3rd Test Squad named - Guess who's still there

[jackster83]

Average of 35 is more than adequate, his keeping on the other hand is completely inadequate. Also note, that on the very rare occassions he does play domestic cricket, he usually dominates with the bat.

There's nothing wrong with his average as it stands, but factor in that a year ago he averaged in the low/mid 40's and suddenly it doesn't look quite so solid. He's done shit all for quite some time now, similar to Boucher. Jaques and Katich have excellent test averages - should they be opening the batting?

 

[Marlin01]

There was an article in the paper yesterday about Harris and they said that since Christmas, he's bowled more "overs" than both Siddle and Pattinson. As I suggested he would have been recently, they reckon he's been going full throttle in the nets to our top order during the Melb and Sydney tests and has reportedly been bowling 8 and 4 over "spells" there, at full speed, etc. He's also played 5 competitive T20 matches since he's been back, too, which involves a lot of frantic running around at top speed, so I think it's fair to say he'd be about as "100%" as he gets.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/no-shield-practice-but-harris-primed-20120109-1pryt.html

excellent. He's a terrific bowler and I hate to see injury ruin his career as it has other fast bowlers over the years.

 

[Thommo 42]

Katich probably should be, also note that Haddin did average 21 with the bat in 2011, but so did 4 specialist batsmen!

He also scored a matchwinning 50 in the 2nd test vs SA and 80 in 1st test vs NZ on a green pitch, so his most recent batting form isn't terrible.

This. What type of moron coming in with his team 5/15 would think it is appropriate to charge down the wicket and play a shot like that?

You won't find much support for that shot he played, but had he remained in and made 5* of 20 balls and we were all out for 51 - I doubt he'd be getting much credit. Lets not forget he came in at 5-15 and the 5 blokes preceding him were all specialist batsmen, and 3 of them played outrageous shots as well.

Interesting stat I came across for the bloke singing the praises of Matt Prior.

Byes/Inns conceded over last 2 yrs in Tests: Prior 4.91 Dhoni 4.32 Haddin 3.61 Boucher 3.61 Akmal 3.5 Baugh 3.42 P Jayawardene 2.8 MRahim 2.5

 

[Simple Jack]

I wonder what odds you could get on the Indians throwing the toys out of the cot and going home after their first batting innings?

 

[Slattery_20]

Need the right balance. You don't want a keeper with a batting average of 40 who can't keep but you don't want an outstanding keeper with a batting average of 20 either making the tail long.

He hasn't averaged 40 recently.

From a #7 you really want someone who'll add the odd 100 partnership with the last batsman, and bat with with the tail all the way down.

He does the former often enough, but too often he gets out to shocking shots; which looks even worse when we've had guys like Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Hauritz, and lately Pattinson come in after him who are quite happy to put their shots away & bat through a session just to keep them out there; making him look like a prat.

For me I'd take a great gloveman who averages 20, over an average one who averages 30.
Absolutely worth 15 runs a bowling innings.
Haddin's giving away 5 too many byes an innings, dropping a catch every 2 innings or so; plus a better keeper puts more pressure on the bat when the mediums or slow bowlers are on.

 

[Thommo 42]

Wades performance in the recent T20 semi final underlined my point once again.

Brilliant batsman, but still a very average keeper. The conundrum remains, if we replace Haddin (who surely must go) do we go for another bloke who is a poor keeper and have the same problems?

Tim Paine possibly playing in the coming weeks, thank god.