Ashes are done, now for the ODIs

[PowerBug]

Wow, that has been a quick few months, and there's only one more to go until the Aussie Ashes summer gets underway? Will the Aussies settle on a lineup? Can England's bowlers adjust, something they've struggled with alot? But most importantly, who will win the series?

England's Squad has been named already. Alastair Cook (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), an Bell, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Michael Carberry, Boyd Rankin, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior (wk), Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Ben Stokes, Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trott

Australia hasn't named their squad yet, but what should be their first test lineup? There are alot of pace bowling options, and if there wasn't injuries it'd be even tougher to pick from!

My predictions for England: Cook, Root, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Ballance, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Rankin.
And how I hope Australia line up: Watson, Rogers, Khawaja, Hughes, Clarke, Smith, Haddin, Harris, Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon.

I'm expecting Ballance to play, and I'm extremely impressed with my own efforts when I started bandwagoning him back in July. :D Rankin I think will get the nod for the final spot, Stokes is more a batting AR than a bowling one, so he'll probably need to rely on an injury to get a gig as he should be batting at 6/7. I have no idea why Carberry is included in the Test squad, makes no sense to me. James Taylor or Adil Rashid should've been there as both can bat better and Rashid brings that 5th bowling option aswell.

I can somehow see Mitchell Johnson making the squad and maybe the first test, and also David Warner will just because he scored two ODD hundreds... The batting is never settled, I want Hughes to open however I can't see the Aussies doing that again, he seems to have settled nicely in at 3/4.

Wow. There is so much discuss it's difficult to know where to start, I suppose the Aussies squad should be first. Hopefully the cricket can be just as exciting! My prediction, I'm thinking 2-1 England or 2-2.

[Nige]

A few omissions from the England side that played over there.

Stoked to see Michael Carberry and Monty Panesar in the squad though.  ;D

I can only assume that Tim Bresnan hasn't recovered because he'd definitely be there otherwise.  :(

[Mailman the 2nd]

God here we go with the Warner cycle again ::)

[Nige]

The Warner drama has already had it's time, but I'm sure we're gonna get a fresh taste of it over the summer. 

[PowerBug]

Tell me about it... Should never have made the test side, and when he did, he played well, so should never ahve been dropped. Now because of his offfield crap he shouldn't be playing again.

Stoked to see Michael Carberry and Monty Panesar in the squad though.  ;D

I can only assume that Tim Bresnan hasn't recovered because he'd definitely be there otherwise.  :(

Interesting thing about Panesar making the squad. Apparently he made it by default as the two spinners that may have taken his spot, failed. Them being Kerrigan, that got wiped in the 5th test, and Tredwell, who I wouldn't want anywhere near my test XI. So not even pissing in public has stopped Panesar making the squad! :P

And you're correct with Bresnan, wwas ruled out of this summer pretty early on. :( Would be a cert for the XI otherwise.

[BB67th]

I think Australia's XI for the Gabba will be

Warner
Rogers - These two played well together in the last couple of tests so they stay as the opening pair
Watson - Did enough in the last test to keep this spot and really the selectors will just hope he can score runs there
Clarke - He will be at 4
Hughes - Did well in the middle order in the first few tests, then was moved back to the top of the order and dropped. This spot is up for grabs right now though, whoever does the best in the Shield games
Smith - Did well in India and England and I hope he can keep it up
Haddin - Still our preferred keeper, but Hartley should be in
Johnson - Injuries to others and good form gets Mitch a recall
Harris
Siddle
Lyon - The rest of the bowlers really pick themselves

[nrich102]

Warner can go flower himself. Never want to see him in Australian colours again.

[BB67th]

Oh and somehow I forgot George Bailey. He should probably be in over Phil Hughes right now.

[Cicjose]

Warner can go flower himself. Never want to see him in Australian colours again.

As Australia's best batsman behind Clarke that is asking Australia to deliberately throw the Ashes

[Mailman the 2nd]

If you want to throw the Ashes away you might as well clone Warner another 10 times for good measure.

Completely useless to test cricket

[BB67th]

I don't know why everyone hates on Warner so much. He has done bad off field I will admit that, but I agree that he is still one of our top batsmen and if we want to win, he needs to play.

[JBs-Hawks]

Warner can go flower himself. Never want to see him in Australian colours again.

Warner shows the true Aussie spirit #beers #lads

[tbagrocks]

Was at that day one last year here, Davey scores a ton before lunch, can't just do that when you please

Warner and Khawaja need to be in the team!

[Nige]

I think Australia's XI for the Gabba will be

Warner
Rogers - These two played well together in the last couple of tests so they stay as the opening pair
Watson - Did enough in the last test to keep this spot and really the selectors will just hope he can score runs there
Clarke - He will be at 4
Hughes - Did well in the middle order in the first few tests, then was moved back to the top of the order and dropped. This spot is up for grabs right now though, whoever does the best in the Shield games
Smith - Did well in India and England and I hope he can keep it up
Haddin - Still our preferred keeper, but Hartley should be in
Johnson - Injuries to others and good form gets Mitch a recall
Harris
Siddle
Lyon - The rest of the bowlers really pick themselves

I reckon this probably will be the XI for the Gabba. However, I'd rather see Uzzie in the team over Phil Hughes... and really just anyone over Dave Warner.

Also on a side note, I don't mind George Bailey, not sure whether he's the right man for the test team though.

[nrich102]

This is what I'd do, but I have a feeling warner will be put in :(

Watson
Rogers
Uzzie
Clarke
Hughes
Smith
Haddin
MJ
Siddle
Harris
Lyon