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5th Test: Austalia vs England at SCG Jan 3-7 2011

beads6

beads6

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Sounds like they are going to drop Smith for Khawaja but bat Hussey at 3...... Madness to drop Smith IMO.
 
madunit

madunit

Super Moderator
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62,358
Khawaja will come in at 3 and will replace Harris.

It appears that will be the only change, everyone else will retain their spots.
 
yappy

yappy

Bench
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4,161
I said when Doherty was selected that the 2nd best left arm orthodox spinner in Australia was already in the side (Clarke). The odds of Beer coming in and doing anything to get excited about are so long it doesn't bear thinking about. So if Pup's back is ok to bowl then you don't lose anything playing him and Smith as spinners. Sydney isn't the same track it was 20 years ago. With all the rain we've had it will be more a pacemen's wicket. If Siddle bowls full he'll cause problems (if he bowls short we'll probably lose by an innings again). Johnson I don't hold much hope for (it's too soon since his last great spell for Santa Claus to come back to town), and I'd hope Hilfenhaus makes way for Doug or Copeland (ie someone who can take wickets). But three quicks and Watson, along with Smith backed up with Clarke are enough.

I'd personally prefer to see Smith remain at 6 and O'Keefe come in, but bringing in Khawaja and sliding all the batsmen down one could work well enough and still leave good balance. It does have the advantage of getting Pup back to 5 where I have always said he should bat, and gives Punter a little more protection from the new rock whilst showing patience with the young players we've brought in this series. Hussey also is a good guy to have batting with the lower order and we've seen what dropping him down the order has done for his form already.

I also really like the idea of throwing Khawaja straight in at 3 rather than trying to hide him down the order. He is a genuine top order player with plenty of opening experience. He's also the guy we need to step up and replace Ricky as our 3. No better way to get him conditioned for the job than to put him in there from day 1.

With those changes you can also see a way to go forward. ie When Hussey retires you can look at moving Smith back up to 6 if his batting numbers support it, bring in a new young bat, or drop Watson down there and bring in an opener. When Ricky goes you've got the option of Watson to 4 and a new opener, or a young top order bat, or promote the guy who took Hussey's spot at 6 and bring in a new kid. Lots of possibilities open up.
 
Twizzle

Twizzle

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154,236
why give Smith, or anyone for that matter, 1 game.

Why didn't they give Marcus North 1 game years ago then piss him off. Smith was one of our better batsmen in the second innings.

Nothing these guys do makes any sense.

So will Khawaja get 1 game then piss him off as well ?
 
beads6

beads6

First Grade
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6,162
Sounds like Punter will be out for a month maybe more... Good news for Australian Cricket IMO.
 
beads6

beads6

First Grade
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6,162
Looking forward to seeing Clarke captain. I think the young guys in particular will play for him.
 
madunit

madunit

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62,358
seems odd that the selectors are going to have a meeting to decide who the captain will be. Clarke can't have the gig that well secured if that's the case.
 
Panther_Daz

Panther_Daz

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7,901
Ponting ruled out of Test

30 December, 2010
Gregor Mactaggart, Sportal

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has been ruled out of the final Ashes Test against England at the SCG.
The under-fire skipper will miss the Test, starting on January 3, through injury after x-rays revealed he sustained further damage to his already fractured pinky finger during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
"Ricky Ponting had a repeat x-ray after the fourth Test which showed evidence that the fracture of his fifth finger has moved during the course of the Melbourne Test," Australian team physiotherpist Alex Kountouris said.
"As such he needs to commence treatment immediately to achieve a satisfactory outcome. The treatment options include surgery or aggressive splinting and immobilisation of the injured finger. A decision on the treatment option will be made in the next 24 hours after further consultation with the hand specialist."
"His return to cricket will be based on how quickly the fracture heals and he will hopefully commence training in the later part of the Australian summer. He is expected to be fully fit for the ICC Cricket World Cup."
Ponting's injury and subsequent withdrawal from the team means the Australian squad won't be released until late Thursday afternoon after it was due to be revealed around lunchtime.
Victory to Australia in Sydney would level the series at 2-2, but England retained the Ashes by winning the fourth Test in Melbourne on Wednesday.

http://www.cricket.com.au/news-display/Ponting-ruled-out-of-Test/23422
 
JJ

JJ

Immortal
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32,816
he's lots of things... petulant, arrogant, gifted... but two things I don't think he is are selfish and soft...

They're delaying it because clearly there are Clarke doubters in high places - Greg Chappell being one... best move, I think, is Katich as a one-off captain, then back to Ponting
 
Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt

Bench
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3,741
It would be an absolute disgrace if Clarke was made captain, no leadership skills unlees you call butt pats leadership, thats all he basically does on the field
 
yappy

yappy

Bench
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4,161
Clarke will be the Captain, they're just sorting out the make up of the team. Uzy will obviously come in, but they might be questioning if they play him at 3. (I say yes - clearly the best option). They are also probably looking carefully at Hilfenhaus and Beer and considering how to use Smith.

It wouldn't surprise if Katich came back, or they gave D Hussey a test and pushed Smith back to 8. Ponting being out makes things less clear cut than if he was in I reckon.
 
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