5th Test: Austalia vs England at SCG Jan 3-7 2011

[TheParraboy]

Remember one thing folks

England still havent won a series down under since 86/87

Plenty to play for

Punter will be out (pinky problem). Khawaja will come in, and a new captain Clarke?

Hope Okeefe or even Swann from QLd come in as the spinner, both have had brilliant domestic FC seasons unlike Beer

Cameron/Copeland to come in for Harris/hilfy??

Hope the barmy army wear pink on day 3

 

[VictorTheViking]

1. Marsh
2. Hughes
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. Clarke
6. Watson
7. Haddin
8. O'Keefe
9. Johnson
10. Siddle
11. Cameron/Pattinson

 

[Fast Eddie]

Wonder if England will play two spinners? I don't reckon they should, stick with Bresnan, Anderson, Tremlett and Swann.

 

[Matt23]

1. Jaques
2. Hughes
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. Clarke
6. Watson
7. Haddin
8. O'Keefe
9. Johnson
10. Siddle
11. Copeland/Pattinson
12. Khawaja

 

[Fast Eddie]

Hasn't Jaques been in average form as well?

 

[Twizzle]

Jaques is struggling to hold a spot in the Blues team.

There wont be any changes other than Punter out if he is injured,

Beer will play, Harris out and maybe Dougy added to the squad but he'll probably be the drink waiter.

 

[Gaba]

B.Lee (c)

 

[TheParraboy]

Just a hunch I think Ponting will be out of the test, official line will be his pinky isnt right

In that case is Clarke assumed as the captain?

 

[beads6]

I'd love to see wholesale changes to the team for the 5th test but I can't see it happening. I can see a review coming after the series is complete though which will most likely see Punter pushed and hopefully a new coach at the helm.

 

[beads6]

Just a hunch I think Ponting will be out of the test, official line will be his pinky isnt right

In that case is Clarke assumed as the captain?

You would think Clarke will be Captain, only other option IMO is Haddin.

 

[TheParraboy]

so can we expect the only change to be Beer in for Harris?

that sounds kinda depressing

 

[Matt23]

The "review" will be nothing more then sugar coating, little or nothing will be done, but on the bright side Hilditch is gone after the world cup, hopefully other's go as well, but I wouldn't hold your breath on that.

 

[TheParraboy]

the "review" will be that players are hurting *sniff* and want a chance to redeem themselves *double sniff*, so selectors in all their wisdom decide to name an unchanged lineup (Beer for Harris in the 11)

 

[Matt23]

This was there chance to redeem themselves...most of them played in The Oval test last year...

 

[lockyno1]

so can we expect the only change to be Beer in for Harris?

that sounds kinda depressing

Australians need BEER to get through this fiasco:lol:

 

[madunit]

News reports suggest if Ponting plays, he will drop down the order to 4, Clarke to 5 and Khwaja will come in at 3.

 

[Twizzle]

That was Punter's suggestion last night on Foxsports, makes a bit of sense to boost the batting although it weakens the spin bowling options that are needed on the SCG.

Having Smith and Beer available gives us two spinning options, albeit not very good ones.

 

[aussies1st]

This would be the perfect time to use the 'local ground knowledge' reason to pick O'Keefe.

 

[beads6]

If we play Smith as the spinner at the SCG I'll be mighty pissed off.

 

[madunit]

If there are to be any changes, I'd bring Khwaja in for Harris, O'Keefe in for Smith and Bollinger in for Johnson.

1 - Watson
2 - Hughes
3 - Khwaja
4 - Ponting
5 - Clarke
6 - Hussey
7 - Haddin
8 - O'Keefe
9 - Siddle
10 - Hilfenhaus
11 - Bollinger
12th - Beer

that'd be the line up I could handle for this test