Post Steve Waugh Era

[hourn]

With the probability that Steve Waugh is going to end his career after the Sydney test, the time has come to consider the replacement.

Now i know most people would just automatically say Love/Lehmann. And either way, both would be in the team to have a batting line-up of Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Martyn, Love, Lehmann, Gilchrist.

But i dont think that this is necessarily the best tactic. Our batting line-up is already incredibly strong, and i think what must be considered very strong is playing 5 batsmen, Gilchrist at 6 and 5 bowlers.

Now what i reckon is that Love is a better batsmen than Lehmann, and i thought he should've been in the team as M. Waugh's replacement, and his performance in this test has only reaffirmed my view. Love's fielding is also a big plus on Lehmann's. Lehmann's hands are good however i dont think he has the mobility of Love.

Now if we were going to have 5 bowlers, the second decision would the fifth bowler picked be Bichel or another spinner (MacGill??).

Most probably Bichel for mine and the team would be:

Langer
Hayden
Ponting (c)
Martyn
Love
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Bichel
Gillespie
McGrath

Lehmann - 12th man

that would be the general batting line-up, however if the pitch was an ordinary pitch and extra batting may be required, Lehmann would play and probably Bichel as 12th man and the team would have the usual make up (ie, 6 batsmen, a keeper and 4 bowlers).

Thoughts??

[DaveW]

I know that sometimes our bowling looks a little thin, especially when we're trying to break big partnerships. But including an extra bowler at the expense of a batsman is not the way to go. Extending the tail leaves us prone to collapses. What we really need is better part-time bowlers, however at this point in time Australia is not blessed with good all-rounders. Stick with the 6 batsman, 1 keeper, 4 bowlers combination whilst it continues to work for us.

Also, I wouldn't have four pace bowlers (unless it gives us real variety), there's too much of a sameness to that, Bichel and Lee can compete for the one spot, a second spinner is a better option.

[larrikin]

Originally posted by DaveW
Also, I wouldn't have four pace bowlers (unless it gives us real variety), there's too much of a sameness to that, Bichel and Lee can compete for the one spot, a second spinner is a better option.
Agreed, not two leggies but. I'd like to see us develop a really good left arm chinaman. Maybe young Beau Casson will eventually be the goods.

[BW]

If only Chris Cairns was Australian :(