Test Squad for South Africa Tour Discussion

[Yoda_]

David Warner
Chris Rogers
Shane Watson
Michael Clarke (Captain)
Stephen Smith
Alex Doolan
Brad Haddin (wicket keeper)
Mitch Johnson
Peter Siddle
Ryan Harris
Nathan Lyon

--------------

James Faulkner
James Pattinson
Chris Lynn


If Harris breaks down, there is a plethora of fast bowling options back home (Jackson Bird, Nathan Coulter - Nile, Doug Bollinger) to come in as cover for Pattinson who would move into the XI.

Think Bailey may have done his dash with another let down in Sydney. Doolan being selected ahead of Hughes proves the NSP have moved on from there love affair with young Phil.

The reserve batting option is still very open, I would love to see a young guy be given a go and not go backwards and select the tried and tested guys like Marcus North or Phil Hughes but instead go with a guy like Chris Lynn, Nic Maddinson or another bolter like Travis Head.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

The reserve batting option is still very open, I would love to see a young guy be given a go and not go backwards and select the tried and tested guys like Marcus North or Phil Hughes but instead go with a guy like Chris Lynn, Nic Maddinson or another bolter like Travis Head.

I'd rather they, and Hughes, be where they can get some First Class game time, and that is the Shield. More importantly North has the experience to play after a break and has probably been playing better anyway.

 

[bird_man]

While I don't particular agree I think this will be the squad they will take. I think they'll leave Wade in Australia to work on his glove work. Doolan seems to be the next in line considering he is with the squad now and I think they'll take Hughes as a backup. Faulkner has been with the squad this whole series so you would think he would go and Pattinson is an obvious choice. The only one I'm not sure about is whether they will take an extra spin option in case anything happens to Lyon. If that's the case Ahmed is most likely.

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Doolan
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddlle
Lyon

Faulkner
Pattinson
Hughes
Ahmed

 

[bird_man]

And this is the 15 man squad I would be taking. I think Matty Wade is as good a middle order batsmen as anyone but it would not do him any good touring and not playing cricket, let his captain his state side and keep working on his glove work.

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Clarke
Smith
White
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddlle
Lyon

Faulkner
Pattinson
North
Ahmed

 

[eth-dog]

I have mixed feelings about taking Ahmed. I definitely think he's not good enough to play for Australia. On the other hand, it means he doesn't play for Victoria, which is a good thing

 

[bird_man]

Yeah I don't think he is a superstar but we probably need a backup and I can't see a lot of other options. Agar isn't up to it yet, Beer was close to going to India but I don't think he's played FC cricket for WA this year. Boyce is another option but I'm not sure he's ready. The only other option is to not bother taking a backup spinner at all.

 

[eth-dog]

In a perfect world Botha has an Australian citizenship and we take him. But he doesn't, so we can't.

 

[Yoda_]

I'd rather they, and Hughes, be where they can get some First Class game time, and that is the Shield. More importantly North has the experience to play after a break and has probably been playing better anyway.

Shield season will be finished!

 

[Yoda_]

Why would we take a spinner to some of the most pace friendly pitches in the world?

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Shield season will be finished!

Shield season resumes at about the time of the first Test, and continues through the series. The series is over before the Shield finishes.
The Test series finihes on 5 March, the last round of the Shield (not including the final) on 14 March.

 

[The Passenger]

What's the most likely number they will take? 15?

Almost certainly. A reserve batsmen, Faulkner and two reserve quicks.

Despite Bailey's form I think they will take him to South Africa. I think we'll try and keep this XI. Pattinson will definitely tour, barring injury.

It's really a reserve batsmen and a reverse quick spot up for grabs. If they do drop Bailey I doubt they'll take him as a backup, I think he'll be cut completely so possibly two batting spots available. The other 10 in this XI are safe as houses.

 

[Run n Spread]

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Doolan
Haddin
Harris
Siddle
Johnson
Lyon

North
Faulkner
Coulter-Nile
Bollinger

Bird and Pattinson too underdone to be considered with no 1st class cricket until Feb. Core of the side/squad will be kept the same. Only the no 6 batting spot and an emergency injury replacement would be the changes to the ashes 11.

 

[DeeWong6996]

1. Rogers
2. Warner
3. Watson
4. Doolan
5. Clarke
6. Smith
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Harris
10. Siddle
11. Lyon
--------------------
12. Pattinson
13. Bird
14. Hughes
15. North
16. Faulkner

We are still prone to collapses at the top of the order. I'm not sold on Watson yet, and Clarke is coming in too early in the innings for my liking. Doolan at 4 protects Clarke and Smith to some extent and replaces Bailey, who is out of sorts. North comes in at 6 if they decide not to tinker with the batting order as much as I proposed, but I think that's the best way to take on Steyn and co.

Pattinson will have to work his way back into the team, and Bird is the backup backup seamer. Hughes can come in at 4 if Doolan underperforms or at at 3 to allow Watson to move down the order if he's struggling. Lastly, Faulkner as the all rounder to bat at 7 if the conditions warrant it.

 

[Yoda_]

Probably 3 spots really up for grabs; number 6, reserve batsmen, reserve quick (mortaged by Pattinson at the moment)

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Players may better off playing Shield than sitting around on tour.

Yeah this is a major point for mine, especially given that the tour coincides with the continuation of the Shield season. Better that players stay at home and get some FC under their belt ahead of the Pakistan/UAE tour after not having played red ball cricket in two months, as opposed to warming the bench in SA.

I guess given the injury clouds hanging over the our fast bowlers at the moment a 15 man squad is tenable, with two reserve batsmen and two reserve quicks.

 

[bird_man]

Almost certainly. A reserve batsmen, Faulkner and two reserve quicks.

Despite Bailey's form I think they will take him to South Africa. I think we'll try and keep this XI. Pattinson will definitely tour, barring injury.

It's really a reserve batsmen and a reverse quick spot up for grabs. If they do drop Bailey I doubt they'll take him as a backup, I think he'll be cut completely so possibly two batting spots available. The other 10 in this XI are safe as houses.

It will be a ridiculous call if they take Bailey. It's all well and good to say their is no need to change a winning team but eventually a player like that will cost you a match. In my opinion he has played his last match. A whole series is more than enough time to prove yourself and all he has proven is you shouldn't pick players on ODI form only.

Anyone not picking Pattinson must be mad. He will have a heap of ODI's under his belt by the time they leave so he will be hardly under done. I wouldn't put him straight back into the 11 but he is next in line. Blokes like Coulter-Nile, Bollinger and Cutting are miles behind him.

 

[The_Reaper]

Yeah this is a major point for mine, especially given that the tour coincides with the continuation of the Shield season. Better that players stay at home and get some FC under their belt ahead of the Pakistan/UAE tour after not having played red ball cricket in two months, as opposed to warming the bench in SA.

I guess given the injury clouds hanging over the our fast bowlers at the moment a 15 man squad is tenable, with two reserve batsmen and two reserve quicks.

On the other hand if a player breaks down in a match they can just fly over a replacement at any time.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

On the other hand if a player breaks down in a match they can just fly over a replacement at any time.

This was my original suggestion:

If one of the fast bowlers is injured or in doubt, fly Pattinson over, but I think Faulkner is pretty capable, and less of a risk than taking Pattinson and seeing him get injured again on the back of no FC form and fitness (or take a 15 man squad).

But BF didn't like it ):

 

[Blacky]

Listening to the club doctors, they seem to believe Pattinson's worst injuries are basically behind him.

 

[Ian Dargie]

What do people make of Doolan's inclusion in the 14-man squad for this Sydney Test?

Doesn't that suggest he is considered next man in, so is in pole position to go to South Africa?

 

[PTizzle]

What do people make of Doolan's inclusion in the 14-man squad for this Sydney Test?

Doesn't that suggest he is considered next man in, so is in pole position to go to South Africa?

I'd definitely think so. Would imagine he'd go straight in unless they opt for previous international experience.

After that I think it's the current XI minus Bailey + reserve batsman (take your pick) + two quicks + maybe another spinner or a player like Faulkner to round it out (if they go with 15).

I was thinking they'd want a back up keeper but to be realistic Haddin is so far ahead on current form I think they'd just go for him and fly someone over if needs be.

Really hope they don't do something silly like play Faulkner at 7 in SA.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

When is the squad announced?

 

[big_e]

In a perfect world Botha has an Australian citizenship and we take him. But he doesn't, so we can't.

In a perfect world Botha us suspended as a chucker...

Meanwhile:

Rogers
Warner
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Doolan
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon

Pattinson
Faulkner
Hughes

No need for more than 14.

 

[Zach Package]

Assuming a 15 man squad this will probably happen

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Clarke
Smith
Bailey
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Lyon

Pattinson
Faulkner
Doolan
Hughes

there's probably 8-10 quicks you could make a case for to take as back ups though

 

[Plugger35]

Finch
Maddinson
S Marsh
Hodge
Lynn
M Marsh
Kieswetter
Cutting
Rimmington
Nannes
Hogg

I know the test side has been doing OK against England but the form of these guys in the Big Bash is too good to ignore.