Australia vs. India (4 tests) - Pre-series discussion

[LukeParkerno1]

Clarke to bat at 4- his replacement to bat at 3

Then why not have the replacement have 4 more tests this summer...

 

[Shiv]

Then why is he in the squad then. His batting alone isn't good enough full stop. If he isn't bowling there is an issue.

The selectors might believe that: A. he can bowl occasionally and B. his batting is good enough for the top 6. He has avg 40 batting at no.3.

It's not like any other aussie batsmen are knocking the door down to be in the side or have taken the opportunities when presented, apart from Hughes (although the selectors should take some blame for this because of their constant chopping/changing of the side). If Clarke doesn't recover in time then I hope Hughes will get selected.

I doubt the selectors picked Watson for his all round ability for this test. He's come back from another injury, can you seriously believe that he will be bowling any significant number of overs? This indicates that the selectors think he can contribute significantly with the bat.

I don't think there is an issue if he isn't bowling as long as his batting is up to standard and M.Marsh contributes with the ball.
People need to start realizing that Watson isn't a genuine all rounder in test matches because his body just can't handle it. He is a batsmen who can occasionally provide some bowling.

 

[Shiv]

To a degree I see your point but surely we have to have one eye towards England (Ashes). Is Watson who isn't bowling REALLY a test number 3 in England?

A test no.3 usually doesn't bowl and isn't considered an all rounder. They are usually a specialist batsmen, selectors might view Watson batting at no3 as an audition to make this his spot permanently.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

A test no.3 usually doesn't bowl and isn't considered an all rounder. They are usually a specialist batsmen, selectors might view Watson batting at no3 as an audition to make this his spot permanently.

I'm not against Watson. I just don't see a bloke averaging under 40 to be a 'certainty'. That's my issue

 

[GROTTO]

Apparently we provided India with a 2nd string South Aussie side (if that even) in todays trial game, I wonder if that is good or bad thing?

Usually regardless of the opposition, developing confidence can be the key that makes all the difference. Im not suggesting we provide India with our best XI in a trial game, but surely a strong 2nd XI that smashes them (potentially) can make them easy pickings for the first test?

Thoughts?

I know when we would go to the subcontinent and get troubled by spinners that are not even in the top 22 cricketers in the country has caused us problems in the past.

 

[The_Reaper]

Apparently we provided India with a 2nd string South Aussie side (if that even) in todays trial game, I wonder if that is good or bad thing?

Usually regardless of the opposition, developing confidence can be the key that makes all the difference. Im not suggesting we provide India with our best XI in a trial game, but surely a strong 2nd XI that smashes them (potentially) can make them easy pickings for the first test?

Thoughts?

I know when we would go to the subcontinent and get troubled by spinners that are not even in the top 22 cricketers in the country has caused us problems in the past.

It's not a second string South Aussie side- it's the Chaiman's XI. So young players from each state.

 

[ROOTA#6]

Apparently we provided India with a 2nd string South Aussie side (if that even) in todays trial game, I wonder if that is good or bad thing?

Usually regardless of the opposition, developing confidence can be the key that makes all the difference. Im not suggesting we provide India with our best XI in a trial game, but surely a strong 2nd XI that smashes them (potentially) can make them easy pickings for the first test?

Thoughts?

I know when we would go to the subcontinent and get troubled by spinners that are not even in the top 22 cricketers in the country has caused us problems in the past.

Did the same kind of thing to England for their warm up games last year and that turned out ok

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I think the Indian team isn't going to be as easy pickings as everyone seems to expect. Clarke needs to win the toss - or whoever is skipper needs to. And our batsmen need to knuckle down.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

I think the Indian team isn't going to be as easy pickings as everyone seems to expect. Clarke needs to win the toss - or whoever is skipper needs to. And our batsmen need to knuckle down.

Lol we are going to destroy them

 

[Shiv]

I'm not against Watson. I just don't see a bloke averaging under 40 to be a 'certainty'. That's my issue

Warner/Smith/Clarke(when fit) are certainties. Watson/Roger (probables depending on form/injury). Selectors have indicated that Watson is a preferred player from their past selection history. Problem is that no other batsmen has grabbed their opportunities or scored heavy amount of runs to knock Watson out of the top 6 and his average at that position is pretty decent so he should be given an opportunity to cement himself in that position.

Although, I think Hughes has been unlucky and should be given a fair go whenever the next opportunity arises, possibly Rogers opening position if he loses form/gets injured.

 

[Shiv]

Lol we are going to destroy them

Australia are prone to collapse as seen in last years ashses series but haddins amazing and probably never to be seen again type of batting performance along with the tail saved them on many occasions. It'll be pathetic if Australia relies soo heavily on Haddin again. Warner and Smith are the key wickets, both are game changers.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Australia are prone to collapse as seen in last years ashses series but haddins amazing and probably never to be seen again type of batting performance along with the tail saved them on many occasions. It'll be pathetic if Australia relies soo heavily on Haddin again. Warner and Smith are the key wickets, both are game changers.

India have no bowlers, I'm sure we will be fine.

 

[Shiv]

India have no bowlers, I'm sure we will be fine.

I hope the Australian batsmen underestimate them like you do...you might be in for a shock.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

I hope the Australian batsmen underestimate them like you do...you might be in for a shock.

Yes, yes...

Trust me i've heard it all before on Facebook. - Every single Indian fan saying "we are the best in the world". Fact of the matter is, India is an awful test cricket team at the moment, even on the sub continent, and they have never, ever played well away from their doctored pitches and crowds.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Lol we are going to destroy them

Who is going to be making the big scores for us to do that if Clarke isn't in the team? Or is batting in such a hampered manner that he can't score runs?

 

[DT_fanatic]

Yes, yes...

Trust me i've heard it all before on Facebook. - Every single Indian fan saying "we are the best in the world". Fact of the matter is, India is an awful test cricket team at the moment, even on the sub continent, and they have never, ever played well away from their doctored pitches and crowds.

This is a pretty pointless post and reeks of someone who hasn't gotten over the 4-0 thumping handed to their side in India. The one you quoted said nothing along the lines of India being "the best in the world".

 

[Carbine Chaos]

India have no bowlers, I'm sure we will be fine.

Bhuv Kumar is a good bowler. Shami is consistent, and the other options in the squad have a fair amount of raw pace (Yadav, Aaron, Ishant).

We should be wary.

 

[bird_man]

God I ******* hope not.
Has to be Adam Voges, or perhaps even Burns. Certainly not Ferguson.

I wouldn't be unhappy with either, but for some reason I don't think Voges is in the selectors radar and I don't think they are ready to pick Burns. I haven't rated Ferguson in the past but his last couple of years have been terrific. Would much prefer him over giving Marsh or Doolan another crack.

 

[bird_man]

I agree Watson shouldn't be in if he isn't bowling, and even if he was, his bowling is not needed with Marsh at 6.

 

[the_interloper]

Who is going to be making the big scores for us to do that if Clarke isn't in the team? Or is batting in such a hampered manner that he can't score runs?

This is the concern. We need everyone to produce greentops and get Mitch to scare the s**t out of them. If they're all roads we mightn't find it that easy.

I heard on the radio yesterday that there's a chance of Dhoni being rested so he's right for the World Cup, surely that's not true?

 

[frankrizzo]

Greentops would be the worst thing we could do, a greentop and anybody can be the match winner, sharma suddenly becomes as dangerous as harris and mitch.

Decent batting tracks with pace and bounce vs the asian teams every single time thank you.

 

[ROOTA#6]

This is the concern. We need everyone to produce greentops and get Mitch to scare the s**t out of them. If they're all roads we mightn't find it that easy.

I heard on the radio yesterday that there's a chance of Dhoni being rested so he's right for the World Cup, surely that's not true?

Dhoni is suspended for the first test but will play the others

 

[Shiv]

Dhoni is suspended for the first test but will play the others

I don't think he is suspended, I'm pretty sure he has an injury.

 

[Shiv]

Yes, yes...

Trust me i've heard it all before on Facebook. - Every single Indian fan saying "we are the best in the world". Fact of the matter is, India is an awful test cricket team at the moment, even on the sub continent, and they have never, ever played well away from their doctored pitches and crowds.

LOL- yes, facebook represents every single Indian fan...

I never said India is the best team world cricket, I merely implied that we potentially have a better bowling attack than people think.

This might be news to you BUT Australia also 'doctors' their pitches to suit their needs, so does South Africa, England, Pakistan...actually every team in world cricket. Everyone knows we don't play well away from traditional sub-continental wickets. Just like Australia don't play well away from their traditional bouncy wickets.

Goodluck basing your assumptions on every single Indian fan from facebook...LOL.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

LOL- yes, facebook represents every single Indian fan...

I never said India is the best team world cricket, I merely implied that we potentially have a better bowling attack than people think.

This might be news to you BUT Australia also 'doctors' their pitches to suit their needs, so does South Africa, England, Pakistan...actually every team in world cricket. Everyone knows we don't play well away from traditional sub-continental wickets. Just like Australia don't play well away from their traditional bouncy wickets.

Goodluck basing your assumptions on every single Indian fan from facebook...LOL.

We do not doctor pitches, that's why each ground has a distinct play style. Hard and fast at the WACA, easy and straight at Adelaide, turning at the SCG