The Australian Bowling Line-up for the Ashes?
The first ever Ashes was played in 1882. Ever since that year, it has become a way of life in Australia and England. Winning the Ashes is something that every England and Australian player aspires to do. Ever since that year, 65 editions of the 'Ashes' have been played and England has won 29 of the series played between the two countries and Australia has reigned supreme in 31 of them.
England is the current holders of the urn since they won the last time the two countries met in 2009 by a margin of 2-1.
The period of Australian domination in world cricket seems to be over with the retirement of its stalwarts. Australia is still trying to find the perfect blend and perfect mix of players to get that status of the world’s best team back.
England, on the other hand has had a series of favourable results under Andrew Strauss. Thus it will be interesting to see who emerges on top this time around as the two sides clash for the urn once again in November 2010.
A bowling line-up which was once the nightmare for any batsman and the biggest strength for Australia is today struggling to find its feet.
The current crop of Australian bowlers do not match up to their predecessors but it is anyway almost an impossible task to replace a Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath, two world champions bowlers that Australia was so fortunate to be blessed with.
The current Australian squad has the following bowling options, Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Shane Watson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson — amongst the fast bowlers — and Steve O’Keefe, Marcus North, Steven Smith, and Nathan Haurtiz amongst spinners.
Shaun Tait is a name that one might think about seeing on this list. Injuries and depression forced Tait to take a sabbatical from cricket but now he is back and, with his pace, has rattled batsmen.
But he hasn’t been a part of the Australian Test squad since 2007 and that might go against him. It is also said that Tait wants to extend his international career by playing in only the shorter formats of the game.
Brett Lee is another name which could have given the Australian side some advantage with his pace but his loss in form and retirement from Test cricket means that he is out of reckoning.
Steve O’Keefe and Peter George are first timers in the current squad. Both of them are yet to make their debut for Australia but have been picked in the side because of their good run in the domestic circuit. In eight first class matches, O’Keefe has taken 26 wickets at a strike rate of 53.
Peter George on the other hand is in the Mcgrath mould. He has played in 18 first class matches till now and has taken 67 wickets. He could be a handy addition to the team.
Spin has always been a trouble for Australia since the departure of Warne. Stuart McGill also retired shortly after Warne. Brad Hogg did the job for the side but retired after MacGill. That leaves the Aussies with the option of either going ahead with Hauritz or Smith in the playing eleven.
Ryan Harris has also just undergone knee surgery and will be out of the game for some time which might make him doubtful for the Ashes. On his day, he is someone who can run through the opposition.
As far as the others on the list go, Doug Bollinger has become the front-line bowler for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the past few months. In 2009 he played in seven Tests and took 37 wickets. One of Australia’s most potent weapons in the squad Mitchell Johnson, who played 13 Tests last year and took 63 wickets in all. Ben Hilfenhaus did not get a fair chance last year and played in just one Test taking five wickets.
Australia needs a strong bowling line-up if they want to reclaim the Ashes and from the current squad the ones look sure to make the side are Johnson, Harris (if he recovers in time), Hauritz, Hilfenhaus, Smith, Bollinger, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 with North doubling up as a batsman in the middle order as well.
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