TOPIC:

I'm disappointed we didn't win the series. Yes we retained the Ashes but we really let a series win slip with poor cricket at Headingly and a cavalier approach to this Test at the selection table and toss.

Let's not let the afterglow of retaining the Ashes mask that we are an average Test team with serious problems with the top and middle order. Pakistan have some deadly pace bowlers and if we paper over the cracks that have emerged in this series and get all comfortable with ourselves again back on the roads in this country we'll be in for an even bigger fall early next year when we step off shore again.

Going to be an interesting opening to the Shield season with arguably four Test spots up for grabs.

Well said Freezin.. Let down but poor openers. Warner totally sandpapered by Broad.
Warner: 95 runs @ 9.5 (thanks to a 61 in 3rd test)
Bancroft: 44 runs @ 11.0 (high score 16)
Harris: 58 runs @ 9.6 (high score 19)
Kawaja: 122 @ 20.3
Head: 191 @ 27.2 (stiff to get dropped)
Wade: 337 @ 33.7 ( inc 2 ducks)
Paine: 176 @ 22
Marsh: 41 @ 20.5
LABERSCHAGNE : 353 @ 50.4 ( batted 7 times)
SMITH : 774 & 110.5 ( HUGE effort)
Been a long time since Aussie openers failed to get a 100 let alone a total 100 in a series..

2-2, drawn series, with a little bit of luck, some better catching, wiser DRS and that one mind numbing umpiring decision, it could have been 4-1-0. Dont think too many expected us to retain the ashes so a commendable effort to do that after Australian cricket was on it's knees after sandpapergate. Cant believe there are calls for Langer to go, he's dragged the team out of the ashes to get to this point. Yes there are significant issues to deal with in the batting department, the bowling line up is arguably the best in the world, Smith back as captain after his captaincy suspension will be massive and we need to find 3 batters and a keeper batsman to support Smith and Lab. Would not be at all surprised if Warner comes out on Australian pitches and gets back to destroying opposition attacks (we live in hope). Plenty to do but this is the first step on the way back to a truely competitive Australian Test team.

Dazzler wrote: I'm disappointed we didn't win the series. Yes we retained the Ashes but we really let a series win slip with poor cricket at Headingly and a cavalier approach to this Test at the selection table and toss.

Let's not let the afterglow of retaining the Ashes mask that we are an average Test team with serious problems with the top and middle order. Pakistan have some deadly pace bowlers and if we paper over the cracks that have emerged in this series and get all comfortable with ourselves again back on the roads in this country we'll be in for an even bigger fall early next year when we step off shore again.

Going to be an interesting opening to the Shield season with arguably four Test spots up for grabs.

Spot on Dazz.

SS Langer can stay on as coach as long as he is nowhere near the selection table...make no mistake Siddle was his choice ditto Harris & Bancroft over Burns/Renshaw.

Freezin wrote: Well pretty much what was expected...just Wade got the expected ton instead of Smith...no surprises with Laurel and Hardy getting out to Broad early on....lots of starts with only Wade going on....I guess with two mediocre top sixes...who were easy fodder for both opposing bowling attacks...2-2 was gonna be the "correct" scoreline...bar the Smith effect of course....what ever happened to Umpire Wilson?..no doubt a New Years OBE and UK passport is in the post for the fella.

Ashes quick summary:

Warner - Broad's bunny throughout
Harris - can't bat can't catch
Bancroft - can't bat can catch
Uzzie - same old same old
Labuschagne - Ashes revelation
Smith - Bradmanesque like
Head - need more from the fella
Wade -twin tons bookending little else
Marsh - bowling allrounder me thinks
Paine - thank you but no thank you
Cummins - ultimate thoroughbred
Pattinson -time to let the fella loose
Starc -should of played more
Siddle - should of played less
Lyon -if only with the run out and LBW
Hazelwood - found his UK ashes mojo
Neser - bowled up a storm in the nets
Langer-leftie loyalty or stubbornness?

Pretty much nailed it above mate.
Hopefully the selectors wake up to themselves and start playing those that have the runs on the board so to speak eg Burns, Renshaw, Patterson, Starc, Pattinson and finally wake up to those who are not up to it either in ability and mentally!

Renshaw ? - he averaged 21 from 9 games in the shield last year, why would he have been picked ?
Burns an interesting one, they dont seem confident with him for some reason.
if Pucovski can string some games together and score some runs he should get a chance, the rest is a raffle outside Smith, Marnus and Wade.

MarkOlsen wrote: Renshaw ? - he averaged 21 from 9 games in the shield last year, why would he have been picked ?
Burns an interesting one, they dont seem confident with him for some reason.
if Pucovski can string some games together and score some runs he should get a chance, the rest is a raffle outside Smith, Marnus and Wade.

I thought Renshaw showed a bit in Test cricket when given his opportunity MO especially under lights at the AO in his debut where the ball was moving around more than the Pommy pitches have, his ability to know when to leave the ball on line and length (much like Laburschagne) is something both Warner & Harris really struggle with.
Lets face it too the seaming, swinging Gabba is a lot tougher to score runs on then the flat roads of the MCG & JO that Harris has scored plenty on.

he showed a bit and has shown nothing since..
seems as though he has been worked out.

blokes like Harris,Head and Bancroft have had technical issues exposed which happens when you get to test cricket and face better bowlers.
how they respond when they get back to shield cricket will be interesting.

MarkOlsen wrote: he showed a bit and has shown nothing since..

So no different to Harris, Warner, Bancroft, Khawaja, Head & Paine!

clutching at straws there BH, all those blokes have done something in the last few years at either international or state level.