Brad Williams for Adelaide Test?

[Adelaide Hawk]

A number of scribes have indicated that Brad Williams will replace Andy Bichel in the XI for the Adelaide Test.
As we know, Williams flew back to Perth last weekend to represent WA in a Pura Cup match against Tasmania. On the surface, this appeared to be a good move ... or was it?
Williams did a lot of bowling yesterday (Tuesday) to help dismiss Tasmania in their 1st Innings, and will be expected to back up again today and play a major role in trying to dismiss Tassie a second time.
This means Williams will have bowled 40-50 overs from Monday to Wednesday, and then be expected in Adelaide to commence a 5 day Test Match.
With the ongoing worry that Gillespie could break down at any time, are we taking a huge risk by including another bowler who is not sufficiently rested?
What do others think?

 

[Fall Out Boy]

I don't think it's a huge problem. Sure, Williams has bowled plenty of overs in the past week, but he's young and strong, so he should be fine.

My query is why Bichel is being left out rather then Bracken. On Adelaide's batter friendly pitch, you need guys who can bowl long spells, guys who never give up.

Clearly Bichel is tougher then Bracken.

 

[bluechampion]

why not?

Inness.

The Indians struggle against left-armers. Throw two of them in.

Gillespie, Innes, Bracken, MacGill.

Honestly, it's the 5th bowling option we lack. If we could rotate the bowlers properly, we wouldn't have this problem of over-work. The front-liners need one or two quality back-ups. Katich bowled 2 overs in the last test. Is he a 5th bowling option? On a batsman friendly pitch will he simply be monstered by the Indians?

Our 5th bowler is a combination of Katich and Waugh. That's terrible. We used to have Lehamnn and M. Waugh who were both useful bowlers.

Bring in White / Moss / Harvey / Marsh? (not a great list)

Katich has to bowl well this test. Otherwise he's gone.

 

[CatManDo]

Re: why not?

Originally posted by bluechampion
Katich has to bowl well this test. Otherwise he's gone.

Katich will stay in the side for his batting, if he bowls some overs that a bonus as far as Im concerned. Expecting him to bowl his part time spinners against the Indians and be successful is crazy anyway.

Katich took some wickets against a minnow.... doesnt mean he is a bowler. Until he moved to NSW I hardly remember him bowling much at all for WA.

 

[CatManDo]

On Williams... I think he'd be fine. He would be absolutely stoked just to get the oportunity I bet, so I dont think he would be worried.

Wasnt Lee due to come in for this test?

 

[bluechampion]

Katich the bowler

Katich was chosen above Love because he can bowl a bit. If he can't, then he comes back to the field as a batsman, and should be 4th on a list of Love, Hodge, Clarke, Katich.

That said, if Katich takes less than, say, 4 wickets this series then Lehmann is straight back in for Sri Lanka.

 

[CatManDo]

I reckon though, as long as Katich shows form, he'll stay in front of Love in the queue to replace Waugh. Love would be dam unlucky though.

 

[Minkus_Swan]

Re: Katich the bowler

Originally posted by bluechampion
That said, if Katich takes less than, say, 4 wickets this series then Lehmann is straight back in for Sri Lanka.

Ummm, no. If Katich gets a couple of 50's or even a hundred - he'll stay in the XI. Katich is a Batsman that can bowl if needed - runs are more important.

 

[bluechampion]

Lehmann.

But Lehmann's a better batsman with a better record, especially against spin (tour of Sri Lanka). Katich simply cannot keep the incumbent out on his record.

 

[Russian]

Rotation policy maybe? Bracken missed out, then Williams, is it Bichel's turn?

As for Katich, he's safe until Lehmann is fit IMO. Then it's a 4 way battle for 2 spots between Love, Katich, Lehmann and Clarke - Hodge and Hussey are closing in on that group but need their form to continue.

 

[EagleBlue]

I would play Williams for Katich. Indians kill slow bowling, loathe fast bowlers. Hopefully if Williams plays, it will intice Bichel and Bracken to bowl just the odd short ball !!!!, instead of the lovely half-volleys they served up in Brisbane. Honestly I have seen more hostile bowling in legends games than what those 2 dished up in Brisbane

 

[Russian]

Les Burdett reckons its the best pitch he's ever prepared. Sounds like a batsman's paradise. I wouldn't be against 5 bowlers, but if Katich is the one to miss out, our 2nd spinner is Ponting - don't like this option in Adelaide. Would mean leaving out Martyn. Weighing all this up, I'd rather have 3 quicks with Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn to bowl if needed.

 

[EagleBlue]

Originally posted by Russian
Les Burdett reckons its the best pitch he's ever prepared. Sounds like a batsman's paradise.

Even more reason to play 5 bowlers and leave out Katich.

 

[bluechampion]

batting paradise...

Bring on the surprise selection test all-rounder!

4 bowlers (especially when three of your first choice bowlers are our) isn't enough!

We need options!