***Official*** Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series

[Johnners]

With the 1st game just a few days away... time for some outlandish predictions imo

CB Tri-Series Champions: Australia
CB Tri-Series MOTS: Michael Clarke/Bracken (depending if Clarke bats at 4 or not)
Leading Run-Scorer: Michael Clarke/Ponting (same reason as above)
Leading Wicket Taker: Nathan Bracken
Biggest Suprise: The Whole English team, will be more competitive than most think imo
Biggest Dissappointment: Shane Bond, will breakdown with injury again

I'm hoping that Clarke gets promoted to 4 with Marto now gone, moving Hussey up to 6, and White 7. When Watson comes back, either he, or Clarke should open, whilst the other bats at 4.

 

[average2poor]

I think your predictions may be pretty accurate. As a kiwi i'm a bit worried about Bracken bowling to the NZ batsmen. If they play the left armer the way they played Vaas the other day then they won't be much competition for you blokes.

 

[luffy]

I would have liked to have seen Haddin in the squad as a specialist batsman. He's a gun, who seems to be penalised, in the selection room, because of the fact he can keep wickets (i.e. he is only considered as a keeper).

Yes he imo is one of the best lower order specialists batters in Australia only behind Gilchrist.

 

[mikeW]

Yes he imo is one of the best lower order specialists batters in Australia only behind Gilchrist.

White or Haddin who would you choose?

Pretty clear cut for me, White has the ability to smash a big score down the order alot quicker than Haddin and has the extra bonus of being able to bowl and being a more than handy feildsmen.

 

[luffy]

White or Haddin who would you choose?

Pretty clear cut for me, White has the ability to smash a big score down the order alot quicker than Haddin and has the extra bonus of being able to bowl and being a more than handy feildsmen.

Whoops sorry i was talking about Haddin.

 

[Johnners]

White or Haddin who would you choose?

Pretty clear cut for me, White has the ability to smash a big score down the order alot quicker than Haddin and has the extra bonus of being able to bowl and being a more than handy feildsmen.

White can definetly smash the ball, but "alot quicker than Haddin...." i highly doubt it. When going Haddin is definetly up there with White in terms of destructive batting, and he's been doing it for 3/4 seasons more than White has.

 

[mikeW]

White can definetly smash the ball, but "alot quicker than Haddin...." i highly doubt it. When going Haddin is definetly up there with White in terms of destructive batting, and he's been doing it for 3/4 seasons more than White has.

Haddin has played 107 List A games compared to White's 74 with White having the superior average by 2 and a bit runs. So i wouldnt say hes been doing it for longer than White has. To elaborate on my earlier comment i meant that White's ability to acclerate without losing his wicket is probably better as shown from his 20 twenty performances. His bowling is just another factor as to why he was chosen ahead of Haddin.

 

[vic_orthdox]

White hits a cleaner ball than Haddin, and that's saying something because Haddin smokes them.

All this talk about Haddin playing as a specialist bat can be canned, because he won't do it until he's playing as a specialist bat for NSW and spending 50 overs in the field. Aus learnt from experimenting with Gilchrist in the 90's that it shouldn't be repeated.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Brad Hodge has been going great guns opening for Victoria, and Michael Clarke has previously done well whilst opening for Australia.

... which is why he's dropped back down to no. 3?

He's been going pretty well since heading back to his usual spot too.

Meh, pick Blizz.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Meh, pick Blizz.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Slip catching to spinners is more or less irrelevant in ODIs. Hayden will probably field in gully in the early overs and then move around the field like everyone else does. The only time he'd be at slip to a spinner would be if the opposition was already on the ropes. He's a good catcher and all, better than Katich, but there's no way he warrants selection based on his fielding. He's no Andrew Symonds.

Gully is often a fairly redundant ODI position too, though.

 

[Mister Wright]

Gully is often a fairly redundant ODI position too, though.

Hayden will start at first slip and then he usually becomes a sweeper or cover once the slips come out.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Hayden will start at first slip and then he usually becomes a sweeper or cover once the slips come out.

While he's not a top grade mover, he's pretty good riding boundaries because he's got such a good arm.

 

[Tomm NCCC]

There is a lot of talk of Nixon coming into the side. Personally, I dont trust him after the watergate fiasco.

Ba-dum tsst.

 

[age_master]

Haddin has played 107 List A games compared to White's 74 with White having the superior average by 2 and a bit runs. So i wouldnt say hes been doing it for longer than White has. To elaborate on my earlier comment i meant that White's ability to acclerate without losing his wicket is probably better as shown from his 20 twenty performances. His bowling is just another factor as to why he was chosen ahead of Haddin.

Haddin spent quite abit of time opening the batting, and i wouldn't say white's bowling is a bonus really - hes looked pretty terrible every time ive seen him bowl. Haddin't list A SR is just over 10 higher too.

This season White has 314 runs at 52 with a SR of 82
Haddin has 327 at 81.75 with a SR just under 110

 

[Johnners]

Haddin spent quite abit of time opening the batting, and i wouldn't say white's bowling is a bonus really - hes looked pretty terrible every time ive seen him bowl. Haddin't list A SR is just over 10 higher too.

This season White has 314 runs at 52 with a SR of 82
Haddin has 327 at 81.75 with a SR just under 110

 

[NZTailender]

Lee and Johnson out due to illness and injury. Harwood and Hopes have been called up.


Personally, I hope Harwood plays instead of Hopes, thoguh Hopes will probably get the nod since he's an all-rounder. But Harwood has been such a great servant of domestic cricket, and deserves a reward...

 

[Josh]

Harwood!! Gosh. Lewis RIGHT down the pecking order then.

I'd've picked Denton over both of them, anyhow. Strange move, but good on him. Admire Harwood as a cricketer.

 

[mikeW]

Harwood!! Gosh. Lewis RIGHT down the pecking order then.

I'd've picked Denton over both of them, anyhow. Strange move, but good on him. Admire Harwood as a cricketer.

Lewis isnt even in the 30 man WC squad. Harwood is easily our best pacmen imo.

 

[mikeW]

Lee and Johnson out due to illness and injury. Harwood and Hopes have been called up.


Personally, I hope Harwood plays instead of Hopes, thoguh Hopes will probably get the nod since he's an all-rounder. But Harwood has been such a great servant of domestic cricket, and deserves a reward...

Harwood will play in my opinion, whats the point of having an allrounder come in at 9? playing only Hilfenhaus and Bracken as bowler i cant really see that happenning. Pick the better bowler of the 2 which is Harwood.