Aussie test batsmen

[Russian]

IMO Simon Katich must be in the XI for the first test in brisbane.

Assuming Lehmann is fit, which i doubt he will be, who misses out?

I reckon its from Langer, Martyn, Lehmann.

I'm trying to convince myself Langer or Martyn, but I'm struggling to find a reason. Sorry Boof

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Lehmann will miss out and claim he has not recovered- that will avoid a possible "dumping" from the side. If he walks straight back into that side, there must be something wrong.

 

[Minkus_Swan]

Katich is in rich form. I have a feeling it's going to be the end of Lehmann. It's a pity, he deserved to play more tests.

 

[vicpride99]

Martyn-ARE YOU NUTS>>>>> why change a winning team.
Langer-It's all about the opening partnership not just the figures Langer is getting.

Leahman-yeah drop him.

 

[kretchy]

I'm a huge Lehmann fan but Katich's form can't be overlooked and he will get an extended run in the side.

 

[WILKO_6]

Yep, Katich in, Lehman out. Hodge and Hussey are in great form aswell. Id like to see Hussey get a chance aswell, he is in career best form!

 

[Lidge]

Originally posted by kretchy
I'm a huge Lehmann fan but Katich's form can't be overlooked and he will get an extended run in the side.

Agree that Katich is in red hot form and deserving of selection....BUT...Lehmann & Hayden had hot streaks like this that lasted 3-4 years without getting picked.

You never know with these selectors....but 1 thing which you can count on - it's harder to get picked than it is to get dropped from the Aussie team if you're a batsman.

 

[ScouseCat]

Katich played well in the last test, however if Lehmann is fit, he should be selected in the first test at Brisbane with Martyn at 4, Lehmann at 6, MacGill back in the side and the fast bowlers led by Gillespie, Lee and Bichel.

 

[Lidge]

I think you'll find the selectors opting for a fit Bracken over Bichel (should both Lee & Gillespie be available). The Indian form I would expect be enough to have him above Bichel.

Not a fan of Brad Williams - but his recent form has been good and also better than Bichel's

 

[Stevo]

Lehmann deserves his place, he has been in good form of late, and other players have gone through long lean trots and not been dropped.

Clarke needs to get a run soon. Hayden and Ponting will be up the top for a little while while longer, but Steve shouldn't be there much longer and I doubt whether Lehmann and Martyn will be at the top of their game for much longer. That middle order needs refreshing.

 

[Stevo]

Originally posted by Lidge
I think you'll find the selectors opting for a fit Bracken over Bichel (should both Lee & Gillespie be available). The Indian form I would expect be enough to have him above Bichel.

Not a fan of Brad Williams - but his recent form has been good and also better than Bichel's

I would have liked to see Noffke playing in this current series. Pity he was injured. He's never failed to impress me.

 

[DaveW]

Originally posted by kretchy
I'm a huge Lehmann fan but Katich's form can't be overlooked and he will get an extended run in the side.

So Lehmann gets dumped because a shield batsman is in white hot form?

That's rather ironic considering Lehmann continued to get overlooked despite season after season of pure batting brilliance.

 

[Goldenblue]

Lehmann out for Katich.

Martyn's form is white hot at the moment so I doubt he will be dumped.

 

[The Passenger]

i have a feeling Katich may not get a spot because the selectors have proven time and time again they are reluctant to change a winning formula........but who knows.

It will be interesting.

It will also be interesting to see where Love and Clarke are in the pecking order are??

 

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by Lidge
I think you'll find the selectors opting for a fit Bracken over Bichel (should both Lee & Gillespie be available). The Indian form I would expect be enough to have him above Bichel.

What form?? Are you saying you'd pick Bracken ahead of Bichel based on a few one-day games in India?? Andy Bichel has done a great job when asked to play in test matches, and will do so once again on his home ground come time for the first test in Brisbane.

 

[troy_sibbick]

Langer out

Lehman
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Katich
Gilly
Bichel
Lee
Gillespie
Macgill

Thats my side

 

[Dogga]

I fear for Lehmann's spot in the side, but if Steve Waugh is going to achieve his "Holy Grail" and win in India next year, Lehmann has to be in the XI as he is the best player of spin in Oz.

Katich will play the in the 1st Test and probably all four as India are no threat to us over here. Boof will miss out & he will be stiff but I reckon if we are to beat India in India Lehmann has to be picked.

I would be a damn shame to see Lehmann's career over after 15 Tests & an average of 50.

 

[Wicked Lester]

Originally posted by Dogga
I fear for Lehmann's spot in the side, but if Steve Waugh is going to achieve his "Holy Grail" and win in India next year, Lehmann has to be in the XI as he is the best player of spin in Oz.

Katich will play the in the 1st Test and probably all four as India are no threat to us over here. Boof will miss out & he will be stiff but I reckon if we are to beat India in India Lehmann has to be picked.

I would be a damn shame to see Lehmann's career over after 15 Tests & an average of 50.

Yep - would be a dreadful shame for Lehmann. I've been saying this for a while now, but I can't really see the selectors not making changes soon. They are increasingly concerned at the ageing of the side and poor old Boof is the next oldest batsman to Waugh and least experienced to boot.

My gut feel is they (the selectors) wont want to wait until late next year or early 2005 to start bringing in at least one or two younger players. They probably had Waugh pencilled in to 'retire' this year but as he is determined to go on (and on) - and he is now in good form - Boof may be in the firing line.

A case of getting injured at the wrong time perhaps. Poor timing - the story of Boof's career.

 

[Stevo]

Martin Love has just made a double century. Sure he's a number three for QLD, but he could be eyeing off Langer's opening spot.

It's good to see that Love, Katich, and Clarke are all pushing for selection.

 

[RaMa]

My Team for the first test:

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
S.Waugh
S.Katich
Gilchrist
Lee
MacGill
Gilliespie
Bracken
12th Bichel

I have Lehmann only because he is well and truly past it. It is unfortunate that when he was at his peak he couldnt crack a game in the side.

I have Bracken in as I think of him as the future of our bowling attack. Bichel is out as I guess he puts in complacent efforts consistently and quite frankly i'm sick of it. Let's blood a young gun like Bracken and i'm sure we wont regret it.

 

[Kenny_01]

If I had it my way...

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Clarke
Katich
Gilchrist
Lee
MacGill
Gillespie
Bracken

I'd want to get in blokes like Clarke and Bracken because as someone said, they are the future of our middle order and bowling attack respectively.

 

[troy_sibbick]

[GOOD SIDE BUT GILLESPIE IS A BETTER BATSMAN THAN MACGILL