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1ST TEST: Australia v West Indies Brisbane Nov 26 - Nov 30 2009

lockyno1

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I think Steve Smith needs to be work with and he will be a very good leggy but he is a few years away, Krezja is out other option aswell. In a few years with the development of Henriques and Watson as test players I hope australia can god in with Johnson, Siddle, Krezja and Smith plus Henriques and Watson (batting at 5 and 6) as first and second change bowlers.

Smith needs to spin the ball more. Too much Cameron White for mine as a spinner in that his normal legspinner is not his most lethal delivery. Needs to turn his leggie. I would like to see Smith persisted with though, he has potential. Personally for mine Cullen Bailey is the one.
 

caylo

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Technically would be 5 quicks as Watson would also bowl quite a few overs. So really it makes no sense to go in with 4 quicks as Watson can fill the role of the 4th quick.

I agree with this but Watson needs to learn how to swing the ball, bowling 140km stump to stump is not enough to remove test batsmen regulary.
 

aussies1st

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Smith needs to spin the ball more. Too much Cameron White for mine as a spinner in that his normal legspinner is not his most lethal delivery. Needs to turn his leggie. I would like to see Smith persisted with though, he has potential. Personally for mine Cullen Bailey is the one.

From reports of the current match hes in, he was getting a fair bit of turn.
 

aussies1st

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I agree with this but Watson needs to learn how to swing the ball, bowling 140km stump to stump is not enough to remove test batsmen regulary.

He was getting a bit of inswing recently and he can get reverse. As 4th paceman building pressure is enough anyway, if he was playing as a bowler then he would need more.
 

yappy

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4,161
I don't think Henriques will play tests - at least not for a long time. Just isn't that good.

Smith is a real bright option though. He might get a shot sooner than many expect - remember Warnie was a fat pie chucker when he first got picked, but good judges saw what he was capable of with some development. If Smith is even potentially a McGill quality tweaker he'll get a shot maybe as soon as the Sydney test (if he has a good Shield season). He brings good things with the bat too.
 

Twizzle

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Smith needs to spin the ball more. Too much Cameron White for mine as a spinner in that his normal legspinner is not his most lethal delivery. Needs to turn his leggie. I would like to see Smith persisted with though, he has potential. Personally for mine Cullen Bailey is the one.

lol,

you should watch him bowl one day

unlike Cameron White, he can spin the ball
 

Twizzle

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154,199
I don't think Henriques will play tests - at least not for a long time. Just isn't that good.

Smith is a real bright option though. He might get a shot sooner than many expect - remember Warnie was a fat pie chucker when he first got picked, but good judges saw what he was capable of with some development. If Smith is even potentially a McGill quality tweaker he'll get a shot maybe as soon as the Sydney test (if he has a good Shield season). He brings good things with the bat too.

I think Henriques will be Shane Watson MKII

I also think Smith's batting is better than his bowling which may make it hard for him to be a test player, he may be pigeon holed as a 20/20 and ODI player

I hope not because I think he is a talent
 

aussies1st

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Smith has the right temperament for Test batting imo, he made 90 against a very good WA bowling attack and hes produced a few of these knocks recently.
 

yappy

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4,161
I don't think being able to hold a bat will hurt him. So long as he can turn the ball and give the selectors half an excuse to pick him as a bowler first then the fact he can bat will just make him more attractive than Haritz. I don't think he'll get picked in Sydney, but I wouldn't discount it. If he can take a few more 3 fors he could be a smokey to play as a second spinner. We always like to have a wristy in the team where possible.

Smith might end up like Benaud. Not a great bowler to start with, but his batting kept him in the side whilst his bowling developed. If it was a choice between a guy like Hauritz getting 2 for 200 a match or Smith getting 2 for 200 a match the selectors will plumb for the leggy.
 
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yappy

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Hughes 78 n.o. at tea with thunderstorms bringing an early tea.

Form is temporary - class is permanent.

Bugger - long tea break because of the weather and Hughes gone for 79 on the resumption.
 
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hineyrulz

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I reckon Smith is a great talent, but he far from ready yet. Keep him away from Ponting who has no idea how to use a spinner anyway, Wait for someone with a clue like Clarke. How many Spinner's has Ponting gone through in 5 years????
 

yappy

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Yeah but how many of them were any good?

Sometimes its worth chucking a young guy with some ability in to see if they can handle it.

I agree Ponting doesn't have the greatest attacking instincts and can often let the game wander, but he isn't that bad. He doesn't have the luxury of the greatest attack in the game anymore.
 

hineyrulz

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Fair point of them not being much good, but some of the fields he sets are mind boggling. It was ok when Warnie and Macgilla were there they set their own fields. Leg spinning is a tough art let him learn it before he is thrown into the big time.
 

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