John Hastings..what does he offer

[Bazal]

....at international level? I can appreciate that the guy is a handy lower order hitter, and a handy middle overs bowler...but surely we have better options in both areas? For example, what does he do that Dan Christian doesn't do as well or better? He just seems like a waste of a pick at international level, especially when he bats in the tail anyway. Maybe someone can clear it up for me?

 

[Timbo]

I'm unsure as well.

I heard one of the commentators talking the other day about how all the state and international players pick their own sides, test, ODI and T20. The combined sides had Hastings in them for all three variants.

All I can say is: thank christ the players aren't selectors.

 

[Red Bear]

I dont think Hastings and Christian compete for a spot, ones a bowling all rounder the other a batting all rounder. Christians competition appears to be Smith at number 7.

Hastings is probably fortunate McKay is injured. I'll give him more than 5 games to judge his abilities but not sure he's a great option at this point

 

[beads6]

Hasting is pretty handy bowler his State figures are bloody good. Give him a good run in the team and he will shine IMO. Can hit a long ball too.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Hastings certainly looks a much better bowler than Christian to me, so I can see why he'd be picked before him as a bowling all-rounder. tbh the way Johnson bowls these days Hastings is probably better than him too.

 

[The_Joey_Show]

I can't get a read on why this guy is in the side either.

He strikes me as being much like Moises Henriques... he can bat a bit, and he can bowl a bit, but he's not particularly good at either of the them.

 

[hineyrulz]

He's an improvement on sh*ttle.

 

[typicalfan]

I don't know whether he is even an improvement on Hopes.

 

[beads6]

I can't get a read on why this guy is in the side either.

He strikes me as being much like Moises Henriques... he can bat a bit, and he can bowl a bit, but he's not particularly good at either of the them.

He is a much better player than Moises at present that is for sure.

 

[aussies1st]

It's questionable if hes better than Hopes the thing he has over him is obviously height. Has been solid so far, keep it tight and now has the wicket.

 

[TheParraboy]

they probably wanted someone with a better allround game than what mckay and hopes offered

I dont mind hastings having a few games to see what he can do

 

[Bazal]

I'm not questioning that he's useful...but is useful really what we need? Watson can perform his role with the ball, and better, so why not pick a genuine bowler and use Watson? Christian was just an example, but he is as handy with the ball (albeit a different style) and better with the bat. Hopes as well, very underrated IMO and honestly as useful or more so. It just seems that he doesn't really fill any specific role that well to me.

That said, he's been very handy with the ball tonight

 

[typicalfan]

As good as Hastings bowling has been tonight the Gabba is the complete opposite to Indian conditions. The question is does he have good change up deliveries.

 

[aussies1st]

He made his ODI debut in India and picked up 2/40 odd IIRC.

In terms of pure bowlers well we have none unless you want Siddle or Hilfenhaus. The rest are injured or a major punt like James Pattinson.

 

[Gidley Up]

As good as Hastings bowling has been tonight the Gabba is the complete opposite to Indian conditions. The question is does he have good change up deliveries.

Yes? That's the kind of bowler he is. Did you not see Pietersen's wicket?

 

[typicalfan]

Yes? That's the kind of bowler he is. Did you not see Pietersen's wicket?

did you see the first sentence :?.

If he does that well in indian conditions then he is perfect.

 

[aussies1st]

Speaking of Indian conditions and Hopes. This match probably shows why the selectors decided to ditch him.

 

[Tom Shines]

I don't think he's an improvement on Hopes. Definitely not a good enough bowler to be batting at 8 (if you get my drift).

But, I think the balance of the side tonight isn't too bad. With Hauritz injured, I wouldn't bother sending another spinner and just use Dussey/Smith.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Well, he looks a pretty handy ODI bowler to me. Can do the back of a length at a decent pace from a great height thing pretty well, and can bowl good slower balls.

 

[Mr Angry]

Simple answer. batting and bowling.