Best test XI as of now?

[nobbyiscool]

Drop Haddin, give Hussey the gloves play an extra bat.

spoken like someone who hasn't kept a day in their life, let alone 5 days in a row.

stupidest comment/suggestion of the thread.

 

[courtjester]

I have a gut feel Starc could be handy in England.

Our pace bowling stocks are loaded at the moment.

 

[nobbyiscool]

A month ago no one would have Hilfenhaus in their XI, a year ago Siddle wouldn't be in everyone's XI. I'm not saying they're wrong to not include Haddin, but people just basically pick whoever is playing well now and maybe 1 or 2 or are injured but were in great form perviously.

A new player comes in and does well, they're in everyone's XI instantly.

wrong. I always had hilf. he was unfairly scapegoated after bowling injured all last summer with shit like Mitch Johnson, Doherty and beer at the other end.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

It's a hard question to answer now, which is good!

David Warner
Ed Cowan
Ricky Ponting
Shane Watson
Michael Clarke
Mike Hussey
Matthew Wade (+)
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Ryan Harris
Nathan Lyon
12th - Patrick Cummins

Expecting people to ask "Where's Hilfy!?"...well, he'd be the next in line. I do think that having Watson back at full fitness bowling his swingers/reverse negates the need for a full blown swing bowler like Hilfy a little.

 

[Lemma]

I think Watson should be in the team as a batsman only (or bowling very minimally) from now on because we don't want him getting inj again

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I think Watson should be in the team as a batsman only (or bowling very minimally) from now on because we don't want him getting inj again

I disagree, purely because I think Watson's bowling is better than his batting.

One of the best in the country.

 

[Lemma]

But is it worth risking losing him as a batsman? I guess he's getting on now- if he's fit he might as well bat and bowl if he's able to.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

But is it worth risking losing him as a batsman? I guess he's getting on now- if he's fit he might as well bat and bowl if he's able to.

That's the conundrum.

I think Watson is invaluable with the ball and I doubt we will win the Ashes over in England if he isn't able to swing the shiny ball and reverse it with the old one.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

That's the conundrum.

I think Watson is invaluable with the ball and I doubt we will win the Ashes over in England if he isn't able to swing the shiny ball and reverse it with the old one.

He doesn't go on with it. That's the big problem for the Aus team with him just being a batsman and in test cricket his bowling is extremely useful. For a while there he was the only bowler who actually seemed to understand that the ball has a ****ing seam.

 

[Alexwce]

Agreed. Watson MUST be able to bowl overs.

 

[maelcoluim]

I think Watson is a straight swap for a Cowan or Marsh even as a standalone batsman. That said would rather wait until he's fully fit and can bowl with his history of injury.

 

[timmeh]

Tim Paine is wayyyyyy better than Wade, especially comparing his one 100 and eighteen 50's to Wade's four 100's and seventeen 50's in first class cricket. The reason he is better is cos of his awesome, awesome a million times better glovework and the fact he has played more first class games.

Heck, pick Haddin over him. He is proven.

 

[Alexwce]

I think Watson is a straight swap for a Cowan or Marsh even as a standalone batsman. That said would rather wait until he's fully fit and can bowl with his history of injury.

Watson is not good enough to play as a "standalone batsman".

 

[Tulip]

Right now, for me it's:

Warner/Cowan
Finch (controversial, but young and with a big future)
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Wade/Paine
Siddle
Pattinson
Harris
Hilfenhaus

 

[Gak Attack]

Right now, for me it's:

Warner/Cowan
Finch (controversial, but young and with a big future)
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Wade/Paine
Siddle
Pattinson
Harris
Hilfenhaus

Considering Victoria have been unable to find him a spot at times this year in a top 6 that includes Cam White I would say it would be plain stupid over controversial. Happy to have him in the 2 other forms but well away from the Test side.

For me, next test assuming full fitness it would have to be:

Cowan
Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Wade (Even if he is the keeper in waiting I want to see Paine play some FC games before he ends up back in the Test side.. if he ever gets right)
Siddle
Harris/Lyon
Pattinson
Hilfenhaus

 

[1990crow]

Considering Victoria have been unable to find him a spot at times this year in a top 6 that includes Cam White I would say it would be plain stupid over controversial. Happy to have him in the 2 other forms but well away from the Test side.

For me, next test assuming full fitness it would have to be:

Cowan
Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Wade (Even if he is the keeper in waiting I want to see Paine play some FC games before he ends up back in the Test side.. if he ever gets right)
Siddle
Harris/Lyon
Pattinson
Hilfenhaus

Spot on. Its a good feeling knowing we also have Cummins, Starc, Johnson, Cutting and even Bollinger sitting on the sidelines.

 

[demon21]

Watson is not good enough to play as a "standalone batsman".

I think Watson is easily good enough to play as a batsman if just taking batting into account he is better than Cowan and S.Marsh if he gets his body right, He didnt have a great time with the bat before his inj but im sure he will be fine once he gets back in the team.

 

[courtjester]

I think Gak Attack and 1990crow have it spot on.

Cowan
Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Wade
Siddle
Pattinson
Hilfenhaus
Lyon

Harris


Watson to three makes sense seeing Ponting and Clarke have found form at 4 and 5. Hussey and Wade at 6 and 7 give me confidence.