First Test Squad Announced

[The_Reaper]

I'd play Hazlewood over Siddle.

But we all know my views on this anyway. Siddle is a good backup for Harris.

I'm assuming Clarke will miss.

 

[MinerBoy]

Hughes not named at all. I agree with the decision, but is it a surprise?

With Maxwell/Doolan being replaced at 3 by Watto and Clarke a possible out still, it's quite possible that 3 potential changes to the top order was just seen as too many.

 

[The Passenger]

Yeah, picking a couple of injured/doubtful players basically shows that they ARE waiting until the next round of Shield after all.

I wonder if Mark Waugh's comments and the selecting of Clarke are a bit of a sly way of telling the guys at CA just back the * off a bit and let us do our job as best as we can

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Hope Siddle doesn't play as well. Too slow, and not enough form

I may disagree with selection decisions from time to time (with Geelong as well) but I've never wished a player picked in the team fails.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

I thought Haddin was injured.

 

[The_Reaper]

I may disagree with selection decisions from time to time (with Geelong as well) but I've never wished a player picked in the team fails.

This.
My view on Siddle and Finch is well known but if they do play I want them to do well.

 

[Ashton Agar]

I may disagree with selection decisions from time to time (with Geelong as well) but I've never wished a player picked in the team fails.

I don't think that's what he was saying. He was saying he hopes Siddle doesn't play, the as well bit was in addition to his previous comment.

 

[Ashton Agar]

So Clarke will not play the first test. It's on for that batting spot!

 

[The_Reaper]

So Clarke will not play the first test. It's on for that batting spot!

And nobody is surprised

 

[eddiesmith]

I wonder if Mark Waugh's comments and the selecting of Clarke are a bit of a sly way of telling the guys at CA just back the **** off a bit and let us do our job as best as we can

That's how I read the squad, there was talk of picking a mega squad but instead they pick the usual and leave the actual selection decisions until after the Shield, only one they have decided is obviously the bowling attack with the choice to rest some of the quicks

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

So ripping through the whole SA top order and getting Hughes cheaply in each innings is poor form? Siddle is a lock, especially as he likes the ball first change rather than having to be a new ball bowler.

If Harris gets through the Shield match intact he will play. My take on the team (if all fit)

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Marsh
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon

Lyon will play, Gabba is actually his best hunting ground in Australia averaging 21.7

I would go:

1. Warner
2. Rogers
3. Smith
4. Watson
5. Clarke
6. marsh
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Siddle
10. Hazelwood
11. Lyon

Smith is our mist in form middle order player so should be at #3.

Harris given more time & comes in from 2nd test.

Lyon lucky - could have been time to blood a leggie. Spinner needed for team balance given 2 pace allrounders makes extra quick pointless.

 

[ROOTA#6]

Not sure playing against India is the best time to blood a young leggie

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Not sure playing against India is the best time to blood a young leggie

Could say the same about Sri Lanka

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

So Clarke will not play the first test. It's on for that batting spot!

Strange they didn't name a spare batsman in the squad... So perhaps they want another round of shield games to make up their mind... Or m Waugh got his way

 

[The Prosecutor]

News limited saying Clarke has overruled selectors and is playing grade cricket on the weekend instead of the tour game.

Who knows what the * is going on at this stage.

 

[vicpride99]

News limited saying Clarke has overruled selectors and is playing grade cricket on the weekend instead of the tour game.

Who knows what the **** is going on at this stage.

So he should. They ruined the game for him it's the least he could do to give back to them. Good choice pup.

 

[The Prosecutor]

So he should. They ruined the game for him it's the least he could do to give back to them. Good choice pup.

And as we say that, CA issue a statement saying he has to play in the two-day game or not be selected at all.

 

[The_Reaper]

And as we say that, CA issue a statement saying he has to play in the two-day game or not be selected at all.

If Clarke is fit he plays for Australia regardless of what warmup match he plays.

If he isn't fit (and he isn't) he won't play anyway

 

[Doodlesweaver]

If Clarke is fit he plays for Australia regardless of what warmup match he plays.

If he isn't fit (and he isn't) he won't play anyway

Bit of a mess. Rod Marsh is just as stubborn as Clarke, I can't see what Clarke is gaining by this. He must think his career will be over if he's not on the pitch.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

What a debacle! Obviously a power struggle going on here. Interesting that Clarke has to play the tour match or he can't play in the test, meanwhile the likes of Siddle and Johnson are not allowed to play Sheild matches.

 

[The_Reaper]

What a debacle! Obviously a power struggle going on here. Interesting that Clarke has to play the tour match or he can't play in the test, meanwhile the likes of Siddle and Johnson are not allowed to play Sheild matches.

Not really.

There are absolutely no concerns about Johnson and Siddle's fitness at all.

They have nothing to prove fitness wise

 

[LukeParkerno1]

What a debacle! Obviously a power struggle going on here. Interesting that Clarke has to play the tour match or he can't play in the test, meanwhile the likes of Siddle and Johnson are not allowed to play Sheild matches.

Clarke has had 1 innings since the UAE tour, which would be 6 weeks or so. I don't care who you are, you need game day practice. Ideally I wouldn't pick him, and tell Clarke to play a Shield match.

 

[Slax]

Clarke has had 1 innings since the UAE tour, which would be 6 weeks or so. I don't care who you are, you need game day practice. Ideally I wouldn't pick him, and tell Clarke to play a Shield match.

I can't see the point in not picking him for a test match, but to pick him to play a Shield match which is played over similar dates, getting him to do another first grade match may be a go, but the Shield match v Qld is not.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

Not really.

There are absolutely no concerns about Johnson and Siddle's fitness at all.

They have nothing to prove fitness wise

Well I would let the fit blokes (Johnson and Siddle) play Shield and rest Clarke and give him a fitness test just before the first test and if he is OK he plays instead of all this shenanigans that is going on. I am also not comfortable with what they have put his grade team through on the off chance he might play for them.

 

[Registered User]

Wow! Kim Hughes has just come off the long run on SEN, defending Clarke, and bagging everyone from The Board to the club who farked up his chance to bat.

It will most likely be podcast soon