list you prefered 3rd test team

[eddiesmith]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

I think he's much more suited to five or six in the order, gives the side more stability. England's batting was good in the second test, if anyone should replace Pietersen at four (if he doesn't play), it should be Bell or perhaps another player. I don't see the point of moving someone who has been batting well enough at five for someone who is in and out of the side, it could see both players fail rather than one or even none.

Now we have Prior its probably alot less of an issue, but I do worry he gets too bogged down if batting with the tail, so having a batsman underneath removes that problem slightly, so I would never drop him down to no6. I can see the point about not moving people around too much, however given Bells problems are batting at the top and he has done very well down the order, he is probably better suited to a lower order role, as would Shah if he was in favour or Bopara. Really they should try and find a new no3 as KP could be gone for the series, Achilles dont heal easily

True. However, I still Clark has something to offer to the side but not at the expense of Siddle, Hilfenhaus or Hauritz. I think Johnson is the only bowler who's in danger of being dropped. If he doesn't perform in the tour match he could be in trouble.

Australia is going to need to be allowed to play 12-13 players in that game and if they win the toss, bowl first as I think its only a 3 day game? Whilst some of the batsmen need some work, the bowlers should be their main concern and I dont think Northants are going to trouble Hughes too much so he should get a few

Might have to look at leaving out Clarke and Hilfenhaus and giving Clark and McDonald a run and maybe Watson if fit, they might even give Manou a game ahead of Haddin. Whether Siddle plays will give an idea if he is in danger of being dropped, he is at some risk of injury (Its why he should not play limited overs for Aus) so if he is safe he could be rested

 

[Thenextbigbird123]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

I reckon it all depends on what happens in this next tour match against northhamptonshire.

1. Hughes
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. Clarke
6. North
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Siddle
11. Hilfenhaus

Same Team
I think if hussey fails in the tour match, his spot will come under fire. Watson could come in and bat at 7 with everyone shifting up a place. If Johnson bowls more poo in the tour game, Stuart Clark would have to be considered, unless Brett Lee is SUPERfit. Judging by what Tim Nielson has said, Hughes' spot in the team is safe for now, which is good, they must work with him on the short ball. These times will really put Troy Cooley under the spotlight as bowling coach.

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

David Hussey has brought up yet another century in his short stint for Notts, 5 innings and 2 centuries and a 50 so far, this was the most impressive against an English test attack and his side getting ripped apart around him

He has 100* out of the teams 170/6

Another option for North or his brothers spot

 

[Ljp86]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Now we have Prior its probably alot less of an issue, but I do worry he gets too bogged down if batting with the tail, so having a batsman underneath removes that problem slightly, so I would never drop him down to no6. I can see the point about not moving people around too much, however given Bells problems are batting at the top and he has done very well down the order, he is probably better suited to a lower order role, as would Shah if he was in favour or Bopara. Really they should try and find a new no3 as KP could be gone for the series, Achilles dont heal easily

They'll need to try one of them. If Bopara keeps playing like he is, he won't last long and someone else will need to go into the role as moving KP and Colly around wouldn't bode well for the team's stability. It'd then come down to Shah or Bell perhaps. I'd give Key another turn but it seems he's not really in favour and is playing more of a guiding role in the England Lions.

Australia is going to need to be allowed to play 12-13 players in that game and if they win the toss, bowl first as I think its only a 3 day game? Whilst some of the batsmen need some work, the bowlers should be their main concern and I dont think Northants are going to trouble Hughes too much so he should get a few

Might have to look at leaving out Clarke and Hilfenhaus and giving Clark and McDonald a run and maybe Watson if fit, they might even give Manou a game ahead of Haddin. Whether Siddle plays will give an idea if he is in danger of being dropped, he is at some risk of injury (Its why he should not play limited overs for Aus) so if he is safe he could be rested

Watson will probably get a go, especially since our attack was poor in the second test. Would like to give Clark a game as well to see if he can break his way into the team. Lee's still injured so he won't be playing, Johnson needs more gametime and maybe one of Siddle and Hilf will play. Not sure on McDonald, it seems Watson is preferred in the all-rounder stakes.

David Hussey has brought up yet another century in his short stint for Notts, 5 innings and 2 centuries and a 50 so far, this was the most impressive against an English test attack and his side getting ripped apart around him

He has 100* out of the teams 170/6

Another option for North or his brothers spot

Bit of a disgrace that North's spot is under fire. He's hit two centuries, including one on debut. However, I can see where they are coming from, North is either triple figures or single figures at the moment. Those low scores need to turn into 30's, 40's and 50's more often.

Not sure on David Hussey. In good form but is it too late? Time is getting on. If Mike Hussey doesn't start making some runs he'll find himself out of a spot in the team. Ferguson would be the favourite (my choice, selectors' choice would be Watson) but Dave Hussey might be in with a chance.

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

They'll need to try one of them. If Bopara keeps playing like he is, he won't last long and someone else will need to go into the role as moving KP and Colly around wouldn't bode well for the team's stability. It'd then come down to Shah or Bell perhaps. I'd give Key another turn but it seems he's not really in favour and is playing more of a guiding role in the England Lions.

Some seem to want to see Bell back at 3, Colly to 4, Bops to 5. I dont mind KPs replacement coming in at no3, because if they dont do well and Colly does at 4, maybe we can finally get KP into no3 in South Africa, your best batsman should be no3 so he should be there

Watson will probably get a go, especially since our attack was poor in the second test. Would like to give Clark a game as well to see if he can break his way into the team. Lee's still injured so he won't be playing, Johnson needs more gametime and maybe one of Siddle and Hilf will play. Not sure on McDonald, it seems Watson is preferred in the all-rounder stakes.

McDonald should still get a game in the tour match, Hauritz definately shouldnt be risked and with lee injured they might be struggling for numbers. McDonald offers a safer option with the ball than Watson who is 80% chance of breaking down if asked to bowl too much, really he cant prove his fitness in 1 tour game to last through 3 test matches. Australia have stuffed up here by bringing in unfit players hoping they get fit whilst ignoring probably better options who dont have fitness issues

Bit of a disgrace that North's spot is under fire. He's hit two centuries, including one on debut. However, I can see where they are coming from, North is either triple figures or single figures at the moment. Those low scores need to turn into 30's, 40's and 50's more often.

Not sure on David Hussey. In good form but is it too late? Time is getting on. If Mike Hussey doesn't start making some runs he'll find himself out of a spot in the team. Ferguson would be the favourite (my choice, selectors' choice would be Watson) but Dave Hussey might be in with a chance.

The other reason North comes under fire is he is picked as much for his bowling as well, with Hussey you get the feeling if he gets dropped, thats it, test career over. They made the mistake in 2005 of sticking with their favourites throughout the entire series then dropping them when they got home, but with only Watson on the sidelines as a batting option, they might survive, Duss best bet is an injury and if one occured he would be best option to call in as he is over there

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Why don't you post on BigFooty any more eddie?

 

[Ljp86]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Some seem to want to see Bell back at 3, Colly to 4, Bops to 5. I dont mind KPs replacement coming in at no3, because if they dont do well and Colly does at 4, maybe we can finally get KP into no3 in South Africa, your best batsman should be no3 so he should be there

That's probably the best fit. With Pietersen out, it looks likely they'll shuffle the order so Collingwood would have to bat at four. If KP's replacement has to bat at three, Rob Key would be the perfect candidate in my opinion. He's a specialist three and played well in last year's county season.

Knowing the English selectors they will stick with Bopara at three and put Bell at five. If both fail then Collingwood, Prior and Flintoff will have their hands full.

McDonald should still get a game in the tour match, Hauritz definately shouldnt be risked and with lee injured they might be struggling for numbers. McDonald offers a safer option with the ball than Watson who is 80% chance of breaking down if asked to bowl too much, really he cant prove his fitness in 1 tour game to last through 3 test matches. Australia have stuffed up here by bringing in unfit players hoping they get fit whilst ignoring probably better options who dont have fitness issues

McDonald will get a game no doubt if it's a 12 or 13 players per side match. Half the problem they've got is that Watson and McDonald are two different all-rounders, Watson's a better bat than McDonald but isn't as good with the ball and is prone to getting injured. I don't think they know which one to play to be honest.

Australia stuffed up by not bring the necessary replacement players over. I mean Watson as a specialist bat? What a joke. I read in the paper yesterday about Watson being used as another seam option and being brought into the side if North is dropped. He's no guarantee to not get injured again.

The other reason North comes under fire is he is picked as much for his bowling as well, with Hussey you get the feeling if he gets dropped, thats it, test career over.

This is the part that annoys me. North isn't a bowler, he's a batsman who can bowl a few overs of off-spin. North would bowl only a handful of overs for the Warriors in the Shield per game and even less in the Ford Ranger Cup. He should be focusing entirely on his batting rather than being asked to take wickets as a part-time spinner.

They made the mistake in 2005 of sticking with their favourites throughout the entire series then dropping them when they got home, but with only Watson on the sidelines as a batting option, they might survive, Duss best bet is an injury and if one occured he would be best option to call in as he is over there

They're a good chance to survive with Watson the reserve specialist bat. If they do survive, the pressure will be on at home to start scoring runs if they haven't already been dropped. Mike Mussey will face some serious pressure back in Australia if he can't start making some runs in the final three tests as he has been poor for a while now.

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Of course, Hussey is facing pressure already although his recent effort in the 2nd test will at least keep the wolves quite for another test.

The issue with the specialist bat is interesting, but it also reveals the selectors preferred lineup. When the squad was selected a few months ago North would have been selected as the reserve batsmen. But then Watson got injured so North came into the side.

The selectors had Watson pencilled into the first eleven, anyone can look at that squad and interpret that from the balance of the squad. Does anyone actually think the selectors wouldn't pick a specialist reserve batsmen - North is the reserve batsmen.

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus

That it's the preferred lineup. North isn't in it, his seen as the reverse batsmen.

It's why I think Watson will be playing in this 3rd test match - aslong as he gets throught the tour game and shows something.

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Why don't you post on BigFooty any more eddie?

Because they thought the best way to improve the quality was eliminate conflict, yet from what I hear its just getting worse and worse

That's probably the best fit. With Pietersen out, it looks likely they'll shuffle the order so Collingwood would have to bat at four. If KP's replacement has to bat at three, Rob Key would be the perfect candidate in my opinion. He's a specialist three and played well in last year's county season.

Knowing the English selectors they will stick with Bopara at three and put Bell at five. If both fail then Collingwood, Prior and Flintoff will have their hands full.

Yep they will, although I dont mind Bell lower in the order, however Bopara would be better suited down there where he can attack more. I'm not sure on Key, he seems likely to be a player like North, 100 or nothing and it will be more nothings, Bell might atleast get 30-40 and keep Collingwood from being exposed to the new ball

McDonald will get a game no doubt if it's a 12 or 13 players per side match. Half the problem they've got is that Watson and McDonald are two different all-rounders, Watson's a better bat than McDonald but isn't as good with the ball and is prone to getting injured. I don't think they know which one to play to be honest.

Australia stuffed up by not bring the necessary replacement players over. I mean Watson as a specialist bat? What a joke. I read in the paper yesterday about Watson being used as another seam option and being brought into the side if North is dropped. He's no guarantee to not get injured again.

Thats the problem with the whole squad, they have picked a few players who were not fit and no guarantee to ever be fit, yet they waste a spot on a reserve keeper?

The tour game XI will be hard to pick, surely you give Hilfy and Hauritz a break? Haddin as well if Manou is there, Clarke, but with Lee unfit they are left a bit short on bowling options, unless they play 3 quicks with the 2 all rounders given plenty of overs to prove usefullness?

This is the part that annoys me. North isn't a bowler, he's a batsman who can bowl a few overs of off-spin. North would bowl only a handful of overs for the Warriors in the Shield per game and even less in the Ford Ranger Cup. He should be focusing entirely on his batting rather than being asked to take wickets as a part-time spinner.

Trouble is in England, you do need that 5th option and the 2 better bowlers in the top 6 cant bowl much without getting injured and if Hauritz does get injured, alot of pressure suddenly falls on North. Its the funny thing about these batsmen who bowl, Hodge and Duss are 2 similar, they will do well in the shorter form and bowl every now and then, but its never going to be an effective test or fc option except for a partnership breaker here or there

They're a good chance to survive with Watson the reserve specialist bat. If they do survive, the pressure will be on at home to start scoring runs if they haven't already been dropped. Mike Mussey will face some serious pressure back in Australia if he can't start making some runs in the final three tests as he has been poor for a while now.

If they lose here, Hussey will no doubt be gone by the first test if he doesnt get a century or 2 in the next 3 tests, he should be under alot more pressure than North however. Although still not sure who comes in? Watson wont ever be fit, McDonald is better at no7 or 8 but also when the pitch is doing something, not a full time option yet, I dont feel Ferguson is ready and Duss may have missed the boat, his best chance could be along with Hodge as the injury replacement but nothing else

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

I got my access removed from the cricket board by Weevil because apparently he/she logged on one day to see my name at the top of a "few threads" and therefore I was clogging up the board.

I made an alias and got back on and they let it slide, then they banned me because I said that an OP was shit and that the mods should act. Cousin Jed is a new mod on the cricket in addition to weevil and Jed said that he/she had enough of back seat moderating.

The cricket board is the most over-moderated board on BF, you can't even have a discussion with someone because otherwise you get pinged for "going on and on" or "clogging up the board". It's total crap.

Part of talking cricket is analysing the game and having disagreements about lots of things, selections, technique, pitch conditions. There are so many variables that can be discussed, however on the cricket board you can't even do that without Weevil jumping on his high horse.

Does weevil even know anything about cricket? Cousin Jed is just as worse.

 

[Thenextbigbird123]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

"going on and on"

Mate, your doing it again
this is for opinions on selections for the ashes, not about why you got cut off bigcricket.

With Pieterson out for the ashes, to be honest this could be good for England. He wasn't in the greatest touch and could give a chance for England to tamper with their batting order in preparation for when Flintoff retires.

Adding onto my previous post, i forgot to mention Andrew McDonald. He didnt do much wrong to be dropped in the 1st place, he did his job in South Africa. He should be in contention again?

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Well Ponting, Clarke and Haddin have all been given the weekend off so you would assume now that McDonald will get a game in the tour match unless they play 5 bowlers

 

[a for effort]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Adding onto my previous post, i forgot to mention Andrew McDonald. He didnt do much wrong to be dropped in the 1st place, he did his job in South Africa. He should be in contention again?

'he didn't do much' is the best possible analysis of McDonald. He didn't do much to warrant selection in the first place, he didn't do much while he was in the team and he probably won't do much in the tour game.

 

[Ljp86]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

LtD, off topic mate. I know you aren't a fan of the BF cricket board but if you want to tell eddie why you're not on there then take it to PM's.

Yep they will, although I dont mind Bell lower in the order, however Bopara would be better suited down there where he can attack more. I'm not sure on Key, he seems likely to be a player like North, 100 or nothing and it will be more nothings, Bell might atleast get 30-40 and keep Collingwood from being exposed to the new ball

Key's had some solid form for a while now, surely that's worth be rewarded for?

Thats the problem with the whole squad, they have picked a few players who were not fit and no guarantee to ever be fit, yet they waste a spot on a reserve keeper?

Reserve keeper is a must in any tour like this, England brought two to Australia in 2006/07. I would have thought Australia would have taken 18 players like they have in previous tours.

The tour game XI will be hard to pick, surely you give Hilfy and Hauritz a break? Haddin as well if Manou is there, Clarke, but with Lee unfit they are left a bit short on bowling options, unless they play 3 quicks with the 2 all rounders given plenty of overs to prove usefullness?

Can't see Hauritz playing with his finger problems, need to give him time to rest it and get it right for Edgbaston. Hilfenhaus might be on lighter duties with Johnson, McDonald and Watson all needing to prove themselves in the tour game.

Trouble is in England, you do need that 5th option and the 2 better bowlers in the top 6 cant bowl much without getting injured and if Hauritz does get injured, alot of pressure suddenly falls on North. Its the funny thing about these batsmen who bowl, Hodge and Duss are 2 similar, they will do well in the shorter form and bowl every now and then, but its never going to be an effective test or fc option except for a partnership breaker here or there

Rotating North, Katich and Clarke would be enough you'd think to make up that 5th bowler. Clarke is handy and North and Katich have their moments. If anything they can bowl a few overs whilst the main four take a breather.

If they lose here, Hussey will no doubt be gone by the first test if he doesnt get a century or 2 in the next 3 tests, he should be under alot more pressure than North however. Although still not sure who comes in? Watson wont ever be fit, McDonald is better at no7 or 8 but also when the pitch is doing something, not a full time option yet, I dont feel Ferguson is ready and Duss may have missed the boat, his best chance could be along with Hodge as the injury replacement but nothing else

Hodge is probably too old now, missed the 30-man Champions Trophy squad so he is well and truly out of favour now. If David Hussey can keep making runs on the county scene he might come into contention. The selectors liked Ferguson for the one-dayers so maybe he might make the transition to test cricket. Other than that I can't see anyone else that the selectors like.

Well Ponting, Clarke and Haddin have all been given the weekend off so you would assume now that McDonald will get a game in the tour match unless they play 5 bowlers

Well, it'll be a 12-a-side game surely with Lee not playing. Everyone else will play except Le. Hilfenhaus won't bowl as much as they'll keep him fresh and Hauritz might not bowl all that much either with his finger troubles. North, Clarke and Katich may get a few overs to dust up on their bowling. McDonald, Watson and Johnson to lead the attack with Siddle to bowl as well.

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

The decision with the Champions trophy was interesting given they just gave him a contract, but obviously looking towards the World Cup, but with a contract he must still be in their minds for an injury in the test side or maybe they are keeping him for a new tactic in next years T20 championships

Just on Watson, he really attracts problems getting hit in the nets, hope it was Siddle

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Mate, your doing it again
this is for opinions on selections for the ashes, not about why you got cut off bigcricket.

With Pieterson out for the ashes, to be honest this could be good for England. He wasn't in the greatest touch and could give a chance for England to tamper with their batting order in preparation for when Flintoff retires.

Adding onto my previous post, i forgot to mention Andrew McDonald. He didnt do much wrong to be dropped in the 1st place, he did his job in South Africa. He should be in contention again?

KP out is a massive blow, just his presence in that order lifts the other batsmen around him - especially Paul Collingwood. KP wasn't in that bad of form - sure he was injured - but in that 2nd test match at lords he got some great balls from Peter Siddle to get him out.

KP also scores relatively freely - his a strokemaker.

The English press are banging the drum about how it doesn't matter that KP is out because apparently our side is just plain crap. In the first test we were all over England - some of these blokes have pretty damn short memorys. Im a lot more confident of winning if KP is out of the side, injured or not.

Flintoff can't maintain that intensity that he was bowling with at Lords on the final day - he just can't do it. Its like that shark in Jaws, eventually the barrells stop him from diving under the water. If England think Flintoff is going to be able to produce those type of spells at will then they are in for a nasty surprise.

Flintoff would have loaded his knee up on jabs on that morning in the knowledge that he had a 10 day break and could just give it everything and come what may afterwards.

He'll be lucky to get through the series.

It's a blow to be down 1-0 but we are now the underdogs and have been written off. Im still confident we are good enough to come back and win the series, one off game at Lords won't change my belief that this side has the capability to achieve their goal.

 

[eddiesmith]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

Freddie may only have to do it once more, win at Edgbaston and we dont need him to hold out for draws

 

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

My general point is however, Edward, that if your relying on a man with one knee then it might just back fire?

Just a thought.

 

[distributer of pain]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

consider that the English openers have had a very easy time due to mitches bowling, and our openers have been on the wrong end of wrong or very unlucky dismisals you get a true feeling about the 2 teams, clearly to anyone who isnt a pom Australia are by far the better team. anyone who disagrees is a total tool, and the fact will be proved in the coming weeks. unless they get help from the ump AGAIN like last time (series in england i mean), billy bowden was the best 13th man England have ever had, but rudi seams to want his crown, and he"s got the nod in the next test too.

 

[Boris]

Re: list you prefered 3rd test team

just to get back to the aussie side...

the tour match against northhampton has shown some interesting batting.

hughes has once again failed (scored 10) to get anywhere while on tour, which i find a little strange but perhaps showing that maybe 20 years old is just a tad too young for him (although if he starts young then get set for a few records broken just cause hes got the time to).

katich got out to good bowling, nothing wrong with him so far. got out cheaply on 25.

watson came in third and scored a brilliant 83 off 96 with 16 fours and 1 six. if he bowls well (if at all) tomorrow then he has gone a long way to helping select himself. got out when he should have gone on though, only bad point to a good innings.

once hussey gets a bit of luck and an actual good decision by an umpire (although he didnt really need it this time anyway) he can go on very well. had a very good innings of 75 off 123 balls, 11 fours and 1 six. a definate for the third test. i expect him to go well.

north has faced 60 balls with a score of 32 with 4 fours. doing well but they will be declaring overnight almost definitely so he wont get the chance to go on. looked good enough to keep his spot though.

with this batting so far, and if watson bowls well tomorrow i would have to say i would put him in the side before he gets injured again. make use of a man in really good form while hes there. there are people talking him up for the opening job that hughes is leaving open, not for the next test but maybe the next one. hmm.... maybe not...

i say north may lose his spot for watson and there isnt enough room for macca.

australia has a very strong bowling line up tomorrow with clark, siddle, hauritz, johnson, mcdonald, north, watson and katich with possiblities of bowing. strangely i dont mind the team they are playing for this tour match as the actual test team, with the exception of macca for ponting and siddle for lee.

personally i hope clark, watson, johnson and hauritz bowl well tomorrow and siddle fails miserably. that would leave a bowling line up of johnson, lee, hauritz, clark and the very capable watson bowling as an all rounder. i think that gives the team more options with watson there. while hes not injured anyway.

EDIT: hussey is captaining this game and is looking like a mighty fine captain. maybe he should be promoted to vice captain and give ponting some pointers.
also lee is out for the third test. at least clark will get a game although i am a little sad.