Third test team
- Thread starter COMPO
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theflyinggerco
OzCardTrader
Simon Katich is done for the series, and at 35, maybe his Test career is over.
Irregardless of Katich's withdrawal, I can't understand how Marcus North could possibly keep his spot in the side after with his career record, let alone his terrible record in Australia and even worse record in 'pressure situations'.
Xavier Doherty has shown he isn't up to Test standard as a spin bowler; hardly surprising as he's barely played Sheffield Shield Cricket for Tasmania in the past decade (37 first class games, including his 2 test caps, since 2001-2002). His inability to contribute with the bat or in the field (were his dropped catch in the gully region and wild throw at the stumps to run out Jonathan Trott were horrible misses) just magnifies his inability to take wickets or even keep his RPO at a reasonable level.
So with that in mind, I'm calling for 3 changes
Out
Katich (injury)
North (omitted)
Doherty (omitted)
In
Phil Hughes
Callum Ferguson
Nathan Hauritz
Obviously Hughes is next in line for a openers spot, regardless of his form ATM (slightly off track, but I love the logic of the Australian selectors; first class records don't count if you have a good one like Hughes or Usman Khwaja (or Brad Hodge), but they do count if you have a poor one (sub 40 avg), like Ferguson. Unless your Michael Clarke or Shane Watson. Then your hair and attractiveness gets you in. Or Marcus North. ****ed if I know what he brings that David Hussey doesn't apart from being 2 years younger).
What I also like about the selection of Hughes is that he is young and a long term solution, rather than a 31 or 33 year old stop gap. His selection reminds me of early to mid 90s, when Langer, Hayden, Slater, Bevan, Martyn and Ponting all got chances in the Text XI while they were young, helping them to get a feel for Test cricket and to improve; thats why I believe Khawaja should be in the Test XI ASAP (although I've selected Ferguson for the WACA Test). The tour to Bangladesh should be Khawaja's debut series, if not Melbourne or Sydney.
I've selected Hauritz against my better judgement; with Siddle, Harris and Hauritz in the XI, there is no spark, no bowler who can 'create' wickets apart from Bollinger... who clearly isn't 100%. I'd really love to pick Steve Smith because he's something different and not just the same guys rotated through the side but I don't have the balls, mostly because I think he'll leak runs at the WACA. Personally I believe Smith is Cameron White Mark II; a young guy who'll turn into a batsman who bowls less and less as his career goes on. White is another guy I'd love to see get a chance at test level but I think that might be for another series (although it wouldn't surprise me to see him get selected for this test)
I'm also itching to see Watson moved down to 6, so he can bowl more; Katich's probable retirement and the lack of a decent opener at state level outside of Hughes (and possibly Rogers) means this will not happen short term, and possibly never.
So my Test XI would be:
Hughes
Watson
Ponting (c)
Clarke (vc)
Hussey
Ferguson/Khawaja
Haddin (wk)
Hauritz/Smith
Harris (2)
Siddle
Bollinger (1)
Irregardless of Katich's withdrawal, I can't understand how Marcus North could possibly keep his spot in the side after with his career record, let alone his terrible record in Australia and even worse record in 'pressure situations'.
Xavier Doherty has shown he isn't up to Test standard as a spin bowler; hardly surprising as he's barely played Sheffield Shield Cricket for Tasmania in the past decade (37 first class games, including his 2 test caps, since 2001-2002). His inability to contribute with the bat or in the field (were his dropped catch in the gully region and wild throw at the stumps to run out Jonathan Trott were horrible misses) just magnifies his inability to take wickets or even keep his RPO at a reasonable level.
So with that in mind, I'm calling for 3 changes
Out
Katich (injury)
North (omitted)
Doherty (omitted)
In
Phil Hughes
Callum Ferguson
Nathan Hauritz
Obviously Hughes is next in line for a openers spot, regardless of his form ATM (slightly off track, but I love the logic of the Australian selectors; first class records don't count if you have a good one like Hughes or Usman Khwaja (or Brad Hodge), but they do count if you have a poor one (sub 40 avg), like Ferguson. Unless your Michael Clarke or Shane Watson. Then your hair and attractiveness gets you in. Or Marcus North. ****ed if I know what he brings that David Hussey doesn't apart from being 2 years younger).
What I also like about the selection of Hughes is that he is young and a long term solution, rather than a 31 or 33 year old stop gap. His selection reminds me of early to mid 90s, when Langer, Hayden, Slater, Bevan, Martyn and Ponting all got chances in the Text XI while they were young, helping them to get a feel for Test cricket and to improve; thats why I believe Khawaja should be in the Test XI ASAP (although I've selected Ferguson for the WACA Test). The tour to Bangladesh should be Khawaja's debut series, if not Melbourne or Sydney.
I've selected Hauritz against my better judgement; with Siddle, Harris and Hauritz in the XI, there is no spark, no bowler who can 'create' wickets apart from Bollinger... who clearly isn't 100%. I'd really love to pick Steve Smith because he's something different and not just the same guys rotated through the side but I don't have the balls, mostly because I think he'll leak runs at the WACA. Personally I believe Smith is Cameron White Mark II; a young guy who'll turn into a batsman who bowls less and less as his career goes on. White is another guy I'd love to see get a chance at test level but I think that might be for another series (although it wouldn't surprise me to see him get selected for this test)
I'm also itching to see Watson moved down to 6, so he can bowl more; Katich's probable retirement and the lack of a decent opener at state level outside of Hughes (and possibly Rogers) means this will not happen short term, and possibly never.
So my Test XI would be:
Hughes
Watson
Ponting (c)
Clarke (vc)
Hussey
Ferguson/Khawaja
Haddin (wk)
Hauritz/Smith
Harris (2)
Siddle
Bollinger (1)
I'd go with
Hughes
Watson
Hussey
Ponting (a drop down the order for a knock or two, to protect him from the new ball when Hughes gets out early)
Clarke
Haddin
Smith/D.Hussey (hussey would be great but it will never happen)
Johnson
Siddle
Harris
Bollinger
Hughes
Watson
Hussey
Ponting (a drop down the order for a knock or two, to protect him from the new ball when Hughes gets out early)
Clarke
Haddin
Smith/D.Hussey (hussey would be great but it will never happen)
Johnson
Siddle
Harris
Bollinger
Drop every player bar
S Watson
M Hussey
B Haddin
Include
D Hussey
P Jaques
S Smith
U Khawaja
And 4 Complete new Bowlers, doesnt matter who as they could NOT do ANY worse then current bowlers.
I think HARRIS may be worth a shot at the WACA with his speed.
S Watson
M Hussey
B Haddin
Include
D Hussey
P Jaques
S Smith
U Khawaja
And 4 Complete new Bowlers, doesnt matter who as they could NOT do ANY worse then current bowlers.
I think HARRIS may be worth a shot at the WACA with his speed.
I have never seen Steve Smith as a Test Player and i don't think i ever will..
Batsman-
S Watson
R Ponting
M Clarke
M Hussey
B Haddin (obviously keeping as well)
For the other batsman you would have to pick between Ferguson, Marsh and Hughes. The problem with these three is their recent rosters i believe, Ferguson returned from injury and Hughes and Marsh haven't played as much cricket as they would have liked at Sheffield Shield level. Without being too bias i would be picking Marsh. He's a WA boy and bats at his best at the WACA, and when he has played shield he has scored runs.. Sure, if he fails review his position in the team...
Fast Bowlers-
P Siddle
B Hilfenhaus
D Bollinger
Harris is fit for this test but i don't know what is going to happen with him... Mitch is the answer i reckon.
Spinners-
This is the tough one. Australia have gone through 9 spinners since Warne's Era and we need a solution fast. Warne named WA Boy Beer as a contender to play at the WACA in this test but he is young and has only a couple of shield games under his belt so im thinking this is a risk we shouldn't be taking at 1-0 down in the series.
Hauritz... After hitting 146 for NSW you would think he is a certainty to play but his bowling has not been up to scratch..
Smith? Nope. Doherty? He's not doing a thing...
My solution... BRING BACK WARNEY!!!
But from past experience, the dumb selectors will go for Hauritz i reckon..
So my 3rd Test Team:
1. S.Watson
2. S.Marsh
3. R.Ponting
4. M.Clarke
5. M.Hussey
6. B.Haddin
7. M.Johnson
8. N.Hauritz
9. P.Siddle
10. B.Hilfenhaus
11. D.Bollinger
Looking back at this team quickly.. if we field this we are screwed
Batsman-
S Watson
R Ponting
M Clarke
M Hussey
B Haddin (obviously keeping as well)
For the other batsman you would have to pick between Ferguson, Marsh and Hughes. The problem with these three is their recent rosters i believe, Ferguson returned from injury and Hughes and Marsh haven't played as much cricket as they would have liked at Sheffield Shield level. Without being too bias i would be picking Marsh. He's a WA boy and bats at his best at the WACA, and when he has played shield he has scored runs.. Sure, if he fails review his position in the team...
Fast Bowlers-
P Siddle
B Hilfenhaus
D Bollinger
Harris is fit for this test but i don't know what is going to happen with him... Mitch is the answer i reckon.
Spinners-
This is the tough one. Australia have gone through 9 spinners since Warne's Era and we need a solution fast. Warne named WA Boy Beer as a contender to play at the WACA in this test but he is young and has only a couple of shield games under his belt so im thinking this is a risk we shouldn't be taking at 1-0 down in the series.
Hauritz... After hitting 146 for NSW you would think he is a certainty to play but his bowling has not been up to scratch..
Smith? Nope. Doherty? He's not doing a thing...
My solution... BRING BACK WARNEY!!!
But from past experience, the dumb selectors will go for Hauritz i reckon..
So my 3rd Test Team:
1. S.Watson
2. S.Marsh
3. R.Ponting
4. M.Clarke
5. M.Hussey
6. B.Haddin
7. M.Johnson
8. N.Hauritz
9. P.Siddle
10. B.Hilfenhaus
11. D.Bollinger
Looking back at this team quickly.. if we field this we are screwed
LickwidGreen
Hawthorn Hawks Collector
Here Here!! bring in some new blood !!
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