emerging spinners

[desie]

If Smith is picked, and he probably will be, he is more likely to be picked for his batting. I rate his batting much higher than his bowling.

Really?

I haven't seen a terrible lot of him, but what I have seen has made me think that he's our best spinning prospect since Warne/MacGill.

I would have said his batting is a sizeable bonus and that he's a pretty genuine all-rounder.

 

[Blue Dimension]

I think Smith will end up being picked for test cricket within a year. Will play ODI's this summer, not a doubt in my mind.

He'll be picked for his bowling, his batting is a bonus.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Really?

I haven't seen a terrible lot of him, but what I have seen has made me think that he's our best spinning prospect since Warne/MacGill.

I would have said his batting is a sizeable bonus and that he's a pretty genuine all-rounder.

I have watched him for years, I do work for Cricket NSW. The coaches there keep saying that he is a top 6 batsman, who can bowl. Pretty much a better version of Cameron White as Smith actually spins the ball. We all saw how good Smith was with the bat in the one dayer on Wednesday. I wouldn't be pinning my hopes on him bowling 40-60 overs to win test matches though. Although a tandem with Cullen Bailey will more than likely be the combination in the future.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I think Smith will end up being picked for test cricket within a year. Will play ODI's this summer, not a doubt in my mind.

He'll be picked for his bowling, his batting is a bonus.

If we pick him as a bowler, we may struggle. He has a limited workload in terms of his bowling (rarely bowls 20 overs in an innings). I hope we replace Hussey or North with Smith. Blood him in the top 6, and see how he goes. Don't put any pressure on him as a bowler and manage his workload.

 

[Blue Dimension]

If we pick him as a bowler, we may struggle. He has a limited workload in terms of his bowling (rarely bowls 20 overs in an innings). I hope we replace Hussey or North with Smith. Blood him in the top 6, and see how he goes. Don't put any pressure on him as a bowler and manage his workload.

He's only young. He has plenty of time to work on his game and his fitness is something that will improve over time. He seems to be improving every time he walks out onto the field. At the moment though he'd be nowhere near test selection as a batsman.

As a spinner he has plenty of potential. There's no rush, but at the rate he is developing, if it continues, I could see him coming very close to nudging out Hauritz in the next 12 months.

 

[aussie1st]

He definitely has the ability with the bat, he has shown so much muturaility this season. In Shield he has bowled 30 odd overs economically. Getting him in the top 7 would be ideal and I would be confident in him.

 

[desie]

If we pick him as a bowler, we may struggle. He has a limited workload in terms of his bowling (rarely bowls 20 overs in an innings). I hope we replace Hussey or North with Smith. Blood him in the top 6, and see how he goes. Don't put any pressure on him as a bowler and manage his workload.

Ideally I would like to see Hughes for Hussey and Smith develop his bowling to the point where he can replace Hauritz over the next 12-24 months.

Pretty fair batting side with Haddin, Smith and Johnson batting 7, 8, 9.

 

[eth-dog]

As said earlier, Steve Smith is probably the best, he has the potential to be a great Test Cricketer, Jon Holland looks really promising as well.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

He definitely has the ability with the bat, he has shown so much muturaility this season. In Shield he has bowled 30 odd overs economically. Getting him in the top 7 would be ideal and I would be confident in him.

Bat him at 6. I am sorry but despite his start, I am not sold on Marcus North. I firmly believe that if we played the team below we would not struggle. Smith can bat at no6, especially with Haddin/Paine and Johnson to follow.

1. Hughes or Jaques
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Watson
5. Clarke
6. Smith
7. Haddin OR Paine
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz (at least for 12 months till Bailey is ready to go)
10. Siddle/Bollinger (depending on conditions)
11. Hilfenhaus

 

[LukeParkerno1]

At the moment though he'd be nowhere near test selection as a batsman.

Neither was Michael Clarke or Shane Watson when they played their 1st test.

 

[Blue Dimension]

Neither was Michael Clarke or Shane Watson when they played their 1st test.

Different story here I feel. It's not like Australia are in desperate need for batsman, whereas in the spin department it's a totally different story.

There are other guys who will be pushing for batting spots i.e. Hughes, Jaques, possibly Khawaja (excuse me if I've missed anyone) plus all the rest who come onto the scene between now and then.

By the way, not sure what you're referring to with Watson. Watson had a more than adequate record with the bat when he played his first test (average in excess of 40 with a few hundreds to his name I believe). Can't quite remember Clarke.

 

[Cousin Jed]

9. Hauritz (at least for 12 months till Bailey is ready to go)

If Bailey is ready to play for Australia in 12 months I will be stunned.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Different story here I feel. It's not like Australia are in desperate need for batsman, whereas in the spin department it's a totally different story.

There are other guys who will be pushing for batting spots i.e. Hughes, Jaques, possibly Khawaja (excuse me if I've missed anyone) plus all the rest who come onto the scene between now and then.

By the way, not sure what you're referring to with Watson. Watson had a more than adequate record with the bat when he played his first test (average in excess of 40 with a few hundreds to his name I believe). Can't quite remember Clarke.

Really..could have fooled me. Last time I looked Hussey is in awful form, Watson is a makeshift opener and Marcus North is typical North- hundred or zilch.

I agree there are some "pure" batsman not in my side (for the record I would have George Bailey penciled in to take Ponting's spot), but we need more bowling options. If you have a guy who can bat at 6 and bowl spinners he is really worth considering. You are not just looking at his batting. It is the all round package.

Clarke averaged 30..

 

[LukeParkerno1]

If Bailey is ready to play for Australia in 12 months I will be stunned.

12-24 months, he is the best young "spinner" we have as Smith is a batsman/spinner. He'll be ready by then.

 

[Cousin Jed]

He can't even get a game for SA.

 

[BigCat2]

That'll happen if:

1. Bailey actually gets picked

2. the captain actually knows how to use a spinner as attacking weapon

3. he moves away from the talent sucking hole that is SACA

 

[LukeParkerno1]

That is SA's problem- he is the best spinner Australia have. Mind you lets look at the other options..

Holland- ODI defensive bowler
McGain- old, shown to be useless in test cricket
Doran- Pure tripe
Krejza- rubbish, goes at 5 an over.
Doherty- I am a fan in ODI's, does not play 4 day cricket.
Heal- defensive.

Bailey will take wickets, we can afford it with Smith and Watson in the side (6 bowlers in my side). Frankly we need wicketakers as we are struggling to bowl out the really rubbish Windies side!

 

[LukeParkerno1]

That'll happen if:

1. Bailey actually gets picked

2. the captain actually knows how to use a spinner as attacking weapon

3. he moves away from the talent sucking hole that is SACA

I agree on no3. I hope he moves to QLD next year, guaranteed position, good wicket for spinners.

 

[Blue Dimension]

Really..could have fooled me. Last time I looked Hussey is in awful form, Watson is a makeshift opener and Marcus North is typical North- hundred or zilch.

Watson is playing as a makeshift opener to make up for lack of a decent spin option in the attack. Not sure what the issue is in regards to Marcus North, this is the same guy who dug us out of trouble in South Africa and scored centuries against England.

When you've got guys like Jaques and Hughes waiting in the wings that's more than enough quality batsman going around. Then you've always got Rogers and D.Hussey, who are probably not going to get a gig in Test cricket now in regards to age, and also depth of players in line ready to take a spot ahead of them.

I agree there are some "pure" batsman not in my side (for the record I would have George Bailey penciled in to take Ponting's spot), but we need more bowling options. If you have a guy who can bat at 6 and bowl spinners he is really worth considering. You are not just looking at his batting. It is the all round package.

Is George Bailey the flavour of the month or something? Penciled in to take Pontings spot?

Also, what would be the point of having him at 6 if he's just as good, if not better than any other spin option we have in Australia? That logic is flawed.

Cullen Bailey has a lot of work to do, he's not even playing first class cricket for SA regularly at the moment and hasn't played ODD cricket in a fair while. Needs to take wickets regularly and have some sort of an impact on non spin friendly pitches to push his case forward.

 

[Yoda_]

Steve Smith is a good option in the long term.

Cullen Bailey is another option.

Jon Holland is another option who seems to be liked by many 'in the know'.

I think everyone should look at the job Hauritz is doing and face the fact that he is actually doing a very good job. He led the bowling averages in india did he not? did he not bowl very tidy in the first two tests? less than three an over?

God, just like everyone else on bigfooty, this obsession with "new talent" is just ridiculous.

Steve Smith:

Batting averages:

First Class: 381 runs, HS: 90, average: 38.
List A: 14 matches, 370 runs, HS: 81, average: 41 (3 not outs)
Twenty20: 15 matches, 172 runs, average: 17.5 (s/r: 174)

Bowling Averages:

First Class: 8 matches, 11 wickets, BB: 3/135, average:61
List A: 14 matches, 13 wickets, BB: 3/43, Average: 38
Twenty20: 15 Matches, 13 wickets, BB: 4/15, average: 15

There you go people.

Steve Smith is a little over rated by many on here. Yes shane warne said that he rates him highly. But he is 20 years old. Give him time to develop and leave Hauritz in the senior side for the time being.

I think people may need to just grow up a little and face realities.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Watson is playing as a makeshift opener to make up for lack of a decent spin option in the attack. Not sure what the issue is in regards to Marcus North, this is the same guy who dug us out of trouble in South Africa and scored centuries against England.

When you've got guys like Jaques and Hughes waiting in the wings that's more than enough quality batsman going around. Then you've always got Rogers and D.Hussey, who are probably not going to get a gig in Test cricket now in regards to age, and also depth of players in line ready to take a spot ahead of them.



Is George Bailey the flavour of the month or something? Penciled in to take Pontings spot?

Also, what would be the point of having him at 6 if he's just as good, if not better than any other spin option we have in Australia? That logic is flawed.

Cullen Bailey has a lot of work to do, he's not even playing first class cricket for SA regularly at the moment and hasn't played ODD cricket in a fair while. Needs to take wickets regularly and have some sort of an impact on non spin friendly pitches to push his case forward.

I am Watson's biggest fan, but even I can see the bloke is a no4. We are limited with how much bowling we can make him do when he opens. As I said I am not sold on North- he either gets nothing or a 100. Barely anything in between. He needs to make a heck of a lot more scores than he is making.

Hughes would in in my side, Jaques probably fractionally behind, although would not complain short term if they go Phil Jaques. Rogers and Dave Hussey are no chance, as one has burt a few too many bridges and one is incompetant at the highest level.

The point is Smith is not better than many options. Lets pick him as a batsman on potential and lets let him develop his bowling. Smith would be in the top 3-4 spinners but he is not the best spinner. I like the idea of having two spinners on the last day. Have Smith bat at 6 (where he can easily bat) and have a big turning leggie in Cullen Bailey from the other end.

All the spinners have a heck of a lot of work to do. If you asked me right now none are test standard, but we are playing these guys on potential. Similarly we played Michael Clarke at a young age.
Bailey has been rated for some time, now whether that transforms into taking Punters spot who knows. I like his technique though, Watson can easily bat 3, with Bailey batting at 4 or 5.

 

[LondonCalling]

Can't wait to see this planned reality TV show to search for a new legspinner akin to Football Superstar.

Will definitely be trying out.

Something for future Diary entries if nothing else

 

[SBI]

I'm struggling how someone can call Krejza rubbish yet champion Bailey with what is presumably a straight face. Krejza is no superstar, but he's leages ahead of Cullen Bailey in all formats.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I'm struggling how someone can call Krejza rubbish yet champion Bailey with what is presumably a straight face. Krejza is no superstar, but he's leages ahead of Cullen Bailey in all formats.

At the moment maybe, but fact is we have seen how ordinary Krejza is against good players (Sth Africa). I'll take a leg spinner over an off spinner.

 

[triplejdude]

Can't wait to see this planned reality TV show to search for a new legspinner akin to Football Superstar.

Will definitely be trying out.

Something for future Diary entries if nothing else