Memo:Aussie cricket selectors

[Toots Hibbert]

Mostly wishfull thinking I reckon. About 6 players might be playing their last test series this summer but as far as batting goes Mark Cosgrove, Phil Jacques and Shane Watson are waiting in the wings. Bowling wise Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson are amongst a number of guys showing good signs they can back up Brett Lee in the pace department. Shane Warne looks to be the guy who will be very difficult to replace. It's a shame that Stuart McGill came along when he did rather than five years later.

 

[Toots Hibbert]

So Trescothick is the first English casualty of the tour. Pretty sad circumstances when a person is so debilitated by depression that they are unable to sleep properly for weeks on end.

(It does put a new perspective on the term "mental disintegration")

Hopefully he will make a complete recovery and be able to continue with the career he loves.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

13 man squad named

Australia squad: R Ponting (captain), M Hayden, J Langer, D Martyn, M Hussey, S Watson, A Gilchrist (wkt), S Warne, B Lee, G McGrath, S Clark, M Johnson, S Tait.

 

[portentous]

Feel a bit sorry for Phil Jacques.

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Ditto.

 

[portentous]

Taity's not doing his chances any harm ATM either.

Onya Shaun! Hope to get down to AO this arvo to watch some cricket, have a few drinks........

 

[morell]

If it were up to me I would go with Johnson.

That way you have

Genuine quick - Lee
Champion Line and Length - McGrath
Swing - Johnson
Reliable run saving Back up - Clark

If you pick Tait, you are essentially doubling up on Lee's role and you may concede too many runs if the going gets tough.

Johnson can really move the ball around, alleviating the problem that came out of the last series - Australias lack of variety in the pace stakes.

 

[portentous]

I'd rather play Taity, at least at the Gabba and WACA.

 

[morell]

*bump*

You see, I told you Johnson should have played

I guess it is Lee on the chopping block now rather than Clarke, which gives Tait a bit more of a look in, but I doubt they will change except for the Sydney Test

Despite my loathing of them, the Aussie boys played sensational cricket. Wonderful win, one of the best I have seen in a long time.

 

[portentous]

I suspect the only change the Aussies will make for the 3rd test will be Martyn for Watson.

Will England pick Vaughan or is it too soon?

 

[Toots Hibbert]

I don't think Brett Lee is in any danger whatsoever of being dropped given the way he bowled on the last day. I doubt there'll be any changes to the bowling lineup other than those forced by injury.

Watson's not fit (I'm beginning to wonder whether this bloke will ever be injury free for any length of time). Glenn McGrath must be a slight doubt but he bowled on the last day so surely will be ready to go in the third test.

Damien Martyn is the one who should be looking over his shoulder I reckon.

 

[portentous]

What about Matty Hayden toots? I reckon it's about time Phil Jacques got a game and Langer just seems to do enough whenever his spot is under pressure.

 

[Toots Hibbert]

What about Matty Hayden toots? I reckon it's about time Phil Jacques got a game and Langer just seems to do enough whenever his spot is under pressure.

I reckon you're right. But I think the selectors will give him a bit more grace. I think it's time they looked to bring in a few blokes like Jacques now so that they get a few games under their belts and we're not left with a bunch of inexperienced players all coming in at once.

Who do you reckon is the better bowler out of Tait and Johnson?

 

[portentous]

I haven't seen enough of Johnson to make an honest assessment-and I'm very Pro-Tait so am obviously biased anyway.

Who they pick will depend on the pitch I guess. Have heard it's a very flat track at the WACA this season. Not sure who that favours though-maybe a 2nd spinner as a move out of the blue! Dan Cullen come on down

 

[TheFridge]

Unlikely we will see any changes of the eleven for Perth. Martyn is the obvious contender to lose his spot, but Watson is unlikely to play and while bringing in a Hodge, a Jacques (as a middle order bat) or Cosgrove may improve the liine-up, I think the selectors will give Martyn another chance, especially at home.

There are also suggestions the pitch to be used for the test will have some bounce - it is an old pitch (using the original WACA soil) that has not been used for the last four years. If this is the case it will strengthen Marto's case, given his strength against the bouncing ball.

Hayden and Langer are both pretty safe for the remainder of this series - Jacques will have to wait, but should have a case for the one day team. I believe the selectors will retain their faith in the experienced hands for this series, but Sydney may well be the curtain call for one or two of them.

 

[TheFridge]

Who do you reckon is the better bowler out of Tait and Johnson?

Johnson has more potential - ignore the left hander bit (you should not pick someone just because they bowl with the wrong arm...). He does have pace, bounce and swing, and a lot more control than Tait. However, I prefer Tait just for his raw speed - he is awesome to watch when on song.

Johnson has been the next big thing for a few years now and good judges like DK Lillee have been pushing his case since he was a junior.

 

[portentous]

Unlikely we will see any changes of the eleven for Perth. Martyn is the obvious contender to lose his spot, but Watson is unlikely to play and while bringing in a Hodge, a Jacques (as a middle order bat) or Cosgrove may improve the liine-up, I think the selectors will give Martyn another chance, especially at home.

There are also suggestions the pitch to be used for the test will have some bounce - it is an old pitch (using the original WACA soil) that has not been used for the last four years. If this is the case it will strengthen Marto's case, given his strength against the bouncing ball.

Hayden and Langer are both pretty safe for the remainder of this series - Jacques will have to wait, but should have a case for the one day team. I believe the selectors will retain their faith in the experienced hands for this series, but Sydney may well be the curtain call for one or two of them.

So they're using a different pitch to the one that's been used in the state games?? Might make things interesting. I miss the old days when the WACA was a paceman's heaven.

EDIT:Tait's not doing his chances any harm down in Tassie either.