1ST TEST: Australia v Pakistan MCG Dec 26-30 2009

[TheParraboy]

The demise of the Australian side and the resurrgance of the WI, made it a fairly close test series (Gabba test aside). With the 3rd test Vs WI all but over (go aussies :sarcasm thought it be good to get stuck into discussion about this test match on Boxing day. Specially about the makeup of the side

Punter looks like he could be out. Even a bigger worry (a blessing in disguise for some) it could have permanent long term damage as explained by the physio with constant muscle tearing when that muscle is used

http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvwi09/content/story/440122.html

Ricky Ponting could miss his first Test in five years after Australia's physio confirmed Ponting's elbow injury has left him in doubt for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. Ponting was struck just above the left elbow by a delivery from Kemar Roach in the first innings at the WACA and scans revealed a tendon injury, although there was no bone damage.

The Australians did not want Ponting to bat in the second innings, to give him extra recovery time, but when they stumbled to 7 for 125 he came to the crease. However, Ponting had not taken any painkillers and was clearly hampered by the problem, and he survived for only six balls before fending a short delivery to bat-pad.

Although he did not make the injury worse during his second innings, Ponting is still no certainty to play at the MCG in eight days. The team physio Alex Kountouris said Ponting was better on Friday than he was the previous day but he remained a day-by-day proposition for the time being.

"He is in doubt for Melbourne," Kountouris said. "His arm has been quite sore. We were really worrying about this game first, which was why we were trying to avoid him batting today and see if we can get him to recover a little bit more and see how he pulls up tomorrow. He's better today than he was yesterday, which is a good thing, but we're not sure how he's going to go by Melbourne."

Ponting batted on for 40 minutes in the first innings after taking the blow, before he retired hurt. He later said that he could have stayed at the crease but "wouldn't have been able to hit the ball off the square", and he didn't look much better in the second innings.

Kountouris said the injury was unusual but Damien Martyn had once missed a Test due to a similar problem. Although the injury could potentially turn into a long-term issue for Ponting, Kountouris was not expecting that to be the case.

"It can be, of course, it's in the tendon so that's a possibility but I don't think that's going to happen," he said. "I think it will settle down with time.

"It's almost like when you get meat and bash it with a mallet to soften it down. That's what's happened, the fibres have been squashed and have been disrupted in the tendon so now every time he uses that muscle, he can get little tearing of the muscle fibres."

Ponting has not missed a Test since October 2004, when he was ruled out due to injury from the first three Tests on the tour of India and Adam Gilchrist stepped in as captain. As the vice-captain, Michael Clarke would be the man in line to take over should Ponting not recover for Boxing Day.
Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer at Cricinfo

Not sure whats wrong with Johnson, but youd think he will be ok

My side if Punter is out

Hughes
Katich
Clarke
Hussey
Watson
North
Haddin
Johnson
Krejza (it wont happen, but its time for him to get an extended run like haurie)
Siddle if fit, otherwise MaKay (hometown boys I guess)
Bollinger


Hilfy would have been out for a few weeks by the time the test starts, might be underdone, then again we are clutching at straws when it comes to pacemen. So if fit, probably has to be there

 

[Twizzle]

interesting to see what happens of Siddle and Hilfy are fit

they cannot afford to leave Doug the rug out, he's our best bowler atm

 

[aussies1st]

Siddle has been average anyway and we can't afford to have two bowlers going at 4 an over again. Hilfy if hes fit, lets see him he goes with Johnson and Bollinger.

 

[eddiesmith]

Given Hilfys record at the MCG I would pick Siddle ahead of him

 

[Jobdog]

My side (if Ponting is out):

Shane Watson
Phil Hughes
Simon Katich
Michael Clarke
Michael Hussey
Marcus North
Brad Haddin
Nathan Hauritz
Peter Siddle
Ben Hilfenhaus
Doug Bollinger

 

[hineyrulz]

Honestly Siddle has been sh*thouse since Seth Effrica, can't see how this gimp has a mortage on a spot.

 

[Collingwood Storm]

If Ponting isn't fit then the selectors will go with Hughes and Kat at 3.

I'd like to see Holland replace Hauritz as I can't recall a less threatening spinner than Hauritz ever. Benn was getting the ball to do all sorts of things and you'd have thought Hauritz was bowling on a different pitch.

 

[beads6]

If Punter is out I'd have this team..

Katich
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Bollinger
Hilfenhaus

Mckay/ Siddle

 

[hineyrulz]

If Punter is out I'd have this team..

Katich
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Bollinger
Hilfenhaus

Mckay/ Siddle

This.

 

[Matt23]

Honestly Siddle has been sh*thouse since Seth Effrica, can't see how this gimp has a mortage on a spot.

Fat Merv...

 

[beads6]

If Ponting isn't fit then the selectors will go with Hughes and Kat at 3.

I'd like to see Holland replace Hauritz as I can't recall a less threatening spinner than Hauritz ever. Benn was getting the ball to do all sorts of things and you'd have thought Hauritz was bowling on a different pitch.

Holland should not be picked yet he just has not got the wickets on the board IMO. Also Krejza is a no go as he gets hit for too many runs. 5 an over as an off spinner is disgraceful. As bad as Hauritz is he has kept it tight for the most part and has shown improvement. It just shows how bad our spinning stocks are when he is in the test side. If any spinners where to be picked you'd have to go with Cullen Bailey as he is a genuine Leggie who is bowling alright this season. Holland is a nuffie I doubt he will be much more than an ODI specialist.

 

[Hallatia]

Fat Merv...

I have been hearing that it is more Ponting than anyone else...

 

[hineyrulz]

I have been hearing that it is more Ponting than anyone else...

Yep,captain Clueless has more of a say then he lets on.

 

[yappy]

If Punter is out I'd have this team..

Katich
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Bollinger
Hilfenhaus

Mckay/ Siddle

I reckon that's about the right eleven, but I'd put Watson back to 6. If (and I still reckon its a big if) he's going to make it as a long term test all rounder then 6 is where he should be batting, so why not start now.

 

[Gaba]

If ponting is out

Australia short price favourites


If ponting is in

Even money , pakistan will be ahead alone of having a thinking captain

 

[beads6]

If ponting is out

Australia short price favourites


If ponting is in

Even money , pakistan will be ahead alone of having a thinking captain

Are you fair dinkum?? It would be really good to see Aussies hammer the Pakis without Punter.

 

[aussies1st]

If Punter is out I'd have this team..

Katich
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Bollinger
Hilfenhaus

Mckay/ Siddle

That's about right, maybe keep Watson at opener for the right/left hand combo.

 

[beads6]

That's about right, maybe keep Watson at opener for the right/left hand combo.

That combo means nothing IMO If Watson drops down it puts more pressure on Hussey. Watson has batted at 3 for the majority of his career anyhow.

 

[TheParraboy]

Honestly Siddle has been sh*thouse since Seth Effrica, can't see how this gimp has a mortage on a spot.

 

[andrew057]

Given Hilfys record at the MCG I would pick Siddle ahead of him

Merv?