Chris Jordan
7:Jamie Overton
8:Kevin Pietersen
9:Boyd Rankin
10:Joe Root
11:Ben Stokes
12:James Tredwell
13:Jonathan Trott
14:Luke Wright

It will be interesting to see how Pietersen's knee holds up in the one-dayers!

I want to see can Aaron Finch carries his 20/20 form into the one dayers

Well, he and Marsh scored huge hundreds yesterday against Scotland, while Morgan and Bopara both hit unbeaten tons playing Ireland. I'm not sure these have any significance, since the opposition wasn't the best.

Australia beat England by 88 runs in the 2nd ODI after Michael Clarke scores 105 & George Bailey 82

Already people are asking why Bailey didn't play i any of the Tests.

Personally, I thought he would have been a reserve batsman for the Test squad, but really, the guy averages around 30 in 1st Class cricket, so it would be hard to build an argument for him, unless you want to use the Warner argument. Even then, Warner was averaging 50+ in 1st Class cricket before his Test call-up.

England Beat Australia by 3 wickets in the 4th ODI to level the series at 1-all and that's include Clint McKay's hat trick in today's game

Well Australia beat England to win the one day series 2-1 with Shane Watson 143 in the 5th ODI helping Australia to win

At least Australia won something on the Ashes tour but the wrong kind of silverware instead of the Ashes urn they pick up the ODI trophy

About time we won something! Being beaten by the Poms is embarrassing.

All that's left now on tour now is the 20/20 internationals