**Official** Australia in West Indies

[pasag]

If we don't have an adequate spinner, don't play one. Simple as. Play four fast bowlers until the day comes that you do. It's not perfect but it's better than selecting bowlers with FC averages of 35+

 

[NZTailender]

If we don't have an adequate spinner, don't play one. Simple as. Play four fast bowlers until the day comes that you do. It's not perfect but it's better than selecting bowlers with FC averages of 35+

Hasn't stopped most of the other test sides

 

[Ikki]

If we don't have an adequate spinner, don't play one. Simple as. Play four fast bowlers until the day comes that you do. It's not perfect but it's better than selecting bowlers with FC averages of 35+

I haven't read the rest of the argument upto this post but I agree with you.

HOWEVER, I should also state that we should give a young spinner the time to learn what Test Cricket is about and give him enough rope to climb back up if he falls. Both Warne and Murali started poorly IIRC, so it should be given a fair stab at before deciding that "yep, just play the fast bowlers".

 

[pasag]

Mate, only if we see a brilliant talent like they saw in Warne from early on. Casson is not that. If we just give people free rides based on finding another once in a generation player, we'll be in for alot of pain. I reckon if they're good enough, they should be able to prove it against lesser players on the first class scene first. Test cricket shouldn't be the place were we look for these things, IMO.

Anyways, back to the books before the start of play.

 

[Laurrz]

Anyways, back to the books before the start of play.

damn

what do you have exams

 

[pasag]

damn

what do you have exams

Yeah, one on Tuesday. The forum really is the pits when you're trying to study. Need more self-control, itbt.

 

[Laurrz]

Yeah, one on Tuesday. The forum really is the pits when you're trying to study. Need more self-control, itbt.

lol

had to ban myself from a forum i regularly go to actually last week, had my mid year exams a few days ago

 

[Jakester1288]

Feels odd to have a better test match spinner than Australia.

Dare I say it, the WIndies have a better spinner in their side than Australia...

Actually, Pup has the best average in the Aussie side and has a better average than Vettori, Warne, MacGill etc.

 

[Top_Cat]

Mate, only if we see a brilliant talent like they saw in Warne from early on. Casson is not that. If we just give people free rides based on finding another once in a generation player, we'll be in for alot of pain. I reckon if they're good enough, they should be able to prove it against lesser players on the first class scene first. Test cricket shouldn't be the place were we look for these things, IMO.

Anyways, back to the books before the start of play.

Warne was picked on potential every bit as much as Casson was, although Casson has been around a lot longer than Warne was so we've had a better chance to see how his numbers change with opportunity. Warne was accurate and fizzed the leg-break but that was really about it in the early days.

Not that I believe Casson justified a Test spot on this occasion but anyone who's seen him bowl would see he has a rare talent in just the amount of spin he puts on the ball. Needs more time as NSW's first-choice spinner to really grow as a bowler but he's got the juice.

 

[Prince EWS]

I know your original point was about judging him after 6 test match overs, but a lot of players have been selected for test teams with a lot less experience and worse records.

And that has generally been because they have been earmarked as special talents and haven't played much First Class cricket at all. Even then it has probably failed more than it has succeeded.

Casson hasn't been selected because the selectors think he has enormous potential; he's been selected because they wanted a spinner and we have no-one else as good as him under 35. He's played lots and lots of First Class cricket already to demostrate the point that not only does he look horrible, but he stacks up horrible figures too. Personally I think people expect too much of our young spinners - they aren't going to be much chop at this age unless they are absolute freaks - but that doesn't justify picking someone when they are clearly not up to it. Casson might be barely Test standard in five years but he certainly isn't now and won't be any time in the immediate future.

Judging someone completely after six overs at Test level is silly, but I'd already judged him based on what I'd seen of him at First Class level and his overall shocking record, basically.

 

[pasag]

Yeah, spot on Prince.

Anyways, very good batting for the situation. No risks, eating up time, tiring the West Indies, slowly accumulating the score and driving them into the ground whilst at the same time not getting bogged down. Scene should be set for at least one batsman to come in and make a big hundred.

 

[Laurrz]

yea have a feeling Fidel is tiring, not bowling as fast

 

[James90]

Dunno mate, I reckon Pup and Symmo might just pip Benn.

Seriously though, I think Australia, in light of our leather flinging deficiencies, should seriously consider a restructuring of our Test lineup. For mine, I would seriously contemplate getting Watson in there for instead of a specialist opener. To cover our lack of bowling options, let's play to our strengths - our allrounders, in Symonds, Clarke and Watson, rather than tinker with inadequate spin options such as Casson, Cullen and Co.

I'm not quite following. You say we shouldn't even try with a spinner, but why then would you drop one of Hayden or Jaques? The only way Watson could be brought in for an opener is to still try and groom a Casson but have a fourth fast bowling option when he's having an off day. And even then, Watson is still far off being a genuine bowling option like he once was.

I think we should use McGain while we can. Casson will become better in time. I think the same of Noffke and Johnson. We should use Noffers while we can and Johnson needs more time.

Both Hogg and MacGill have recently hung up their boots shortly after they've been given a possible extended stay in the team. I doubt they'd go for another old bloke unless they're well ahead of the pack, which McGain isn't. I hope Steven Smith gets some good coaching because I can't see the current crop of Pura Cup spinners reaching test standard ever.

 

[Laurrz]

I hope Steven Smith gets some good coaching because I can't see the current crop of Pura Cup spinners reaching test standard ever.

ahh yes have heard a fair bit on him
has quite the unusual action iidr

pitch has flattened out less bounce...

 

[James90]

Love Katich but I'm afraid the only way he can nail a place in the test team is if he develops his bowling or takes up wicketkeeping. Have a look at the Australian batting average ffs.

Hayden 53.51
Jaques 46.83
Ponting 58.48
Hussey 69.90
Clarke 46.04
Symonds 46.17

If Hayden were to retire at the end of this upcoming summer, would you pick a 33-year-old Simon Katich or go with Phil Hughes or Shaun Marsh assuming they were peforming as well as Katich at domestic level? I think Rogers' chances are zero now that he's moved to Victoria.

 

[Nate]

Aaron Heal ftr. Can't wait until the day he's finally recognised. Still LOLing @ Casson playing a Test for Australia. Hahahahahaha. Top bloke, but just no.

Agree that we should be picking our four best bowlers, which Casson, or Cullen, Bailey etc are not.

And re: Johnson's spell... yes, he bowled well. But I'd look at who he bowled well against. Don't want to say much more before Clapo hunts me down.

 

[Nate]

Jaquesyyyyyyy

 

[stumpski]

Enjoying watching Gayle floating them down in the mid-40s. Trying to 'make something happen' it seems.

 

[aussie tragic]

Excellent job by Katich & Jaques…

Equal 12th highest opening partnership for Australia and the 2nd highest opening partnership in the 2nd innings…

Full list of double hundred opening partnerships

Lawry & Simpson – 382 (244) (201)
Marsh & Taylor - 329
Slater & Blewett - 269
Slater & Taylor – 260 (228) (208)
Langer & Hayden – 255 (242) (224) (223) (219) (202)
Brown & Fingleton – 233
Hayden & Hussey – 231
Katich & Jaques – 223
Lawry & Redpath – 219
Boon & Marsh – 217
Maroney & Morris - 214

 

[roseboy64]

Ponting to continue being Taylor's bunny I hope....