Is this the worst Australian test side, ever?

[warsaw]

For as long as I can remember the thought of having to play the Aussies filled me with dread as well as hope. Yes there was just a chance that if we played at the top of our game and the Aussies were a bit flat we might turn them over. More likely a 5-0 whitewash.

But they always had a nucleus of players that would inevitably wreck your dreams. If we were batting you could rely on the likes of Lilley and Thompson or Warne and McGrath to make us look silly. If by chance we did post a big total you could rely on the Waughs Chappells Haydens and Borders to respond in kind.

But in this Aussie team where are those big characters and world class players? I would say it is the weakest Aussie team to hit these shores for at least the last 40 years. It is not as though this a great England side, not a patch on the 2005 side in my book. So the series is there for the taking.

Any views?

 

[Man of Harveys]

Their 1985 side, Allan Border aside, was far, far worse.

 

[xenophon]

This team is not as good as they were five years ago, but write them off at your peril

 

[El Presidente]

You are saying that the Australian side that scored 674-6 just over a week ago is the worst ever?

 

[crodonilson]

They're not great but England aren't really either. With the serious possibility that Pieterson and Flintoff may miss the rest of the series or at least some of it I think it's a good time to be backing the Aussies to come back and win the series. I've got a pony on it.

 

[Questions]

Old blubbering Kim Hughes side were a load of crap. 1984 was it ?

 

[Worthai Seagull]

No, they are not the worst Aussie team.... i think their batting line up is awesome, HOWEVER, their bowling attack is there to be taken . If we can get into their bowling at Edgbaston we have a great chance to go 2-0 up.
Our problem is Freddie.. if he doesnt make it, it will give the Aussie boys a huge lift....they are totally pissing themselves when they have to face him !
Its just great sport though !

 

[Mendoza]

You are saying that the Australian side that scored 674-6 just over a week ago is the worst ever?

you are getting them confused with the one that scored over 400 in a 4th innings of a test match?

 

[El Presidente]

you are getting them confused with the one that scored over 400 in a 4th innings of a test match?

Or is it the one that took 19 England wickets and lost 6 in the same match themselves recently?

 

[Pinkie Brown]

Maybe it was an uneven playing field as their so called best players were playing in the WSC "Cricket Circus", but the Aussie team from the era 1977 to 80 was REALLY bad. So bad that an average England team walloped the Aussie's 5-1 during the Ashes tour of 79-80.

The laughable running between the wickets of opening pair Hillditch & Darling that ALWAYS ended in a run out, the Comedy wicket keeping of John McLean, the lightweight bowling attack (Rodney Hogg excepted) that wouldn't have even bothered me too much had I had to face it - Yes, those were very happy days to be a Brit living in Australia.

Normal service was resumed the following year in 1980 though, with the reunification of the Australian team. England sadly lost a three match test series 3-0. The Aussie's toured the UK the following year with their big guns back in the team, arrogantly expecting to walk the series. They lost the series 3-0 in what was to become known as "Bothams ashes".

Yet again, it was a happy time to be a Brit in Australia.

 

[Man of Harveys]

Old blubbering Kim Hughes side were a load of crap. 1984 was it ?

Yeah that was great. For some reason all the "Australians" in 1984 wore boot polish on their faces - I bet you loved that - and Kim Hughes' burgeoning mental illness led to him referring to himself by the name "Clive Lloyd" throughout that same summer.

 

[Titanic]

You are saying that the Australian side that scored 674-6 just over a week ago is the worst ever?

are you confusing them with the Australian team who, but for 3 dodgy umpiring decisions, may well have successfully chased a world record 522 in the fourth innings to win a test match?

 

[NF9]

Its not the worst ever by a long strech, however I do believe they are there for the taking.

 

[Skint Gull]

You are saying that the Australian side that scored 674-6 just over a week ago is the worst ever?

you are getting them confused with the one that scored over 400 in a 4th innings of a test match?

Or is it the one that took 19 England wickets and lost 6 in the same match themselves recently?

I think thats the point though isn't it? Our team is pretty rubbish compared to that of 2005 and could be considered inconsistant at best. Even the shittest showing of that inconsistant team held on for a draw at Cardiff, they couldn't even bowl out Monty Panesar!

 

[shwoody1]

not their best side ever by a long chalk. still ranked 1 in the world though, and are really still rebuilding after the warne and mcgrath years. wouldnt dismiss them just yet!

 

[DJB1975]

mid 80's side was shite, boring f***ing test Cricket then as well

 

[The Oldman]

I hope they do not but I can see them winning 2 - 1. They have been really unlucky in 2 Tests and if their bowlers find form, well, never write of the Aussies at cricket.

As for us I really do not think Pieterson is bringing anything to the side at the moment. I would drop him for Edgebaston so he can sort himself out. That goes for Bopara as well.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Series will finish 1-0, I think.

Aussies have a great batting line up, ignoring Friday's shambles, and their bowling is awful, so both sides will struggle to bowl the oppo out.

Add some dodgy weather and I'm expecting three draws from here on in.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

There bowling department since the lost of Warne and Mcgrath has got far worst. The batting department is strong all the way down the order, but to say this is the worst Aussie side ever is a bit premature? 1986/1987 Aussie side was far worst....

 

[Spiros]

Their batting line-up is great, though they've been let down by their bowlers. Don't forget that two of their best bowlers are injured and may be back for the next test which will certainly give them a boost.

I'm worried that our win will make some of our players think they only have to turn up from now on to win the Ashes. The Aussies are always dangerous in any situation and could easily turn it around if we're not right on top of our game.