Ipl

[Manbearpig]

His bowling is also going very well ATM, considering he could bat in the top order and bowl around 150 km/h, he could be breathing down A. Symonds neck for a place in the test side very soon should his form subside or even one of the top order batsman.

He's only scored two hundreds so far, but I reckon Roy's place is pretty secure at the moment. He has enormous confidence and he's proved he can now play well when the team is under pressure.

Very interesting to see what's going to happen with the spinner's spot not MacGill has retired. Can't believe Beau Casson is now our number one spinner and will play the next match. I'd be tempted to select Noffke, play no specialist spinner and just use Michael Clarke when a few tweakers are needed.

 

[Harry29]

He's only scored two hundreds so far, but I reckon Roy's place is pretty secure at the moment. He has enormous confidence and he's proved he can now play well when the team is under pressure.

Very interesting to see what's going to happen with the spinner's spot not MacGill has retired. Can't believe Beau Casson is now our number one spinner and will play the next match. I'd be tempted to select Noffke, play no specialist spinner and just use Michael Clarke when a few tweakers are needed.

Yes, Symonds has a few credits in the bank, but he will still need to keep performing (he has batted pretty well in the West Indies so far!) I would certainly not look at his spot for some time yet. I wonder if they would consider playing them both in the test team?

With regard to a spinner, if they are not up to test standard don't play them, as you say Clarke can do a job as can Symonds if required. Hopefully McGain comes along a bit more next season and can push for the spinners spot.

 

[Manbearpig]

Yes, Symonds has a few credits in the bank, but he will still need to keep performing (he has batted pretty well in the West Indies so far!) I would certainly not look at his spot for some time yet. I wonder if they would consider playing them both in the test team?

With regard to a spinner, if they are not up to test standard don't play them, as you say Clarke can do a job as can Symonds if required. Hopefully McGain comes along a bit more next season and can push for the spinners spot.

Yeah no doubt McGain is head and shoulders above the next spinner at the moment, but I'm sure even he would say that its a shame that our best spinner is 36. Casson getting picked for this series though basically slams the door on Bryce getting a chance at this stage. Fingers crossed though.

 

[Harry29]

Shane Watson back to replace M. Hayden for the one dayers in the West Indies. That was a little bit sooner than expected, but obviously the selectors took into account his great form in the IPL.

 

[Manbearpig]

Shane Watson back to replace M. Hayden for the one dayers in the West Indies. That was a little bit sooner than expected, but obviously the selectors took into account his great form in the IPL.

Shaun Marsh is in the squad, so you'd reckon he'd open, now there are two vacant opening spots. D Hussey must be a chance too.

 

[Harry29]

Shaun Marsh is in the squad, so you'd reckon he'd open, now there are two vacant opening spots. D Hussey must be a chance too.

It would be great if D. Hussey got an opportunity to show his wares as he certainly looks capable of anything on his day. I'm sure he will play a game or two over there.

They will probably all play in the 20/20 at Barbados.

 

[Harry29]

Yeah no doubt McGain is head and shoulders above the next spinner at the moment, but I'm sure even he would say that its a shame that our best spinner is 36. Casson getting picked for this series though basically slams the door on Bryce getting a chance at this stage. Fingers crossed though.

I was thinking that it wasn't that long ago that being in your thirties was a normal starting age for a spinner, eveyone seemed to assume it took spinners longer to mature. Examples of mature age on debut include Bob Holland(38), Bruce Yardley (30), Murray Bennett(28) & Peter Taylor(30). Shane Warne (22) has pretty much changed this train of thought. Although there were others such as Ray Bright (23), Tim May (25) & Greg Matthews (24) at or around the same time.

But mature age certainly was no barrier for a spinner to make a debut, so hopefully the selectors pick the best spinner at the time not just think well we need a spinner lets give this or that kid a chance and hope for the best. I think they have already done this!

 

[Manbearpig]

I was thinking that it wasn't that long ago that being in your thirties was a normal starting age for a spinner, eveyone seemed to assume it took spinners longer to mature. Examples of mature age on debut include Bob Holland(38), Bruce Yardley (30), Murray Bennett(28) & Peter Taylor(30). Shane Warne (22) has pretty much changed this train of thought. Although there were others such as Ray Bright (23), Tim May (25) & Greg Matthews (24) at or around the same time.

But mature age certainly was no barrier for a spinner to make a debut, so hopefully the selectors pick the best spinner at the time not just think well we need a spinner lets give this or that kid a chance and hope for the best. I think they have already done this!

Some pretty good points made there. Hard to argue. Still can't believe Beau Casson is going to play next week, let alone beat Bryce for the tour spot.

 

[Manbearpig]

Brad Haddin broken thumb. Might be sent home from teh Windies. Who the hell is our next best keeper? Luke Ronchi?

 

[Rick18]

Brad Haddin broken thumb. Might be sent home from teh Windies. Who the hell is our next best keeper? Luke Ronchi?

It's time for King AJ Crosthwaite!

Haha, seriously though, you bring up a good point, apart from possibly Ronchi, there's:

Hartley, Wade, Manou, and some Tasmanian dude who's name I can't remember.

Doesn't exactly fill you with confidence.

 

[Manbearpig]

It's time for King AJ Crosthwaite!

Haha, seriously though, you bring up a good point, apart from possibly Ronchi, there's:

Hartley, Wade, Manou, and some Tasmanian dude who's name I can't remember.

Doesn't exactly fill you with confidence.

Tim Payne I believe.

Ronchi can bat, hopefully he gets a go.

 

[Rick18]

Tim Payne I believe.

Ronchi can bat, hopefully he gets a go.

Ah, that's his name, thanks for that. Didn't he make a double ton early on this season?

Seems like Ronchi is the only logical option after Haddin, so hopefully he takes his chance.

 

[Manbearpig]

Ah, that's his name, thanks for that. Didn't he make a double ton early on this season?

Seems like Ronchi is the only logical option after Haddin, so hopefully he takes his chance.

Just looked him up (Paine is the correct spelling). Only 23y.o., made 2 Ford Ranger 100s and a Pura double century.

Surely the selectors will just send someone from NSW to replace Haddin anyway...

 

[Harry29]

Just looked him up (Paine is the correct spelling). Only 23y.o., made 2 Ford Ranger 100s and a Pura double century.

Surely the selectors will just send someone from NSW to replace Haddin anyway...

No doubt, when you get handed a baggy blue you get a bonus baggy green!

But seriously Luke Ronchi is the only choice, other than going for a back stop from one of the Batsmen on tour, is Brad Hodge able to do the job? I think Justin Langer may have kept for Australia once but that may have been a one dayer!

 

[Manbearpig]

No doubt, when you get handed a baggy blue you get a bonus baggy green!

But seriously Luke Ronchi is the only choice, other than going for a back stop from one of the Batsmen on tour, is Brad Hodge able to do the job? I think Justin Langer may have kept for Australia once but that may have been a one dayer!

Can't remember on Langer, but I remember Boony filling in for Healy at the 92 World Cup. Very tidy.

Sounds like Katich's ribs are going to be OK too, so Hodge will miss out again.

 

[Harry29]

Can't remember on Langer, but I remember Boony filling in for Healy at the 92 World Cup. Very tidy.

Sounds like Katich's ribs are going to be OK too, so Hodge will miss out again.

Ahh yes Boony, nothing would have been able to get past the little big man!

Hodge would have to be one of the unluckiest batsmen since Siddons!

 

[Manbearpig]

Luke Ronchi is heading off to the West Indies.

Think just in case Haddin doesn't come up at this stage.

 

[Rick18]

Luke Ronchi is heading off to the West Indies.

Think just in case Haddin doesn't come up at this stage.

Looks like Haddin has come up:

Australia pick Casson for third Test

Beau Casson, the left-arm wrist spinner, has been chosen in Australia's third Test team for Thursday's final match of the series against West Indies in Barbados. Stuart MacGill's retirement in Antigua opened a spot for Casson while Brad Haddin will play despite carrying a broken ring finger on his right hand.

"Beau's been named in the eleven ... it's exciting for him," Ricky Ponting told AAP. "He's fitted in extremely well ... he's worked hard and now he's got an opportunity to play in a Test, which is great."

Casson had a strong end to the Pura Cup season to prove to the selectors he was Australia's best option behind MacGill, but he was not expected to play on the tour. He will be the country's 401st Test representative and will be able to operate safe in the knowledge the team, which leads the series 1-0, has already recaptured the Frank Worrell Trophy.

Luke Ronchi was called into the squad as a shadow player for Haddin, who hurt his hand in the opening Test. However, Haddin refused to succumb to the injury and will battle through the pain in Barbados.

Australia 1 Phil Jaques, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Andrew Symonds, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Brett Lee, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Beau Casson, 11 Stuart Clark

Link

 

[Mr Reliable]

Just for a bit of fun I've jumped on the Rajastan Royals bandwagon who are the only team captained by a non Indian player the one and only S. Warne. He is also coaching them, would be very interesting team tactics!

Good selection on 2 May, Harry29. I'm on them next time.

As for Brad Haddin, he'd play if both arms were amputated. He's waited this long and he's not going to let anyone else jump in front of him, if he can help it.

 

[Manbearpig]

A spare spot in the Test team open up and a NSW player comes in.

Surprise surprise.

Still a bit worried about Mitchell Johnson's form.

 

[year of the roo]

This is the worst Aussie side since Kim Hughes.

 

[Manbearpig]

This is the worst Aussie side since Kim Hughes.

Also the worst Windies team since last week.

 

[Manbearpig]

We need to rename this thread to the NMFC cricket thread.

Good luck to the selectors in deciding whether to drop Simon Katich after successive tons.

 

[Harry29]

We need to rename this thread to the NMFC cricket thread.

Good luck to the selectors in deciding whether to drop Simon Katich after successive tons.

Yes that will be a hard one, but it will probably happen. Jaques is the only other batsman who they would even consider dropping for Hayden. Ponting, Clarke, Hussey & Symonds will all retain their places you would think.

What do you think about K. Pietersens left handed sweep sixes? Are they legal shots? The ICC are going to have a look at it, I think they will interpret the laws a little differently and make the batsman have to let the umpire know what hand they will be batting, much like the bowler has to notify the umpire if he is changing bowling arms. The main issue I see is in the LBW law and how it is judged in these instances.

 

[Manbearpig]

What do you think about K. Pietersens left handed sweep sixes? Are they legal shots? The ICC are going to have a look at it, I think they will interpret the laws a little differently and make the batsman have to let the umpire know what hand they will be batting, much like the bowler has to notify the umpire if he is changing bowling arms. The main issue I see is in the LBW law and how it is judged in these instances.

Umm... KP probably stretches the laws by switching his hands in the grip, but a batman should be allowed to do that if he wants to. If he can pull off a risky shot like that, good luck to him. The longer forms of the game need some excitement like this.

Maybe the laws need a bit added that if a batsman changes his grip, the ball can pitch outside leg for an LBW.