[bazzap]

'England not as good as they think' - Steve Waugh



Steve Waugh believes England may fall victim to hubris in the forthcoming Ashes series, suggesting that Australia's bowling strength means Michael Clarke's team needs to only find a handful of decent batting performances to regain the urn.

Australia's nightmarish tour of India has lifted English confidence to stratospheric levels, leaving Ian Botham to speak for many when he remarked that "this is the worst Australian team I can remember". However, Waugh took a brighter view of Australia's prospects provided the selectors showed faith with the players they had identified to succeed.

"I think England aren't as good as they think they are," Waugh said at the New South Wales end of season awards night in Sydney. "I honestly think we can win the Ashes. We've got the bowlers to take 20 wickets. If that's the case you can win any Test match. It just needs a couple of batsmen to find a bit of form.

"Shane Watson, I think, has the potential to be a really great Test batsman, if he can step up to the mark along with Michael Clarke and some of the younger guys. I like the look of Phil Hughes, he's got something deep within him that makes him a long-term Test player; we've got Dave Warner.

"There's enough talent there, we just need some confidence in that line-up and if we follow on from the damage the bowlers are going to do, I think we can win the Ashes."

The results in India have brought a rush of pessimistic predictions and a vast array of prospective Ashes squads, but Waugh counselled those in charge to persist with the players they had chosen. Waugh is not directly involved with Australian cricket presently, but did sit on the Argus review panel that introduced a raft of changes to the national team's structure in 2011.

"I think we're just going to have to have patience with the current team," he said. "It reminds me a lot of 1985-86 when I first came into the Australian side. It took us a couple of years to know how to win ... 13 Test matches before I played in a winning Test side; 26 Tests before I scored a century. So, we've got to have patience in the side, believe in who we've got. We have to pick and stick for a while."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.











They should also get rid of the schoolmaster Arthur, get rid of stupid rotation policy, get the young fast bowlers properly fit so that they can play more than 3 Tests without breaking down and stop all Test players playing T20 games.


If playing Test cricket for your country is not your #1 priority, then fuck of and play the stupid limited overs game for its poxy dosh.


BTW, the 89 side was also labelled the worst team to ever go to England.

How did you go against them, Sir Beefy?

[Frankie]

I hope Mitchell Johnson gets a good prolonged run in the forthcoming Ashes series both in England and Oz.

[bazzap]

Originally Posted by Frankie

I hope Mitchell Johnson gets a good prolonged run in the forthcoming Ashes series both in England and Oz.

He's our secret weapon , mate




Plus he enjoys you blokes singing to him

[penetrator]

I'd heard that Aussie sport was riddled with performance enhancing drugs, but obviously in retirement the past stars are turning to mind bending drugs.

[bazzap]

Originally Posted by Frankie

I hope Mitchell Johnson gets a good prolonged run in the forthcoming Ashes series both in England and Oz.

18 months on and very prophetic words from Frankie.





Just nominated him to be an Aussie selector

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by bazzap

18 months on and very prophetic words from Frankie.

Just nominated him to be an Aussie selector

LOL! I reckon I called it about 50-50. Won one lost one. But Down Under old Mitch bowled like he did in his younger days. Sprinted in and bowled at devastating pace. Most of the English batsmen failed to realise that the Aussies are at their most threataning when their backs are to the wall. Somebody had to take Mitch on and break his confidence. Nobody even tried and the rest was history. Pathetic from an English viewpoint.

IMO Mitch had nothing to lose, sprint in and bowl quick. If the radar was switched on then it could all go his way. If the radar wasnt working then he would have just bowled the usual wayward shite which was quite common at that point in his career.

Baz you forgot Brad Hadden who's career was well over IMO. What a pain in the English arse he turned out to be.

But not to worry England have now turned a corner. Sort of. Perhaps. Well maybe.

[bazzap]

Steve is at it again


Forget Pietersen

[Frankie]

I remember many years ago how John Snow had battered the Aussies Down Under but he was doubtful for the next Ashes series as he was getting on a bit. Ian Chappell, the Aussie captain, at the time reckoned Snow was past it and was widely reported in the media saying just that. When Snow was left out of the squad Chappell’s response was:

“Thank Christ for that”.

So if an Aussie says an England player shouldnt be selected thats a good enough reason to pick him.

[Fork Handles]

Maybe Chappelli was worried about Snow damaging all the match balls by picking the seams.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Fork Handles

Maybe Chappelli was worried about Snow damaging all the match balls by picking the seams.

Or fighting with Ockers on the Hill and taking a shit load of wickets.