**Official** Australia in West Indies

[Flem274*]

Well, Gilchrist is the first one who needs replacing (obviously by Haddin in keeping terms, but will he open? Maybe. Should he? No). I'm not insulting Jaques - tbf I'd like to see Jaques and Katich open together for Australia

Don't let the Hayden lover (think its Kazo) see that.

Reckon the WI could win a couple of ODIs tbh. The Aussie side might take a bit of adjusting, its probably not as good as in previous years (though still excellent) and WI have got some momentum.

 

[Flem274*]

Averaged 37 opening the batting, which is about 12 runs better than Jaques did and about 15 better than Hopes

Pity he failed in the 05 Ashes really. Wish we had him.

 

[NZTailender]

Pity he failed in the 05 Ashes really. Wish we had him.

Clarke did too, was recalled and has done very well since then in tests. I firmly believe Katich could do the same if not better

 

[Top_Cat]

Well, Gilchrist is the first one who needs replacing (obviously by Haddin in keeping terms, but will he open? Maybe. Should he? No). I'm not insulting Jaques - tbf I'd like to see Jaques and Katich open together for Australia

I doubt they'd hit Haddin with keeping and opening duties straight up. Hopes + Hayden at this stage I'd imagine. Longer term, who knows? Wasn't much of a year for openers in domestic cricket in general, let alone OD's (Dighton and Elliott excepted).

 

[NZTailender]

Longer term I imagine they'll try Marsh (hence him being in the squad). I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of batsmen were 'rotated' in the WIndies (if the series is sewn up, anyway) to give him a shot at opening.

Unfortunately by the time Hayden retires, Katich will probably be seen as to old as a long term opening option.

 

[chaminda_00]

Phil Hughes will be long term Australian opener, the rest are just keeping the seat warm.

 

[Flem274*]

Phil Hughes will be long term Australian opener, the rest are just keeping the seat warm.

He's a bit young though isn't he?

 

[chaminda_00]

He's a bit young though isn't he?

And Southee isn't?

 

[pasag]

Prefer him in the middle order really, its a shame Symonds is scoring runs though Hodge perhaps could be ahead of Katcih still.

Are you talking ODIs here? Would be a strange comment wrt Symonds if you were, but then you did respond to a post talking about ODIs, so I dunno.

Anyways Jaques not being considered in ODIs is a strange one. Had that pretty gun 94 on debut, was in the running for replacing Katich and then after Hayden got the gig he kinda got forgotten about and pigeonholed. I certainly want to see him back in the mix. Katich will never play another ODI though, just won't happen.

 

[Leslie1]

And Southee isn't?

So is Sharma. In fact, why did Tendulkar start so young?

Age isn't a barrier if you have the mental game to forge an international career. Of course I have no idea what context this comment is in.

 

[Flem274*]

Are you talking ODIs here? Would be a strange comment wrt Symonds if you were, but then you did respond to a post talking about ODIs, so I dunno.

Anyways Jaques not being considered in ODIs is a strange one. Had that pretty gun 94 on debut, was in the running for replacing Katich after Hayden and then he kinda got forgotten about and pigeonholed. I certainly want to see him back in the mix. Katich will never play another ODI though, just won't happen.

My mistake. I was thinking tests wrt Symonds (PEWPEW has helped me form my views of Symonds )

I'll rephrase: Its unfortunate that Katich came along when the Australian middle order has been fairly fixed in place. Same with Hodge, though my gut feeling with Hodge is he wasn't as good as he seems/ed. Thats a different topic though. Like MacGill (with Warne), Katich has been unfortunate.

 

[Laurrz]

The thing with MacGill and even worse when it comes to Casson. Is when they are not taking wickets, they still will go for plenty of runs. So they will just take pressure of the batsmen to score quickly of seamers and allow then to just see them out. As there will be easier runs down the other end.

True, but with the Windies batsmen are they capable of limiting MacGill to no wickets like say, team India? If they keep playing aggressive theres a great chance of MacGill getting a cheap wicket

 

[chaminda_00]

True, but with the Windies batsmen are they capable of limiting MacGill to no wickets like say, team India? If they keep playing aggressive theres a great chance of MacGill getting a cheap wicket

If they can limit Murali to not many wickets, then I'm sure they can do the same with MacGill considering they are in similar form.

 

[Mister Wright]

Speaks more about QLD than Hopes tbh.

Yeah, especially given we won the one day title the season before last and Hopes was a big part of that. With consistent efforts at the top of the order.

 

[Mister Wright]

An opener with an average under 30 in List A. Outstanding. Considering the most likely team is:

Jaques
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey
Hopes
Noffke
Lee
Johnson
Clark

I'll retract my statement he competes with Noffke atm, but if/when Watto returns I know who I'll pick. Hopes is good ftm but when Watson returns he should walk in as a genuine allrounder who is superior to Hopes, unless another bowler starts being useless its him vs Noffke really and as Noffke fits in better with the balance of the side he would get the place unless he's bowling pies.

Hopes hasn't always been an opener at List A level, but in the last few seasons in which he has he has been very promising, not to mention his allround ability combined with that. It's a matter of personal opinion I know, but I prefer Hopes than Watson if they were up against each other for one spot, however, personally I'd have them both in the side.

 

[NZTailender]

1. Jaques
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. D Hussey
6. M Hussey
7. Haddin+
8. Lee
9. Bracken
10. Hilfenhaus
11. Clark

Dave Huss and Clarkey for 10 overs of spin between them, Katich also capable of rolling his arm over.

 

[chaminda_00]

Not a fan of Queensland players I see. Hopes is dire though.

Still prefer this side though

1. P Hughes
2. P Jaques
3. R Ponting
4. M Clarke
5. S Katich
6. B Haddin
7. S Watson
8. B Lee
9. N Bracken
10. S Clark
11. D Bollinger

 

[NZTailender]

Henriques is ready as A/R IMO and could swap for Watson while Ponting's past it - go the long term option in Forrest.

 

[Laurrz]

If they can limit Murali to not many wickets, then I'm sure they can do the same with MacGill considering they are in similar form.

and they never really took Murali down town

meh this pointless.. we shall see

 

[chaminda_00]

Henriques is ready as A/R IMO and could swap for Watson while Ponting's past it - go the long term option in Forrest.

Nah Stevie Smith over Forrest.