***Official*** South Africa In Australia

[pup11]

Thinking something like this for WC09 T20:

Watson
Warner
Ponting
Hodge
Symonds
DHussey
Clarke
White
Haddin
Johnson
Bracken

...she's a beauty.

If Clarke is going to bat at 7, then better not have him in the team at all, wasn't it him who played only 4 balls in last T20 WC because he was batting at no.7.

I think Hodge is probably no longer in Australian team' plans for the limited over version of the game, otherwise he would have been picked in the current T20 and ODI squad.

 

[pup11]

I think its true that good players can't adapt themselves to different forms of the game, i think just because a bloke like Mike Hussey bats cautiously, people think he is a defensive batsman and not suited for T20, but he proved in the IPL and a lot of times in the last overs of ODI games that he can shift gears with ease.

I think even though T20 is the ultra-short form of the game, but still good and skillful players are more likely to fare better in it, as compared to bits a pieces players.

My Aussie squad for WC T20 would be:
1.Dave Warner
2.Michael Clarke
3.Ricky Ponting
4.Shane Watson
5.Andrew Symonds
6.Mike Hussey
7.Brad Haddin
8.Cam White (use him as a floatter)
9.Mitchell Johnson
10.Brett Lee
11.Nathan Bracken
12.Shaun Tait
13.James Hopes
14.Ben Hilfenhaus
15.Nathan Hauritz

 

[Jayzamann]

I think Hodge is probably no longer in Australian team' plans for the limited over version of the game, otherwise he would have been picked in the current T20 and ODI squad.

I think he's been on the outer for quite some time now. I read on cricinfo today (?) that the consensus is that the Australian selectors are picking for WC09 right now, and if players aren't part of those plans, then they won't be selected now.

It's a pity considering his impressive overall T20 track record.

 

[pup11]

I think he's been on the outer for quite some time now. I read on cricinfo today (?) that the consensus is that the Australian selectors are picking for WC09 right now, and if players aren't part of those plans, then they won't be selected now.

It's a pity considering his impressive overall T20 track record.

...And its so ****ing unfair, because he is still arguably the best T20 batsman in Australia...
...And this is what he had to say: "Maybe I'll play for Australia in lawn bowls in the future, maybe tennis, maybe rowing."
An irate Brad Hodge vents his frustration after being overlooked for Australia's one-day squads

 

[pasag]

Like making 300 in an ODI, making 180+ in T20 is very do-able if you bat first, but extremely hard if you have to chase it. Anyway, this is a damn big call, but I don't think Mr Cricket has any business being in our T20 team. He just doesn't cut it in this side; in this form of the game.

Hit 116* off 54 in the IPL. He hasn't been great in the internationals to date though.

 

[pasag]

In this form of the game, I'm really warming towards loading the team with batsmen, especially guys like David Hussey who can tonk, work the ball around and also bowl awkward little darts. For mine, there are so few Nathan Brackens - quicks who can make a real difference with their bowling. Therefore, I'd be very reluctant to pick too many specialist bowlers, as I feel not too many have mastered the T20 art. Most, like part time bowlers, will go the journey anyway.

Batsmen, batsmen who can bowl a bit and tonkers for mine (and the odd exception for a guy like Bracks).

Proven wrong approach mate. I used to think the same thing and it sounds ok in theory, but having watched plenty of Twenty20s especially in the WC and the IPL you need at least four specialists bowlers and an all rounder. Part timers like Symonds, Jayasuriya, Gayle, Clarke, Yuvraj that play a role in ODIs just can't cut it in the shortest format and tend to get tonked pretty badly and can lose you the game pretty easily. You don't need to bat all the way down, it's unnecessary with only 20 overs and certainly not worth what you lose with the ball.

 

[Julian87]

I think its true that good players can't adapt themselves to different forms of the game, i think just because a bloke like Mike Hussey bats cautiously, people think he is a defensive batsman and not suited for T20, but he proved in the IPL and a lot of times in the last overs of ODI games that he can shift gears with ease.

I think even though T20 is the ultra-short form of the game, but still good and skillful players are more likely to fare better in it, as compared to bits a pieces players.

My Aussie squad for WC T20 would be:
1.Dave Warner
2.Michael Clarke
3.Ricky Ponting
4.Shane Watson
5.Andrew Symonds
6.Mike Hussey
7.Brad Haddin
8.Cam White (use him as a floatter)
9.Mitchell Johnson
10.Brett Lee
11.Nathan Bracken
12.Shaun Tait
13.James Hopes
14.Ben Hilfenhaus
15.Nathan Hauritz

David Hussey in for Shane Watson and I agree with you. I'd probably have Hopes in for White as Hussey and Clarke would bowl before him anyway.

And I think Tait will be a better option than Lee.

 

[Julian87]

Really hope Warner proves to be the real deal in OD cricket, could revolutionise the game if its the case. If he comes off even once every five innings we could be looking at regular scores of around 380 and then I think we'll see other countries do it as well.

Shahid Afride # 2, minus the brilliant leg break bowling IMO.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Dave Hussey had the right approach with the spin, bowled slow and made them use the pace. Especially at such a big ground, works very well.

Warner is very strong square of the wicket on the off side, especially with any width. If he were batting in a FC game, I think you'd see much more runs through the off side than the leg really; it's just that he goes to the leg to hit his bombs.

As I said earlier, I think Australia has to develop a player or two who can come in at 7 or so and consistently score quickly from the get-go. It's such a different game batting in the top 3 or 4 vs below that, unless you have a big collapse like South Africa did last night.

 

[dezza1994]

My Aussie squad for WC T20 would be:
1.Dave Warner
2.Michael Clarke
3.Ricky Ponting
4.Dave Hussey
5.Andrew Symonds
6.Mike Hussey
7.Brad Haddin
8.James Hopes
9.Mitchell Johnson
10.Shaun Tait
11.Nathan Bracken
12.Brett Lee
13.Theo Doropoulos
14.Ben Hilfenhaus
15.Nathan Hauritz

 

[Jayzamann]

As I said earlier, I think Australia has to develop a player or two who can come in at 7 or so and consistently score quickly from the get-go.

First thought for me is Cameron White...

... the world record-breaking Cameron White

 

[TT Boy]

Parnell, Amla and Morne in for tomorrow, Kallis, Tsotsobe and Ntini out. Unlucky for Lonwabo, only bowled two overs and didn't disgrace himself but the plan was for everyone (minus Neil Mac) to get a go.

Hopefully Kallis doesn't throw his toys out of the pram (again) when rightfully he is dropped from South Africa's World 20/20 side. Whilst Ntini according to Neil Manthrop's tour diary is already privately considering his retirement, doesn't want to overstay his welcome.

Looking forward to seeing how Parnell gets on. The Gabba is usually a decent ground for the swing bowlers and Parnell can get the ball to move.

 

[Evermind]

Whilst Ntini according to Neil Manthrop's tour diary is already privately considering his retirement,

You mean just from the 20/20 game, right?

 

[TT Boy]

You mean just from the 20/20 game, right?

No, I think all cricket. Makhaya said his target at the start of the season was 400 test wickets and his not far off that and from all reports Lopsy Tsotsobe is very close to getting into the test side. Ntini may only be 31 which is rather young to call it a day but he hasn't been doing the business for nigh on two years now and I think Makhaya knows that.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

First thought for me is Cameron White...

... the world record-breaking Cameron White

White needs time to get in.

 

[Matt79]

David Hussey in for Shane Watson and I agree with you. I'd probably have Hopes in for White as Hussey and Clarke would bowl before him anyway.

And I think Tait will be a better option than Lee.

As in Shane Watson - player of the inaugural IPL 20/20 comp? Out of that list, I'd have Dave Hussey in for Hauritz or, honestly, Ponting.

 

[pup11]

David Hussey in for Shane Watson and I agree with you. I'd probably have Hopes in for White as Hussey and Clarke would bowl before him anyway.

And I think Tait will be a better option than Lee.

Oops... would definitely have Dussey in that team, he is like one of favourite domestic player from the Aussie domestic scene,i just forgot to add his name in there, i think either Hauritz or Hopes would have to miss out in that case, but yes Dussey has to there for sure.

Tait on his day could be better than anybody tbh, but Binger is class and the T20 WC and IPL would be the only two tournaments for him get some cricket under his belt, in order to prepare himself for the Ashes, i would still show faith in him, there is also a case for Australia to play with a 4 man pace attack comprising of Johnson, Tait, Lee and Bracken.

When one looks at the composition of the side, Michael Clarke stands out as the odd bloke in the whole squad, people are questioning Mike Hussey' ability to adapt to T20 cricket, but i think the same argument holds true for Clarke, who is also a very similar player nowadays.

 

[Matt79]

You'd definitely want Tait in any 20/20 team. So what if he gets carted, most bowlers will in at least one of their four. But he's taken early wickets every time he's played one of these games, and if Bracken getting Gibbs didn't kill SA's realistic chances of chasing the score, Tait's next over certainly did. He's a massive weapon for any fielding team.

If you've got Watson and Hopes as all-rounders, D. Hussey, Clarke and White as batsmen who can split 4-6 overs between them, Lee's a fine number 9, Bracken at 10 and Tait at 11 isn't really a problem. You do want a strike bowler or two as well as batting down to 8 or 9 IMO.

 

[pasag]

People talk about Tait as if he has potential in limited overs cricket but let's not forget he proved himself convincingly on the greatest limited overs stage already.

On an unrelated note, you'd have to see the back page of the Hun on Friday to believe it. Incredible. Had a massive headline whinge about Hodge and McDonald not getting selected and went on about the biased selectors for over three or four articles.

 

[Jono]

People talk about Tait as if he has potential in limited overs cricket but let's not forget he proved himself convincingly on the greatest limited overs stage already.

True.

However, all bets are off once you pull out of the game, even if just for a while. Its not like he's Lara, who even with his mental breakdown and absences from the game at times, you know he's a genius and he has it in him to be the best.

The true test for Tait is when things aren't going his way, and whether he can mentally cope. He was impressive at the World Cup (I lost an avatar bet because of how good he was, and how I underrated him), but its still 'potential' when you haven't done it for a long time.

JP Duminy is still 'potential' even though he scored runs and performed on the toughest (at least it has been for ages) tour in test cricket. You still can't say he's 'there' yet, and the same goes for Tait in limited overs cricket.