Ricky Ponting appeals for Welsh to get on board

[jargan83]

Ricky Ponting appeals for Welsh to get on board

Ben Dorries in Cardiff

July 08, 2009 06:07am

RICKY Ponting has provocatively urged Welsh fans to support his team as the Ashes series starts in Cardiff tonight.

Lord's has traditionally hosted the first Ashes Test but a major controversy erupted when the Welsh capital won the rights with a 3 million pound bid.

Now Ponting believes that old hostilities between the Welsh and the English could cause Cardiff locals to support Australia.

"I'm actually expecting a lot of support down here, considering we are in Wales,'' Ponting said.

"Things might be the opposite way around, we might have more Australian supporters here than anything else.''

There was high drama here today with both Australia and England refusing to divulge their teams for the much-anticipated Ashes opener.

England skipper Andrew Strauss appears to have privately settled on his team but Ponting seems unsure and the overcast and often rainy conditions in Cardiff this week could play a major role.

Australia will either settle on a four-pronged pace attack, including swing king Ben Hilfenhaus as the fourth seamer, or instead pick three quicks and struggling offspinner Nathan Hauritz.

Allrounder Andrew McDonald would only be a remote chance.

Brett Lee's rib muscle injury - which will cause the veteran quick to miss at least the first two Tests - has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons for Australia.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005401,00.html

I expect the Australian XI will look like:

Phil Hughes (NSW)
Simon Katich (NSW)
Ricky Ponting (TAS) (Captain)
Michael Hussy (WA)
Michael Clarke (NSW)
Marcus North (WA)
Brad Haddin (NSW)
Mitchell Johnson (QLD)
Peter Siddle (VIC)
Stuart Clark (NSW)
Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS)

And a guess at England:

Allister Cook
Andrew Strauss (Captain)
Ravi Bopara
Kevin Pieterson
Paul Collingwood
Andrew Flintoff
Matt Prior
Stuart Broad
Graham Onions
James Anderson
Graham Swann or Monty Panesar (But Panesar hasn't done anything of note since the last English Tour of Australia)

First Test at the Venue, expected conditions are overcast with a chance of rain apparently. Conditions will play apart on who to pick as the winner, I smell an English Ambush. No details on what the pitch looks like as the English Cricket Board has had secruity at the ground (Sophia Gardens in Cardiff) keeping the media from getting a look at the pitch.

[Swee_82]

I expect the Australian XI will look like:

Phil Hughes (NSW)
Simon Katich (NSW)
Ricky Ponting (TAS) (Captain)
Michael Hussy (WA)
Michael Clarke (NSW)
Marcus North (WA)
Brad Haddin (NSW)
Mitchell Johnson (QLD)
Peter Siddle (VIC)
Stuart Clark (NSW)
Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS)

Jargs, are you forgetting who was in the running for WA's Cricketer of the Year last season??

[jargan83]

Jargs, are you forgetting who was in the running for WA's Cricketer of the Year last season??

The fact that he still has not played for WA makes a mockery of that award

[jargan83]

Honors marginally with England on Day 1, although the late wickets of Flintoff and Prior almost made it hard to split. Both sides will be happy with the efforts on day 1, although the English top order failed on a good batting track after a solid start. Pieterson and Collingwood rebuilt well during the afternoon session (English afternoon) before Collingwood fell to a sharp lifter from Hilfenhaus and Pieterson suffered a brain snap. Poms will be looking to get to about 400, with 350 or less probably not being enough. Hopefully the Aussie bowlers will knock the remaining English batsmen over quickly this evening.

Johnson bowled well as the day wore on and the standard criticsim from yours truely immediately reaped rewards. Siddle his aggressive best and Hilenhaus bowled well. Hauritz is a crab but got the important wicket

Jargs, are you forgetting who was in the running for WA's Cricketer of the Year last season??

The pommy commentators last night also did not seem aware of Mitch's move west either