McDonald at 6 doesn't really fill me with confidence...
Australian Test Side-Second Test v South Africa
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- Nov 13, 2004
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Still, McDonald isn't a number 6 batsmen but on one hand you'd really like to see how that side would go as an experiment. I wouldn't play that team in the 2nd test match but one has to admit that team that flash2 picked is a very attacking configuration.
mcdonald is at best a 5th bowler, on a helpful pitch he was economical enough but he averages 2 wicket a match at first class level and that's the best we can hope from him at test level.
It's puts way too much pressure on the other three seamers to take the bulk of the wickets.
He needs to be able to hold his spot as a 6th batsmen and be a 5th bowler, but that's not feasible right now.
It's puts way too much pressure on the other three seamers to take the bulk of the wickets.
He needs to be able to hold his spot as a 6th batsmen and be a 5th bowler, but that's not feasible right now.
- May 10, 2004
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I agree. Ronnie gives an extra dimension to the attack, and I don't think it's a fluke that the Aussie bowlers have performed better in the two tests he's been on board.
Not only does he hold down an end and give the fast bowlers a spell, but he's economical, and has the happy knack of picking up vital breakthroughs.
Alas, he hasn't shown enough with the bat at this stage to be picked as an all rounder.
What is it that makes you think mcdonald can bat at 6 in tests?
His first class batting average of 37 or his batting failures in his first two tests?
courtjester
Cancelled
I very much doubt Hussey will be dropped at any point in this SA series, particularly seeing we won the first test. Australia are fielding a very inexperienced side at the moment, the only players you'd consider "senior" players are Ponting, Katich, Clark and Hussey. The rest have played a combined total of less than Ponting's total test matches. If Hussey fails in the 2nd test (particularly if we win the match) it'll be interesting to see what the selectors do for the 3rd.
In addressing the issue of McDonald's place in the team, I value it highly. We have won the last two tests that he has been involved in. Since the retirement of McGrath and the injury to S.Clark, we have struggled a bit to contain teams. McDonald is a perfect foil to Johnson. He went for hardly any runs in the first test. He is building a lot of pressure on batsmen. Don't doubt this is a big reason why SA have failed with the bat. It has allowed Siddle and Johnson to be aggressive.
If McDonald could eventually hold down #7 (with Haddin at 6) he'd be a great cricketer. It'd mean he'd have to make some 50s. If Johnson continues to make runs it makes for a strong bowling attack.
I'd go into the second test with the same team. I want to see McGain debut, but i'd make him wait for his spot considering we have a bit of a hold on SA.
In addressing the issue of McDonald's place in the team, I value it highly. We have won the last two tests that he has been involved in. Since the retirement of McGrath and the injury to S.Clark, we have struggled a bit to contain teams. McDonald is a perfect foil to Johnson. He went for hardly any runs in the first test. He is building a lot of pressure on batsmen. Don't doubt this is a big reason why SA have failed with the bat. It has allowed Siddle and Johnson to be aggressive.
If McDonald could eventually hold down #7 (with Haddin at 6) he'd be a great cricketer. It'd mean he'd have to make some 50s. If Johnson continues to make runs it makes for a strong bowling attack.
I'd go into the second test with the same team. I want to see McGain debut, but i'd make him wait for his spot considering we have a bit of a hold on SA.
So what role would McDonald play against a team on a flat track where we need wicket takers.
Picking him because he's tidy is basically hoping that johnson and siddle continue to take 6+ wickets a game each it's ridiculous and pretty much relies on us playing on helpful bowling tracks forever when the reality is 95% of test tracks are flat as pancakes.
Considering people are basically admitting he's not adding to the batting right now that means they are saying he's one of the 4 best bowlers in the country.
I know Victorians are famous for being one eyed supporters who never let logic get in the way but you have to be joking.
Picking him because he's tidy is basically hoping that johnson and siddle continue to take 6+ wickets a game each it's ridiculous and pretty much relies on us playing on helpful bowling tracks forever when the reality is 95% of test tracks are flat as pancakes.
Considering people are basically admitting he's not adding to the batting right now that means they are saying he's one of the 4 best bowlers in the country.
I know Victorians are famous for being one eyed supporters who never let logic get in the way but you have to be joking.
I was actually hoping with north's success we would all remember that australia dominated cricket for nearly 15 years without an allrounder
We did this by picking our 6 bets batsmen and our 4 best bowlers and a wicketkeeper/bastman.
It meant we avoided the trap of picking players who never really excel at any discipline but hold their spot based on the potential that they could do two jobs well(when in reality they just do both below what we would expect from a frontline bat or bowler)
We did this by picking our 6 bets batsmen and our 4 best bowlers and a wicketkeeper/bastman.
It meant we avoided the trap of picking players who never really excel at any discipline but hold their spot based on the potential that they could do two jobs well(when in reality they just do both below what we would expect from a frontline bat or bowler)
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It's got nothing to do with being one eyed. He's bowled well. He's been able to chime in with quality wickets when they've been needed and he's kept it tight.
I don't think he'll get time to find his feet as a batsman at test level, but I would be confident he would if he does remain in the side.
Seriously if he's the weak link in the Australian side right now, then Aussie cricket is in a better state than many have suggested recently.
courtjester
Cancelled
I basically agree with you on this post and your second post Frank.
I agree with the selection of 6 bats and 4 bowlers. But I also argue we need to select a bowling attack that works together. The four we have played in the first test did that.
If you look at McDonald's first class bowling figures, they are very comparable to Hilfenhaus's and Geeve's. McDonald was basically picked as a specialist bowler, and he did his job.
I reckon the make-up of the team for now is nicely settled, with McDonald and McGain fighting for the last spot depending on the track.
McDonald - OUT
McGain - IN
/thread.
McGain - IN
/thread.
37 ain't that bad. And as you said, failure in two tests, three innings. Give him a chance. Call me biased, but I'd rather him in than Mike Hussey at the moment. Hussey is absolutely hopeless right now, and I hope he gets form back soon for his county or something.
Similiar record to Hilfenhaus if you take into account Hilfenhaus takes twice the wickets a match that McDonald does at first class level. Therein lies the problem with McDonald over the long term. He's probably done enough to hold his spot until Clark is fit or we choose to pick a spinner but that's about it.
TheGreatBarryB
Hall of Famer
Same 11 for me. Depends on the pitch obviously. If flat and dry early it would be very hard to keep out a spinner at McDonald's expense.
Otherwise i'd keep McDonald, holds an end well and can be dangerous 4th or 5th day when pitch is a bit up and down as last 2 tests have shown
Dropping one of the top 6 would be very dangerous. No way McDonald should bat any higher than 8.
As for people talking about Jacques!! Bloody hell his form has been deplorable lately for NSW. 7 & 4 last match. Give Hughes 2 more tests.
Otherwise i'd keep McDonald, holds an end well and can be dangerous 4th or 5th day when pitch is a bit up and down as last 2 tests have shown
Dropping one of the top 6 would be very dangerous. No way McDonald should bat any higher than 8.
As for people talking about Jacques!! Bloody hell his form has been deplorable lately for NSW. 7 & 4 last match. Give Hughes 2 more tests.
Tell McDonald to go away and score runs for Victoria, and he'll be a good option in a couple years when Ponting and Hussey retire. His bowling actually impressed me, but it's not good enough as number 4.
Archimedes
Team Captain
McDonald is a dud, the sooner he is gone the better. Hussey has a poor run of a few tests and he is all of a sudden not good enough. His average and overall consistency should be more then enough to keep him in for the rest of the series at least. That team looks very weak in the middle order, who can we include to strengthen it dramatically, I Know Hussey for McDud.
Amazed how many people have called for McDonald out / McGain in. Personally I can't see the selectors changing this line up. McDonald did his job as the fourth bowler, no more or less. Was very economical and it's about time we had a bowling line up that doesn't leak runs like a sieve.
Plus you get nowhere dropping guys after a couple of games just because they haven't won a MOTM yet.
Plus you get nowhere dropping guys after a couple of games just because they haven't won a MOTM yet.
Durban is meant to seam a lot because of all the rain they have just had. McGain may prove redundant there. McDonald is still a better bat than him and can perform a holding role with the ball. Hussey won't go and is bound to come good eventually and they carry McKenzie. They've won the last two tests there without a spinner so A.Morkel who's been added to the squad might replace him.
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Will they drop McKenzie for A.Morkel? Not sure if they'll do that.
SA have had a bit of trouble with their over-rates so im not sure they'll drop Harris either. To be honest, i quite fancy our chances if they drop Harris. Having 5 pacemen in your side is not conducive to getting through your overs quickly especially when 2 bowlers have run-ups as long as Heathrow's runway in Ntini and Morkel.
I can see Dumminy bowling a lot of overs which means runs for us.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Albie taking over from Morne, but from what I saw of Albie in the CB Series he looks a pretty average bowler and will get carted in test cricket.
I'd go in unchanged.
- Jun 30, 2008
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Exactly....Look at england they did it for fifteen years....remember these names Richard Dawson, Mark Ealham, Ronnie Irani and to an extent even blokes like Mark Butcher. FFS they had a hopeless record.
Flintoff plays for England because he would be there best bowler its an extra if he makes runs batting at six. Kallis is the same he play because he is there top 3 or 4 batsmen but happens to be a good bowler. Mcdonald is not good enough to be in Australia for either batting or bowling. Surely if we need overs or someone to tie up an end why can't it be done by North, Mcgain(who will take wickets and add variety on flat wickets), Hussey or even Ponting. I am sure all these names would do an adequate job.
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