GABBA 2nd Test: Australia v India Dec 17-21, 2014

[hineyrulz]

Perfect time to get some leadership experience into him, Haddin is struggling to hold his place let along captain the side. If Smith was the long term choice why not blood him now we are one nil up and haven't lost a test at the Gabba in over 25 years.

Finally a good bold move by cricket Australia, time to move on Siddle, Watson and Rogers as well.

 

[The Charlatan]

Would have preferred Haddin captain the rest of the series and Smith just concentrate on his batting domination.

Maybe this is a sign Clarke has played his last test and Smith is the long term (c) ?

Perhaps. If Clarke is out long term or not coming back, it would pay to bring Smith along now rather than later while Haddin is still there.

 

[JW]

Smith skipper, Hadds VC.

Smith will also be the new VC if/when Pup returns.

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/steve-smith-captain-australia-india-series-vice-captain/2014-12-15

 

[madunit]

I like the idea of Smith as Captain.

He is the long term replacement for Clarke.

However I do not believe that Clarke's career is coming to an end. He could take 6 months off and get his body fixed and come back and still play awesome cricket for another 2-3 years imo.

 

[DC_fan]

SMH is reporting that Steve Smith will be named captain of the team http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket...est-series-against-india-20141214-1276m6.html

 

[Mr Angry]

“Cricket Australia has announced that Steven Smith has been appointed vice-captain of the Australian Test team effective immediately and will captain the Australian side in the absence of Michael Clarke,” the statement read.
“Clarke is expected to miss the remainder of the Commonwealth Bank Test Series against India due to an injured right hamstring.
“Current vice-captain Brad Haddin, who led the Australian side on the final day of the Adelaide Test, will serve as Smith’s deputy in Brisbane.
“The appointment was recommended by CA’s National Selection Panel and was endorsed by CA’s Board of Directors last night.
“When Clarke returns to the side he will do so as captain with Smith serving as deputy.”

LINK

 

[chigurh]

Congrats Steve Smith. I think he will basically have universal support from Australian cricket fans.

He has been brilliant with the bat and his toughness has really started to become apparent. Excited to see how he goes

 

[Red Bear]

I hope he does well. If he can maintain his form with the bat he will be fine. Alot at a pretty young age though.

Haddin only has another three tests or so left, this is a better long term view.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Probably looking to the future rather than a swipe at Hads

I think it's a nod that Haddin's spot in the side is not welded in and that he makes a very good vice captain. Some sides need a loyal vice captain who doesn't have eyes on the main job and Haddin fits that role perfectly, unlike Twatson who remains the worst of our 44 test captains.

Well done Smith, was always going to get the nod over the only real other contender in Warner. I think Warner will move into the vice captaincy role when Haddin retires.

 

[Hutty1986]

Fantastic decision. Smithy could very well go on to become one of the all-time greats, really seems to thrive in pressure situations

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Just had a read of this whole thread.

Twatson - most people have covered his numerous flaws. I'll add a couple more. He can only field at slip because he's too selfish and fragile to put his body on the line anywhere else and IMO he is not the best slip fielder in the team. I believe he bowls half heartedly so that Clarke doesn't call him up to bowl. As a batsman he doesn't have the ability to convert the starts into big scores, he's basically a bowler who can bat a bit but doesn't bowl. I expect him to score a hundred in the fourth test when we are 3-0 up and he's come in with the score at 1/200. He'll then be chosen for the next 90 tests based on that.

Cowan - a self promoter and not a great team man. That's one of the reasons he was given the arse in the first place. I can't see him getting back in unless he scores about 600 million runs in the next couple of years.

Veggieman is gone, if he's not then they might as well give me a baggy green and ask me to send down my right arm slow half trackers, I'd probably be more effectual. Good career Veggie but everyone loses it eventually. Hazelgood has to replace him.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Darren Lehmann must rock up to training every day and see blokes like Watto and think to himself how unlucky he is to not be playing in this era as opposed to being stuck being a hundred Phar Laps in his strong era,If Watto can play 53 Tests in this era Lehmann would have played 1 billion.

 

[typicalfan]

I think this says more about Clarke than Haddin. The consensus could be that even if Clarke returns it won't be for long.

If Clarke was only gone for a little bit then having Haddin as captain would be the perfect band aid fix.

 

[JW]

Starc, Haze and Darsh in.

Harris, Veggieman and obviously Pup out.

Smith moving up to 4.

Warner
Rogers
Watson
Smith
S. Marsh
M. Marsh
Haddin
Johnson
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/steve-smith-names-australia-xi-for-second-test-in-brisbane/2014-12-16

 

[ek999]

Not unsurprising that Harris is missing this test. Hopefully we can get a win and then he can help us wrap up the series in Melbourne. There should also be enough time for him to recover and play in Sydney too.

 

[Snappy]

Happy with that.

Don't think we'll see Siddel again in international cricket.

 

[Twizzle]

I like that attack but prefer to see Harry in there but Starc's form has been pretty good recently.

Also heard Smithy say in one of his gazillion interviews in the last few days that he would like to eventually bat at 3 but he needs to make small steps. I'd prefer him at over Watson as he can dominate an attack which is what you want from a no 3 and he makes big tons . Sunshine can't do either.

 

[JW]

Situations calling for cries of "Sidds you magnificent Victorian" are becoming fewer and fewer.

 

[Hutty1986]

f**k, definitely a weaker side than Adelaide. Outside of one Yorker to Kallis, Starc has been pretty underwhelming at test level...though this could be the green monster he could unleash on.

 

[Twizzle]

if you go off last years form then yes, but recently his form has been a lot better and his pace is up to 145+ as well.