Changes for Perth

[Rookie]

Smith 4-57 was by far the most expensive and un-economical bowler for NSW and his 4 wickets included 10 and 11, but it's fair to say he outbowled Hauritz. SOK isn't playing for NSW and won't be considered I doubt... so Smith has taken a big step towards being the likely replacement for Doherty or North. Could slot in at either 6 or 8 (I'd probably have them both in TBH). I suspect North will retain his place, two changes to the top six doesn't seem like something our selectors would do.

Hughes has to open in place of Katich you'd think? Marsh the other possibility.

What we'll do:

Hughes / Marsh
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North / Smith / Khawaja
Haddin
Hauritz (or Smith)
Harris
Johnson / Hilfenhaus / Siddle
Bollinger

Not sure what I'd do now that we know Katich is injured. It's time for one of Ferguson, Hughes, Smith, Khawaja, Marsh, White etc to really stand up and demand a spot.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Marsh would probably be the best replacement for Katich but I dont think he has even been opening so Hughes by default and England will be delighted

Didn't stop us picking Langer, Katich and Watson to open though.

 

[Hayesuel]

If the selectors bring in Hughes (which i think they should) they should tell him the spot is his for the rest of the series and to play his natural game without fear of getting axed if he fails. Take as much pressure and self doubt off him as you can and let him do his own thing and we know when he's on song he's an absolute gun.

 

[bluechampion]

If they drop Doherty and play Smith and rest Siddle:

Hussey
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
North
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

I don't especially like the above side, but it's a safety-first approach.
You don't drop too many guys at once, and the selectors are terrified of that...
However, you don't really lengthen the batting (4 batsmen, 2 all-rounders and 2 bowlers who can, in theory, do okay), but you put the in-form blokes up top. If we get off to a decent start it might take the pressure off the others.

You do lengthen the bowling (4 pacemen, 2 all-rounders - 1 spin, 1 pace - and a part-timer). But Ponting seems to hate juggling much more than 4 bowlers.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

If they drop Doherty and play Smith and rest Siddle:

Hussey
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
North
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

I don't especially like the above side, but it's a safety-first approach.
You don't drop too many guys at once, and the selectors are terrified of that...
However, you don't really lengthen the batting (4 batsmen, 2 all-rounders and 2 bowlers who can, in theory, do okay), but you put the in-form blokes up top. If we get off to a decent start it might take the pressure off the others.

You do lengthen the bowling (4 pacemen, 2 all-rounders - 1 spin, 1 pace - and a part-timer). But Ponting seems to hate juggling much more than 4 bowlers.

I just don't understand how keeping North is the safe option for any one. Though he is drawing ever nearer to his career saving ton. It would be at Perth or Melbourne if it is anywhere. Is that what you mean?

 

[Bradesmaen]

Phil Hughes gets found out to a shortish ball once again. Sure getting dropped might not have helped his confidence, but he wasn't that good in the first place.

 

[clees]

Watson - Probably shouldn't open as we need him bowling more overs, but with the number of changes needed for this test will probably stay at the top
Hughes - Not in great form ATM (averages under 20 this season), but with a career avg of 53 and being only 22 he is the only real option.
Ponting
Clarke - Hopefully 10 days is enough for his back to recover
Hussey
Khawaja - Most runs in SS this season (mainly thanks to his early 214)
Haddin
SOK - Avg. of 16.4 this season, and 24 for his career. Somehow not getting a game for NSW but looked good on a green pitch for Aus A and troubled Pieterson. Surly its either this guy or a 5th quick.
Harris - Looked troubeling at times at Adelaide but on a batsman paradise failed to keep the ball up. Easily our best bowler in Adelaide so gets another gig
Siddle - Like Harris, looks alot more dangerous pitching the ball up. Bowled terribly in Adelaide but deserves another go after his GABBA performance. Needs wickets there though
Copeland - avg. 19.6 this season and 18.2 last season. Also has an economy of 2.65 an over. The most promising young bowler in Aus IMO. Hilfenhouse may get a gig as a swing bowler due to the fremantle doctor but, as to date, has not showed himself to be a test bowler

 

[Damon_3388]

For those suggesting that Phillip Hughes is the "obvious" replacement for Simon Katich, you do realise he's averaging just 17.43 runs from seven innings (including today) so far in the 2010/11 Sheffield Shield season, right? He might have been harshly dealt with by the Australian selectors in the past, and he's going well in One Day cricket (48.33 average from 4 innings so far), but he's not exactly demanding a spot in the Test team with his Shield performances so far this Summer.

IMO, Shaun Marsh (84.75 average from four innings) is much more deserving of Katich's spot at the moment, and Marcus North should make way for Usman Khawaja (69.83 average from seven innings) too.

My XI for Perth:

1. Shane Watson
2. Shaun Marsh
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Mike Hussey
6. Usman Khawaja
7. Brad Haddin
8. Nathan Hauritz
9. Ryan Harris
10. Peter Siddle
11. Doug Bollinger

Honestly wouldn't mind seeing a Warnie comeback for the Boxing Day Test

 

[Radical Roo]

Eng has a change too, Tremlett in for Broad out. I have to say, Eng will demolish Aus in Perth. Have you seen Tremlett? Today on screen it showed him bowling. Running in full pace and thump the ball down from like 10 ft height. He is the much more aggresive version of Broad.

 

[matty p]

Surely O'Keefe has to play as the spinner. 4/88 (including the wickets of Cook and Pieterson), along with scores of 66 and 27 in the Aus A match against England.

 

[stickman11]

For those suggesting that Phillip Hughes is the "obvious" replacement for Simon Katich, you do realise he's averaging just 17.43 runs from seven innings (including today) so far in the 2010/11 Sheffield Shield season, right? He might have been harshly dealt with by the Australian selectors in the past, and he's going well in One Day cricket (48.33 average from 4 innings so far), but he's not exactly demanding a spot in the Test team with his Shield performances so far this Summer.

IMO, Shaun Marsh (84.75 average from four innings) is much more deserving of Katich's spot at the moment, and Marcus North should make way for Usman Khawaja (69.83 average from seven innings) too.

My XI for Perth:

1. Shane Watson
2. Shaun Marsh
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke
5. Mike Hussey
6. Usman Khawaja
7. Brad Haddin
8. Nathan Hauritz
9. Ryan Harris
10. Peter Siddle
11. Doug Bollinger

Honestly wouldn't mind seeing a Warnie comeback for the Boxing Day Test

Shaun marsh has been tried and failed.

 

[Heisenberg_]

Shaun marsh has been tried and failed.

Shaun Marsh has never plaged a Test match.
You have tried and failed though.

 

[eddiesmith]

If the selectors bring in Hughes (which i think they should) they should tell him the spot is his for the rest of the series and to play his natural game without fear of getting axed if he fails. Take as much pressure and self doubt off him as you can and let him do his own thing and we know when he's on song he's an absolute gun.

Good idea which will see him score a big century on a flat SCG after Australia has lost the Ashes already following his king pair in Perth and save his spot for life

 

[aussie1st]

The one concern with Marsh is his poor conversion rate. But other than that hes been good when hes not injured.

 

[eddiesmith]

The one concern with Marsh is his poor conversion rate. But other than that hes been good when hes not injured.

Its not the greatest but he is the most in form batsman in the country and the main thing people whinge about in ODIs is his slow scoring which isnt a problem

If anything he would be a pretty like for like replacement for Katich rather than the unreliable Hughes

 

[BACCS]

Eng has a change too, Tremlett in for Broad out. I have to say, Eng will demolish Aus in Perth. Have you seen Tremlett? Today on screen it showed him bowling. Running in full pace and thump the ball down from like 10 ft height. He is the much more aggresive version of Broad.

I saw Tremlett up close the other day, bloody hell he is ripped! Looked more like an AFL player than a cricketer.

 

[The Fonz]

When is the squad going to be named? The only other games between now and then is NSW-SA which already started and Vic - Eng and Qld-WA which start on Friday.

In NSW-SA you have Hughes, Khawaja, Smith, Hauritz, Copeland. Cameron, George and Ferguson all on display.
O'Keefe is 12th man.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I saw Tremlett up close the other day, bloody hell he is ripped! Looked more like an AFL player than a cricketer.

He should be fun, he looks scary. Good Perth choice. I hope they don't choose Bresnan.

 

[Cleavy]

When is the squad going to be named? The only other games between now and then is NSW-SA which already started and Vic - Eng and Qld-WA which start on Friday.

In NSW-SA you have Hughes, Khawaja, Smith, Hauritz, Copeland. Cameron, George and Ferguson all on display.
O'Keefe is 12th man.

cricinfo article claimed Friday. Maybe we'll just have another 17 man squad again?

 

[Good Win]

Extremely unlikely to happen (emphasis on extremely) but i would bring in Brad Hodge. It would bring back some stability to the top order. Absolute joke he hasn't played more cricket for Australia.

Knowing this won't happen, my XI for Perth:

1. Watson
2. Hughes
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. Kwajawa
7. Haddin
8. Smith
9. Johnson
10. Harris
11. Bollinger

IN: Hughes, Kwajawa, Smith, Johnson
OUT: Katich (inj), North, Doherty, Siddle

Mitch Johnson has an amazing record at the WACA (averaging 22), surely if he was to turn it around it will be there. It isn't a spin friendly pitch, hence the "weak" spin bowling option. But Smith solidifies the bottom order. Hopefully no more collapses like we saw today. Kwajawa picked because he is the best young up and coming batsmen in Australia.

 

[aussie1st]

Its not the greatest but he is the most in form batsman in the country and the main thing people whinge about in ODIs is his slow scoring which isnt a problem

If anything he would be a pretty like for like replacement for Katich rather than the unreliable Hughes

Hughes is reliable once he gets a start, just getting that start. Won't complain if Marsh or Hughes open. Main one is getting rid of North.

 

[year of the roo]

Watson
Hughes
Hodge
Khawaja
Hussey
Ponting
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Siddle

I hate Hughes. He's utter shit but is there anyone else? Paine to play as specialist batsman maybe? Ferguson in and then who up the top? Clearly I'm dreaming with Hodge, but it makes a lot of sense.

 

[Bomber Bears]

Phil Hughes gets found out to a shortish ball once again. Sure getting dropped might not have helped his confidence, but he wasn't that good in the first place.

Not that good? Went back to shield and averaged 56 last year. Then hit an 80 odd for Australia in NZ

Not in form at present, no doubt, but he's a very good batsmen.

 

[The Fonz]

Extremely unlikely to happen (emphasis on extremely) but i would bring in Brad Hodge. It would bring back some stability to the top order. Absolute joke he hasn't played more cricket for Australia.

Knowing this won't happen, my XI for Perth:

1. Watson
2. Hughes
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. Kwajawa
7. Haddin
8. Smith
9. Johnson
10. Harris
11. Bollinger

IN: Hughes, Kwajawa, Smith, Johnson
OUT: Katich (inj), North, Doherty, Siddle

Mitch Johnson has an amazing record at the WACA (averaging 22), surely if he was to turn it around it will be there. It isn't a spin friendly pitch, hence the "weak" spin bowling option. But Smith solidifies the bottom order. Hopefully no more collapses like we saw today. Kwajawa picked because he is the best young up and coming batsmen in Australia.

Its a fair side - If Siddle goes and Doherty surely will, crazy though that the entire bowling line-up from the 1st Test would have all been dropped after just 2 Tests. If you throw in North, Watson is the only constant.

 

[XFactor1979]

harris needs to be demoted down the batting order

england are all over him. in ajit agarkar proportions

he used to bat at 8 for south australia and was almost classified as an allrounder, but he has exclusively concentrated on developing his bowling. in ODIs he came in to bat at 10 (ie seldom)