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The Fawad Ahmed scenario where the Aussie parliament is rushing migration legislation through so he can play in the ashes is to me an indication of a deep seated problem in Cricket in Australia. Ahmed is probably a very good bowler no doubt. But the fact remains that he has not played much first class cricket in Australia and now all of a sudden he being seen as some sort of Messiah for our ashes prospects. This reeks of panic to me. It reminds me of the way that England approached their national selection about 10 years ago. There was always some star player who was going to come over and dismantle us in the Ashes. Invariably that player would fail and England would go away with their tail between their legs.

England though learned their lessons and revamped their junior development program a number of years ago and now they are reaping the benefits with new players being introduced into the system with an experienced group of players in a successful team. As for Australia, we seem to have got really complacent in the era of the Waughs, Pontings, Mcgrath, Gilly, Warne etc etc and are now facing the consequences as many of our guys in the test set up are not up to standard IMO, particularly in the area of spin bowling and batting. The fact is that our only world class batsman has got a crook back.
I know that there was a review after the last ashes thumping and the results of this may not be felt for a few years yet, but after England have finished with us in the ashes this year, we may be calling for another review

Poor start to the champions trophy - easily flicked aside by England. Time to look at the selectors performance maybe.

Yes Mike, the scenario you describe is indeed perplexing. Why is migration legislation being rushed through parliament, when the cricket selectors have players to choose from already from club/ state cricket. Where is the push coming from? I have nothing against anybody playing cricket but why this for one person?
That leads us to a bigger problem of a simple game of cricket is now just big business and honestly can no longer be considered sport.

Up the shit that is where it is

The English bowlers will tear our piss weak batting order apart in the ashes, also picking that paki bowler to ,ay for us was crap.

Aussie cricket has an eternity in the wilderness, participation rates in junior cricket have collapsed as well.

well there seems to be a dark cloud hanging over the aussie cricket team at the moment.and it would appear thay have brought it to brummie today with heavy rain forecast for later - though with a bit of luck they should be able to sqeeze this match in and we can knock the kiwis off too. though the kiwis look in pretty good form at the moment having won their recent odi series against the poms. in ross taylor and brendan mccullum they have 2 very good batters. their bowlers also seem in pretty good nick. aussies need to fire up and win this one.

now we have blokes being dropped for getting into drunken altercations with the poms after loosing and then getting busted for DUI.....

To much money is paid to nobody's and its getting to ther heads, why work hard at test cricket when you can be like Maxwell and get $1million for IPL, and he didnt even play a game

In the press, Warner been dropped for tonights match

UNKA2 wrote: In the press, Warner been dropped for tonights match

Apparently was involved in an altercation with an England player after the game on Saturday ( Joe Root - who?). He may be sent home as a result. This is the last thing the Australian team needed on the eve of an ashes series. Warner is on the verge of getting the flick I reckon and having a line put through his name. You think he would have kept his head low for a while after that Twitter stupidity.

warner is out. watson and wade are the openers. voges and mitch marsh have retained their places in the team. i think doherty is also palying. the other bowlers are mckay, johnson and faulkner. it has been alleged that joe root has been involved in an unprovoked assault on warner. joe root has a one day average of 53.
head to head australia 85 new zealand 34 n/r 5.
watson out 2nd over caught behind by luke ronchi.
hughes run out.2 down for 10 runs. kiwis put 3 slips in pace for bailey.

joan trieste wrote: warner is out. watson and wade are the openers. voges and mitch marsh have retained their places in the team. i think doherty is also palying. the other bowlers are mckay, johnson and faulkner. it has been alleged that joe root has been involved in an unprovoked assault on warner. joe root has a one day average of 53.

Oh for the days you had to earn your spot in an Australian side! We are really desperate when have to consider bringing in a person who is yet to be an Australian citizen and whose performances for Victoria was very average last season. What has Maxwell done to deserve a game? Troubled souls like Warner, Wade and Watson are allowed to behave like petulant children whilst Pomersbach and Marsh the elder have to serve some form of penance for past misdemeanours. Well after this vent we will probably win tonight!!!???