2009 Ashes series - anticipation thread

[lardbucket]

With the Indian series out of the way, it's time perhaps for Australian supporters to start thinking (and a thread) about next year's Ashes series. There's not much worthwhile cricket on in the interim.

Since the Australians toured in 2005, the squad (and periphery) has been decimated by retirements and career fadeouts ... Langer, Kasprowicz, Martyn, Gilchrist, McGrath, Warne, Tait, Lehmann, Hodge, Love, Cullen, MacGill, and Hauritz. Mike Hussey and Stuart Clark have stepped up, and Jaques has started well. Hayden has rebounded and 2005 predictions of his demise by 2009 now look unlikely. Ponting and Lee will be there, barring injury, and Haddin looks set to step out of Gilly's shadow. Katich will probably tour again because of his experience and continued weight of runs at FC level.

My 'early pick' for a 2009 touring party (asterisked where I pick one from a list of contenders):

Hayden
Jaques
Ponting
Mike Hussey
Clarke
Katich
Symonds
one of North* D Hussey Watson or Rogers
White
Casson* or Krezja
Haddin
Wade* or maybe Hartley
Lee
Johnson
Stuart Clark
Hilfenhaus
Bracken



The English team they will face will be very different to the 2005 unit. Flintoff and Jones are unlikely to be potent, or even present. Harmison and Hoggard may also struggle to make the squad. The captaincy and Vaughan's place in the side also appear unsettled. Opening batsmen, middle order bats, and even the keeping position all look to be 'up for grabs' at present. Only Pietersen, Cook, Panesar, Bell, Collingwood, and Hoggard (if fit) could claim any real confidence of selection at this stage. Sidebottom has been excellent since his recall to the side, Broad appears very promising, and Tremlett has bowled well in spells. At this stage much depends on whether Strauss and Trescothick make convincing cases for recall, and on Vaughan's fitness and form. I don't feel confident of picking an England XI at all, but I expect they will at least be reasonably competitive against a Warneless, McGrathless attack.

I'm still hoping that Warne sees sense and makes himself available for a one-off last tilt at England next year ... he'll be in the country, and no doubt reasonably fit. Perhaps he can be persuaded to return one last time against the old enemy, with Pietersen the main challenge.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

It's a year and a half away....

[tac]

Can't see Fleas making the squad unless he has another stand out season next summer. Add Rogers as a definite pick.

[Brass Monkey]

David Sales, will at this time probably be in the side. This will be due to him leaving Northants at the end of the upcoming season **cough**Swann**cough**.

[JKLever]

I'm pretty pessimistic about it all really. We have no clue who will be in the side in 2009.

Plus we're playing 1 of the 5 tests in the land of the sheep.

[Brass Monkey]

I'm pretty pessimistic about it all really. We have no clue who will be in the side in 2009.

Plus we're playing 1 of the 5 tests in the land of the sheep.

Yeah, but usually I'd be happy with that... it's just we've been gifting our wickets in such conditions of recent times. Hoggy and Sidey could tear it up out that way.

[tac]

Any of the current unwashed team expected to be gone before 2009?

[Brass Monkey]

Any of the current unwashed team expected to be gone before 2009?

Not really, Vaughan's the oldest. They're all hovering around the 30 mark.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

There are reasons to be positive.

I don't think Lee can keep up this kind of form until then.

It'd be really good if Lee turned into 2005 Brett Lee because Ponting wouldn't have the bubbly blonde or the beanpole to throw the ball to.

Johnson will have improved by then, and Clark will be just as good. They won't have a spinner.
but we might have a choice between Panesar or Rashid by then.

Hopefully Hussey will have declined a bit too. There'll be no Gilly. Hayden might have become more sweary and less good.

[Brass Monkey]

Hogg'll do us over if he's about. Hayden will probably be arrested for abusing children.

[JKLever]

I don't think Aus will have any trouble putting out a competitive batting order whoever they select. They're spoiled rotten in that area.

It's their bowling that will give us a chance.

A 2009 Ashes win might look a million miles away after the NZ test series though

[Lara Lara Laughs]

Hogg'll do us over if he's about. Hayden will probably be arrested for abusing children.

Hogg? F*ck off. We're not that bad against spin.

[tac]

Hogg'll do us over if he's about. Hayden will probably be arrested for abusing children.

Hogg? F*ck off. We're not that bad against spin.

Hoggyy would definitely trouble all the pom batsmen. Gangers and Tendy handle spin a wee bit better than Bell and Collingwood . . .

[JKLever]

Hogg? F*ck off. We're not that bad against spin.

No, we really are!

[Lara Lara Laughs]

Would he f*ck. He'd get a couple of wickets an innings and he'd get tonked by Pietersen and Vaughan.

[eowyn]

Any Aussies daring to come over and visit? I know lardy wants to.

[tac]

He'd never bowl to Vaughan . . .

[tac]

Any Aussies daring to come over and visit? I know lardy wants to.

Really? I might arrange a booze tour with lardy . . .

[Lara Lara Laughs]

Yeah, the seamers would get him wouldn't they? It's not like Vaughan averages just under 50 against Aus...

[tac]

Vaughan won't even be in the team, dickwad.

[Brass Monkey]

Poor naive Lara... thinks we can play spin.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

Ah, I see. He will be in the team and he'll retire after the series, having won the Ashes twice as captain.

Hopefully.

[eowyn]

Vaughan won't even be in the team, dickwad.

Might be in as just a batsman if he survives this summer and winter.....

[Lara Lara Laughs]

Poor naive Lara... thinks we can play spin.

If you seriously think a nearly 40 year old festering crap heap like Hogg will tear us apart if he plays in 2009, you're underrating us.

[doremi]

There's not much worthwhile cricket on in the interim.

There's the series in India, but ofcourse it may not be worthwhile....

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