Australia v England, Melbourne 26-30 December 2010

[Peter Grummit]

Getting in early with this one as it's such a HUGE game and because of this:

BBC Weather | Melbourne

Heavy rain for Sunday and more for Monday. This is the best opportunity to be 'nocturnal' and follow the game, but at the same time a draw is good for England....

PG

 

[hans kraay fan club]

The weather forecast for the Sydney test is even worse. My pre-series prediction of 1-1 is looking pretty good.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Thoughts on Collingwood and Finn?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I think both will keep their places. If we end up needing to tough out a draw then, despite recent evidence to the contrary, Collingwood is the right man. Agree with the idea of switching him and Bell in the order, though.

Finn MAY lose out to Shazhad, but I doubt it.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Finn just needs to go for a few less. Most wickets this series, but 4.7 an over is too expensive.

I'd probably give Colly a game off to be honest.

 

[Fawkesy]

cannot wait!

i went for 2-1 ENG before a ball was bowled, id like to think it will end like that, obv il take 1-1 but then there will be a feeling of havent properly won the ashes.

Finn is looking tired, id like to see Shazad given a chance, but i knoe Bresnan is a bit more adapt with the bat.

as for collingwood, dont see any reason to drop/ demote him down the order, he is experienced and just needs a bit of luck, can def see a big score round the corner for him!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

as for collingwood, dont see any reason to drop/ demote him down the order, he is experienced and just needs a bit of luck, can def see a big score round the corner for him!

The reason for it, is that Bell is one of our most in-form players over the last year, and is continually left short of batting partners. Let him in to bat with the surviving top order, and let Colly shepherd the tail.

 

[Mellotron]

Anyone know off-hand what Colly's batting figures for this series so far have been? Would like to see Ponting's at the same time....

 

[8ace]

Collingwood's fielding would be sorely missed if he was dropped.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Anyone know off-hand what Colly's batting figures for this series so far have been? Would like to see Ponting's at the same time....

Punter has 83 runs from 6 innings @ 16.6, Colly has 62 from 4 @ 15.5

 

[CHAPPERS]

Anyone know off-hand what Colly's batting figures for this series so far have been? Would like to see Ponting's at the same time....

Cricket Records | Records | The Ashes, 2010/11 - Australia | Batting and bowling averages | ESPN Cricinfo

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=5540;team=1;type=series

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Bell, on the other hand has 213 from 4 innings @ 71.00. To not move him up a place would be mental.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

I would just be tempted to go with five bowlers and really have a go at them. The top order, with Bell shoved up, should be up to shouldering the responsibility of adding the 15 runs Collingwood would have scored between them...

 

[CHAPPERS]

I'd like to see Bresnan play the next test instead of Finn (he definitely IS too expensive). I think he is a better bowler than he gets credit for and does add a bit down the order.

 

[simmo]

Keep Colly, but put Bell at 5, we have to get more runs out of Bell.

See what the pitch is like if it is quick and bouncy keep Finn (as long as he isn't injured/tired). If to be replaced then go for Bresnan whom has experience. Sorry Shazhad your time will come but 1-1 in the Ashes with 2 to play and us holding the urn is no time for a rookie who will be nervous, you can be blooded next summer against a Bangledesh or such like.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Just make sure whoever does play stops giving runs to Hussey.

 

[stss30]

They won't drop anyone for this one, but if we lose then they might replace Colly with Morgan

 

[Lewes' best seagull]

Looks like Bresnan will come in for Finn in this one

The Ashes 2010: Dependable Tim Bresnan set to lead England fightback | Sport | The Guardian

 

[The French Mistress]

Yeah, but will it be on ?