The Reverse Sweep

Where do demoralised Australia go from here?

 
In the end Australia left Adelaide with barely a whimper and long before the arrival of the thunderstorm that must have being praying on English minds overnight. 
 
In truth the only storm that counts is the one that is now engulfing Ricky Ponting and the Australian selectors as they try to find an XI that can compete with England and somehow win two and draw one of the three remaining tests in the series. Otherwise, Ponting is in danger of having his legacy as the best Australian batsman since Bradman besmirched. Instead, he will forever be known as the captain that lost three Ashes series.
 
As an honest Ponting admitted, Australia were “out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded” by a rampant England team. And as he and the selectors pick through the wreckage, the temptation will be to make wholesale changes to the side that takes the field at the WACA next week.
 
There will be at least one change, with Simon Katich’s achilles problem ruling him out of the rest of the series and given his years will perhaps curtail his test career for good. Phil Hughes is likely to return at the top of the order. Elsewhere, Marcus North’s position at number six will come under scrutiny and then there are the bowlers. Of the four who played in Adelaide, only Ryan Harris comes out with any credit with the other three all in danger of losing their place.
 
Aside form Andrew Strauss’ injudicious leave, Doug Bollinger looked was simply dreadful - he wasn't quick enough, leaked too many runs and his body language was terrible. He certainly lacked the fizz that his name would otherwise imply. As such Mitchell Johnson’s exile may only last for one match.
 
Peter Siddle has experienced the highs and lows of test cricket in just a week - six wickets and a birthday hat-trick on day one of the series and 54 wicketless overs since. Whilst he continued to run in and give it everything, Siddle looked like what he is – a bowler returning from a long-time injury. It is likely to come down to a borderline decision between him and Ben Hilfenhaus – who was inexplicably left out at Adelaide.
 
Both may play if the selectors opt for four seamers – as Xavier Doherty’s brief sojourn in test cricket will surely be put out of its misery. The gamble simply hasn’t worked – hardly surprising given his first-class record. However, having dispensed with Nathan Hauritz before the series, are the Australian selectors prepared to look a bit foolish by going back to him cap in hand now? Or do they turn instead to the rookie Steve Smith, who could take North’s place and provide support to a four-seam attack? If so, Mark Cameron of New South Wales is a good outside bet to join Harris, Johnson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus in the squad.
 
If Hauritz gets the nod and Australia retain the four bowler policy with Shane Watson as back-up seamer, North could survive for his home test. Cameron White - a possible alternative to Clarke as next captain, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson are all contenders for North's spot if the selectors press the eject button.
 
For what it’s worth our squad would be as follows, with the XI highlighted in bold: Watson, Hughes, Clarke, Hussey, Ponting, White, Haddin, Johnson, Hauritz, Harris, Hilfenhaus, Siddle and Smith. We've been calling for Ponting to drop down the order for a while. It will allow him to compartmentalise the captaincy and give him a better chance of getting back to his imperious best with the bat.

Where next?

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

1st Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

2nd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Ashes 100-1: 1 - Ten tips for the Ashes

 
It's been a real labour of love, but today sees the last post of our 100 day Ashes countdown collaboration with our good friends at World Cricket Watch. 100 posts in 100 days - it's been tough at times but on the whole its been enjoyable.

So with less than one day to go until Messrs Strauss and Ponting toss the coin and proceedings get underway at The Gabba, here are our ten tips for the series:

1. Despite England bowling out Australia for 80 at The Gabba to win the 1st Test, the Channel 9 commentary team are scathing in their criticism of Andrew Strauss' supposed negative captaincy

2. In an effort to cure his dodgy back, Michael Clarke gets back together with Lara Bingle. 

3. After scoring his first hundred for 20 months at Adelaide, KP decides that facial hair brings him good luck and by the time of the Sydney Test, he has a beard that would make Hashim Amla and Mohammad Yousuf proud.

4. Mitchell Johnson's first ball of the series goes straight to third slip and back in the Sky studio in London,  a certain Steve Harmison cannot contain his glee. Meanwhile, Mitchell's Mum - never one to shy away from publicity - does a centrefold spread in Playboy Australia.

5. Leading runscorer in the series? Ian Bell. Leading wicket-taker? Ben Hilfenhaus. Most grumpyplayer? Ricky Ponting. Most boring press conference? Michael Clarke every time.

6. At the Christmas Party proceeding the Melbourne Test, the karaoke choices if the players prove pretty telling. Shane Watson opts for 'Mr Vain', Stuart Broad 'You're So Vain', Ricky Ponting 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now', Jonathan Trott and Michael Clarke duet on 'Being Boring'before Kevin Pietersen rounds off proceedings with 'I Am The One and Only'.

7. Michael Hussey and/or Marcus North will be dropped before the end of the series for Usman Khawaja and/or Callum Ferguson.

8. The Australian selectors announce a collaboration with Simon Cowell called Spin Factor so that the public can pick the long-term successor to Shane Warne. After Doherty plays at The Gabba, Smith gets a turn at Adelaide, O'Keefe at Perth and Hauritz at Melbourne before the public pick the wildcard Bryce McGain in a special New Year's Day programme on Channel 9. McGain plays at Sydney and takes eight wickets.

9. Starved of action on the field, Tim Bresnan's weight balloons to 20 stone by the end of the series. Desperate to lose the pounds before the one dayers, he employs Jesse Ryder's fitness instructor. 

10. And the most important tip of all? We go for England to retain the Ashes in an extremely tight series either by virtue of drawing the series 2-2 or by sneaking a 2-1 or 3-2 win.

Let the action begin.

Where next?

Read all the articles of our Ashes 100 day countdown

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

Ashes 100-1: 10 - Australia 17 Man Squad Keeps England Guessing

 
This morning we were rather mocking in our views on the Australian selectors picking a 17 man squad for the Brisbane Test - see Australia win the Ashes 17-16 - David Siddall of World Cricket Watch sees things differently...

So this morning cricket Australia announced an obscenely large 17 man squad 10 days before the Ashes because of apparent “financial and marketing strain” placed upon them. The squad of 17 is larger than the entire England touring party and contains 3 spinners in Hauritz, Doherty and Smith which also seems somewhat excessive.

What turned about to be a media non-event has been met by a scathing attack from Peter English at CricInfo. If the selectors hands were truly forced to name a squad so early by the marketing powers that lie within Cricket Australia, I feel Mr English’s attack is unwarranted and contravenes what’s best for the Australian cricket team.

An interesting sidenote exists here if we take a holistic approach to analysing the squad for a moment. The names selected for the squad itself have not gone down so well with certain sections of the fans. Some notable exceptions are Cameron White (a possible candidate for the captaincy), Philip Hughes (considered the next Bradman not so long ago) and Andrew McDonald (arguably the most in form all rounder in Australia). Yet to be frank, these exceptions come as no surprise with all three of the candidates much more likely to play a role in the inevitable rebuilding process.

Going back to the issue of the colossal squad then picking 17 players makes more sense than a streamlined 12 or 13. A lot of cricket is to be played in the week leading up to the opening test as there is a full round of the Sheffield Shield alongside the Australia A – England game at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Frankly it is better for Australia to keep England guessing rather than locking in a team compromising of a few too many players struggling for form. What if Usman Khawaja scores a big ton against England and continues his rich vein of form? What if Xavier Doherty takes a five wicket haul? What if Marcus North and Michael Hussey continue to fail with the bat? These are questions that the Australian selectors need to know the answers to before they trim down their squad to a more respectable size.

Australia squad Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Xavier Doherty, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger.

Australia win the Ashes 17-16

 
Australia may not win back the Ashes this winter, but at least they can console themselves with the fact that they have beaten England in the 'Who can have the biggest squad for the Brisbane Test' competition.

That can be the only sane conclusion that can be drawn from the confused announcement of a 17 man squad for the 1st Test next Thursday. By comparison England have named a 16 man squad for the entire series and warm-up matches.

So, we have a spinner with a first class average of 48 - Xavier Doherty, a fast bowler with dodgy knees - Ryan Harris, two uncapped batsmen in Callum Ferguson and Usman Khawaja and one shot batsman in Michael Hussey. Ricky Ponting certainly didn't look amused.

Rumours that Simon Cowell has been engaged to launch a TV series over the next few days where the public will vote who they want to leave the squad were dismissed by Cricket Australia's Marketing Department, as were suggestions that the squad would have been 20 strong but for injuries to Dame Edna, Kylie Minogue and Peter Garrett.

Where next?

Zeroes: Bill Lawry

Zeroes: Matthew Hayden

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

Ashes 100-1: 11- Getting to know the Bellerive in Hobart

 
As our Ashes countdown reaches number 11, Ben Roberts of World Cricket Watch inspects the Bellerive Oval pitch prior to England’s encounter with Australia A.

Granted the 2010-11 Ashes series will not be fought out on the pitch at Bellerive. We will however later this week see the the touring English XI take on Australia ‘A’, where a considerable number of test hopefuls for both teams will seek to hold the selectors attention prior to the first test.

Bellerive is very much a forgotten ground by mainland Australian cricket followers. Whereas the general pitch characteristics of the mainland test venues may roll of the tongue from even spasmodic cricket fans, I must admit that when thinking of Bellerive I had to shrug my shoulders. Test cricket has only graced Bellerive since 1989, and since then only nine test matches have been played in total.

A cousin of mine works as part of the ground team at Bellerive so I had a good source to whom I could inquire for information on this pitch. Three main inputs provide a unique challenge for the ground team at Bellerive. Firstly, the use of rye rather than couch grass means that the pitch has to be carefully monitored as it will dry out quickly, the leaf will be left as long as possible that gives a bit for the bowlers. Secondly, adding to the challenge of keeping the pitch moist is the potential for brutal winds that will zap the moisture out at fast rate. Finally, the clay in the soil doesn’t break up with use so there is generally less opportunity for spinners. This is of course unless your name is ‘Shane’ or ‘Murali’.

Given the option, pacemen from both sides will be hoping that in the lead up to the match there is some moisture around and come the match day they are provided with still overcast conditions. A lack of moisture and stronger wind will threaten to flatten the pitch out early and gift batsman easy runs. The tests played of recent history have been characterised by big scores, this of course may also be reflective of Australia’s dominance in the past 20 years and the generally weaker touring teams drawn to play against Australia at Bellerive.

Australia’s finest moment at Bellerive was the 4 wicket win over Pakistan in 1999. Australia, facing a three pronged pace attack of Akram, Younis and Akhtar, recovered from being 126 for 5 to post the third highest fourth innings total of 369 for 6 and claim victory. Adam Gilchrist announced his entry into test match cricket by posting his maiden century in his second match sharing the match winning partnership with Justin Langer. On that day Pakistan’s lethal fast bowling trio toiled joylessly on a wicket that had dried throughout the match.

With the above in mind, look for England to perhaps rest its test bowling line up, aware that if conditions are not right they may toil as Pakistan did 11 years ago and stunt momentum before the first test. Australia ‘A’ includes genuine test prospects Khawaja and Ferguson in its batting order who will want to use the favourable conditions to really cement their places as the next in line for a test call up.

Ashes 100-1: 20 - Let's play the Australian Cricket Captain Lottery

 
With just 20 days to go until the Ashes and rumours abound of disention within the Australian camp, Matthew Wood, World Cricket Watch columnist and writer at Balanced Sports, invites everyone to have a go at the Australian captaincy lottery.

The news that the Australian dressing room is split into camps for and against Michael Clarke’s fait-d’accompli ascension to the captaincy is hardly surprising.  Rarely is there a clear-cut situation after a captain departs the international scene, it just happens that Australia’s Golden Age of cricketers were born far enough apart to produce three fantastic individual performers in Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, who were each the natural successor to the previous captain.

The current Australian cricket team does not resemble those strong teams of the past.  Indeed, it resembles more the squad of a divided central board: a board that plays favourites and is looking only towards short term results.  Clarke has been management’s Golden Hair’d Boy since before his elevation to the captaincy of Australia A in 2003 over more experienced teammates.  True, he’s been about the only certainty to retain his place in the national setup Post-Ponting, but his lack of ability to lead publicly – like the current Aussie skipper – only casts more doubt on his ability to be effective in a role which infamously shoulders nearly as much pressure as the role of Australian Prime Minister.

It was news to me that Marcus North and Callum Ferguson were considered by corners of the dressing room a more worthy Test captain than Clarke.  That Cameron White – he of nearly ten years’ Victorian captaincy – was also named was less surprising.  (We actually posited on the best selections for captain previously -  check out the Great Cricket Debate and the Australia Ashes Squad Profiles posts) But after the last few months it’s emerged that Clarke is no longer unanimously the best choice to captain Australia after Ponting’s abdication.

Are there any more questions as to why?  Watch one of his pressers and you’ll know.  He’s about as transparent as shopfront glass and just as interesting.  It’s not just that though: it’s his lapsed romance with “Australia’s Classiest Lass” Bingle, it’s also his dressing-room confrontation with Simon Katich after a win last year and especially his veiled criticism of IPL-playing teammates in such a “holier-than-thou” manner.  That he’s nearly thirty and still bears the nickname “Pup” speaks volumes about his standing amongst his teammates: nicknames like “Rookie” or “The Kid” tend to disappear as the player assumes more authority but not in this case.

At present, both North and White are flawed selections, however.  This is simply because neither of them are able to justify their place in the Test team through their performances.  If a captain is unable to lead publicly then they must do so via their on-field prowess.

This, particularly, is what makes Clarke’s case compelling – he is now rivalled only by his openers as a Test batsman.  North and White, though both decidedly more affable and having more domestic leadership experience, have been unable to establish themselves in the Test side due to a lack of consistency, skill, opportunity or New South Wales blood.  In order to justify his position as skipper, a captain must deliver on-field and cricket history is rife with examples of leaders picked for their interpersonal or schmoozing skills but lacking the requisite on-field graft: Mike Brearley.  Brian Booth.  Lee Germon.  Mike Denness.  Darren Sammy.  Chris Cowdrey.  It’s no coincidence that three of the aforementioned are English, installed by an MCC board attempting to still the waters of revolution.  The revolution is coming again: this one Free Agency, pioneered by the West Indies, if only this time by necessity and money rather than by any pioneering spirit.

There always remains the ability to grow into the public leadership role as Alan Border did.  Border, a notoriously private man off the field, grew taciturn at even implied criticism yet was able to turn his media discomfort into an advantage as he created a whole new persona for himself as “Captain Grumpy”.  The problem with Clarke is that he’s had international leadership experience now for the best part of five years and has yet to grow into this role.  He hasn’t shown a maturity of personality that’s come with this experience, just a realisation that his performances have to justify his exalted status and as such he withdrawn into himself both on the field and off.  Rather than grow and expand his focus outward, Clarke has retracted with his eyes firmly on himself.  It’s not selfish, because I’m certain he sees himself as leading via performance rather than by inspiration.

And that’s not to say that one must choose to lead by performance or by inspiration.  Both Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh were able to do so successfully.  So were Clive Lloyd and Sir Viv Richards – in fact, all the great captains were able to combine the two elements.  Border grew into leading both ways.  It’s just one tends to, by their own experience, develop – value, even – one style more than the other.

Ponting’s imminent pasturing is not the real reason to sweat on a new captain.  The skipper has shown no signs of wanting to retire nor would it make any sense for him to play on under a new captain, so if Australia wants him, then get him as captain.  The greater concern is that unlike their famous “We love the Underdog” mentality, the turmoil surrounding the national team corresponds with dramatically falling interest levels in cricket in Australia.  The current squad doesn’t need an heir apparent, it needs stability to come from anywhere: performances, selections, the future.  A captain with the ability to combine performance and attitude will emerge in time, but perhaps not in time enough to still Australia’s slide into cricketing no-man’s-land…

Who would be your choice for captain?

Ashes 100-1: 21 - Australia Ashes Squad Profiles

 
Yesterday we profiled the sixteen hungry men tasked with retaining the Ashes for England on Australian soil. Today, we look at their hosts who will be aiming to win their sixth successive home Ashes series:

Ricky Ponting – A fading force with the bat and a captain on the verge of becoming the first Australian skipper to lose three Ashes series. The next two months are likely to embellish or potentially curtail a fine career.

Michael Clarke – Was arguably the best batsman on either side in the 2009 series, but has looked out of sorts since his much publicised split with Lara Bingle. His press conferences are an unbeatable cure for insomniacs.

Shane Watson– Has proved an unlikely success as an opener - and as such is after Ponting, Australia’s key batsman - but is a walking LBW early on. Innocuous medium pace is more dangerous than it looks – just ask Pakistan’s batsmen.

Simon Katich – As difficult to dislodge as the most plucky of barnacles - until he reaches 80 or 90 that is. Not the prettiest to watch at the crease, which even the man himself acknowledged recently when he said that "I think more people get enjoyment out of watching me bowl than bat".

Michael Hussey – Only averages 34 in his last 28 tests and may be lucky to survive the series especially as Kamran Akmal will not be behind the stumps.

Marcus North – Just when you thought he was out for the count, North sprung back off the canvas (and not for the first time either) with a career saving hundred at Bangalore. That revival does not hide the fact though that North is another unlikely to last the series if Australia make a poor start.

Callum Ferguson – Has a “big chance” of making his test bow at Brisbane according to Tim Nielsen. But a first-class average in the mid-thirties will not have England quaking in their size nines.

Usman Khawaja – Immensely talented New South Wales batsman with a first-class average of 54 who could become the first Muslim to play cricket for Australia.

Phil Hughes – Tagged as the “new Bradman” when he exploded onto the test scene against South Africa in 2009 before being rapidly dispensed with. A first-class average of 60 suggests Hughes is better than his brief appearance in the 2009 series suggested.

Cameron White – Test career has been harmed by the fact that White is a blond Victorian who bowls a bit of leg-spin. An Australian middle-order with White at five would look a much tougher proposition for Strauss and co.

Brad Haddin – An exceptionally good number seven – albeit with a propensity for being over-reckless at times. Not so good with the gloves and his place must be under pressure from the impressive Paine.

Tim Paine – Impressed with bat and gloves in India and is clearly the long-term bet to cement a place in the test side. Will probably be Haddin’s understudy this time, however.

Nathan Hauritz – The nation that brought us Warne, O’Reilly and Grimmett now gives us the impotent Hauritz. In a contest between two evenly matched sides, the disparity between him and Swann could prove crucial in the final reckoning.

Steve Smith – If Australia choose to be adventurous, the young leggie could bat at seven ahead of four pacemen. But they won’t and Smith will start the series on the sidelines. A promising batsman, but significant work would appear to be needed on his bowling.

Xavier Doherty – A first-class average of 50 with the ball suggests his mention in dispatches is perhaps a ploy to wind up that habitual victim of slow-left armers – Kevin Pietersen. If he plays in the series, despite his impressive ODI bow yesterday, we will eat our collection of Wisdens.

Mitchell Johnson – His waywardness may make Harmison look metronomic in comparison, but he has an uncanny ability to take wickets with bad balls and is a different proposition on home pitches. England will underestimate Mummy’s Boy at their peril.

Ben Hilfenhaus – The best bowler on show on either side in the 2009 series is to some extent unproven on Australian wickets at the highest level having only played one of his 13 tests at home. That said, is a good bet to be the leading wicket taker in the series.

Doug Bollinger – The children’s TV lookalike (see Doug Bollinger's moonlighting again) is not as brave as Australian quicks of previous vintageif his absence from the final stages of the Mohali Test is anything to go by. Will test Strauss’ perceived weakness against left-arm new ball bowlers.

Peter Siddle – The man with the white lipstick is a solid if unspectacular performer and his recent injury problems mean he is likely to start the series on the sidelines.

Ryan Harris – A rag to riches tale has seen the late-blooming Harris emerge as an international bowler in the last 12 months. Another with recent injury worries.

Peter George – Innocuous on debut at Bangalore, but his height and natural bounce will be clearly more suited to home wickets should injuries give him an opportunity.

Tim Nielsen (Coach): The man who drew the short straw when taking over from Buchanan. His task of returning his charges to former glories looks a tougher one each day.

Where next?

Check out our full Ashes 100-1 countdown

England fly down under with hopes high

What can England learn from Australia's Indian woes?

 

Ashes 100-1: 24 - The next batsmen off the block for Australia and England

 
Today as we reach just 24 days before the action kicks off at The Gabba, David Siddall of World Cricket Watch looks at the next batsmen in line for Australia and England should the batting problems that have haunted both sides in recent times return in Brisbane.

______________________________________________________________

The selectors of both England and Australia are unlikely to buck the trend and do something drastic prior to the first test at The Gabba on November 25th. We can pretty much ink in the batting lineups for each outfit today, 24 days before The Ashes.

Australia will line up with as follows: 1) Katich 2) Watson 3) Ponting 4) Clarke 5) Hussey 6) North 7) Haddin. Meanwhile, England’s order looks like so: 1) Strauss 2) Cook 3) Trott 4) Pietersen 5) Collingwood 6) Bell 7) Prior. Whilst we can be fairly confident about the starting lineups, our confidence doesn’t hide the cracks.

For Australia the two players most shaky are Marcus North and Mr. Cricket Mike Hussey. Marcus North cemented his place in the side with a century in the sub continent. But he can maybe consider himself lucky to be there with an average of only 38 despite 5 centuries. Mike Hussey, on the other hand, has only mustered 2 centuries in 2 years.

For England Alistair Cook’s temperament and mental strength have been called into question. In the middle order, KP’s form has been appalling and  Paul Collingwood hasn’t scored many runs in recent times either. It begs the question, who will each team turn to if their batsmen falter?

Australia’s most likely candidate is Callum Ferguson, who kicked off his first class season with a century for South Australia. Ironically in the same game the batters most in threat – Hussey and North – both failed. Ferguson has an extremely modest first class average of 35 but his form of late has been impressive. If he can translate his one day form for Australia (averaging 46) into test form then he’ll do well.

Similarly, England’s replacement batter Eoin Morgan has had a remarkable start to his one day career (averaging 41) for his adopted country. He shines in the shorter versions of the game as was illustrated by his T20 average of 52 and his birth in the team coinciding with England’s T20 World Cup triumph.

Both players possess similar strengths including mental toughness and an array of shots. They share the style of game that should succeed in Australian conditions.

We might be seeing these faces sooner rather than later if a heavy defeat is inflicted on either side come the much anticipated  Gabba test.

How confident would you feel with these replacements at your disposal?

Where next?

Read all the excerpts from KP's 2010 Ashes Diary

Zeroes: John Buchanan

Doug Bollinger as you've never seen him before