Warne and McGrath to retire?!

[philhawk]

Just heard the news - please let it not be so! :eek:

You just cant imagine International Cricket without those two!

[Knowledge]

link

[hawkaz1]

I was stupid not to have seen it coming, the perfect time for them to retire. I was blinded by my happiness over our ashes victory.
I am shattered our bowling attack is now ******** compared to what it was and 2 of my favourite players are gone.

Oh well we can remember all the awesome things they did and introduce new players to the team, but at the moment that isn't making me feel any better :(

[Roddy]

Nothing's confirmed as far as I can see....

[Cynic]

I will bludgeon every player on the team if they don't win the SCG test for these two.

[frankc]

The next few years will see a virtual new test side for Australia. After a period of remarkable stability in the line, about half the team that lined up in in Perth won't be their.

At present our team is;

1. Langer*
2. Hayden*
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. M. Clarke
6. Symonds
7. Gilchrist*
8. Warne*
9. Lee
10. S. Clark
11. McGrath*

Those with an asterix are on the wrong side of 35 and likely to retire soon.

As such five players who have been intergral to Australia's success will be retiring.

We have many options in batting, but the bowlers win matches and who will replace them. Warne and McGrath will leave massive holes. Assuming all other members are retained, my line up would be;

1. Rodgers (WA)
2. Jacques (NSW)
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. M. Clarke
6. Symonds
7. Haddin (NSW)
8. White (VIC)
9. Lee
10. S. Clark
11. Gillespie or Tait (SA)

I think this would be a very good side. S Clark has really stepped up to the plate and will be our opening bowler with Lee. While Tait has been knocking on the Door, I think recalling Gillespie who has had some very good performances for SA is a better option for now. Haddin is a logical replacement for Gilchrist and as had some decent performances for Australian in the ODI field.

[kolchak]

Don't forget Watson and Bracken

[Cynic]

Cameron White is not a spinner.

He is a low-middle order batsmen.

[frankc]

Cameron White is not a spinner.

He is a low-middle order batsmen.

He is a decent leg spinner who has a better record than Dan Cullen. I have seen him bowl and am impressed. Of course he is no Warne, but he is one of better spin bowlers in Australian at present and his batting speaks for itself.

[frankc]

Don't forget Watson and Bracken

Watson would replace Symonds, I assumed that the remaining players stayed as they are.

I feel Gillespie deserves another chance, he has bowled well this season and his experience would be very welcome. I think though we need an option as a leg-spinner, therefore I've included White.

Another option is to get rid of Symonds and have White bat number six. This would allow a four pronged pace attack to be chosen say Clarke, Lee, Gillespie and Bracken with White as another option. What about:

1. Rodgers (WA)
2. Jacques (NSW)
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. M. Clarke
6. White (VIC) or Watson (QLD)
7. Haddin (NSW)
8. Lee
9. Gillespie (SA)
10. Bracken (NSW) or Tait (SA)
11. S. Clark

To me, this line-up is much more balanced with Bracken as a left-armer and white the spin option who is also a very good batsman. This is very good bowling attack, however at least we have some options on the bowling front

[Cynic]

1. Rodgers (WA)
2. Jacques (NSW)
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. M. Clarke
6. White (VIC) or Watson (QLD)
7. Haddin (NSW)
8. Lee
9. Gillespie (SA)
10. Bracken (NSW) or Tait (SA)
11. S. Clark


This is a side I could get behind :thumbsu: .

The bowling is suspect sadly with only Clark really deserving a spot currently. I think I'd play Tait over Bracken simply as I feel that Bracken's use of the old ball is suited to ODIs whereas Tait should in theory be a good old ball bowler.

I'd replace Gillespie with Dan Cullen on the basis that Warnie & Terry have given the kid big wraps more than any form.

[Hawk Dork]

BILLY'S GAY DANCER DAD

Billy was at school this morning in the outback and the teacher asked all
the children what their fathers did for a living. All the typical answers came
out, fireman, policeman, salesman, chippy, captain of industry etc, but Billy
was being uncharacteristically quiet and so the teacher asked him about
his father.

"My father is an exotic dancer in a gay club and takes off all his clothes
in front of other men. Sometimes if the offer is really good, he'll go
out with a man, rent a cheap hotel room and let them sleep with him."

The teacher quickly set the other children some work and took little Billy
aside to ask him if that was really true.

"No" said Billy, "He plays cricket for England but I was just too embarrassed to say."

[Cynic]

...uh wrong thread mate?

[hawkaz1]

I heard that joke before but his dad played for Collingwood.

[KingRich]

Mitchell Johnson is one that I'd like to see come in. Good bowler and provides the variation that we need I think. Is a better long term lefty prospect than Bracken IMO.

Warnie retiring is shattering but I cant help but feel the timing is right

[frankc]

Mitchell Johnson is one that I'd like to see come in. Good bowler and provides the variation that we need I think. Is a better long term lefty prospect than Bracken IMO.

Warnie retiring is shattering but I cant help but feel the timing is right

Good point, totally overlooked him. Also forgot about MacGill - thank goodness I'm not a selector.

MacGill definately will replace Warne for the next couple of years - he is a very good leg spinner. Also JOhnson is a better bat than Bracken so I agree that Johnson should be in the side. Also I think Watson - if he is fit - is preferable to White while MacGill's playing, however White is as good a batsman, but Watson probably shades him in the bowling department.

Its great to have these options on the bowling front - better to have depth in bowling due ot injuries etc.