***Official*** Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series 2007-08

[duffer]

EDIT: Badrinath left out again. Damn.

Honestly, what in the world does he have to do to get a chance? Stop being Tamil?

 

[Prince EWS]

You want your best batsmen facing as many balls as possible in OD cricket. Hopes isn't in the best 15 One Day batsmen in Australia.

I don't agree with that theory, actually. As long as batsmen don't get bogged down, it really doesn't matter how good they are in reference to how many balls they face. In the event that Gilchrist doesn't play - an event which I'm strongly against for the time being - I'd support Hopes opening the batting because I don't think any of the other middle order bats should be moved, and Hopes has done it successfully at domestic level. As long as he gets a move on and, obviously, can average 30 odd, I don't see why it matters if Hussey for example faces less balls than him.

 

[Jono]

Why the hell do you need 16 members for a one-day tournament? Bet you there'll be at least two guys who won't get a match and could've benefited from Duleep Trophy action instead. Ridiculous.

The tournament is pretty long. I reckon they'll rotate a fair few actually. Nothing like playing in Australia as a learning experience for a cricketer.

 

[Prince EWS]

No, you're not necessarily sacrificing runs because you don't know how Raina and Sharma will do. Look, if I was the selector (unless Dravid, Ganguly plan to retire now) I wouldn't have dropped these two. All I'm saying is that there are positives to them being dropped and it's not as bad as it's being made out to be. The unfortunate part is that there are two wasted spots in Sehwag and Karthik.

EDIT: Badrinath left out again. Damn.

I agree. I think it's a poor decision to drop the guy, in truth, but they are positives to come out of it. I actually hope Ganguly, Dravid and Tendulkar all hang the ODI boots up so they can focus on their test career and prolong it.

I'm quite against dropping a player when he's a better option than the guy you replaced him with, so I think it's a very poor selection in truth, but there are some positives to it.

 

[Manee]

http://content-eap.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/332389.html

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla

Ok. The idea of dropping Ganguly is a good one, but I hope he was given the courtesy to be told that it was to prolong his Test career and usher in youth for the 2011 World Cup rather than being informed by reading cricinfo that he is not in the squad. He deserved to know beforehand, being a servant to Indian cricket who was a run machine in 2007. The same goes for Rahul Dravid, but he was never likely to make the squad.

India want to usher in youth and the team has several good fielders. Dhoni is a great keeper. Uthappa, Karthik, Raina, Rohit Sharma, Chawla and Sreesanth are all good fielders and it is clear that India want to bring in the World T20 winning ethos.

As for individual selections; Dinesh Karthik is a poor ODI batsman, he only has one List A hundred and I don't understand his selection. He has been given plenty of opportunities - the only place I can understand him in is the reserve wicket keeper role and in that case, he will have to improve his keeping from the recent showings that he has shown for the Indian team when handed the gloves. Suresh Raina is an interesting selection, the BCCI have picked him based on Ranji Trophy form, but most people know that his form in domestic cricket was not an issue, but rather his ability in international cricket.

Piyush Chawla over Murali Kartik is another strange one, but I guess that Kartik's poor record after 37 ODIs has meant that the BCCI do not feel that he can sustain his good form. At 31, Kartik would likely be recently gone (or just about to go) by the time of the 2011 World Cup and consequently a weak fielder and a bowler not at the height of his powers.

Sehwag is a good pick. Sehwag's average is not tremendous, but the agressive intent in the powerplays combined with his very handy off spin is an invaluable asset in the ODI game. Gambhir is not a good pick, in my opinion, 1043 runs at 30.67 with an average strike rate of 75.14 is simply not good enough and with his List A statistics further suggesting someone who prefers the longer (or shorter) game, it really is a massive hunch to pick Gambhir - especially since he is a poor fielder.

I don't think that picking Ishant Sharma was a good move. I have restated several times (in other places) that I don't think a 19 year old should be chucked head first into the international schedule, but it seems the BCCI does not learn. I have always thought that Praveen Kumar is the perfect ODI player for India - accurate new ball bowler and agressive batsman is just what India need.

Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan and Munaf Patel on standby all seem pretty self explanatory.

 

[chaminda_00]

I don't agree with that theory, actually. As long as batsmen don't get bogged down, it really doesn't matter how good they are in reference to how many balls they face. In the event that Gilchrist doesn't play - an event which I'm strongly against for the time being - I'd support Hopes opening the batting because I don't think any of the other middle order bats should be moved, and Hopes has done it successfully at domestic level. As long as he gets a move on and, obviously, can average 30 odd, I don't see why it matters if Hussey for example faces less balls than him.

I don't think Hopes is a bad batsmen, but I can see him getting owned at ODI level against the likes Vaas, Malinga, Pathan and co. Considerin when Haddin and Hopes have played together they played the likes of Clarke at the top, with Watson wasn't in the squad. I dare say they will give Clarke another run as opener and Hussey at 4. I do think Hopes is mid 20s ODI batsmen at best and you will get more out him down the order slogging or re-building a innings then opening. Granted though he would be far better option then Sri Lanka have with Perera and Tharanga ATM, but thats another story.

Mind you I think it will be very unfair on Gilchirst and Australian fans in generally if he doesn't get to blow out of ODI cricket in Australia. Fair enough if they rotate him and Haddin throughout the tournment, but to drop him completely would be very slack IMO.

Atleast Dravid and Ganguly were allowed to play their last ODIs in India. Mind you I think they might have be rested, after a long Test campaign, with seven test over 10-12 weeks. They probably wanted to rest/drop Tendulkar as well, but he probably asked to play a last series against Australia in Australia. Looking at the way his conducting himself over the Test series, leaving a lasting memory in Australia seems a big thing for him.

 

[Cevno]

Honestly, what in the world does he have to do to get a chance? Stop being Tamil?

To be honest i would think tiwary is ahead of him.Badrinath to me seems a bit limited like kaif.While tiwary is a Indian version of kevin pietersen.
Rohit sharma has been picked ahead of tiwary,badri,kaif and patel even after a avergae domestic season.

 

[Arrow]

Uhh, try waiting a few days to find out why he was dropped before getting so worked up over this. Don't be surprised if he retires soon. Even if it had nothing to do with Ganguly retiring, yes it's unfair on Ganguly but from a team perspective I'll still support the move. It's time to give the younger batsmen a chance to settle down before we need to rely on them in test cricket.

No its not time to weaken your team when your playing against the best team in the world, thats just stupid. You want your best team. They can blood new talent against weaker teams. Your excuse is just dumb.

 

[Arrow]

That's fine. The move may be unfair on Dravid and Ganguly but I think it's fine for Indian cricket.

Lets see if its fine after they struggle for runs and get thrashed. Im sure the extra 5 runs their younger fielders earned them will be worth it

 

[duffer]

To be honest i would think tiwary is ahead of him.Badrinath to me seems a bit limited like kaif.While tiwary is a Indian version of kevin pietersen.
Rohit sharma has been picked ahead of tiwary,badri,kaif and patel even after a avergae domestic season.

I knew Tiwary was rated highly but the new KP? Damn, looking forward to seeing him sometime in the next couple of years.

You think he's for real or hype?

 

[eglezdzdiyd]

i'd bust a nut if hopes opened, deadset!

 

[Cevno]

Uhh, try waiting a few days to find out why he was dropped before getting so worked up over this. Don't be surprised if he retires soon. Even if it had nothing to do with Ganguly retiring, yes it's unfair on Ganguly but from a team perspective I'll still support the move. It's time to give the younger batsmen a chance to settle down before we need to rely on them in test cricket.

Ganguly has scored runs in ODI but he has scored them slowly(playing for himself) which has put pressure on the rest of team.Though considering the replacements it is unfair to drop him.
No way would i have sehwag and gambhir as openers over ganguly.

 

[chaminda_00]

On Badrinath I dare say its his age that is the problem consdering Karthik and Tiwary (standby though) have been selected not the team he plays for. Will be very interesting to see how this new look India play. I'm lazy and I cbf checking for myself. But how many of squad played in winning T20 Championship squad?

 

[Mister Wright]

I don't think Hopes is a bad batsmen, but I can see him getting owned at ODI level against the likes Vaas, Malinga, Pathan and co. Considerin when Haddin and Hopes have played together they played the likes of Clarke at the top, with Watson wasn't in the squad. I dare say they will give Clarke another run as opener and Hussey at 4. I do think Hopes is mid 20s ODI batsmen at best and you will get more out him down the order slogging or re-building a innings then opening. Granted though he would be far better option then Sri Lanka have with Perera and Tharanga ATM, but thats another story.

Mind you I think it will be very unfair on Gilchirst and Australian fans in generally if he doesn't get to blow out of ODI cricket in Australia. Fair enough if they rotate him and Haddin throughout the tournment, but to drop him completely would be very slack IMO.

Atleast Dravid and Ganguly were allowed to play their last ODIs in India. Mind you I think they might have be rested, after a long Test campaign, with seven test over 10-12 weeks. They probably wanted to rest/drop Tendulkar as well, but he probably asked to play a last series against Australia in Australia. Looking at the way his conducting himself over the Test series, leaving a lasting memory in Australia seems a big thing for him.

How many more times is Clarke going to be tried as a ODI opener? He had a chance in India and got two golden ducks if my memory serves me correctly. he also failed in Hobart as well. If Gilchrist is not going to be opening, Hopes has to be the next choice.

 

[Cevno]

I knew Tiwary was rated highly but the new KP? Damn, looking forward to seeing him sometime in the next couple of years.

You think he's for real or hype?

Tiwary to me at this time seems better than yuvraj when yuvraj was first selected.What he has is a range of shots all over the place unlike others like badri and even raina who are restricted batsmen.He is probably one of the best fielders in domestic cricket too and can bowl too.
He may struggle at the beginning but he is a long race horse.He has been performing at the domestic level for three years now consistently which very few batsmen have done without getting selected.

 

[Prince EWS]

How many more times is Clarke going to be tried as a ODI opener? He had a chance in India and got two golden ducks if my memory serves me correctly. he also failed in Hobart as well. If Gilchrist is going to be opening, Hopes has to be the next choice.

Completely agree with this. He's a very fine middle order player in one day cricket, but he's not an opener's backside. And yes I'm aware he has a ton opening.

 

[chaminda_00]

How many more times is Clarke going to be tried as a ODI opener? He had a chance in India and got two golden ducks if my memory serves me correctly. he also failed in Hobart as well. If Gilchrist is going to be opening, Hopes has to be the next choice.

That hundred against Zimbabwe was class though. Yeah he doesn't deserve another chance, but he likes opening. I'm sure if the word goes around that Gilchist or Hayden might be rested for match or a series then Clake will probably have a word to Ponting asking to open.

If it is a one off match I reckon Australia would be better off calling up Watson or Jaques to open though, then give Hopes a run during this series. He will get owned IMO. Away from home, Hopes should get a chance depending on who else is in the squad.

 

[Mister Wright]

That hundred against Zimbabwe was class though. Yeah he doesn't deserve another chance, but he likes opening. I'm sure if the word goes around that Gilchist or Hayden might be rested for match or a series then Clake will probably have a word to Ponting asking to open.

If it is a one off match I reckon Australia would be better off calling up Watson or Jaques to open though, then give Hopes a run during this series. He will get owned IMO. Away from home, Hopes should get a chance depending on who else is in the squad.

Why would Hopes be owned? He has without doubt been the most consistent allrounder in domestic one day cricket for the past 2-3 seasons and the majority of that time he has been an opener. He finds the gaps and runs well between wickets, and gets things moving. I love people who continually under-rate him because he just keeps proving them wrong.

Also, hate to sound like a Richard, because I hate it when he does it. But, he's got a hundred against Zimbabwe and ducks against everyone else as an opener.

 

[duffer]

Tiwary to me at this time seems better than yuvraj when yuvraj was first selected.What he has is a range of shots all over the place unlike others like badri and even raina who are restricted batsmen.He is probably one of the best fielders in domestic cricket too and can bowl too.
He may struggle at the beginning but he is a long race horse.He has been performing at the domestic level for three years now consistently which very few batsmen have done without getting selected.

I like the sound of him. This blog goes with the KP comparison as well, but I take these things with a pinch of salt.

All it does is make me look forward to seeing how these youngsters go.

 

[Cevno]

How? Basically you are sacrificing plenty of runs from the blade or Dravid or Ganguly to ensure you stop maybe 5-10 runs in the field, which is a generous amount that one person would save.

The thing is that most pitches in aus in ODI'S are batting pitches and you need to score quick runs with quick running unike what dravid and ganguly have been doing.
They give up 10 runs with their running and top it up with 10-15 runs while fielding which these days makes the difference in ODI matches.Besides it will let dhoni captain in his own way and bring out the best in likes of yuvraj and gambhir.
Another thing is that for the next time we come to australia these youngsters will have some experience of playing here so we do not get thrashed like dravid ,ganguly and laxman did when they first came here.
Dravid decision i can fully agree with as there are replacements for him but ganguly's replcaement being sehwag i do not understand.