Australian third test side.

[Didgi]

You can't drop your best bowler. I'd be shocked if they dropped X Doherty. There is no-one close to his standard in Australian domestic cricket at the moment.

There's Hauritz... and O'Keefe... and Smith... I'm sure you can pull some statistics out of your arse to say that they're worse, but the fact is they can all at least turn the ball. 99% of Aussies would prefer them over Doherty for the next test (or Melbourne, given Perth will likely be a 4 paceman wicket).

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

There isn't much talk of David Hussey. I mean, he has scored nearly 11000 runs in first class cricket at 55. I don't really believe that now is the time to plan for the future - not when there is an Ashes at stake. The likes of Smith, Hughes, Khawaja, George, O'Keefe will, and should, get a chance after the Ashes series. It is clear that the future must start soon, but just not right now.

I'd go with:

Hughes
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
D. Hussey
M. Hussey
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

None of our slow bowlers are good enough to justify a spot in the team as a specialist bowler as far as I am concerned. So we shouldn't play one. It is unfortunate, but that is just the way it is. You can't spin a silk purse of out a sow's ear, as they say.

 

[butchmcdick]

There isn't much talk of David Hussey. I mean, he has scored nearly 11000 runs in first class cricket at 55. I don't really believe that now is the time to plan for the future - not when there is an Ashes at stake. The likes of Smith, Hughes, Khawaja, George, O'Keefe will, and should, get a chance after the Ashes series. It is clear that the future must start soon, but just not right now.

I'd go with:

Hughes
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
D. Hussey
M. Hussey
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

None of our slow bowlers are good enough to justify a spot in the team as a specialist bowler as far as I am concerned. So we shouldn't play one. It is unfortunate, but that is just the way it is. You can't spin a silk purse of out a sow's ear, as they say.

That bowling attack has taken f**k all wickets this series.

 

[Twizzle]

David Hussey seems to be suited by the shorter versions of the game especially T20.

 

[beads6]

Hughes
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Smith
Haddin
Hauritz
Harris
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger/Johnson

 

[aussies1st]

Wouldn't complain with that, one worry would be Hauritz who went wicketless so far, if he doesn't get wickets in the 2nd innings then its hard to pick him based one brilliant innings ala Siddle.

 

[El Diablo]

no Victorians ffs

 

[Eddie.]

Ponting is in terminal decline as a batsman. He might get the odd hundred or two however he is not the player he was. And with the team also struggling to produce any where near their best, his leadership must also be bought into question. He won't be dropped and he has probably earnt that however he should not continue past the World Cup as a captain or player.

Michael Clarke should step up and lead a young team the next couple of years. Hughes and Khawaja to come permanent fixtures and Steve Smith to play as an all rounder when ready. Haurutz to return and Johnson depending on how he rebounds confidence wise. There are lots of promising young quicks around, no superstars yet but the likes of Hazelwood could be the next leader of the attack/

 

[Bazal]

For the WACA I wouldn't even bother with a bloody spinner who isn't up to it...Smith and SOK are both talented, but I wouldn't want the confidence pounded out of them and have them end up like Krezja...

1-Shane Watson
2-Phil Hughes
3-Ricky Ponting
4-Michael Clarke
5-Michael Hussey
6-Sean Marsh
7-Brad Haddin
8-Ryan Harris
9-Mark Cameron
10-Ben Hilfenhaus
11-Doug Bollinger

They won't drop Siddle. I would, he's had his one good run for two years...Hilfenhaus bowled well without luck in Brissie and is a genuine swing bowler. Siddle is too one dimensional IMO. Bollinger and Harris deserve another chance, both are pretty down on fitness and couple that with the Adelaide road and it'd be harsh to drop them given what they can offer. They need to pull the finger out though. I think Mark Cameron is well suited to the WACA...quick, bangs it in, can swing and seam it and he intimidates batsmen. He's the kind of bloke who could get a bag.

Hughes isn't going great but he's the next best opener in the country, and should be there. Marsh might be something of a bolter but he's a good player with a steady head and a nice technique, he would bring stability to the middle order. If we needed a bloke up higher Khawaja would be the man, but I think at 6 Marsh is probably better suited and it's his home pitch as well.

 

[Big Pete]

Don't know why anybody would drop Harris after the Adelaide test.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Shane Watson since returning to the Test side:

16 games, 1446 runs @ 51.64, 28 wickets @ 27.50

SUMMARY: In great form with both bat and ball, must be in the side at all costs. The best all-round cricketer we have, to be honest.

Simon Katich since returning to the Test side up until most recent India series:

29 games, 2721 runs @ 54.42

Simon Katich from beginning of the most recent India series until now:

4 games, 207 runs @ 25.87

SUMMARY: Integral figure in the team at the top of the order, but sharp drop of form over the last two series. Too good to cut just yet.

Michael Clarke since returning to the Test side up until the most recent India series:

40 games, 3391 runs @ 58.46

Michael Clarke from beginning of most recent India series until now:

4 games, 126 runs @ 18.00

SUMMARY: Again, been a very important figure in our batting lineup for quite some time now, but had a sharp drop of form in recent times. Is young too, must be persisted with.

Coming soon - analysis of Hussey, North and Ponting.

As promised:

Ricky Ponting from the beginning of the late 2007 India series until now:

38 games, 2812 runs @ 41.97

Michael Hussey from the beginning of the late 2007 India series until now:

38 games, 2524 runs @ 40.06

I believe that this India series in late 2007/early 2008 was the end of Australia's dominance. Although Australia won, guys like Hussey and Ponting, who up until this series were dominant figures in the Australian batting line-up, were exposed for technical issues that have plagued them to this day. 42 and 40 aren't bad averages respectively (most of the English team average in the low 40's), but considering Ponting went through a golden period of his career where his average tipped 60, and Hussey was up around 86, these are significant falls.

Luckily, Clarke had emerged in his second coming at this point, Katich's revival was just around the corner too, with Watson's a year later.

 

[lockyno1]

1. Hughes
2. Watson
3. Sean Marsh
4. Ricky Ponting
5. Michael Clarke
6. Michael Hussey
7. Brad Haddin
8. Steve O'Keefe OR Nathan Hauritz
9. Ryan Harris
10. Trent Copeland
11. Mark Cameron OR Ben Hilfenhaus

 

[Didgi]

I don't think we should be taking a spinner to Perth if it's a typical Perth wicket, but if we're going to continue to play musical chairs with the next Warne :roll: here's the first-class stats.

Hauritz - Avg 42.18 SR 82.8 Econ 3.05
Doherty - Avg 50.11 SR 86.9 Econ 3.45
O'Keefe - Avg 24.84 SR 47.6 Econ 3.13
Krejza - Avg 47.85 SR 74.4 Econ 3.85
McGain - Avg 35.48 SR 62.5 Econ 3.4

If we dont go with O'Keefe, surely Krejza is a better option that Doherty as a wicket taking bowler. Krejza's 13 wickets from two tests on the sub continent sh*ts all over Doherty's 3 against England. The selectors need to pick someone and stick with them. McGain's not really an option there.

 

[TheParraboy]

I wonder if our clueless selectors will announce a 17 man squad for the 3rd test over the next day or two? :sarcasm:

 

[TheParraboy]

I don't think we should be taking a spinner to Perth if it's a typical Perth wicket, but if we're going to continue to play musical chairs with the next Warne :roll: here's the first-class stats.

Hauritz - Avg 42.18 SR 82.8 Econ 3.05
Doherty - Avg 50.11 SR 86.9 Econ 3.45
O'Keefe - Avg 24.84 SR 47.6 Econ 3.13
Krejza - Avg 47.85 SR 74.4 Econ 3.85
McGain - Avg 35.48 SR 62.5 Econ 3.4

If we dont go with O'Keefe, surely Krejza is a better option that Doherty as a wicket taking bowler. Krejza's 13 wickets from two tests on the sub continent sh*ts all over Doherty's 3 against England. The selectors need to pick someone and stick with them. McGain's not really an option there.

Cant pick Krejza what he has done over 2 years ago, I think his form in recent months is shocking. Hauritz would be better unfortunately

We HAVE TO pick OKeefe on 2 main points

1. For the first time since Warne we have a tweaker who is in brilliant form, can spin it, can keep it tight. No one else gets near him post Warne/McGill era, his confidence is up. He is the hero we need right about NOW

2. He can bat as well. We have a long tail. Improving the lower order batting wont hurt, especially when the bloke can bowl as well

 

[griffo346]

Shane Watson
Michael Hussey
Ricky Ponting (c)
Michael Clarke
Usman Khawaja
Steve Smith
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle
Ryan Harris
Ben Hilfinhaus

 

[undertaker]

As promised:

Ricky Ponting from the beginning of the late 2007 India series until now:

38 games, 2812 runs @ 41.97

Michael Hussey from the beginning of the late 2007 India series until now:

38 games, 2524 runs @ 40.06

I believe that this India series in late 2007/early 2008 was the end of Australia's dominance. Although Australia won, guys like Hussey and Ponting, who up until this series were dominant figures in the Australian batting line-up, were exposed for technical issues that have plagued them to this day. 42 and 40 aren't bad averages respectively (most of the English team average in the low 40's), but considering Ponting went through a golden period of his career where his average tipped 60, and Hussey was up around 86, these are significant falls.

Luckily, Clarke had emerged in his second coming at this point, Katich's revival was just around the corner too, with Watson's a year later.

I 100% agree with that. Australia's "dominance" came to an end during that series. After that controversial 2nd test at the SCG (which was also the last of Australia's 16 straight test wins) was when Australia's winning rate in test matches started to decrease substantially (have a look at the records to see for yourself)

 

[beads6]

Wouldn't complain with that, one worry would be Hauritz who went wicketless so far, if he doesn't get wickets in the 2nd innings then its hard to pick him based one brilliant innings ala Siddle.

Fair call but Hauritz took 8 wickets I think it was at the WACA last week so he should be right if they want a spinner. Either that or pick SMith at 6 with 4 quicks. I'd love to see Copeland in the squad and even get selected but I just don't see the selectors doing that.

 

[hineyrulz]

I'd like to see Australias record since that Plonker Neilsen took over. He really is the most
Useless piece of sh*t in Australian cricket ATM.

 

[beads6]

I hear a lot of people screaming out for Shaun Marsh to be selected as opener for the 3rd test they must be kidding. Marsh is good enough but needs a big season in shield and to prove he is over his injuries.