View Full Version : Test Squad For The Windies
St-KriS
17 Mar 2003, 11:59
Stephen Waugh (captain)
Ricky Ponting (vice-captain)
Andrew Bichel
Adam Gilchrist
Jason Gillespie*
Matthew Hayden
Brad Hogg
Justin Langer
Brett Lee NSW
Martin Love QLD
Darren Lehmann SA
Stuart MacGill NSW
Damien Martyn WA
Glenn McGrath NSW
Ashley Noffke
Jason Gillespie's selection is subject to fitness.
Team Management - John Buchanan (Coach), Steve Bernard (Team Manager), Tim Nielsen (Assistant Coach / Performance Analyst), Errol Alcott (Physiotherapist), Jock Campbell (Physical Performance Manager).
Australia will play four Tests in the West Indies, beginning in Guyana on 10 April.
Commenting on the squad chosen, NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said: "We know this series will be tough going as many of our players are coming off a long summer and hard World Cup campaign.
"However we are confident that the squad we have chosen will give us sufficient depth for the four-Test series and enough firepower to overcome an emerging West Indian team," he said.
The selected squad sees a change to the leadership structure with Ricky Ponting replacing Adam Gilchrist as vice-captain.
Hohns said: "As a selection panel, we have recommended that Ricky Ponting take on the vice-captaincy.
"The move certainly isn't a reflection on Adam Gilchrist's performance in that role, because he has been and will continue to be a terrific leader, but we feel that it is a logical step, given Ricky's role with the one-day international side and Adam is fully supportive of the move.
"As for the captaincy, Steve Waugh has signalled his intention to continue playing, and has displayed some outstanding form for New South Wales since the end of the Ashes series.
"It is a decision that he has obviously thought long and hard about and now that it has been made, we know that he will focus fully on the challenging series that lies ahead," he said.
Waugh's decision to tour the West Indies is likely to see him pass Allan Border as the most capped Australian Test player.
He drew level with Border when he played his 156th Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2003.
The squad also sees un-capped paceman Ashley Noffke called into the Australian squad for the first time since the 2001 Travelex Tour of the United Kingdom.
On that occasion, the Queenslander was called up to replace an injured Nathan Bracken before returning home himself after injuring an ankle during a tour match against Sussex.
During 2002-03, he claimed 39 first-class wickets at an average of 22.05 when representing Queensland and Australia A.
His best figures of 6-24 came against New South Wales in Sydney earlier this month, in the last qualifying game of the Pura Cup (6-9 March).
Hohns said that Noffke was a rising talent who had shown increasing maturity over the past few years.
"Ashley has played a big part in Queensland's recent run of success and we have been very impressed with his form for both Queensland and Australia A," Hohns said.
"We expect this tour to fast-track his development, just as Glenn McGrath took a big step forward in his career on the 1995 tour of the Caribbean," he said.
Noffke's Queensland teammate Martin Love has also been included in the squad, gaining overseas tour selection for the first time.
The 28-year-old, who played the final two matches of the 2002-03 Orange Test Series against England, scored 1105 first-class runs for the year at an average of 73.66 - the highest of any player.
His season highlights included two double hundreds against England during November – the first for Queensland in Brisbane, the second for Australia A at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
Apart from selection for the fourth and fifth Orange Test matches, Love's fine season was rewarded in January with State Player of the Year honours at the Allan Border Medal presentation in Melbourne.
Commenting on Love's Test squad selection, Hohns said: "Martin has demonstrated that he is ready for Test cricket.
"His domestic form has been outstanding for some time. He has a cool head and offers us a genuine option in the middle-order as well as a safe pair of hands in the slip cordon.
"We took into account his domestic experience and leadership, and felt that he can make a genuine contribution to the touring party.
"It was also felt that this tour will help his overall development as a Test batsman," he said.
-more-
Western Australian spinner and current member of the Australian one-day international squad, Brad Hogg, has also been included in the touring Test party for the first time since the 1996-97 tour of India.
Commenting on Hogg's inclusion, Hohns said: "Brad has impressed us with his solid performances at the World Cup and we believe that he can become a valuable member of the Test side.
"His enthusiasm is infectious and we feel that his energy in the field and ability with the bat will provide us with some flexibility moving forward," he said.
Speaking from South Africa, Hogg said he was delighted with his Test squad call-up.
"Obviously my mind is fixed on our World Cup campaign and tomorrow's semi-final against Sri Lanka, but this is something that I have strived for, so to have received the news that I had been selected was a great thrill," Hogg said.
"I just love representing Australia and being a part of this side, so personally, things couldn't be any better for me," he said.
The squad departs for the 2003 Travelex Tour of the West Indies on 31 March. The one-day international squad, meanwhile, will be announced in due course.
St-KriS
17 Mar 2003, 12:01
Clarke must feel a bit hard done by, but he's young, plenty of test cricket will come his way. Ditto with Bracken.
Also, I think Ricky being made V/C pretty much comfirms he's our next test Captain
TheMase
17 Mar 2003, 12:36
So then what would be your side for the first test?
Mine would be:
Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting
Damien Martyn
Steve Waugh
Darren Lehamnn
Adam Gilchrist
Andrew Bichel
Brett Lee
Stuart MacGill
Glenn McGrath
12th MAN - Martin Love
St-KriS
17 Mar 2003, 12:45
Well mine would be..
Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting
Damien Martyn
Steve Waugh
Martin Love
Adam Gilchrist
Brett Lee
Jason Gillispie
Stuart MacGill
Glen McGrath
12th Man Darren Lehmann
I'd go with Love over Lehmann just for the fact that ever since Lehmann regained his test spot, he really hasnt done anything and Love played pretty well and scored a 50 in his debut innings (plus, i admit, im also a bit biased towards a QLD'er :D)
And if Dizzy is fit, he's an automatic selection IMO, but if not, Bichel gets the nod.
goaldrush
17 Mar 2003, 13:00
Originally posted by St-KriS
Stephen Waugh (captain)
Ricky Ponting (vice-captain)
Andrew Bichel
Adam Gilchrist
Jason Gillespie*
Matthew Hayden
Brad Hogg
Justin Langer
Brett Lee NSW
Martin Love QLD
Darren Lehmann SA
Stuart MacGill NSW
Damien Martyn WA
Glenn McGrath NSW
Ashley Noffke
Jason Gillespie's selection is subject to fitness.
Team Management - John Buchanan (Coach), Steve Bernard (Team Manager), Tim Nielsen (Assistant Coach / Performance Analyst), Errol Alcott (Physiotherapist), Jock Campbell (Physical Performance Manager).
Australia will play four Tests in the West Indies, beginning in Guyana on 10 April.
Commenting on the squad chosen, NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said: "We know this series will be tough going as many of our players are coming off a long summer and hard World Cup campaign.
"However we are confident that the squad we have chosen will give us sufficient depth for the four-Test series and enough firepower to overcome an emerging West Indian team," he said.
The selected squad sees a change to the leadership structure with Ricky Ponting replacing Adam Gilchrist as vice-captain.
Hohns said: "As a selection panel, we have recommended that Ricky Ponting take on the vice-captaincy.
"The move certainly isn't a reflection on Adam Gilchrist's performance in that role, because he has been and will continue to be a terrific leader, but we feel that it is a logical step, given Ricky's role with the one-day international side and Adam is fully supportive of the move.
"As for the captaincy, Steve Waugh has signalled his intention to continue playing, and has displayed some outstanding form for New South Wales since the end of the Ashes series.
"It is a decision that he has obviously thought long and hard about and now that it has been made, we know that he will focus fully on the challenging series that lies ahead," he said.
Waugh's decision to tour the West Indies is likely to see him pass Allan Border as the most capped Australian Test player.
He drew level with Border when he played his 156th Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2003.
The squad also sees un-capped paceman Ashley Noffke called into the Australian squad for the first time since the 2001 Travelex Tour of the United Kingdom.
On that occasion, the Queenslander was called up to replace an injured Nathan Bracken before returning home himself after injuring an ankle during a tour match against Sussex.
During 2002-03, he claimed 39 first-class wickets at an average of 22.05 when representing Queensland and Australia A.
His best figures of 6-24 came against New South Wales in Sydney earlier this month, in the last qualifying game of the Pura Cup (6-9 March).
Hohns said that Noffke was a rising talent who had shown increasing maturity over the past few years.
"Ashley has played a big part in Queensland's recent run of success and we have been very impressed with his form for both Queensland and Australia A," Hohns said.
"We expect this tour to fast-track his development, just as Glenn McGrath took a big step forward in his career on the 1995 tour of the Caribbean," he said.
Noffke's Queensland teammate Martin Love has also been included in the squad, gaining overseas tour selection for the first time.
The 28-year-old, who played the final two matches of the 2002-03 Orange Test Series against England, scored 1105 first-class runs for the year at an average of 73.66 - the highest of any player.
His season highlights included two double hundreds against England during November – the first for Queensland in Brisbane, the second for Australia A at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
Apart from selection for the fourth and fifth Orange Test matches, Love's fine season was rewarded in January with State Player of the Year honours at the Allan Border Medal presentation in Melbourne.
Commenting on Love's Test squad selection, Hohns said: "Martin has demonstrated that he is ready for Test cricket.
"His domestic form has been outstanding for some time. He has a cool head and offers us a genuine option in the middle-order as well as a safe pair of hands in the slip cordon.
"We took into account his domestic experience and leadership, and felt that he can make a genuine contribution to the touring party.
"It was also felt that this tour will help his overall development as a Test batsman," he said.
-more-
Western Australian spinner and current member of the Australian one-day international squad, Brad Hogg, has also been included in the touring Test party for the first time since the 1996-97 tour of India.
Commenting on Hogg's inclusion, Hohns said: "Brad has impressed us with his solid performances at the World Cup and we believe that he can become a valuable member of the Test side.
"His enthusiasm is infectious and we feel that his energy in the field and ability with the bat will provide us with some flexibility moving forward," he said.
Speaking from South Africa, Hogg said he was delighted with his Test squad call-up.
"Obviously my mind is fixed on our World Cup campaign and tomorrow's semi-final against Sri Lanka, but this is something that I have strived for, so to have received the news that I had been selected was a great thrill," Hogg said.
"I just love representing Australia and being a part of this side, so personally, things couldn't be any better for me," he said.
The squad departs for the 2003 Travelex Tour of the West Indies on 31 March. The one-day international squad, meanwhile, will be announced in due course.
Ricky Ponting deserves to be V/C. Just have a look at his form:)
Originally posted by St-KriS
Well mine would be..
Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting
Damien Martyn
Steve Waugh
Martin Love
Adam Gilchrist
Brett Lee
Jason Gillispie
Stuart MacGill
Glen McGrath
12th Man Darren Lehmann
I'd go with Love over Lehmann just for the fact that ever since Lehmann regained his test spot, he really hasnt done anything and Love played pretty well and scored a 50 in his debut innings (plus, i admit, im also a bit biased towards a QLD'er :D)
And if Dizzy is fit, he's an automatic selection IMO, but if not, Bichel gets the nod.
Agree with everything you say Kris, except the QLD'er thing. :D
CharlieG
17 Mar 2003, 13:26
I'd say give Lehmann the benefit of the doubt at the start of the series. But Love does deserve a spot in the team... he will get it when one of Lehmann, Waugh or Martyn are dropped from the first six during this tour.
TheMase
17 Mar 2003, 14:15
Originally posted by TheMase
So then what would be your side for the first test?
Mine would be:
Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting
Damien Martyn
Steve Waugh
Darren Lehamnn
Adam Gilchrist
Andrew Bichel
Brett Lee
Stuart MacGill
Glenn McGrath
12th MAN - Martin Love
DISCLAIMER! : I put Bichel in instead of Dizzy because I don't expect Dizzy to come through.
If he was fit, then he would replace Bichel.
lamby29
17 Mar 2003, 14:22
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Love
Gilchrist
Hogg
Lee
Gillespie
McGrath
Obviously Bichel would replace Dizzy if he wasn't fit.
Jars458
17 Mar 2003, 14:24
Lehmann v Love is a tough call
Love only got picked cause boof was injured
Love did well in the side
Love's form in the last few months has been very average
Boof strugles against good pace bowling
Boof is a great team man
Lovei s a great slips fieldsman
Boof has a histroy of getting shafted
Boof has a histroy of getting shafted so they shold sympathise with him
It may come down to a shoot out in the only lead up game.
Whichever way they go will be fair enough.
TheMase
17 Mar 2003, 14:40
Originally posted by lamby29
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Love
Gilchrist
Hogg
Lee
Gillespie
McGrath
Obviously Bichel would replace Dizzy if he wasn't fit.
I think MacGill HAS to be the number one spinner.
Their records speak for themselves
2002/2003 stats:
MacGill (LEADING WICKET TAKER IN THE PURA CUP):
10 Matches
48 Wickets @ 26.83
SR 48.4
Econ 3.32
Hogg
3 Matches
4 Wickets @ 33.75
SR 56.7
Econ 3.56
CAREER:
MacGill
75 Matches
326 Wickets @ 28.50
SR 51.9
Econ 3.28
Hogg
65 Matches
83 Wickets @ 46.15
SR 86.5
Econ 3.19
Pretty easy choice for me :confused:
How long before Victoria produces a test cricketer (Warne aside)?
lamby29
17 Mar 2003, 14:44
But Hogg has a batting average of 30, MacGill's is around 10. Hogg is also a fine fielder, MacGill isn't. Hogg has also bowled magnificently in this current World Cup, so he deserves a chance as our number one spinner.
Groucho
17 Mar 2003, 14:57
Originally posted by Dean3
How long before Victoria produces a test cricketer (Warne aside)?
I think it will most likely be Cameron White but he may be a couple of years away. Victoria's inability to produce Test batsmen is not so much diabolical but extraordinary. By my calculations the only batsmen to have made 1000+ test runs in the last 25 years have been Yallop,Jones and Elliott. Compare that to the '60's when the Vics produced Lawry,Redpath,Stackpole,Cowper and Sheahan and it makes you wonder what's gone wrong.
Originally posted by lamby29
But Hogg has a batting average of 30, MacGill's is around 10. Hogg is also a fine fielder, MacGill isn't. Hogg has also bowled magnificently in this current World Cup, so he deserves a chance as our number one spinner.
Hogg failed in his only test (long time ago I grant you) McGill is a proven test perfomer. Batting shouldn't come into it when it comes to front line bowlers. McGill is the better bowler hence he gets my nod. Hogg is not a front line bowler.
Matthew Hayden
Justin Langer
Ricky Ponting
Damien Martyn
Steve Waugh
Darren Lehamnn
Adam Gilchrist
Andrew Bichel
Brett Lee
Stuart MacGill
Glenn McGrath
Twelthy: Martin Love
Lehmann just ahead of Love. I'd grudgingly drop Bichel if Dizzy is fit.
Kenny_01
17 Mar 2003, 16:06
Originally posted by lamby29
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Love
Gilchrist
Hogg
Lee
Gillespie
McGrath
Obviously Bichel would replace Dizzy if he wasn't fit.
I agree with that side. Not sure who out of Lehmann or Love should get picked. Probably Lehmann at this stage.
I don't mind Hoggy getting a game ahead of MacGill, no bias at all ;)
mattyc2422
17 Mar 2003, 19:13
No Clarke? For ****'s sake.
Agree with Noffke's inclusion. I feel he will be a regular player for Australia once McGrath hangs up the spikes. Noffke is much better than Bracken and could get a game if an injury occurs. Touch wood.
bunsen burner
17 Mar 2003, 19:16
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Love
Gilchrist
Lee
Gillespie
MacGill
McGrath
12th: Lehmann
Although a close call, I definately prefer MacGill over Hogg. Lehmann and Love is too close to call. I'm going for Love only because we need to start looking to the future yesterday.
I'd hate to be a young bloke trying to break into the Aussie side. They'll have to start looking at some young blokes soon, surely. Hopefully Clarke isn't 29-30 by the time he gets a gig. As for MacGill, sorry but I just can't cop him. I just think he gets hit far too much. Perhaps I could be judging him too harshly having been used to seeing Warney bowl all this time.
What about offies. Is Hauritz likely to get a gig in the near future?
Hogg may find himself ahead of Stewie if he bowls well in the first tour game, what goes in Hoggs favour is the number of left handers the west indies have in their top order. Left arm leggy spinning the ball away, it is known that stewie struggles to find length and rythym against left handers.
wagstaff
17 Mar 2003, 23:48
Surprised that they couldn't find a spot for Clarke in there. I think he would've been a viable alternative to play in the Top 6 in the first Test.
As it is, this is a bit of a Dad's Army squad - 2 thirds of the players are 30 or over. And that can make itself felt during a long, hard tour. Notably, Australia's fielding standards in the Ashes Tests fell away significantly, arguably because they had an ageing side that wasn't able to snaffle the half-chances they would've a few years before.
But one would expect Australia to win the series quite convincingly.
CharlieG
18 Mar 2003, 05:52
Who would you rather be?
Ashley Noffke. Going to the West Indies as the 15th man, unlikely to get much match time at all.
OR
Nathan Bracken. Going to South Africa as the #1 strike bowler for the 'A' side, and getting the chance to put your name in the selector's thoughts????
It's a tough one.
SCRAY72
18 Mar 2003, 07:43
If Nathan Bracken played for VIC or SA he would never be considered. He is mediocre at best.
As far for Michael Clarke, even if he gets in the side next year he is young enough to have a ten year test career. No hurry he will get his chance. After all the team is winning.
Originally posted by SCRAY72
As far for Michael Clarke, even if he gets in the side next year he is young enough to have a ten year test career. No hurry he will get his chance. After all the team is winning.
People thought that about Darren Lehmann as well, and he's played only a handful of Tests, and had to wait about 8 years for his first, after being 12th man in the 1989/90 series vs Pakistan and being in Clarke's position of being a certainty for the next vacant slot. This is despite being a consistent run-scorer at domestic level in that time - I don't think he's actually had a bad season in that time!
The only way in which Clarke's case is different is that there is a batsman close to retirement (S.Waugh), although Waugh probably wants to play on to India in 2004. Presuming Lehmann is the incumbent for the West Indies, Clarke would still be slightly behind Love in the reckoning for Waugh's spot when he vacates it (if it is soon).
manmountain
18 Mar 2003, 08:36
Originally posted by Dean3
How long before Victoria produces a test cricketer (Warne aside)?
Part of it in the early 90's was that we were playing a lot more matches on covered pitches. This meant they were often batsmen's paradises. So our batsmen were often spoilt and could still make runs with a slightly loose technique. Conversely, bowlers had to work harder for their wickets, which is why we produced so many test bowlers: Merv, Fleming, Reiffel, Warne.
These days, I'm not so sure of the reasons, but there are some promising players coming through. Cassell, White, Harwood to name a few. With batsmen, Hodge and Arnberger have been as prolific as almost anyone else over the past five years, but with such a strong test team, it's a matter of having a purple patch around the time a vacancy comes up, which is rare.
As a Victorian I also take this opportunity to re-affirm the fact that Australian selectors have it in for us Vics!
ScouseCat
18 Mar 2003, 08:37
Originally posted by St-KriS
Stephen Waugh (captain)
Ricky Ponting (vice-captain)
Andrew Bichel
Adam Gilchrist
Jason Gillespie*
Matthew Hayden
Brad Hogg
Justin Langer
Brett Lee
Martin Love
Darren Lehmann
Stuart MacGill
Damien Martyn
Glenn McGrath
Ashley Noffke
Brad Williams and Michael Clarke would be disappointed to miss out on the tour as both players had pretty good seasons during our summer.
Originally posted by manmountain
With batsmen, Hodge and Arnberger have been as prolific as almost anyone else over the past five years, but with such a strong test team, it's a matter of having a purple patch around the time a vacancy comes up, which is rare.
Hodge is not a conistent run-scorer, and is not in the same league as players like Lehmann, Blewett, Clarke, Katich, Love, Hussey, Bevan, etc etc whose averages are roughly 10 runs higher.
It also took him until his 100th F/C match to get past 140, which is a disappointing return for a player that had very high expectations attached to him after his first big season in 1995/96. People generally reckon mark Waugh underachieved.. well his overall Test record is very similar to Hodge's domestic record.
Hodge had a very disappointing season this year too, Finished the season averaging 33, and until that big century in the last match was averaging only 22 and would have been close to getting dropped.
His Sheffield Shield record thus far :
1993-94 - 903 runs @ 50.16
1994-95 - 343 runs @ 22.86
1995-96 - 174 runs @ 21.75
1996-97 - 237 runs @ 19.75
1997-98 - 494 runs @ 38.00
1998-99 - 652 runs @ 43.46
1999-00 - 423 runs @ 24.88
2000-01 - 973 runs @ 54.05
2001-02 - 858 runs @ 57.20
2002-03 - 503 runs @ 33.53
In ten seasons, that's very inconsistent, and five of those years were absolute crap. Not much of a case for national selection I would have thought, and probably lucky to even be considered "fringe".