View Full Version : Lehmann OUT, ??? IN
eddiesmith
1 Mar 2005, 21:28
It looks like Katich will resume his test career in NZ with either M.Hussey or B.Hodge being robbed of the end of the domestic summer and possibly a Pura Cup victory after D.Lehmann ruled himself out of NZ to focus on the Ashes and get fit.
Darren Lehmann is set to have shoulder surgery at the end of the Pura Cup season to correct a sore shoulder he has had since India.
Surely no batsman would rule himself out of a tour to focus on the next which would likely be his last anyway, without some sort of guarantee for the Ashes tour. He has no matches except county cricket between his recovery and the Ashes tour so maybe Darren has some sort of deal with the selectors who will pick him for the Ashes and let him get his injury right.
If he went to NZ, he would have needed to perform to go to England, but now he is out of that. Seems a weird move without a guarantee
I think he's trying to send a message to the selectors, it's well known how badly he wants to go on the Ashes tour. I'm sure Ponting will pull a few strings to get him in the side too.
Could be his last int'l series, i hope he gets selected.
Bombers_Forever
2 Mar 2005, 05:11
He is gone.
Katich will get the last position in the team- Hodge deserves it but I think even he would prefer to be playing in the Pura Cup if the Rangers continue thier winning.
Funkalicous
2 Mar 2005, 06:15
Stuff Lehmann, stuff Katich. Bring back Binga!
D.Lehmann ruled himself out of NZ to focus on the Ashes and get fit.
More like get fit for the next Pura Cup summer. Unfortunately he has played his last match for Australia :(
More like get fit for the next Pura Cup summer. Unfortunately he has played his last match for Australia :(
Thanks Mr Hohns
Thanks Mr Hohns
Anytime :D
(Damn, I was trying to keep my indentity a secret ;) )
Blue Red and Gold
2 Mar 2005, 09:21
I like your theory Eddie but I must say I think Boof's career is over and that is what was portrayed in the Adelaide paper today.
I would love him to be picked for the Ashes series but I think its near impossible now after being dropped from the side and then missing a tour I would say its nearly curtains for him.
I must say though it is unusual that he would play with this bung shoulder for months on end and only now he decides to get it fixed, surely when your career is on the line you would continue on for a few more months and then get it fixed up for good.
Disappointing result though because Boof would of really added something to the squad in England.
Ricketts
2 Mar 2005, 09:27
Katich has to at least be in the Ashes squad... if not in the 11.
bluechampion
2 Mar 2005, 09:27
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=44940
This is spectacular reporting.
Can you pick the two glaring errors?
From CA website:
2 March, 2005
NZ trip booked for Hodge
Victorian batsman Brad Hodge has been rewarded for his outstanding Pura Cup form with a spot in the Australian Test squad for the three-match series against New Zealand, beginning next week.
Hodge and New South Wales' left-hander Simon Katich will vie for the final position in the batting line-up, after both Darren Lehmann and Shane Watson were ruled out due to injury and Western Australia's Mike Hussey was overlooked.
Australian selectors picked a 13-man squad, leaving Shane Warne as the only specialist spinner, meaning Stuart MacGill will miss the tour, despite starring with the ball in the Aussies' most recent Test victory against Pakistan at the SCG at the beginning of 2005.
Speedster Brett Lee has been included in the squad and will be desperate to force his way back into the Test team after a long absence, but will face stiff opposition from Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz.
Australian test squad:
Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Michael Kasprowicz, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne
Asprilla
2 Mar 2005, 09:41
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=44940
This is spectacular reporting.
Can you pick the two glaring errors?
Victorian batsman Brad Hodge will vie for selection with Hussey after another successful season with the Redbacks, scoring 735 runs at 61.25 in the Pura Cup.
But the West Australian left-hander boasts an even better first-class numbers (654 at 59.45) and has is a proven performer batting anywhere in the top six.
Thunderstruck
2 Mar 2005, 09:57
Katich is bloody hopeless.....he does have the odd good innings but IMO has too many failures. He would be Aus A standard....tho even Aus B could dominate world cricket almost.
Bentleigh
2 Mar 2005, 10:30
Katich is bloody hopeless.....he does have the odd good innings but IMO has too many failures. He would be Aus A standard....tho even Aus B could dominate world cricket almost.
Of course the Australian 3rd's would be a good test nation. I beleive most state sides would be equal to the likes of Pakistan/New Zealand...
How can you not like Katich? He averages 40 odd which is decent, not great at test level.
You'd think Watson, Katich & Hussey would be be fighting for a spot while Clarke & Ponting are going to be regularys in the test side for many years to come.
Blues_Man
2 Mar 2005, 10:35
He is gone.
Katich will get the last position in the team- Hodge deserves it but I think even he would prefer to be playing in the Pura Cup if the Rangers continue thier winning.
you think he would prefer to play for a state side than represent his country on an ashes tour ...are you mad or just plain dellusional :rolleyes:
Hodge is, most likely, going to be the reserve batsman for the NZ test series, with the obvious indication that he's likely to be going to the Ashes, probably in the same position. I can't really see any of the AUS batsmen failing badly enough against the NZ attack for Hodge to get above them, so his only hope in the near term is injury.
Bombers_Forever
2 Mar 2005, 11:08
I just heard Hodge on the radio- I thought he was humble. He basically said "iif anyone deserves a spot based on runs, it is me". :eek: I like his honesty but he is giving big wraps on himself!
Blues Man- he is unlikely to get a run unless there is an injury sadly. I would love for him to get a spot but one batsmen and bowler will miss out each game. Not even the pitch would change that.
Good luck to him anyway.
I just heard Hodge on the radio- I thought he was humble. He basically said "iif anyone deserves a spot based on runs, it is me".
And he wonders why he hasn't been given a chance previously. That attitude is appalling, show some humility and gratitude Brad.
Bombers_Forever
2 Mar 2005, 11:33
And he wonders why he hasn't been given a chance previously. That attitude is appalling, show some humility and gratitude Brad.
Yeah, I was really surprised. The whole attitude was amazing from the small clip I heard- he basically was sticking it up the selectors. Great way to start Brad. :rolleyes:
Kane McGoodwin
2 Mar 2005, 11:43
From CA website:
2 March, 2005
NZ trip booked for Hodge
Victorian batsman Brad Hodge has been rewarded for his outstanding Pura Cup form with a spot in the Australian Test squad for the three-match series against New Zealand, beginning next week.
Hodge and New South Wales' left-hander Simon Katich will vie for the final position in the batting line-up, after both Darren Lehmann and Shane Watson were ruled out due to injury and Western Australia's Mike Hussey was overlooked.
Fair enought too.
M Hussey deserves his ODI selection, but IMO is behind Katich & Hodge for Tests.
crazy_big_al
2 Mar 2005, 11:47
Not Happy Boof is awesome
Bentleigh
2 Mar 2005, 11:51
Not Happy Boof is awesome
Agreed.
But you have to egmit, he was doing some stupid things.
Very un-boof like :mad:
Hodge will need an injury to get into the test team. I would bat Katich at 5 and leave Clarke at 6.
Katich was stiff at the start of the summer due to his great form and composure in India and has done nothing wrong since. Deserves a prolonged stint in the test team IMO.
Hodge had better take this chance, if he gets one, as he probably won't get another.
Bentleigh
2 Mar 2005, 12:07
Hodge will need an injury to get into the test team. I would bat Katich at 5 and leave Clarke at 6.
Katich was stiff at the start of the summer due to his great form and composure in India and has done nothing wrong since. Deserves a prolonged stint in the test team IMO.
Hodge had better take this chance, if he gets one, as he probably won't get another.
Ive got a feeling Hussey will very much take his chance when he gets his chance.
In Ponting, Clarke, Katich, Watson, Hussey, Hodge (30 or under) future is bright.
Now we need to find a few bowlers.
Now we need to find a few bowlers.
Don't expect another McGrath or Warne to come through any time soon. We've been spoiled with those two.
Memories of 2003/04 summer are not pleasant.
Blue Red and Gold
2 Mar 2005, 12:13
Now we need to find a few bowlers.
Tait and Cullen for a start ;)
crazy_big_al
2 Mar 2005, 12:18
Tait and Cullen for a start ;)
very true
Katich was stiff at the start of the summer due to his great form and composure in India and has done nothing wrong since. Deserves a prolonged stint in the test team IMO.
Hodge had better take this chance, if he gets one, as he probably won't get another.
well said
as much as I look Boof, they should never have dropped Katich from the test side for him at the start of the summer after he did nothing wrong in India.
Good to see Hodge get called up too. Clarke will bat 5 and Katich 6 methinks.
remember when Ponting got injured in the Champions Trophy and was to miss start of India tour and it was reported that Hodge, while on holiday or training in Qld rang the selectors and told them he was available...he is very much a confidence person, and his attitude at this announcement is very questionable
in saying that, im also happy he got the nod ahead of Hussey.......please correct me if im wrong but Hussey has been pretty inconsistent this season like Hodge...2 double tons for Hussey with not much in between, while nothing much at all for Hodge up until last 2-3 games?
Hodge was ahead of hussey in pecking order heading into summer and deserved the call up for NZ
in saying that, im also happy he got the nod ahead of Hussey.......please correct me if im wrong but Hussey has been pretty inconsistent this season like Hodge...2 double tons for Hussey with not much in between, while nothing much at all for Hodge up until last 2-3 games?
Hodge was ahead of hussey in pecking order heading into summer and deserved the call up for NZ
I'm west aussie to the core and the decision rests fine with me, Hodge definitely deserves the nod ahead of Hussey in the longer form of the game based on consistency and weight of runs.
However, if it came down to attitude and ability to "fit in" to the Test team, i'd say Hussey is miles ahead. Hodge sounds and acts like he has tickets on himself, whereas there aren't many nicer bloke in Aus cricket than Huss.
Blues_Man
2 Mar 2005, 17:04
Ive got a feeling Hussey will very much take his chance when
Now we need to find a few bowlers.
Tait Lewis wright ??? Nofkke was the front runner last year but injuries have sent him to the rear of the field
Dog Town
2 Mar 2005, 18:11
However, if it came down to attitude and ability to "fit in" to the Test team, i'd say Hussey is miles ahead. Hodge sounds and acts like he has tickets on himself, whereas there aren't many nicer bloke in Aus cricket than Huss.Allan Border said on radio that Hodges ability to fit in with the team and work hard within it whilst in India was what helped him get over the line.
Have noticed him plugging himself for the tour over the last couple of weeks but I think it has something to do with it being one of his last shots.Nothing wrong with a bit of self promotion.Has generally kept to himself and stayed out of the media during his career.
eddiesmith
2 Mar 2005, 19:11
Because no other Aussie player has ever said anything arrogant about themselves? :rolleyes: Thats the sort of attitude that would make him fit in well with the current side, so whats wrong with it
SorryIHammerChicken
2 Mar 2005, 19:59
I think Hodge has a good attitude, maybe his comments were too arrogant for someone who has never played for Australia, but it's good to see some personality in the team at least. He is also a good team man, contrary to your thoughts Milenko.
He is obviously a confidence player, however I think his lack of humility means he could be a mental weakling and we might see him choke if he gets a shot. Just a thought.
His runs came at the right time, he was averaging 35 or so, till the double ton where his average was all of a sudden 50. The selectors took notice and it shows it's not the runs you make, it's when you make them. Huss's double tons came earlier in the season so were further back in the minds of selectors than Hodge's form.
As for the bowling stocks of Australia, I hope Damien Wright and Mick Lewis are given Test caps ahead of Tait. Tait may be younger, but Wright has been waiting a long time for his chance, and is very unlucky to never have been given a go apart from Aus A games. Hopefully the selectors will take a punt on him like they did with Hopes. Mick Lewis has improved by miles over the past two-three seasons and he should be given a run soon. Noffke and Nicholson should be back up there within a year barring injuries.
Bentleigh
2 Mar 2005, 20:07
Tait Lewis wright ??? Nofkke was the front runner last year but injuries have sent him to the rear of the field
You really reckon Tait, Lewis, Wright have the abilty to replace McGrath & Warne :confused:
SorryIHammerChicken
2 Mar 2005, 20:09
You really reckon Tait, Lewis, Wright have the abilty to replace McGrath & Warne :confused:
he was responding to the question "now we need to find a few bowlers", with no mention of warnie and pigeon.
noone will ever be able to replace those two legends, but tait, lewis and wright are pretty good bowlers and should figure in the australian squad over the next couple of years.
that post i made on last page (couldnt be bothered quoting it) sounds like i was saying Hodge is arrogant but it wasnt what i meant
its good he has that attitude, he wants a place in the squad and he knows that when he is scoring runs, such as now, he is in line to get a spot in the squad, which he has been rewarded with
would not be surprised at all to see him play 2nd Test if Katich fails, i would think it would be a close run thing between him and Katich for last spot but Katich deserves it first
Bentleigh
2 Mar 2005, 21:27
he was responding to the question "now we need to find a few bowlers", with no mention of warnie and pigeon.
noone will ever be able to replace those two legends, but tait, lewis and wright are pretty good bowlers and should figure in the australian squad over the next couple of years.
McGrath to Micky Lewis. Big step down.
Mark Ricciuto to Richard Vandenberg :(
Tait and Cullen for a start ;)
Not a patch on McGrath and Warne though. Those two will leave a hole that cannot be wholly filled.
McGrath and Warne are freakishly good bowlers and having both in the same team is a major reason for Australias dominance. Neither will likely be replaced with anyone who is near their equal, replacing both with players of similar ability is the stuff of dreams.
The question is how far below them will their replacements be.
Blue Red and Gold
3 Mar 2005, 10:18
Not a patch on McGrath and Warne though. Those two will leave a hole that cannot be wholly filled.
I am not saying they can fill the void left by McGrath and Warnie, I dont think anyone could.
I was referring to an earlier post that stated we have a few good young batsmen coming through but we needed bowlers.
I then replied that Tait and Cullen are a start and then someone else brought in the debate of filling the Pidge and Warnie hole.
We cannot be greedy, we have been blessed for 10 years or so with 2 of the greatest bowlers of the modern era it would stupid to suggest we can easily fill this void.
The next best options in IMO are Tait and Cullen, its a solid start to build on and then you add the likes of Lewis and possibly Noffke.
SorryIHammerChicken
3 Mar 2005, 13:35
McGrath to Micky Lewis. Big step down.
Mark Ricciuto to Richard Vandenberg :(
well who was bradman's replacement in the Test side? I'm sure he filled the void pretty well :rolleyes:
mcgrath and warne are freaks, two of the greatest australian bowlers of all time. if someone came along that was half as good as them then you should be happy.
Fred Yeomans
3 Mar 2005, 13:49
well who was bradman's replacement in the Test side? I'm sure he filled the void pretty well
You could argue that Bradman was replaced by a spinner, either McCool or Johnson. That was probably a reflection of the versatility that a genuine all-rounder like Miller gave to the batting line-up. McCool was a fairly good batsman who averaged 35 at test level mostly batting at #7 & he averaged 32 at first class level regularly batting in the top order.
The changes from the 5th test of the 1948 series in England to the 1st test of the 1949/50 in South Africa were:-
Barnes out, Moroney in (opening batsmen)
Tallon out, Saggers in (wicketkeepers)
Ring out, McCool in (leg-spinners)
Bradman out, Johnson in ?????
funkyfreo
3 Mar 2005, 14:04
Back on to Hodge/Hussey - I'm a big fan of a bloke who makes the grade getting a chance at both forms of the game. SO for mine it should have been Hussey for both or Hodge for both, and if there was any obvious deficiency in one or the other form then look for the replacement.
So once they have gone Hussey for the 1-dayers, and he has not put a foot wrong, then I'd have kept him for the tests. But if Hodge was ALWAYS going to have been the test bat, then I'd have gone him in the 1-dayers also to try him out.
crowsarethebest
3 Mar 2005, 15:59
Younger players with a chance to replace older guys or should replace:
Michael clarke (definite as he will be future captain) IMO
Shaun tait (Very good bowler at a good pace)
Dan cullen ( good young bowler but still needs a few more years at state level)
Cam White (Should replace Hogg soon.. in ODI but who for tests?)
Damian wright (Has been very consistant this bloke and underated IMO can bat as well)
Shane Watson ( definite could turn out to be the all rounder its been finding)