Hodge out Bracken in

[pinkus maximus]

http://www.cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=35506


New South Wales left-arm quick Nathan Bracken has been included in a 12-man Test squad to take on the West Indies in the first 3-Mobile Test match at the Gabba beginning next Thursday.

Bracken replaces Brad Hodge in the only change to the Australian squad which took part in the Johnnie Walker Super Test against the ICC World XI earlier this month.

Leg spinner Stuart MacGill retains his spot in the 12, giving the selectors the option of having MacGill work in tandem with Shane Warne.

Bracken, 28, has played three Tests, the last of which was against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2004.

The chairman of the National Selection Panel, Trevor Hohns said the selectors believed that in Brisbane it was prudent to introduce another paceman to the squad in place of an extra batsman.

"That’s no reflection on Brad Hodge, but in this instance we felt for the purposes of flexibility in the attack, Nathan Bracken would provide us with another bowling option depending on the conditions that might prevail at the ‘Gabba.

"Obviously since the end of the Super Test in Sydney, there has been a lot of speculation about the option of playing the two spinners in this match against the West Indies.

"With both Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill in the squad we still have that option, and will assess it closer to time, once we can study the conditions in greater detail."

The Australian squad: Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

[ManWithNoName]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO Hodgie!! :(

[chunkylover]

oh dear, the hodge brigade are going to be busy today, 100 plus posts by the end of the day

reel me off some stats eddie

[Smokey_22]

Im making sure to view this board many times today :)

[Snickers]

M. Hussey should be in the side

[Lonie_from_50]

********EN HELL!!!! Bloody NSW ********heads taking over. MacGill won't play, so that also leaves Watson in. Let's hope Watson or Katich break an arm! :mad:

[Freo Big Fella]

Meh. Replacing one international squib with another. Bracken shouldn't be anywhere near the test team.

[SorryIHammerChicken]

Bracken probably deserves another chance at Test level, he's probably a one-day specialist but since he's from NSW he'll definitely get another go. Hodge won't play for Australia ever.

[mrcracker]

At least they have given Hodge a chance to play Pura Cup. Another three tests as 12th man may have tipped him over the edge.

[usalion]

That's what happens when you fail at Shield level, and others produce. Not sure about Bracken, though...let's see the stats that prove Hodge should be picked....

[Bombers_Forever]

If Bracken plays it will be a disgrace.

Hodge and Hussey- ripped off!

Move to NSW boys..........you might get a chance.

[thepower]

the quota of 5 nsw players continues.......

brackens inclusio highlights the lack of bowling depth we have :(

[Bombers_Forever]

the quota of 5 nsw players continues.......

brackens inclusio highlights the lack of bowling depth we have :(

And Stuart "I am like Glenn McGrath" Clark is the next in too.

We have bowling depth in Aus cricket but selectors won't look outside NSW.

[Smokey_22]

Hodge scored a 10, 21 and 10 in his last 3 knocks in the past 3 weeks.

"I feel i'm right for test cricket"

Who is he kidding? Its his own fault

[Bombers_Forever]

Yeah but what about Hussey?

How did he go last week?

[JUBJUB]

Doug Bollinger and Don Nash were stiff to miss out.Surely they must be next in line for a Test spot.

[Jaymin]

Selectors get it spot on once again.

Hussey would be easily in front of Hodge now.

[Smokey_22]

Yeah but what about Hussey?

How did he go last week?

Pretty stiff to miss out.

But not Hodge.

[dan warna]

inness, rofe, bichel...

[doggmannx]

I am waiting for Richard Chee Quee (spelling???) to get a call up :D

[YOTC]

It's because there are no Victorian selectors, oh wait, nevermind. :D

[JUBJUB]

Hodge scored a 10, 21 and 10 in his last 3 knocks in the past 3 weeks.

"I feel i'm right for test cricket"

Who is he kidding? Its his own fault

A current Aussie opener has scored 22,11 & 0 in his last 3 knocks.
So I guess based on your theory,Hodge should be in ahead of Langer.

[Hoggy]

What exactly has Bracken done to deserve a spot in the Australian squad?

BTW, Keep in mind that Hodge was in the air for five hours on the morning of the clash against WA over there just to make it at the ground before the game....

[POBT]

Doug Bollinger and Don Nash were stiff to miss out.Surely they must be next in line for a Test spot.

Bring back Wayne Holdsworth

[Smokey_22]

Doug Bollinger and Don Nash were stiff to miss out.Surely they must be next in line for a Test spot.

No it'll most likely be Phil jaques.

Then when Gilly retires after WC07, Brad Haddin ;)

[dan warna]

What exactly has Bracken done to deserve a spot in the Australian squad?

BTW, Keep in mind that Hodge was in the air for five hours on the morning of the clash against WA over there just to make it at the ground before the game....
not as much as rofe IMO..
but he did have a fair FC season last year.
of course if your from NSW even thats not necessary...

[POBT]

not as much as rofe IMO..
but he did have a fair FC season last year.
of course if your from NSW even thats not necessary...

Mick Lewis is more deserving - age might be against him but if that's the case why bother giving him a CA contract?

[sting]

I suppose at least Bracken offers some variety , unlike Clarke who would be cannon fodder for any half decent test batsman .

At least Hodge will have the chance to make some runs at state level rather than carry drinks for 3 tests .

Will be interesting to see how many runs at state level will be needed to push someone out of the test side

[Cameron_K]

:D

I don't think anything else has to be said.

[Longy413]

What exactly has Bracken done to deserve a spot in the Australian squad?

I've got no doubt that getting Lara out twice in the one dayers will be part of the justification for picking him.

[Minkus_Swan]

What exactly has Bracken done to deserve a spot in the Australian squad?

I think Bracken's recent performance (4/15) in the ING CUP game last week and his overall bowling records at the gabba, were what the selectors were looking at.

It shouldn't surprise most people that the selectors went with another bowler in the 12, but the big question (for victorians) should be - Why the hell is Watson still in the team? It's really Watson that is taking Hodge's place in the test team, then Bracken (but don't let a good Chee Quee joke get in your way).

[Bombers_Forever]

And what happened at his last test at the Gabba? Was smashed by India. He will probably have a decent game because of the weak West Indies team.

[DIG]

I think Bracken's recent performance (4/15) in the ING CUP game last week and his overall bowling records at the gabba, were what the selectors were looking at.

It shouldn't surprise most people that the selectors went with another bowler in the 12, but the big question (for victorians) should be - Why the hell is Watson still in the team? It's really Watson that is taking Hodge's place in the test team, then Bracken (but don't let a good Chee Quee joke get in your way).
You're right - I'm not really surprised Bracken's in the squad, but dropping Hodge means they've decided already to keep Watson in for the first test, with a view to the long term.

I've got no problem with that, as much as I like Hodgey.

[Hoggy]

Mick Lewis is more deserving - age might be against him but if that's the case why bother giving him a CA contract?

Well they picked Stuart "Hand of God" Clark, he is 30.

[JUBJUB]

I've got no doubt that getting Lara out twice in the one dayers will be part of the justification for picking him.

Zoe Goss gets Lara out.Should we give her a game ?

[Longy413]

Zoe Goss gets Lara out.Should we give her a game ?

I didn't say I agreed with it.
But I honestly believe that's their narrow-minded way of thinking.

[~GURU~]

What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[POBT]

Well they picked Stuart "Hand of God" Clark, he is 30.

And I rate Lewis higher than Clark.

At the end of the day, I guess Bracken is being given a go because he is reasonably young, had a good season last year, has bowled well in Brisbane and adds a point of difference to the rest of the attack. I don't think he has what it takes to play as a frontline bowler at Test level but we may as well give him a go against a slightly inferior opposition to see what he has.

[stmookeyj]

Now I hope we lose so the selection policy can get shoved up our ass.

[eddiesmith]

The Windies will be laughing atm

Having dismissed Watson for 20, Hayden a duck in the tour match and knowing the Aussie tail starts at no4, this could get embarrasing for Australia

If McGrath breaks down in the 1st innings, then Australia is truly ********ed as they have severely weakened their batting for what? Watson will bowl about 5 overs, not make many runs, whats the point?

Australias loss, Victorias gain

[POBT]

The Windies will be laughing atm

Having dismissed Watson for 20, Hayden a duck in the tour match and knowing the Aussie tail starts at no4, this could get embarrasing for Australia

If McGrath breaks down in the 1st innings, then Australia is truly ********ed as they have severely weakened their batting for what? Watson will bowl about 5 overs, not make many runs, whats the point?

Australias loss, Victorias gain

How have they weakened their batting? Assuming Watson plays, it is the same top 7 as in the last test they played.

[eddiesmith]

How have they weakened their batting? Assuming Watson plays, it is the same top 7 as in the last test they played.

Yeah, and they lost something like 9/not many didnt they? Its an extremely weak middle order for Australia. Just because Australia got away with it against the Joke XI, they wont get away with it forever

Watson is worth about 20-30 runs, Katich 0-20, Clarke 0-40. Very weak batting there

[pluga_4]

dribbling again eddie. the tail starts at 4, the windies laughing? stupid statements once again you will be made to eat humble pie, when i add up how many runs no 4-11 make in this test match.

hodge has had his chances to cash in and get runs, but instead clarke and katich have gone back and put their heads down to consolidate their spots.

the 12 in my mind was no surprise, with a view to give watson a reasonable go at sewing up a top in the top 7.

the selectors got it right, can't say i'm a bracken fan though, but no one else is putting their hand up. wouldn't mind betting that M.Hussey is nudging his way in front of hodge now. there's still a spot up for grabs if watto fails this summer.

[POBT]

Yeah, and they lost something like 9/not many didnt they? Its an extremely weak middle order for Australia. Just because Australia got away with it against the Joke XI, they wont get away with it forever

Watson is worth about 20-30 runs, Katich 0-20, Clarke 0-40. Very weak batting there

Yeah but they haven't weakened the line up...its the same ********ing lineup.

Unless you are arguing that Martyn or Lehmann (players with proven Test records) should be recalled then you simply cannot state categorically that the batting line up will be any weaker or stronger with the inclusion of Hodge or Hussey instead of Clarke, Katich or Watson - you might have an opinion on that but you don't know for sure as there's nothing whatsoever to back it up.

[eddiesmith]

Umm, Katich made 2 runs in 2 innings last match, so no one could do any worse

[eddiesmith]

Yeah but they haven't weakened the line up...its the same ********ing lineup.

Unless you are arguing that Martyn or Lehmann (players with proven Test records) should be recalled then you simply cannot state categorically that the batting line up will be any weaker or stronger with the inclusion of Hodge or Hussey instead of Clarke, Katich or Watson - you might have an opinion on that but you don't know for sure as there's nothing whatsoever to back it up.

But look at the reasoning for playing Watson, they want 5 bowlers? Bracken will only bowl about 10-12 overs, Watson will only get a bowl because Ponting feels pressured to bowl him which will give him about 5 overs for the game, why bother?

[POBT]

knowing the Aussie tail starts at no4

Geez Gilly will be filthy he's being classed as a tailender - I've seen him bat once or twice and I thought he showed a bit of potential with the bat in hand.

[eddiesmith]

Geez Gilly will be filthy he's being classed as a tailender - I've seen him bat once or twice and I thought he showed a bit of potential with the bat in hand.

So he should probably be moved up to no4 ahead of the tail enders currently ahead of him ;)

[Sidey_87]

Yeah but they haven't weakened the line up...its the same ********ing lineup.

Unless you are arguing that Martyn or Lehmann (players with proven Test records) should be recalled then you simply cannot state categorically that the batting line up will be any weaker or stronger with the inclusion of Hodge or Hussey instead of Clarke, Katich or Watson - you might have an opinion on that but you don't know for sure as there's nothing whatsoever to back it up.
Hussey would be the greatest inclusion possible.
My side...
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Hussey
Katich
Clarke
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Mcgrath
Macgill
12th man Watson

[eddiesmith]

Hussey would be the greatest inclusion possible.
My side...
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Hussey
Katich
Clarke
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Mcgrath
Macgill
12th man Watson

What is peoples obsession with picking an opener with a very inconsistent record to bat in the middle order?

[POBT]

But look at the reasoning for playing Watson, they want 5 bowlers? Bracken will only bowl about 10-12 overs, Watson will only get a bowl because Ponting feels pressured to bowl him which will give him about 5 overs for the game, why bother?

Is that the reasoning? I have read the quotes from Hohns and the closest he comes to saying that is "Bracken adds another bowling option"....in a 13 man squad. You may be reading more into it than is actually there - maybe the selectors simply don't rate Hodge as highly as they do Watson...

Or maybe the selectors feel that it would be a touch unfair to a young bloke to keep bringing him in for only one test and then dropping him out again.

[POBT]

Hussey would be the greatest inclusion possible.


On what basis can you say that? His record is similar to others at FC level and he's never played Test cricket. Just because you think it doesn't mean that it is true.

[POBT]

So he should probably be moved up to no4 ahead of the tail enders currently ahead of him ;)

still ********s up your throw away line though!!! :p

[eddiesmith]

still ********s up your throw away line though!!! :p
Not going on the 2nd innings of the Supertest ;)

[Sidey_87]

On what basis can you say that? His record is similar to others at FC level and he's never played Test cricket. Just because you think it doesn't mean that it is true.
Well because he is a big game player, he was born to represent his country.
Have a look at Andrew Strauss' FC record i don't believe it is any better than his team mates, yet he has turned it on in the international arena.
How has Hussey gone in the one day internationals, i know this isn't the same as tests, but look at his one day domestic record compared to ODI record.
Big game player.

[Smokey_22]

Its an extremely weak middle order for Australia.
Watson is worth about 20-30 runs, Katich 0-20, Clarke 0-40. Very weak batting there.

When you keep posting ludocrous comments like this, why bother when you get constantly proven wrong and off the mark?

[eddiesmith]

Well because he is a big game player, he was born to represent his country.
Have a look at Andrew Strauss' FC record i don't believe it is any better than his team mates, yet he has turned it on in the international arena.
How has Hussey gone in the one day internationals, i know this isn't the same as tests, but look at his one day domestic record compared to ODI record.
Big game player.
Hodge > Hussey as a midlde order batsman

They are waiting for Hayden or Langer to go before bringing in Hussey as 1 will be gone in the next 6 months

[My North]

Gavin Robertson is about to come a come back to the New South Wales state side and be the 12th man so he will picked for the Aussies again.

[Sidey_87]

Hodge > Hussey as a midlde order batsman


wrong

[eddiesmith]

wrong

No, right

Hussey is an opener, what makes you think he can suddenly go down the order and make runs in the longer form of the game?

Katich has failed in the drop down the order

[Sidey_87]

No, right

Hussey is an opener, what makes you think he can suddenly go down the order and make runs in the longer form of the game?

Katich has failed in the drop down the order
I'll give you one good reason, Hussey is a better player than Hodge.

[POBT]

I'll give you one good reason, Hussey is a better player than Hodge.

Your debating skills are refined.

Your point is that Hussey has proven himself at international level therefore is a "big game player". That's irrelevant. How many one day internationals as Brad Hodge been given to prove that he might also be a big-game player?

[eddiesmith]

I'll give you one good reason, Hussey is a better player than Hodge.

Thats your opinion, there is nothing to prove that

[Sidey_87]

How many one day internationals as Brad Hodge been given to prove that he might also be a big-game player?
None, you don't know much about cricket do you?

[Sidey_87]

nah ur rite that's just my opinion, and yes hodgey may also be a big game player.
I've seen him play for Aus A and i think Huss is better.
But hopefully they can both line up in the same team one day, then we will get the answer.

[eddiesmith]

None, you don't know much about cricket do you?

Have you ever thought that Hussey is a better one day player and Hodge a better 4/5 day player?

[Smokey_22]

How many one day internationals as Brad Hodge been given to prove that he might also be a big-game player?

Hussey's 100+ odi average proves hes a big-game player.

Hodge isn't even a game player. lol. He's got as much to prove as Darren Smith from Yellowsville 3rds.

[Sidey_87]

Have you ever thought that Hussey is a better one day player and Hodge a better 4/5 day player?
Huss has a better average in both.

[Smokey_22]

They are waiting for Hayden or Langer to go before bringing in Hussey as 1 will be gone in the next 6 months

I think that spot is already reserved for Pee-Jack

[eddiesmith]

Huss has a better average in both.

Not in Australia he doesnt

[eddiesmith]

I think that spot is already reserved for Pee-Jack

No, that spot will be Jaques in 12 months time, they wont want to dump both Langer and Hayden at the same point as both will be gone by the end of the next summer, Hussey will get the first spot

[eddiesmith]

Just looking at Hodges record against International opposition, some good averages there

England- 42
India- 99
South Africa- 73
West Indies- 78

[Sidey_87]

Not in Australia he doesnt
Doesn't matter, International cricket is about playing in all conditions, not just Victoria mate.

[POBT]

None, you don't know much about cricket do you?

How did you reach that conclusion? Because I pointed out the elementary flaw in your argument?

The point is that Hodge hasn't had the opportunity that Hussey has had - therefore, trying to argue Hussey's one day record demands his inclusion is nonsensical.

[Sidey_87]

Just looking at Hodges record against International opposition, some good averages there

England- 42
India- 99
South Africa- 73
West Indies- 78
They are quite good scores, too bad he got them playing cricket 2005 on ps2.

[eddiesmith]

They are quite good scores, too bad he got them playing cricket 2005 on ps2.

Idiot, they are his career first class averages against those teams in Tour matches

[Smokey_22]

They are quite good scores, too bad he got them playing cricket 2005 on ps2.

funniest thing ive heard all day.

[eddiesmith]

Doesn't matter, International cricket is about playing in all conditions, not just Victoria mate.

Well considering Australia next year play half their matches in Australia and none in England, dont see how destroying county attacks will be of any benefit especially as most people will say County cricket should never be counted when assessing a batsman ability

[Sidey_87]

Well considering Australia next year play half their matches in Australia and none in England, dont see how destroying county attacks will be of any benefit especially as most people will say County cricket should never be counted when assessing a batsman ability
Ofcourse it should be counted, how would they have found Kevin Pieterson if county cricket was not an indicator of a batsmans ability?

[POBT]

Ofcourse it should be counted, how would they have found Kevin Pieterson if county cricket was not an indicator of a batsmans ability?

But earlier you said that Andrew Strauss's first class record was no better than his teammates but he proved himself on the big stage? So does county cricket matter or not?

[Sidey_87]

But earlier you said that Andrew Strauss's first class record was no better than his teammates but he proved himself on the big stage? So does county cricket matter or not?
Ofcourse it matters, if you are killing it in county cricket you are a good cricketer, my point before was that some players lift on the international stage.

[eddiesmith]

Ofcourse it matters, if you are killing it in county cricket you are a good cricketer, my point before was that some players lift on the international stage.
Bull********, plenty of players who kill at county cricket fail at International level, just look at the England team over the last 15 years :p

And funilly enough the current Aussie middle order are county failures

[Sidey_87]

Bull********, plenty of players who kill at county cricket fail at International level, just look at the England team over the last 15 years :p

And funilly enough the current Aussie middle order are county failures
But you are saying The aussie domestic comp is a true indicator, now can you explain to me how Katich is travelling in world cricket.
He is awesome in the domestic comp.

[eddiesmith]

But you are saying The aussie domestic comp is a true indicator, now can you explain to me how Katich is travelling in world cricket.
He is awesome in the domestic comp.

Its a better indicator than County cricket, and Katich bats at no3 for NSW, no5/6 for Aus, maybe thats the problem? He is usually in within 10 overs for NSW, might be the same problem with Hussey, they may not enjoy sitting around all day and prefer to be out there facing the new ball

Remember Katos best tour was at no3

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Edward, and everyone else

It is the right decision not to play hodge, harsh but fair, Watson has a better FC BATTING average than Bradley Hodge, explain that one edward, so why not play Watson. Bracken has rightly been rewarded for a great domestic season last year to fill in a seamers position where Shaun Tait is injured.

Brad Hodge hasn't set the world on fire this season and his FC average suggests his a good bat, but nothing great. The right decision has been made. SIMPLE

[Ljp86]

I just saw this on Cricinfo, i laughed so hard.

[eddiesmith]

Edward, and everyone else

It is the right decision not to play hodge, harsh but fair, Watson has a better FC BATTING average than Bradley Hodge, explain that one edward, so why not play Watson. Bracken has rightly been rewarded for a great domestic season last year to fill in a seamers position where Shaun Tait is injured.

Brad Hodge hasn't set the world on fire this season and his FC average suggests his a good bat, but nothing great. The right decision has been made. SIMPLE

Because as you always keep telling us, Watson shouldnt be batting at no7, he needs to bat higher up as he sucks at no7 and isnt good enough to bat above anyone else. He is an average bowler, average batsman, he is in there because Australia think he is an allrounder, at test level he will not amount to anything.

Why not try out a player who has performed well for 10 years now, instead of a 1 season wonder? Watson has time, Hodge doesnt, may as well try Hodge now

Guess thats the excuse for keeping Katich? He has a high f/c average, never mind the fact he doesnt make runs at test level, they will keep him on

There comes a time to try someone else when the players continously fail at test level

Oh and Watson, 20 against the Windies, top effort that :thumbsu: The Windies will be really worried about him coming in at 5/200

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Because as you always keep telling us, Watson shouldnt be batting at no7, he needs to bat higher up as he sucks at no7 and isnt good enough to bat above anyone else. He is an average bowler, average batsman, he is in there because Australia think he is an allrounder, at test level he will not amount to anything.

Why not try out a player who has performed well for 10 years now, instead of a 1 season wonder? Watson has time, Hodge doesnt, may as well try Hodge now

Guess thats the excuse for keeping Katich? He has a high f/c average, never mind the fact he doesnt make runs at test level, they will keep him on

There comes a time to try someone else when the players continously fail at test level

Oh and Watson, 20 against the Windies, top effort that :thumbsu: The Windies will be really worried about him coming in at 5/200

Edward mate, you have missed my points and contradicted your great self, you have labelled Watson an "ordinary" bat yet he averages more at FC level than the great man hodge, Watson bats at 4 and sometimes 3 for the great bulls and i would suggest to you, that watson can infact bat. His bowling has improvement in it and there is no doubt he needs to improve in that area. For your information, Watson has more chance of making it at test level than Brad Hodge. Hodge has had a poor tour of Pakistan with the A team and a poor start to the domestic season. Period. Result - hodge isn't picked for the test team and Edward will have a little tanty on bigfooty.

GET OVER IT EDWARD. Watson is better than Hodge.

[eddiesmith]

Heres a few stats for you

Watson v Hodge

2000/01- 51.50 v 56.45
2001/02- 29.20 v 57.20
2002/03- 27.25 v 40.11
2003/04- 54.61 v 67.47
2004/05- 41.26 v 63.64

[eddiesmith]

Heres another for you moron

Career First CLass AVerage

Hodge 46.38
Watson 46.23

But you said it was higher? Or it could be after his 1 good season his average is on the slide?

[eddiesmith]

Edward mate, you have missed my points and contradicted your great self, you have labelled Watson an "ordinary" bat yet he averages more at FC level than the great man hodge, Watson bats at 4 and sometimes 3 for the great bulls and i would suggest to you, that watson can infact bat. His bowling has improvement in it and there is no doubt he needs to improve in that area. For your information, Watson has more chance of making it at test level than Brad Hodge. Hodge has had a poor tour of Pakistan with the A team and a poor start to the domestic season. Period. Result - hodge isn't picked for the test team and Edward will have a little tanty on bigfooty.

GET OVER IT EDWARD. Watson is better than Hodge.

GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT MORON :rolleyes:

[Ljp86]

Why not try out a player who has performed well for 10 years now, instead of a 1 season wonder? Watson has time, Hodge doesnt, may as well try Hodge now



Ed, there's your primary reason why Brad isn't getting selected. Australia is obviously trying to develop Watson into an all-rounder in the similar mould of Andy Flintoff.

There isn't much point is puttin a player into the side that will only be here for a few years.

You said yourself during the Ashes that Australia needs some young blood because this super-team we have can't go on forever. So now, they are trying that method. Players like Clarke, Watson, Tait and maybe Cullen down the track will get a go.

Their trying to bring in the youth.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Here is a stat for you Edward

Brad Hodge FC Stats:

Batting:- 46.38 Bowling:- 41.50

Shane Watson

Batting:- 46.23 Bowling:- 30.48

Thank You Very Much Indeed Sir :D :D

[eddiesmith]

Ed, there's your primary reason why Brad isn't getting selected. Australia is obviously trying to develop Watson into an all-rounder in the similar mould of Andy Flintoff.

There isn't much point is puttin a player into the side that will only be here for a few years.

You said yourself during the Ashes that Australia needs some young blood because this super-team we have can't go on forever. So now, they are trying that method. Players like Clarke, Watson, Tait and maybe Cullen down the track will get a go.

Their trying to bring in the youth.

At the expense of losing to ******** teams like the Windies?

Exactly you are trying to copy England by developing your own all rounder when you dont have a decent player to do it

England had Flintoff in the side for years before he clicked, I know, we were also getting our asses kicked that whole time and didnt have any players who were demanding that spot

[eddiesmith]

Here is a stat for you Edward

Brad Hodge FC Stats:

Batting:- 46.38 Bowling:- 41.50

Shane Watson

Batting:- 46.23 Bowling:- 30.48

Thank You Very Much Indeed Sir :D :D

SO Hodge the part timer has an average only 10 higher than Watson the all rounder? Ok then

So, you admit you were wrong, Watson has no case over Hodge other than AUstralias dream of copying England with a hack player trying to emulate the great Freddie

Oh and LTD, what about their respective e/r? ;)

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Edward, Shane "Watto" Watson is in the test team and Hodge is not, simple, the right decision has been made.

Watto for a ton and 10 wickets in the match.

[eddiesmith]

Edward, Shane "Watto" Watson is in the test team and Hodge is not, simple, the right decision has been made.

Watto for a ton and 10 wickets in the match.

More likely a ton whilst bowling and 10 runs batting ;)

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

SO Hodge the part timer has an average only 10 higher than Watson the all rounder? Ok then

So, you admit you were wrong, Watson has no case over Hodge other than AUstralias dream of copying England with a hack player trying to emulate the great Freddie

Oh and LTD, what about their respective e/r? ;)

Watson do has a case over Hodge,

HE IS THE BETTER BATSMEN and he provides us with a bowling option. Hodge has done anything to set the world on fire lately. Move on.

Your just looking for a argument.

:thumbsd:

[eddiesmith]

Watson do has a case over Hodge,

HE IS THE BETTER BATSMEN and he provides us with a bowling option. Hodge has done anything to set the world on fire lately. Move on.

Your just looking for a argument.

:thumbsd:

2 straight seasons of an average over 60 doesnt set the world on fire? But Watsons 54 and 41 does? Rightio then :thumbsd:

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

2 straight seasons of an average over 60 doesnt set the world on fire? But Watsons 54 and 41 does? Rightio then :thumbsd:

UNDERSTAND THIS - Watson was picked to BAT AND BOWL.

His Batting is at least as good as Hodge, if not better and he is streets ahead in his bowling.

That makes the case pretty simple, does it not edward.

Watson IN - HODGE OUT :D :D