Ashes 2019

[ElwoodBlues1]

We need to pick the best side though EB, Langer hasn't proven to me that he can pick the blokes that should be playing.  We have a history (in the last couple of series) of not picking the right blokes in England.  I really pity the selectors this time though.    For example, Langer loooooves Bancroft and Mitch Marsh.  But are they the best options for us?  Dunno about that. Marsh has burned us before ("but he can bowl"  pfft, so can my aunt) and Bancroft was a marginal player prior to his suspension.

I mean, Pattinson is bowling up a storm and Starc is bowling rope.  Who'd you go for?  Siddle isn't fashionable but he won't spray it around.  Starc might be a match winner....or take 0/97 off 15.

Warner will get a Guernsey...because he's Warner but his test record over there is average.

I think a proper, balanced side always has a specialist spinner...a green day one pitch (which might dry quickly BTW) might push them towards pace, yet the GOAT is the best performed Oz bowler of recent times.  Or do you pick Labusgne, who is batting solidly, a gun fielder and useful bowler?

And if Khawaja isn't fit I wouldn't be hanging out to pick him.  Needs to play cricket before being selected IMO  I remember his crap recent test form based on playing straight from rehab with no build up work. 

I wouldn't want to to be a selector but Id be going for solidity, not going all out to ace the first rubber  Its a series after all.

Take your point Prof...Poms are really playing a one day team with Roy, Denly, Stokes, Butler and their reliable's in Root and Bairstow in the top order, reckon Lyon is a lock to play given that lot play the quicks ok and are aggressive hitters in the main. Think we will go with Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon first up, I'm a Pattinson fan as he is aggressive, takes wickets plus handy with the willow and probably prefer him to Hazelwood but he struggles to stay on the park and Hazelwood has that reliability factor about him

Think we need to win that first test, when they have Archer(145-150kph) and Anderson fit I think its going to get a lot harder and they will be preparing some real Anderson friendly wickets in typical english fashion.
Hoping they are a bit cocky and still wallowing in their world cup victory(steal) and not switched on and we surprise them....