Pre Ashes Thread

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Swann ready to take Ashes lead England spinner Graeme Swann is hardly surprised Australia great Shane Warne rates him as the most improved player in world cricket. More... Shane Warne says England spinner Graeme Swann is the most improved player in world cricket From AAP November 08, 2010 England spinner Graeme Swann is hardly surprised Australian great Shane Warne rates him as the most improved player in world cricket. "I was rubbish when I played against him five years ago," Swann recalled. "I was just dwindling away in county cricket. I was enjoying my time but I wasn't good enough to perform at Test level. "It's nice he remembers me in the first place because I didn't really give him any reason to, and he recognises I've been bowling well recently." Warne believes Swann holds the key to England's Ashes defence this summer. But the English tweaker, who has taken 113 wickets from 24 Test outings, insists he isn't feeling any extra pressure ahead of the five-Test series against Australia, starting at the Gabba on November 25. "It's very nice when people say that (I hold the key), especially the best bowler in the world ever," Swann said. "But I don't feel any extra pressure, I feel the same pressure that you do as the single spinner in a four-man attack. "I know I'm going to have to bowl a lot of overs." Swann was in a jovial mood the day after snaring 4-101 in Western Australia's second innings to help England snatch victory in the tour match at the WACA Ground. But the 31-year-old has a serious point to prove in Australia this summer. Swann conceded he was barely more than a passenger in last year's Ashes triumph in England, collecting just 14 wickets at an average of 40.5 during the series. "I didn't think I bowled particularly well through that last Ashes series," he said. "A couple of matches aside I was a little bit below par, probably just riding the wave, if you like, of the Ashes. "This time around I'm looking forward to hopefully carrying on the form I had in South Africa last year (21 wickets at 31.38) on very similar wickets where I bowled fairly well and was able to hold an end down and pick up a few scalps along the way." Swann had several leg before decisions turned down against WA but was glad the video review system would be in place for the Ashes. "I'm a big fan of that," Swann said ahead of the three-day tour match against South Australia, starting on Thursday. "I wasn't when it first came out until I realised 'hang on a minute, I can get 50 lbws here'. "It's a great system now, so hopefully it will be used wisely by us in the Test series."

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Simon Katich battles thumb injury to make Ashes opener Simon Katich accepts time is running out to convince Australia selectors he is ready for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. More... Simon Katich battles thumb injury to make Ashes opener • Batsman will test injury in club cricket this weekend • Ashes squad to be announced on Monday guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 9 November 2010 Simon Katich knows that time is running out if he is to convince the Australian selectors that he will be ready for the first Ashes Test against England, which begins in Brisbane on 25 November. The opening batsman is recovering from a thumb injury. Katich suffered a fracture and ligament damage to his left thumb in a tour match in India last month. The 35-year-old then played in both Tests after scans failed to detect any serious damage. Katich will miss New South Wales' Sheffield Shield match against Victoria this week. He plans to play in club cricket this weekend before playing for NSW against Tasmania in Sydney next week. "I think I'd have to play the Shield game [against Tasmania]," Katich said at an Ashes launch party in Sydney. "I'd be very surprised if I was to get picked without any cricket. I think that'd be probably wrong given that you need some sort of form before a big series like the Ashes." Australia's Ashes squad will be named on Monday. "It [the injury] is certainly a lot better than it was," the left-hander said. "It's not 100% yet but it's not far away, so I'm confident I'll be able to get through club cricket on the weekend and then play the Shield game next week. "Unfortunately it's just been a slow process. I've had it in a splint and I found out when I got back I had a fracture and some ligament damage, so that's why it's been a slow process. I faced Haury [the Australia off-spinner Nathan Hauritz] late last week just probably for half an hour and that was the first time I'd picked up a bat for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to face quicker stuff later on this week." The fast bowler Doug Bollinger said he had recovered from the abdominal strain that ended his tour of India. "I'm fine. I'm 100%. I feel good," he said. "I've been bowling for a few weeks now so I should be right to go." Bollinger hopes likewise to return to club cricket this weekend before playing against Tasmania at the SCG. The 29-year-old said his enforced rest might have been a blessing in disguise as he prepares to make his Ashes debut. "Everything you can throw at me I've been doing and I feel a lot better for it and I feel fit," he said. "With these couple of games under my belt I'll be really, really fresh and right to go, 100%." Meanwhile, Australia have named their A team to face England in an Ashes warm-up match in Tasmania next week. The all-rounder Cameron White, a 27-year-old who had played in four Test matches, will captain the young team for the four-day match, which starts in Hobart on 17 November. Although the match takes place after next Monday's announcement of the Australian squad for the first Ashes test, the chairman of the selector's panel, Andrew Hilditch, said there was an opportunity for some of the team to play themselves into the senior squad. "We have seen quite a few of these players already in or around the Australian team setup across the various formats and this challenge will provide them all with another good opportunity to show what they can do," he added. "Every player in the batting line-up is capable of forcing their way into the Australian side this summer." The batsman Shaun Marsh will join the squad, which has an average age of 24, provided he can prove his fitness after injuring his lower back in the one-day series against Sri Lanka last week. Australia A team: Cameron White (captain), Tim Paine, Mark Cameron, Callum Ferguson, Peter George, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Steve O'Keefe, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.

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White leads youngsters against Poms VICTORIA'S Cameron White will captain a young Australia A team in the tour match against England in Hobart next week. More... Cameron White leads young Australia A team against England From: Herald Sun November 09, 2010 VICTORIA'S Cameron White will captain a young Australia A team in the tour match against England in Hobart next week. The match is the last one for England before the first Test at the Gabba starting on November 25. The average age of the team is 24. "The National Selection Panel has picked a squad full of some of the best young talent in Australia,'' chairman Andrew Hilditch said. "This is an exciting opportunity for these players to play against a highly talented English team on the eve of the Ashes series. "We have seen quite a few of these players already in or around the Australian team set-up across the various formats and this challenge will provide them all with another good opportunity to show what they can do. "Cameron White is a talented player and a good leader and along with Tim Paine they both have a lot of experience and will provide the group with strong leadership. "Every player in the batting line-up is capable of forcing their way into the Australian side this summer. "Phil Hughes and Paine have already showed what they are capable of in Test cricket and Shaun Marsh, Callum Ferguson and Steve Smith have already played some outstanding cricket for Australia in the limited over formats. "Usman Khawaja is yet to play for Australia but has again started the season in impressive fashion and it will be great to see him play against strong opposition." AUSTRALIA A squad Cameron White (Captain, Vic) Tim Paine (Vice-captain, Tas) Mark Cameron (NSW) Callum Ferguson (SA) Peter George (SA) Phil Hughes (NSW) Usman Khawaja (NSW) Shaun Marsh (WA, subject to fitness) Steve O'Keefe (NSW) Steve Smith (NSW) Mitchell Starc (NSW).

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Ponting inspired by Tendulkar Ricky Ponting is inspired by Sachin Tendulkar's age-defying form and wants to follow in his footsteps. More...

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Ponting flops in Ashes warm up Ricky Ponting's Ashes warm-up hits a snag, with the Australia captain out for 32 in Tasmania's Sheffield Shield match with Queensland. More... Australia captain Ricky Ponting happy to score just 32 in Tasmania's Sheffield Shield match with Queensland From AAP November 11, 2010 Ricky Ponting's plan to hit form before the Ashes hit a snag when he was out for 32 on the first day of Tasmania's Shield clash with Queensland at Bellerive Oval, but the Australia captain says he was satisfied with the score. Ponting, however, was satisfied with his performance whcih included some fine strokes on a wicket which was providing inconsistent bounce. He sent two of his favourite pull shots and a crunching cover drive to the boundary, combining with Ed Cowan for a 47-run partnership before Bulls skipper James Hopes had him caught in the slips. After missing Australia's third one-day game against Sri Lanka to prepare for this match, Ponting said he was fairly happy with his score. "I think I'd rather have made 150 on a good wicket, rather than scratching around there today," he said. "But sometimes innings like that can be really defining. "It would've been nice to get a bigger score, but it felt all day like there was a ball out there with my name on it. "I was a little bit scratchy ... but hopefully I get another go in the second innings when the wicket's a little bit better than it was today. The Bulls, eager to make amends for their disastrous loss to NSW last week, sent the Tigers in on a green, seaming deck under grey Hobart skies on Wednesday. They had early success when Test hopeful Ryan Harris had opener Jonathan Wells trapped in front in the first over of the morning, bringing the Australian skipper to the crease. Ponting was lucky to survive a huge lbw shout from Ryan Harris, before steadying the ship with Ed Cowan, hitting two boundaries with his favourite pull shot. But the 35-year-old was undone in the 22nd over, when he half-drove at James Hopes and caught at third slip by Chris Lynn. Harris then bowled skipper George Bailey for three, bolstering his claim for an Ashes spot in his first game back from a knee injury. Tasmania went into the lunch break at 3-60 but the rain set in before players could get back on the field, and the middle session was completely lost. Harris, who finished with the figures of 3-50 off his 18 overs, said he was just happy to get through a lengthy bowling spell. "The knee's a bit swollen but that's the way it's going to be for the rest of my career," he said.

[gaurav92]

He will score well in the Ashes.:agree:

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Ponting falls cheaply again AUSTRALIAN captain Ricky Ponting was out for five as Queensland took two early second innings wickets in the Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive Oval. More... Tasmanian Devils v Queensland Bulls, Sheffield Shield. Queensland lead by 58 runs on first Patrick Caruana From: AAP November 12, 2010 AUSTRALIAN captain Ricky Ponting was out for five as Queensland took two early second innings wickets in the Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive Oval. However, a measured partnership from Mark Cosgrove and Tim Paine helped Tasmania to a 145-run, second-innings lead over Queensland at tea on the third day. The Tigers pair put on 59 before Ashes hopeful Ryan Harris had Cosgrove bowled for 35 to claim his eighth wicket of the match. Tasmania went to the tea break at 6-203 with Paine 40 not out and Luke Butterworth yet to score. Paine and Cosgrove negotiated some testing bowling from the Bulls pacemen on a grassy wicket and had to reset themselves after a 30-minute rain delay in the middle session. Queensland had struck early, with Harris trapping Jonathan Wells in front for a pair, and Ponting chopping a Scott Walter delivery onto his stumps for just five. Harris then had George Bailey caught in the slips for 43, and went into the break with 3-45 off his 14 overs, to go with his 5-72 in the first innings. The Bulls were dismissed for 254 in the first over of the day when recent Australia one-day debutant Xavier Doherty had Cameron Boyce caught behind for a duck. Ponting was brought to the crease in a mirror image of the first innings – Wells was trapped in front for a duck by Harris. He hit a boundary through the offside, but played a delivery on to his stumps from Walter. Ponting went into the match looking for valuable batting practice ahead of the Ashes series. He made only 32 in the first innings.

[ZodiaC]

:punter:

[Sir john]

:WTF: with pointing

[bhanu]

Wow i guess he is kissing his bat goodbye. Mayb he is planning to retire soon :((

[Bradman99]

Saving it for the Ashes

[Ranjha]

Ponting is failling apart. He was closing in on sachin once. I think this ashes will be crucial for him as a batsman as well as captain.

[achilles]

Saving it for the Ashes

You know mate, I've a funny feeling about his form. I think he's gonna be absolutely stunning in the Ashes. No matter how much everyone hates him, he's a genius with the bat and I think he's gonna bounce back pretty well.

[Bradman99]

You know mate' date=' I've a funny feeling about his form. I think he's gonna be absolutely stunning in the Ashes. No matter how much everyone hates him, he's a genius with the bat and I think he's gonna bounce back pretty well.[/quote'] Hope so mate, hope so. I can see him doing it as well.

[Gunner_Mania]

Bradman99 and Achilles agreeing about something Australian. The end of the world is near!!!

[achilles]

Hope so mate' date=' hope so. I can see him doing it as well.[/quote'] Yeah mate. Its very unlike Ricky to be so out of touch for so long. With all the criticism around him at home and around the world, I think he's gonna be at the top of his game proving everyone wrong and steering Australia to victory.

Bradman99 and Achilles agreeing about something Australian. The end of the world is near!!!

:haha: Someone call Sree over. The three of us can bond over this :two_thumbs_up:

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Ashes 2010: Simon Katich fit for Australia selection but doubts for Clarke Australia opener Simon Katich has declared himself fit for the first Ashes Tests against England, which starts in Brisbane on 25 November. More... Ashes 2010: Simon Katich fit for Australia selection Katich has made over 4,000 Test runs at an average of 45 Australia opener Simon Katich has declared himself fit for the first Ashes Tests against England, which starts in Brisbane on 25 November. The 35-year-old, who has 54 Test caps, made 94 in a club match to confirm his recovery from a thumb injury. "It's good to spend time in the middle and score some runs. The hand feels good," he said afterwards. Australia, meanwhile, expect vice-captain Michael Clarke to shake off a back problem in time for Brisbane. Clarke, 29, had to sit out two sessions of New South Wales' Sheffield Shield match against Victoria but is likely to be included in the squad for the first Test, when it is announced on Monday. Katich is also certain to feature as he has established himself as a key member of their batting line-up since taking on the role of opener during a tour to the West Indies in 2008. He has not scored a Test hundred since the first Test against England at Cardiff last year, but seven scores of 75 or over since then underline his consistency and he will open with Shane Watson in Brisbane unless he suffers a setback in his recovery. "I've been training down at the SCG [sydney Cricket Ground] the last few days and there's been no problem batting," he told Sportal after playing for Randwick-Petersham against Manly in Sydney on Saturday. "There were no real surprises I pulled up okay and I'll be ready to go [for New South Wales] in next week's Shield match. "There was never any doubt that I was going to be right for that game." Australia's selectors have also received encouraging news about pace bowler Doug Bollinger, who had to fly home early from the recent tour to India because of a stomach muscle injury. The 29-year-old bowled 14 overs for his club side on Saturday and is also set to be named in the Test squad, although the selectors may give themselves extra seam bowling options by naming a larger than normal squad. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Possible Australia Test squad: R Ponting (capt), S Katich, S Watson, M Clarke, M Hussey, M North, B Haddin or T Paine (wkt), M Johnson, N Hauritz, B Hilfenhaus, D Bollinger, P Siddle, R Harris.

[yoshi]

if the aussies want to win the ashes they need to bring back stuart clark. He was relentless in line and length which makes a nice change to the usual rubbish of johnson and co.

[kabira]

Johnson should be their 4th choice Bollinger, Hilfy and Siddle should be first choice, Only if they go with 4 seamsers, Johnson should play.

[Pak_Forever]

5 - 0 to Australia.