Australian Contendors

[hourn]

These lists are excluding the regular six batsmen in the Australian team, Gilchrist the keeper and the four regular bowlers (which is Lee not Bichel, even though Lee probably shouldn't be there).

Batting - Openers:
1. Jimmy Maher
2. Matthew Elliot
3. Greg Blewett
4. Michael Hussey
5. Jamie Cox

Batting - Middle Order:
1. Martin Love
2. Darren Lehmann
3. Jimmy Maher (as a middle order batsmen)
4. Brad Hodge
5. Simon Katich
6. Greg Blewett (as a middle order batsmen)
7. Michael Clarke
8. Michael Bevan
9. Brad Johnson
10. Andrew Symonds
11. Ian Harvey

Keeping:
1. Sean Clingeleffer
2. Wade Seccombe
3. Brad Haddin
4. Ryan Campbell
5. Darren Berry
6. Graham Manou

Bowling - Quicks:
1. Andrew Bichel
2. Brad Williams
3. Paul Rofe
4. Stuart Clark
5. Shane Watson
6. Matthew Inness
7. Nathan Bracken
8. Ashley Nofke

Bowling - Spin:
1. Stuart MacGill
2. Nathan Hauritz
3. Cameron White
4. Shannon Tubb

Note i included the most notable allrounders there Harvey and Symonds as batsmen, and Watson as a bowler.

Thoughts??

 

[hourn]

Also, if you wanna continue from that, an Australian 2nd XI would be in batting order: Maher, Elliot, Hodge, Love, Lehmann (c), Katich, Clingeleffer (k), Andy Bichel (should be Brett Lee - even thats doubtful ), Brad Williams, Stuart MacGill, Paul Rofe.

and a 3rd XI in batting order: Cox, Hussey, Blewett, Johnson, Bevan (c), Clarke, Watson, Seccombe (k), Hauritz, Clark, Inness.

2nd XI would probably be able to be just about any team in the world. In Australia i reckon they would probably do everyone, overseas though they would struggle on the subcontinent and v. South Africa.

3rd XI v the strongest test teams in the world (South Africa, India) in Australia would be good even contests i reckon. Away from home, they'd struggle against those teams.

 

[DaveW]

Originally posted by hourn
9. Brad Johnson

If you're referring to the South Australian opener, he shares a name with the Collingwood defender (not to mention a famous drug cheat) not the Bulldogs utility. i.e. Ben Johnson

Otherwise a good list, I'd consider Maher an opener and Blewett middle-order (these days #3 seems to be his preferred spot). I consider Harvey a better bowler than a batsman.

You could perhaps add openers Brendon Nash and Scott Meuleman. Middle order batsmen Marcus North, Mark Higgs, Graeme Rummans, Michael Di Venuto (perhaps past it), and Lee Carseldine.

For the quicks Damien Fleming could easily come back into the mix. Kasprowicz, Adam Dale, Joe Dawes, Matty Nicholson and Paul Wilson are still around. Don Nash did okay in one match for Aus A a couple of seasons ago.

To the spinners you could add Brad Hogg, Brad Oldroyd (played for Aus A a couple of season ago), and Brad Young, and John Davison (ok maybe not Davo, he'll be playing in the next world cup but not for Australia).

Yes I know, there are probably a fair few hacks there.

 

[hourn]

Re: Re: Australian Contendors

Originally posted by DaveW


Yes I know, there are probably a fair few hacks there.

yea, i just kept the lists to players who could quite easily find themselves landing an ACB contract with a good season.

Except with the Keepers and Spinners because those lists we're fairly short so i put all the ones i could think of in those lists but there was no way i was going to put Brad Young or Brad Hogg (he is more a batsmen now anyways) on that list, and Brad Olroyd?? he has hardly played for 3 or 4 seasons despite that appearance with Aus "A".

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Good list, but I reckon move Hussey up to #2 opener behind Maher. Also, Lehmann should be the #1 middle order player, with Michael Clarke #5.

 

[Dipper]

I reckon Hussey has it in him to be a Test player, I doubt whther Katich has.


Are any of the fast bowlers that promising?

 

[wagstaff]

Originally posted by hourn
Also, if you wanna continue from that, an Australian 2nd XI would be in batting order: Maher, Elliot, Hodge, Love, Lehmann (c), Katich, Clingeleffer (k), Andy Bichel (should be Brett Lee - even thats doubtful ), Brad Williams, Stuart MacGill, Paul Rofe.

2nd XI would probably be able to be just about any team in the world. In Australia i reckon they would probably do everyone, overseas though they would struggle on the subcontinent and v. South Africa.

I think it's rather complacent to assume that team would automatically walk over any opposition that came to Australia, let alone win many series away. For one thing, it severely undervalues the strength and importance of current members of the Australian team, and how much they would be missed.

As for that particular side you listed, the only one who's proved himself at international level is MacGill; all the others either failed at international level or haven't haven't proven themselves one way or the other.

It would be hard to imagine how much the current Australian side would lose if Gilchrist were to be replaced by Clingleffer, or any keeper for that matter.

Elliott's Test career has been a bit like Brett Lee's - great start but completely fizzled out. And it's significant to note that he didn't handle the pressure of the 1999 West Indies tour at all. Every Australian player doesn't have the mental toughness of Steve Waugh.

 

[Darky]

John Davison? BWHAHAHAHAA

Once he gets that bowling average under 400 and the batting average above 3.50 he might get a game for the local homeless shelter.

In the meantime, how about Tassie's Scott Kremerskothen for a quiet achiever?

 

[hourn]

Originally posted by Darky
John Davison? BWHAHAHAHAA

Once he gets that bowling average under 400 and the batting average above 3.50 he might get a game for the local homeless shelter.

In the meantime, how about Tassie's Scott Kremerskothen for a quiet achiever?

haven't seen him play, but he's got runs pretty consisently, haven't ever noticed him getting really big scores.

Picks up a few wicekts too. Only young so he's still got a chance of making the big time.

 

[GoEagles]

Watch out for Luke Ronchi from WA to be a possible Australian wicketkeeper. He's taken 5 catches today for WA (vs England) and has been very clean and impressive behind the stumps.

 

[lamby29]

I would think Shane Watson is a batting all-rounder, and Ian Harvey a bowling all-rounder (even though Harvey hasn't scored a 50 in ODI's for Australia, he is still a pretty good all rounder)

 

[Kenny_01]

If Mark Waugh does get the sack, I would like to see Martyn be put down to #4, and perhaps Bevan be given one last shot at #6.

 

[bunsen burner]

Originally posted by Kenny_01
If Mark Waugh does get the sack, I would like to see Martyn be put down to #4, and perhaps Bevan be given one last shot at #6.

Bevan is not good enough. He has a weakness against the short ball. I don't understand why you would want someone in the team who clearly isn't good enough. Maybe because you have a soft spot for him because of his ODI prowess?

I think Martyn to #4 and Lehmann at #6.