Team for Hobart. [Archive]

Spikey

5 Jan 2010, 15:43

Yeah Hussey ain't going anywehre, neither is Ponting. Hughes ain't staying unless Katich isn't fit. Hauritz isn't going anywhere.

Katich
Watson
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
....Let's be honest. The options are pretty shit. I think North will stay. I don't care who comes in as I have no faith in anyone performing.
Haddin
Johnson
Haurtiz
Siddle/ Hilf if he's fit.
Bollinger

TheColeTrain

5 Jan 2010, 15:47

What I would like to see

Watson
Hughes
Katitch
Ponting
Clarke
White
Paine
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bollinger

Reality is our moron selectors will just say out Hughes in Katitch

richskee

5 Jan 2010, 15:58

I know Chris Rogers is an opener but he's in form. N orth has to go, heard today that he's avearged 26 this summer. Wow, thats crap.

Belnakor

5 Jan 2010, 16:02

Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Katich
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bollinger

Jimthegreat

5 Jan 2010, 16:03

Hussey will be there for a little while. His form's been good and better than North and Ponting put together.

Watson
Katch
Klinger
Hussey
Clarke
Ponting (time for a drop down the order)
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz (just but happy to try Smith)
Siddle (only while Hilfenhaus is out-happy to try McKay again too)
Bollinger

Wally Carter

5 Jan 2010, 16:05

Watson to 3, Ponting to 5, "heir apparent" to 4, White to 6.

Hughes
Katitch
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
White
Haddin

I'll leave the bowling picks for now.

crownie

5 Jan 2010, 16:09

most of these teams are just laughable, you dont make a heap of changes just cause of one defeat.

only thing possible is North getting dropped but they will give him one more test and rightly so.

alfy!

5 Jan 2010, 16:19

Probably unchanged.

A lot of the suggested changes are ridiculous.

red+black

5 Jan 2010, 16:21

Watson to 3, Ponting to 5, "heir apparent" to 4, White to 6.

Hughes
Katitch
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
White
Haddin

I'll leave the bowling picks for now.

I like your thinking, except you can't drop Hussey now even though he should have been dropped before the Summer. Something needs to be done at the top. Either Watto to 3 or one of the other openers around the country will have to slot into 1st drop. If an opener wants the opportunity to play for Australia, they need to be able to bat at 3 or 6 as well, cos sometimes it's just too hard to wait for an opening position.

Thumpy

5 Jan 2010, 16:31

Those of you that think that Hussey deserves to be dropped should seriously rethink. What more do you expect the poor bloke to do. Pump out a 100 every week or he deserves to get dropped. He's been probably our third best batsman this summer behind Katich and Watson and still there's people calling for his head. He's one of the teams best when we're under pressure and this has been witnesses before, most notably at the Oval when he scored 120something in the final innings. I think you'll find that if you remove him from the team and we'll perform worse than we have recently. I seriously believe that he can still keep a spot in the side for at least a few more years.

Spiritof82

5 Jan 2010, 16:36

Watson to 3, Ponting to 5, "heir apparent" to 4, White to 6.

Hughes
Katitch
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
White
Haddin

I'll leave the bowling picks for now.

Why have Clarke at 4, all he's done this summer is imitate a specialist fielder (and pretty badly at that), he can't bowl and even some of the bowlers are averaging better with the bat than him. Give him a test or two off so he and his husband Lara can go and work on their lost car keys story.:cool:

Dixie Flatline

5 Jan 2010, 16:41

Probably unchanged.

A lot of the suggested changes are ridiculous.

If Katfish is fit, then he'll replace Hughes. Otherwise, as you were.

North may get a tap on the shoulder from the selectors to show why he should continue to be selected, but he'll get at least the Hobart Test. From memory, he was fairly reasonable during the Ashes six months ago.

The Governor

5 Jan 2010, 16:41

Here is my test XI for the Hobart Test Match:

Shane Watson
Phil Hughes
Ricky (CAPTAIN)
Michael Clarke
Michael Hussey
Cameron White
Tim Paine
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Peter Siddle
Doug Bollinger

I would drop North and Haddin for Cameron White and Tim Paine.

Spikey

5 Jan 2010, 16:55

Is that the same Paine as the one who has in the past two FC seasons averaged 31.64 and scored no centuries?

Cause if so. I'm gonna keep (Pun intended) Haddin.

JUBJUB

5 Jan 2010, 17:06

Khawaja / Klinger

Thoughts?

My thought is you had to have been stoned when you posted this

Axel.

5 Jan 2010, 17:14

My thought is you had to have been stoned when you posted this

Have you seen Khawaja play? :cool:

Zeke

5 Jan 2010, 17:46

The test team I would take to Hobart.

Watson
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
S.Marsh
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

In: Katich, Marsh, Hilfenhaus
Out: Hughes, North, Siddle

dumb

5 Jan 2010, 17:49

in: katich, white
out: hughes, north

same batting order. kat open, white at 6. no way in the world ponting will shift from 3.

i don't think the selectors will gamble with someone untried if they drop north, for what is almost certainly a live test match. one option i have not seen is and would not be averse to - out: north / in: smith, considering people rate him as a batsman. would not be surprised if the selectors squeezed him into the team that way, after all they are pretty eager to include him you'd have to say. but i think they'll play it safe if they drop north, bring white in. not least of all considering his slip-fielding skills.

hilf in for siddle if he's fit.

Dez!

5 Jan 2010, 17:50

The test team I would take to Hobart.

Watson
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
S.Marsh
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

In: Katich, Marsh, Hilfenhaus
Out: Hughes, North, Siddle

I would sooner bring in Mitch Marsh before I brought in Shaun.

Hilfenhaus isn't fit and even if he is he won't have the match fitness or form, besides Siddle bowled well this Test but was very unlucky.

Although I applaud you on being one of the few who isn't dropping Hussey, his form in Australia has been very good recently and watching this innings he's the only thing holding us up. The only other bloke that pulled his weight in this innings has been Watson.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 17:50

Katich
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
Hussey
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bolly

Anyone know how long til Hifly is fit? Siddle bowls well but just isn't getting the rewards. Hopefully it will click for him.

Hussey has to stay. He's in form. Next time he has a slump he'll be out>

I'd dump Ponting as captain after the Hobart test and replace him with Katich. Tactically he's woeful. I'd bat 95% of the time after winning a toss, but that pitch was ridiculaously green and I'm at a loss how anyone would bat first on it.

The 747

5 Jan 2010, 17:52

Out North, in Smith. Need to get more out of the number 6 position than we are getting at the moment.

And just an observation, when people say this is no time for wholesale changes, well when exactly is right time for changes?

This team is going nowhere fast, we are struggling to beat the 6th and 7th ranked Test teams at HOME and are about to get thrashed (barring a miracle) at the SCG by Pakistan.

We lost at home to South Africa, we lost to India and we lost the Ashes. Will we be able to beat New Zealand in NZ with this side?

The only notable improver in the side is Watson who looks like our best batsman. Everyone else is either holding ground or declining.

The 747

5 Jan 2010, 17:54

I would sooner bring in Mitch Marsh before I brought in Shaun.

Hilfenhaus isn't fit and even if he is he won't have the match fitness or form, besides Siddle bowled well this Test but was very unlucky.

Although I applaud you on being one of the few who isn't dropping Hussey, his form in Australia has been very good recently and watching this innings he's the only thing holding us up. The only other bloke that pulled his weight in this innings has been Watson.

:eek: He was dropped 3 times by the wicketkeeper, all sitters. The only reason he is still there is because Akmal lost the plot.

Having said that, he is looking a lot better at the crease now.

stickman11

5 Jan 2010, 18:03

I doubt Katich will get back, if he does, I'd drop North. Hasn't performed all summer and is well old.

I'd love to see Hughes stay but moved to 4 where he can work out his game without the pressure of opening. Way too talented to be dropped, especially with our aging side. And to be fair, he showed more fight than the middle order.

I am not convinced about Haddin. I thought Paine was cleaner behind the stumps than Haddin and can handle the willow just as well, perhaps a little more consistantly.

Haddin is overated but will stay.

Can't really see klinger getting in. Just bit on the old side, he'd end up like North.

Dez!

5 Jan 2010, 18:08

:eek: He was dropped 3 times by the wicketkeeper, all sitters. The only reason he is still there is because Akmal lost the plot.

Having said that, he is looking a lot better at the crease now.

So what? He's still there, it's not his fault that Akmal can't catch.

Fact is he's 73 not out while besides Watson's 97 everyone else has been next to useless.

stickman11

5 Jan 2010, 18:14

So what? He's still there, it's not his fault that Akmal can't catch.

Fact is he's 73 not out while besides Watson's 97 everyone else has been next to useless.
Lucky. You have to admit, he was gifted some lives. I thought Hughes was unlucky. Good catch from a team that can't normally catch. If Ponting had have been dropped, he may have gone on to make a bigger score.

The only problem with Hussey is that he is aging fast like ponting and just can't dominate a game anymore. And he is playing well down the order.

Axel.

5 Jan 2010, 18:14

Katich
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
Hussey
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bolly

ah that's a good team. :thumbsu:

stickman11

5 Jan 2010, 18:16

Dez!

5 Jan 2010, 18:17

Lucky. You have to admit, he was gifted some lives. I thought Hughes was unlucky. Good catch from a team that can't normally catch. If Ponting had have been dropped, he may have gone on to make a bigger score.

The only problem with Hussey is that he is aging fast like ponting and just can't dominate a game anymore. And he is playing well down the order.

No doubt it was lucky, but only the best batsmen make the opposition pay for costly mistakes like that which he's doing.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:17

I'd love to see Hughes stay but moved to 4 where he can work out his game without the pressure of opening. Way too talented to be dropped, especially with our aging side. And to be fair, he showed more fight than the middle order.

I agree. Hughes has to play. Whether it's at the top of the order or lower order, it doesn't matter. Just play him and get experience into his legs.

I don't like him at 4 though. I like Clarke at 4, or maybe 3, and Ponting at 5. Open or maybe 6 for me.

stickman11

5 Jan 2010, 18:18

ah that's a good team. :thumbsu:
Any team with Hauritz isn't a good team. Only spin from Hauritz you'll see is in his press confrences.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:20

Katich wasn't a good captain for NSW. Haddin had far more success than Katich.
Put Haddin in then. Ponting has to go. Our side is weak at the moment and we at least need someone who chooses the right tactics. If they choose Katich or haddin it will always be a short term option. I'd be reluctant to choose Clarke because he's be a long term option and my gut feeling is he's the wrong man down the track.

Zeke

5 Jan 2010, 18:21

I would sooner bring in Mitch Marsh before I brought in Shaun.
Mitch hasn't even hit a Shield century. I've seen him bat live and agree that he is a classy future prospect, but Sean is having a great summer. He has performed at international level and knows his way around the Australian team. He's the perfect replacement for North who has been very disappointing this summer, imo.

Hilfenhaus isn't fit and even if he is he won't have the match fitness or form, besides Siddle bowled well this Test but was very unlucky.
My selection was assuming fitness. Not sure he is (or will be), but he offers something Siddle doesn't - movement through the air at pace. Siddle hits the deck hard, glares, postures and generally appears to be a strike bowler except for the fact that he can't buy a wicket this summer.

Although I applaud you on being one of the few who isn't dropping Hussey, his form in Australia has been very good recently and watching this innings he's the only thing holding us up. The only other bloke that pulled his weight in this innings has been Watson.
Hussey, Clarke and Watson are the only blokes who have batted at a consistently satisfactory level during the summer. The rest have been below par.

Port_Adelaide

5 Jan 2010, 18:23

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:23

ah that's a good team. :thumbsu:It's about as good as we can get atm. The cold hard truth is we just don't have the cattle.

Hopefully Smith we be the real deal and apparently there are a couple of punks from NSW who are likely pace types. Hopefully one of them is the real deal. Hopefully Johnson can tighten his average and consistency because he knows how to get wickets.

Rids

5 Jan 2010, 18:26

I wouldn't be making wholesale changes. The only really out of form players are Ponting and North. Ponting is obviously safe and given North's impressive South Africa/England form he may get another chance.

If North is to go though I would like to see Klinger get a game - has been in outstanding form for the past 2 seasons and getting a spot in the test side at a relatively late age didn't seem to hurt Hayden, Langer and Hussey in recent years. The other option is obviously to retain Phil Hughes (assuming Katich is fit) which I would also be happy with.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:27

Watson
Katich
Hughes*
Ponting*
Clarke*
Hussey
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle*
Bollinger

Players with * need a strong performance. Less so Clarke and Siddle but they still need to do better than they have been lately.
Ponting and Clarke have plenty of points in the bank before anyone questions their position in the team.

Siddle would be in trouble if Hilfy was fit. He bowls well but doen't have the knack of wicket taking that Johnson seems to have. Not sure if this will change though. I think in 3 years time Johnson will survive, but we will have some young prospects not disimilar to Hughes in that they will be a cut above their peers and we will play them because we will be reasonably sure they will be 10 year players.

Spikey

5 Jan 2010, 18:29

Any team with Hauritz isn't a good team. Only spin from Hauritz you'll see is in his press confrences.

Has 19 wickets this summer. I don't care how big or little his spin is if he keeps that up.

stickman11

5 Jan 2010, 18:34

Put Haddin in then. Ponting has to go. Our side is weak at the moment and we at least need someone who chooses the right tactics. If they choose Katich or haddin it will always be a short term option. I'd be reluctant to choose Clarke because he's be a long term option and my gut feeling is he's the wrong man down the track.
All captains make bad decisions. Waugh and Taylor made a few howlers. People have to realise, we are not that good - don't have the players to be good.

Johnson, Howritz and Bollinger don't = Mcgrath, Warne and Gillespie

Haddin dose not = Gilchrist

Hayden, Langer gone = Ponting is getting older, Hussey (old) and Carke has never been really damaging.

The trouble is we've always been too slow finding young players. Even Hayden and Langer were tossed aside for long periods even though their talent was recognisable.

Think, we had Warne and McGill, now we have Hauritz. Somethings are just not fair.

stickman11

5 Jan 2010, 18:36

Has 19 wickets this summer. I don't care how big or little his spin is if he keeps that up.
Most have been flukes and tailenders. If the windies were and pakies had better batsmen, he'd be punished. But if you compare him to the other spinners, he has been quite poor.

lionbear

5 Jan 2010, 18:37

What I would like to see

Watson
Hughes
Katitch
Ponting
Clarke
White
Paine
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bollinger

Reality is our moron selectors will just say out Hughes in Katitch

Not sure about White, but I don't mind this side besdies that:thumbsu:

Spikey

5 Jan 2010, 18:42

Most have been flukes and tailenders. If the windies were and pakies had better batsmen, he'd be punished. But if you compare him to the other spinners, he has been quite poor.

:rolleyes:

Statistics say no. As many wickets as Benn with a better average and strike-rate. Comfortably outperformed the Pakistani guy last match.

Kaneria outperforming him this match, although when one spinner is able to bowl without having to worry about runs and the other isn't it's not surprise to see the first one perform better.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:43

Has 19 wickets this summer. I don't care how big or little his spin is if he keeps that up.In the scheme of things he is filler. A real spinner has the ability to consistently bowl teams out on 5 day wickets. He's serviceable.

The Cotch

5 Jan 2010, 18:43

Hughes
Watson
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Katich
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Siddle
Bollinger/Hilfenhaus

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:47

All captains make bad decisions. Waugh and Taylor made a few howlers. People have to realise, we are not that good - don't have the players to be good.

Johnson, Howritz and Bollinger don't = Mcgrath, Warne and Gillespie

Haddin dose not = Gilchrist

Hayden, Langer gone = Ponting is getting older, Hussey (old) and Carke has never been really damaging.

The trouble is we've always been too slow finding young players. Even Hayden and Langer were tossed aside for long periods even though their talent was recognisable.

Think, we had Warne and McGill, now we have Hauritz. Somethings are just not fair.You are in complete denial and hiding behind things largely irrelevant.

Wugh and taylor did make a few mistakes but largely were astute tacticians. Ponting has all the attributes except he is a woeful tactician. Time and time again he makes poor decisions. Often howlers. He lost a series because he bowled spinners instead of the quicks who had the opposition on the ropes. He's hopeless and during the week I listened to the radio a bit and nearly all the commentators agreed he was a poor tactician.

How much more evidence do you need?

Spikey

5 Jan 2010, 18:48

In the scheme of things he is filler. A real spinner has the ability to consistently bowl teams out on 5 day wickets. He's serviceable.

Don't disagree. But people seem to ignore A) He's doing a very decent job and B) There's no other spinners* when they criticise him

*Don't say Krejza.

aussie1st

5 Jan 2010, 18:48

Katich/Hughes
Watson
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Hughes/Katich/White/Marsh
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bollinger

Marsh and White have the ODI experience and White also has the Test so I don't think they will look outside of the 3 I mentioned for a one off match. If it was a series Bailey, Klinger and co would come into it.

lionbear

5 Jan 2010, 18:48

I agree with the Cotch...

Bolinger and Hilfenhaus should be fighting for number 11, Haddin will play but I would love to see paine play a home test to let haddin know he has to work for his spot.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:50

:rolleyes:

Statistics say no. As many wickets as Benn with a better average and strike-rate. Comfortably outperformed the Pakistani guy last match.

But Benn rolled us for 150 and single-handedly got his team back into the match. Something Hauritz has (to my knowledge) not even done in state cricket.

You're not a real spinner unless you can turn or win a game when the wicket is turning.

Donners

5 Jan 2010, 18:53

Ponting has played unfit in this Test, so I don't think that will stop him for the next.

Hussey and Haddin aren't going anywhere.

North is the only one who's in slight danger. Even then, the most obvious replacement - Ferguson - is injured. Bailey, Dave Hussey and Cosgrove were mediocre last season and Voges was terrible. The only player to really put his hand up, and hold his form, is Klinger, and I just don't think the selectors are interested in him.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:53

Don't disagree. But people seem to ignore A) He's doing a very decent job and B) There's no other spinners* when they criticise him

*Don't say Krejza.He's been serviceable but people are just saying that if he's the best we've got then we can't be very good. It's not his fault and people are merely pointing out "how it rolls".

legend166

5 Jan 2010, 18:53

Why are some people acting like Clarke hasn't scored runs in years? Sure, he's not having the best summer, but over 2007, 08 and 09 he scored over 2000 runs at an average of 55. Even this summer hasn't been the worst, he's still averaging 40.

Zeke

5 Jan 2010, 18:53

I agree with the Cotch...

Bolinger and Hilfenhaus should be fighting for number 11, Haddin will play but I would love to see paine play a home test to let haddin know he has to work for his spot.

Bollinger has comfortably leap frogged Siddle.

It's Siddle v Hilfy now, I would say.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 18:54

Spikey

5 Jan 2010, 19:02

But Benn rolled us for 150 and single-handedly got his team back into the match. Something Hauritz has (to my knowledge) not even done in state cricket.

You're not a real spinner unless you can turn or win a game when the wicket is turning.

True. But what did Benn do in the other 4 innings? 6 wickets in 4 innings...

You're not a match-winning spinner if you don't do that. I'm not calling Hauritz a match-winning spinner. I'm disagreeing with the stupid comment 'Any team with Hauritz isn't a good team.' cause it's...stupid.

DIG

5 Jan 2010, 19:06

North will be dropped. In worse form than Hughes was when he was dropped in England.

If katich is still out, they should consider white.

If katich is fit then play Hughes at 6. He'll be "protected" there and still see 2nd new balls. There's no way the preferred top 5 will change around for him.

Yeah he's an opener but most of them are playing out of their supposed best positions anyway!

hoggy34

5 Jan 2010, 19:07

In: Katich & Klinger

Out: North & Hughes

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 19:08

True. But what did Benn do in the other 4 innings? 6 wickets in 4 innings...I'm not saying he's a good bowler but he did do what a spinner should do. You used stats to back up your stance and that is flawed.

'Any team with Hauritz isn't a good team.' cause it's...stupid.It's a reasonable comment. He's really a state cricketer but he's the best we got at the moment. To his credit he has played okay.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 19:10

North will be dropped. In worse form than Hughes was when he was dropped in England.

If katich is still out, they should consider white.

If katich is fit then play Hughes at 6. He'll be "protected" there and still see 2nd new balls. There's no way the preferred top 5 will change around for him.

Most of them are playing out of their supposed best positions anyway!
Hughes wasn't dropped on form. He was dropped because he had a weakness. Apples to oranges, but Hughes has to stay and if Katich comes back, North has to go.

Kong

5 Jan 2010, 19:20

To those mentioning Hilfenhaus, I heard that he's apparently out for the rest of the Summer.

Spikey

5 Jan 2010, 19:33

I'm not saying he's a good bowler but he did do what a spinner should do. You used stats to back up your stance and that is flawed.

Not at all, if anything the statistics prove my point. Benn had one good innings and was useless for the other 4. Hauritz was consistent throughout the series. I'm not arguing Hauritz is amazing and will go down in history, but he does a decent enough job and gets undeserved criticism.

It's a reasonable comment. He's really a state cricketer but he's the best we got at the moment. To his credit he has played okay.

He averages 31 in test cricket. To say we can't be considered a good team because he's in it is stupid.

Wally Carter

5 Jan 2010, 19:36

Why have Clarke at 4, all he's done this summer is imitate a specialist fielder (and pretty badly at that), he can't bowl and even some of the bowlers are averaging better with the bat than him. Give him a test or two off so he and his husband Lara can go and work on their lost car keys story.:cool:

Very talented, but soft, cricketer.

He fails in Hobart and it's goodbye as far as I'm concerned.

Spikey

5 Jan 2010, 19:41

If Clarke hadn't averaged 56 since the 06 Ashes I might even agree that he should be dropped after one summer of averaging 42.

bus24

5 Jan 2010, 19:47

North should be dumped. Wouldn't mind seeing Haddin given the arse as well, but he seems to be entrenched in the boys club, so don't see it happening.

Ideally (if you wanted to keep Hughes in) you'd probably bring Katich back in for North and move Robot to 6 - but you don't want to mess with Watsons superb form. Despite being an utter flog, he's done an exceptional job opening the batting.

So maybe you bring in Katich and another middle order batsman to replace Hughes and North. Not to get too excited over a bit of shit and giggle T20, but Shaun Marsh looked in great nick tonight. So maybe he's an option.

Would love to see Haddin punted though. Complete and utter tit.

bunsen burner

5 Jan 2010, 19:51

Not at all, if anything the statistics prove my point. Benn had one good innings and was useless for the other 4. Hauritz was consistent throughout the series. I'm not arguing Hauritz is amazing and will go down in history, but he does a decent enough job and gets undeserved criticism.

He averages 31 in test cricket. To say we can't be considered a good team because he's in it is stupid.Err, champ, you claimed Hairitz's stats are better than Benn's so therefore he is better. You didn't even consider anything that is non-statistical.

If it's about stats then why are they considering playing the 20 yo Smith? Could it be the selectors highly value the ability to bowl out teams and believe hauritz will not develop that capability?

I'm not convinced you understand what the role is of a good spinner. Another quick could get the returns that he has got. Obviously there's something alse they want from a spinner.

disclaimer: Yes, of course I know Ponting thinks a spinners role is to maintain the over rate.

ROOTA#6

5 Jan 2010, 20:27

Clarke is a front runner and has shown a few times this summer that he does not have the ability/concentration to fight his way through tough periods when the team needs him. Actually when I think about it Watson is about the only bloke who has shown that he can do this lately. Where is the fighting spirit of a Langer or Steve Waugh. They would have gritted their teeth and weathered the storm day 1. Marcus North is supposed to be our fighter but he just goes too hard at the ball all the time and the bowler is always a chance to get him out. If I was picking a Test side I would be looking around the Shield scene for a gritty type player who could compliment our shot makers

legend166

5 Jan 2010, 20:32

Very talented, but soft, cricketer.

He fails in Hobart and it's goodbye as far as I'm concerned.

Why are some people acting like Clarke hasn't scored runs in years? Sure, he's not having the best summer, but over 2007, 08 and 09 he scored over 2000 runs at an average of 55. Even this summer hasn't been the worst, he's still averaging 40.

....

CAS79

5 Jan 2010, 20:42

larrikin

5 Jan 2010, 20:56

They like Marsh and he's in form. There was a rumour going around (and was mentioned on ABC) that if they thought ponting was in serious doubt for Boxing Day Marsh would've been added to the squad rather than Hughes.

Not sure of the validity of it, but if you're looking at middle order batsmen he has to be a chance.

Plugger35

5 Jan 2010, 20:58

People going overboard with the changes really.

Watson
Katich (He'll be fit for this)
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Klinger
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle (Assuming Hilf is not fit)
Bollinger
12: Geeves... save an air fare.

I'd go with pretty much the same side, although I think North will stay in the team for Hobart and probably deserves one more opportunity to keep his spot.

If North is axed I'd like to see Cosgrove replace him. He's been in great form for SA and will also give us the overweight Darren Lehmann/Jesse Ryder style cult hero that the team badly needs.

Cotchin 9

5 Jan 2010, 21:08

IN: Katich, Bailey
OUT: Snorkel, Hughes

1. SR Watson
2. SM Katich
3. RT Ponting
4. MEK Hussey
5. MJ Clarke
6. GJ Bailey
7. BJ Haddin
8. NM Hauritz
9. MG Johnson
10. PM Siddle
11. DE Bollinger

Don't want the Snorkel to go, but his form of late hasn't set the world on fire.

wavefall21

5 Jan 2010, 21:37

If I had my way (even thought it's unrealistic) I'd love to see this team on the park

Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Katich
Clarke
Klinger
Smith
Paine
Johnson
Siddle (would drop him for Hilfy if fit)
Bollinger

It will never happen cos that number of changes is impossible, but I love the blend of youth and experience and it's about looking to the future, the days of picking players on repuation are absolutely gone in my book

bus24

5 Jan 2010, 21:42

Katich into the middle order wouldn't be the worst thing I suppose.

Heaven knows we need some strength, grit and fight in there.

Cotchin 9

5 Jan 2010, 21:46

Selectors will make one or two changes, tops.

You won't see Steve Smith get a game, Ponting/Katich/Hughes to the middle order, etc, etc.

Thommo 42

5 Jan 2010, 22:58

How could anyone push for the retention of Hughes based on his efforts in this test?

Literally looked completely out of his depth.

boncer34

5 Jan 2010, 23:14

To those clambering for Steve Smiths inclusion he has 2 things going for him

1) He's young
2) Warnie likes him

11 wickets @ over 75. Yeah lets bring him in.

Plugger35

5 Jan 2010, 23:42

To those clambering for Steve Smiths inclusion he has 2 things going for him

1) He's young
2) Warnie likes him

11 wickets @ over 75. Yeah lets bring him in.

As much as you might joke that will probably go a long way to him being selected.

Let's face it, Warne is now considered a spinning guru. Selectors like Merv Hughes and Hilditch don't know jack shit about spin bowling so if someone like Warney gives them the heads up they will probably go along with his advice.

FWIW I think Smith still needs a year or two in Shield cricket before he is ready for test cricket but he definitely has potential and should be a test regular in a few years. Off spinners are a dime a dozen but a good leg spinner is worth their weight in gold as Kaneria showed today.

Sman-21

6 Jan 2010, 00:51

as ive said elsewhere sometimes u need to ignore stats and give them a go based on talent.

Warnes stats were terrible when he made his debut for australia they were only slightly better than Smiths if i remember correctly.
Watson is our best performing batsmen right now , he wouldnt be playing based on stats.
Same for Johnson.

Smith already has better control than macgill did and look what macgill was able to do for aus with little opportunity.
Smith will not be as great as Warne but i think he will be macgill like but can bat.

To those saying Smith wont be any good look at stats you will be like the mllion people who said the same thing about Warne when he was first selected

Rids

6 Jan 2010, 01:27

Agree Smith has great potential but comparing him to Warne on the basis of both having poor Sheffield Shield statistics but great potential is not quite right.

Warne only played a couple of games for Victoria prior to getting selected. It was for the Australia "B" and "Australian XI" sides where he was impressing (and his stats for those representative sides certainly backed it up) and it was on that basis that he got picked in the test side.

Hauritz has done a fine job this summer (plenty of wickets and handy with the bat) and I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would be calling for his head at this stage.

I really hope that Smith one day does get his bowling to a level where he is our number one test spinner because having sen him bowl he is most impressive ... but I suspect that time is someway off yet based on Smith's FC performances to date and Hauritz's impressive summer.

ROOKIED

6 Jan 2010, 05:33

Have I missed where Cameron White has made so many runs that he should be considered again for test selection? One Day runs shouldn't count for Test selection if they aren't been backed up at Shield level.

For those calling for Haddins head, think about how many test keepers Australia has used over the last 10-20 years, they don't change keepers unless there is a replacement smashing down the door (which there isn't at the moment) or there is a injury.

Innit

6 Jan 2010, 05:45

May be biased as a Vic, but surely Rogers has the runs on the board for a crack again..
Cam white as the all rounder

ROOKIED

6 Jan 2010, 05:53

Im starting to sound like a White basher, but how can you call him a allrounder when he doesn't bowl for his state? Shaun Marsh bowled last night, is he now a allrounder?:confused:

Wally Carter

6 Jan 2010, 05:54

Let's face it, Warne is now considered a spinning guru. Selectors like Merv Hughes and Hilditch don't know jack shit about spin bowling so if someone like Warney gives them the heads up they will probably go along with his advice.

Forget about "spinning guru", Warne is the best cricket brain in the country. Period.

In fact, he should still be playing and captaining his ~ 100th test by now, if it wasn't for the powers that be, being swayed by all the bad P.R. bullshit.

I don't think Warne would be calling for Smiths inclusion yet. Playing him against the Pakistanis right now would be throwing him to the wolves.

However, the sooner they make the man the chairman of selectors, the sooner Australian cricket will move forward.

Wally Carter

6 Jan 2010, 05:56

Im starting to sound like a White basher, but how can you call him a allrounder when he doesn't bowl for his state? Shaun Marsh bowled last night, is he now a allrounder?:confused:

White isn't a test all rounder, he is a solid batsman, brilliant fieldsman and excellent captain, that can bowl half a dozen overs on the odd occasion.

Innit

6 Jan 2010, 06:10

Much like North, who only bowls on the odd occasion

Wally Carter

6 Jan 2010, 06:12

Much like North, who only bowls on the odd occasion

The only time you would bowl White in a test match would be on a fourth innings crumbler, or for 3 or 4 overs to help break a partnership.

North is fractionally more a front line bowler, but not by much.

krusden

6 Jan 2010, 08:16

Watson
Hughes
Kat
Clarke
Punter
Huss
Haddin
Hauritz
Johnson
Siddle/Hilfy (if fit)
Doug the rug

IN my view:
- Leave hughes at the top. he's the long term opening option. give him a bit o' faith
- If Kat's okay then why not put him at 3?
- time for punter to go down the order. I like that middle order. even if australia is 4 for not many punter is there to sure things up with huss.
- North goes back to shield to get form.

The top order is fine, it's our middle that's being let down. we need to sure things up there (see relative failures from north and pup yesterday) - even if hughes fails we have kat next and this gives time for him to develop as a batsman without too much pressure. i like punter coming in down the order later in his career.

The 747

6 Jan 2010, 09:16

To those clambering for Steve Smiths inclusion he has 2 things going for him

1) He's young
2) Warnie likes him

11 wickets @ over 75. Yeah lets bring him in.

Also averages 46 with the bat. Was suggesting he comes in at number 6 not at the expense of Hauritz.

medhurstISGOD

6 Jan 2010, 10:14

Watson
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
McDonald
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bollinger
12: McKay

rhaz

6 Jan 2010, 10:14

it'll be a cold day in hell when ponting is shifted from #3

DIG

6 Jan 2010, 11:01

swansrule100

6 Jan 2010, 11:03

my guess at the team (not who i would pick)

katich
watson
ponting
hussey
clarke
north
haddin
johnson
hauritz
siddle
bollinger

think the team is written in permanent marker in the selection panels shared flat

XFactor1979

6 Jan 2010, 12:34

you have to wonder what the pakistan full strength team would be like injury free, form issues, personality conflicts etc

the current squad is comfortably playing in test status

i can list forgotten names:
younis khan - the "other" world class player other than yousuf
shoaib malik - can bat, can bowl, former captain- not playing???
shoaib akhtar - we know, we know...
sohail tanvir - unique bowling action. bowls off the wrong step. didnt he play for south australia last year?
shahid afridi - typifies the pakistani flair. will definitely be in the odi series
naved "rana" ul-hasan - he might feature in the odi series

other names to throw in the hat: mohammed hafeez, imran nazir

deledio7

6 Jan 2010, 14:48

XFactor1979

6 Jan 2010, 14:50

I can't understand why Khan, Malik and ul-hasan aren't in the test team. Mind blowing.

even worse is the inclusion of lesser players misbah, faisal and in the first test abdur rauf (?!??!?!)

deledio7

6 Jan 2010, 15:05

even worse is the inclusion of lesser players misbah, faisal and in the first test abdur rauf (?!??!?!)

Spot on. Misbah is utterly hopeless at test level and playing Rauf at Melbourne instead of ul-hasan or even Tanvir is incredible. Rauf is a nothing bowler.

On topic, I think Siddle needs to be rested. Has only taken 6 wickets this summer and doesn't look dangerous as he did last summer. If Hilf isn't fit I'd give a youngster like George a go.

I'd also keep Hughes in the side and maybe play Katich at 6 at the expense of North.

boncer34

6 Jan 2010, 15:14

Any team with Hauritz isn't a good team. Only spin from Hauritz you'll see is in his press confrences.

Thanks for motivating him. No doubt you'll be wanting to retract your comments now.

wavefall21

6 Jan 2010, 15:41

I think the only 2 possible changes that should be made is Katich for North, North just isn't getting the job done and I think keeping Hughes will only help his confidence rather than him being in and out of the side constantly

The 2nd is maybe dropping Siddle, obviously Siddle's effort with the bat was courageous, but lets be honest he's in the side to get wickets and he hasn't been doing that all summer unfortunately, I think he needs a rest and we should give either Jon Hastings or Ben Cutting a go, both good line and length bowler and more than handy with the bat

Dez!

6 Jan 2010, 15:49

I think the only 2 possible changes that should be made is Katich for North, North just isn't getting the job done and I think keeping Hughes will only help his confidence rather than him being in and out of the side constantly

Hughes would have known that he would go straight out once Katich was fit it won't do a thing to his confidence. However if he were to stay then I'd like to see him chucked into the middle order and given a go, let's him stay in the side but gets a little bit of protection as well.

The 2nd is maybe dropping Siddle, obviously Siddle's effort with the bat was courageous, but lets be honest he's in the side to get wickets and he hasn't been doing that all summer unfortunately, I think he needs a rest and we should give either Jon Hastings or Ben Cutting a go, both good line and length bowler and more than handy with the bat

If Siddle gets dropped it's for a fully fit Hilfenhaus who has had some form of match practice (which is unlikely before the next Test starts) or Clint McKay, there's no way that either Cutting or Hastings have done enough for a Test call up.