changes for the third test.

[eth-dog]

So the pitch is green, its going to piss down for 5 days and they are playing 2 spinners?

Guess they regret picking Boland and don't want to let him have a crack at such bad opposition so only left with O'Keefe and what better time to gift a game to a player than against the Windies?

Although is an interesting choice given Hazelwood and Pattinson are not the most reliable fitness wise yet are the only 2 quicks in the side...

Hazlewood not reliable injury wise? He hasn't been injured in like 5 years...

 

[Van_Dyke]

You're a frequent watcher of Victoria and you are the main person saying he is a spud, only about 2 other people have espoused the same opinion as you. Who do you want in there instead of O'Keefe? Far And Wide And Deep Ahmed?

eth-dog is far from a fan of Ahmed.

 

[JackOutback]

Disagree. So we weren't even a contender for the best in the world when Siddle was a part of two successful tours of South Africa when they were at their peak? Or what about the home annihilations of England and India (x2)?

The South African's take the mantle for the team of the last 5-6 years. But it's ridiculous to suggest that we were never a contender during this phase when we've won series' over there which Siddle was an important part of.

This notion that the best sides (in any sport) can only ever be full of 'blue chip' talent is stupid.

I was thinking more of that period when Sids and Hilfy were our two strike bowlers; it was pretty clear we were not much chop at that point. Yes, he can squeeze in as the third bowler when two better strike bowlers are around and we will be contending, but if he is our main bowler we are struggling. He is a support act, not a frontline bowler, and we got better when Mitch Johnson regained his mojo and guys like Pattinson, Harris arrived that we rose back up again.

 

[eth-dog]

You're a frequent watcher of Victoria and you are the main person saying he is a spud, only about 2 other people have espoused the same opinion as you. Who do you want in there instead of O'Keefe? Far And Wide And Deep Ahmed?

Huh? I think Ahmed is even worse than O'Keefe. Sit down and shut up.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

So the pitch is green, its going to piss down for 5 days and they are playing 2 spinners?

Guess they regret picking Boland and don't want to let him have a crack at such bad opposition so only left with O'Keefe and what better time to gift a game to a player than against the Windies?

Although is an interesting choice given Hazelwood and Pattinson are not the most reliable fitness wise yet are the only 2 quicks in the side...

If it seams it spins.

 

[Demosthenes]

I would take an unfit Siddle every day of the week and twice on Sunday's over O'Keefe.

Because you're Victorian.

 

[eth-dog]

Because you're smart.

Fixed.

 

[The_Reaper]

I sincerely hope that nobody having a go at O'Keefe's selection supported Quiney or Hastings' selections.

There is something the selector want to trial out.
Yes, O'Keefe like Quiney and Hastings before him is unlikely to be equipped to succeed at test level but they all have done enough to warrant the opportunity if we're going to try out two spinners.

Given we're likely to have dustbowls in Sri Lanka later this year I see no harm in at least experimenting with the idea of two spinners

 

[Demosthenes]

Fixed.

You're the most biased person on this site when it comes to Victorian and NSW cricketers; your opinion on them can be pretty much discounted.

 

[eth-dog]

You're the most biased person on this site when it comes to Victorian and NSW cricketers; your opinion on them can be pretty much discounted.

Not really. I rate several NSW cricketers (Warner, Cowan, Smith, Maddinson, Cummins, Starc, Lyon, Nevill, Carters, Henriques, Hazlewood, Sandhu, pretty much anyone except O'Keefe), and don't rate several Victorian cricketers (Finch, Ahmed, Christian). The fact you think I'm worse than eddiesmith is laughable.

 

[Demosthenes]

It's possible you make a valid point there, but eddismith is on my ignore list so I can't verify.

 

[eth-dog]

It's possible you make a valid point there, but eddismith is on my ignore list so I can't verify.

Yeah, I don't blame you. He can be pretty funny to read, though.

 

[JackOutback]

I sincerely hope that nobody having a go at O'Keefe's selection supported Quiney or Hastings' selections.

There is something the selector want to trial out.
Yes, O'Keefe like Quiney and Hastings before him is unlikely to be equipped to succeed at test level but they all have done enough to warrant the opportunity if we're going to try out two spinners.

Given we're likely to have dustbowls in Sri Lanka later this year I see no harm in at least experimenting with the idea of two spinners

I really don't understand the angst over O'Keefe's selection, his record stands up. He may succeed or not, but those claiming he's not Test quality are jumping the gun by a fair way.

 

[eddiesmith]

I sincerely hope that nobody having a go at O'Keefe's selection supported Quiney or Hastings' selections.

There is something the selector want to trial out.
Yes, O'Keefe like Quiney and Hastings before him is unlikely to be equipped to succeed at test level but they all have done enough to warrant the opportunity if we're going to try out two spinners.

Given we're likely to have dustbowls in Sri Lanka later this year I see no harm in at least experimenting with the idea of two spinners

Although the difference is they give Hastings a go on a flat pitch against the no1 team in the world

O'Keefes chance is against the worst team in the world...

Life is easier for some...

 

[Bradesmaen]

Huh? I think Ahmed is even worse than O'Keefe. Sit down and shut up.

I asked you a question with a potential solution. How about you answer the question instead of attacking the man. Although not uncommon for you.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

And still is. I would take an unfit Siddle every day of the week and twice on Sunday's over O'Keefe.

Hear ****ing hear.

Good luck to SOK though. Hope he can take a wicket.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Hear ******* hear.

Good luck to SOK though. Hope he can take a wicket.

He was the better spinner in his only test...

 

[Art Vandelay_]

He was the better spinner in his only test...

One swallow does not make a summer. We all know who the clear number one was.

Not that that has anything to do with my post now does it

 

[Jimthegreat]

And still is. I would take an unfit Siddle every day of the week and twice on Sunday's over O'Keefe.

I wouldn't. O'Keefe has been terrific at first class level for a long time and deserves his shot. We'll soon see how the next step goes.

 

[Docker82]

I'm a frequent watcher of the shield. What they're saying is 100% true.

Personally I think a good shield record should be the bare minimum to be considered for the test team. O'Keefe is the only spinner in Australia who fits that criteria. If they fail then ok we move on but if someone is taking wickets/getting runs then they deserve a shot. It's been a weakness particularly with batting (just wait until we play someone decent) that the selectors have created.

Out of curiosity who would you pick? (and don't name a pace bowler)

 

[Spanghertron]

I really don't understand the angst over O'Keefe's selection, his record stands up. He may succeed or not, but those claiming he's not Test quality are jumping the gun by a fair way.

I agree, his first class record shows he's our next best spinner. There is no real competition in the spin department at the moment so i think he's done well enough to get another go. If he fails so be it but he deserves his spot at this stage. I also don't understand the backlash against two spinners when most grounds in oz these days are roads.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

So the pitch is green, its going to piss down for 5 days and they are playing 2 spinners?

Guess they regret picking Boland and don't want to let him have a crack at such bad opposition so only left with O'Keefe and what better time to gift a game to a player than against the Windies?

Although is an interesting choice given Hazelwood and Pattinson are not the most reliable fitness wise yet are the only 2 quicks in the side...

They've got 3 quicks in the side, Marsh's bowling form is the main reason why they are trying O'Keefe now.

 

[mikey127]

Is Shane Dowrich in their touring squad? They replayed one of our tests from earlier in the year when the SL/NZ game was raining and he made 70 against us. I'd forgotten.

I bet Siddle will be back. We've been talking up our fast bowling depth and our stock of young quicks for a while but the attrition rate is just so high. Siddle is fit and available 90% of the time.

Yes Dowrich is in their squad and should replace Samuels

 

[eth-dog]

I asked you a question with a potential solution. How about you answer the question instead of attacking the man. Although not uncommon for you.

I wouldn't play 2 spinners, include Jackson Bird instead. My 2nd spinner would probably be Zampa or Agar otherwise

I wouldn't. O'Keefe has been terrific at first class level for a long time and deserves his shot. We'll soon see how the next step goes.

Only people who say he's been "terrific" are people who don't actually watch the Shield.

Personally I think a good shield record should be the bare minimum to be considered for the test team. O'Keefe is the only spinner in Australia who fits that criteria. If they fail then ok we move on but if someone is taking wickets/getting runs then they deserve a shot. It's been a weakness particularly with batting (just wait until we play someone decent) that the selectors have created.

Out of curiosity who would you pick? (and don't name a pace bowler)

Why not a quick? I think they'll provide more than O'Keefe (in the case of Bird at least). If a spinner either Zampa or Agar.

 

[Docker82]

I wouldn't play 2 spinners, include Jackson Bird instead. My 2nd spinner would probably be Zampa or Agar otherwise

Only people who say he's been "terrific" are people who don't actually watch the Shield.

Why not a quick? I think they'll provide more than O'Keefe (in the case of Bird at least). If a spinner either Zampa or Agar.

Zampa is half the player O'Keefe is, that's why he had to move states. Anyone who says anyone other than Fawad is kidding themselves. They've got to actually perform. A first class bowling average of 50+ suggests Zampa may not even be good enough for first class cricket at this point in time.

Bird does offer more but this is more about long term. We will need a second spinner in Sri Lanka. The O'Keefe selection is more about having a look at a guy with a good first class record at test level to see if he's any good. It seems a lot don't rate him but he's got the wickets. There's been guys who've been written off and have come good. I remember people telling me Steve Smith wouldn't make because of his technique. Almost everyone thought Lyon was a hack.