***Official*** South Africa In Australia

[Jono]

Clarke circa 2004-2006 was a brilliant ODI batsman.

It was as if Clarke, M Hussey and Symo were peaking all at the same time. Australia had a ridiculously good ODI team then.

 

[pasag]

Would be more angry myself, but it was so obvious Saggers, very surprised you didn't see it coming.

Third disappointing ODI summer in a row. Didn't mind losing to the Indians as much because they had a really good, inspired team, but vs England and SA it's been a case of us underperfoming, especially at key moments.

 

[Redbacks]

people are underating M Clarke's ability to play a long/short innings in the format.

He and Symonds are at the peak when it comes to hitting good balls into gaps for ones, and also placement of their drives into gaps for twos.

It's fine to list all the players who play well in ODI cricket, but how many in his precise role

 

[Nate]

Trying to wind up Social - don't spoil the party aight.

That's against forum rules.

 

[social]

Guys better than Clarke in the last 3 years who still play:
Chanderpaul
Kallis
Ponting
Dhoni
Symonds
Tendulkar
Yuvraj
Mussey
Butt
Gayle
Sarwan
Smith
Pietersen
Styris
AB
Khan
Malik
Gambhir
Rossco
Gibbs
Boucher
Sehwag
Jayasuriya


So he's still firmly in the top 30.

Clarke averages 43 in the last 3 years, so with all due respect .....

 

[Precambrian]

Yeah used to be one of the best but has regressed in the format over the past couple of years.

Strange considering he's improved in tests during the same period.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Hopes has BARELY bowled at the death in his entire ODI Career, so don't know where you're getting that from. And regarding his economy rate - it's really not helping his country. He's averaging 37. Not good enough.

His econ rate isn't helping his country

Last I checked this game was about scoring MORE runs than the opposition. And you're saying that because Hopes has the BEST economy rate on the team, he isn't helping his country

The fact that he can average in the 20s is handy - and he's a quick scorer and boundary hitter (who can't play spin to save his life...) - but playing Hopes means that there's more depth to the batting while giving an economical bowler who can keep it tight and allow the wicket takers to do their jobs - ie, attack the stumps (and perhaps go for a few more runs).

 

[Redbacks]

So people getting up from their seats means people are leaving? Perhaps they're going to the toilet, or going to get a beer...

true, most of the crowd are there to get drunk and have a good time, the game is secondary.

 

[Ikki]

Hussey gone...fack.

 

[Jono]

I love this South African team.

 

[Precambrian]

people are underating M Clarke's ability to play a long/short innings in the format.

He and Symonds are at the peak when it comes to hitting good balls into gaps for ones, and also placement of their drives into gaps for twos.

It's fine to list all the players who play well in ODI cricket, but how many in his precise role

Just from India - Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Dhoni.

 

[pasag]

Great stuff Hussey.

 

[social]

End of Dussey's career - failed despite a golden opportunity and he's in his 30s

Get a younger player in there

 

[Precambrian]

Hussey gone...fack.

Don't avoid filter.

 

[Demolition Man]

Great stuff Hussey.

Great series.

 

[Precambrian]

Don't avoid filter.

I never expected bad form to this contagious. It seems to have bounced off from Mhussey to everyone. Still, Aussies are yet to bowl and I expect a choke from ol' Saffas.

 

[pskov]

Guys better than Clarke in the last 3 years who still play:
Chanderpaul
Kallis
Ponting
Dhoni
Symonds
Tendulkar
Yuvraj
Mussey
Butt
Gayle
Sarwan
Smith
Pietersen
Styris
AB
Khan
Malik
Gambhir
Rossco
Gibbs
Boucher
Sehwag
Jayasuriya


So he's still firmly in the top 30.

In ODIs I'd only conclusively take those guys ahead of him. Clarke is a very good batsman in the shorter forms and one of the very best in the world at keeping the runs flowing during those crucial middle orders when the field is back and you need to lay a platform for the end of innings smash.

 

[Nate]

His econ rate isn't helping his country

Last I checked this game was about scoring MORE runs than the opposition. And you're saying that because Hopes has the BEST economy rate on the team, he isn't helping his country

The fact that he can average in the 20s is handy - and he's a quick scorer and boundary hitter (who can't play spin to save his life...) - but playing Hopes means that there's more depth to the batting while giving an economical bowler who can keep it tight and allow the wicket takers to do their jobs - ie, attack the stumps (and perhaps go for a few more runs).

If Hopes could actually contribute with the bat like you say - then maybe there'd be a case for playing him above a Bollinger, Hilfenhaus or another strike bowler. But he's NOT a quick scorer and he's NOT a boundary hitter.

Australia have struggled to take wickets and build pressure with him in the attack. He gets milked for 40 or 50 runs every time, with a disastrous strike-rate and it's not acceptable.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Get a younger player in there

I'd get McCullum in there. Looked useful playing for New South Wales the other day

Piece of ****.

 

[Athlai]

Clarke circa 2004-2006 was a brilliant ODI batsman.

It was as if Clarke, M Hussey and Symo were peaking all at the same time. Australia had a ridiculously good ODI team then.

Since 01 Jan 2008:

SE Marsh 546 @ 49.63 SR 77
DA Warner 75 @ 25 SR 101 (ML Hayden 298 @ 37.25 SR 77)
RT Ponting 480 @ 28.23 SR 79
MEK Hussey 696 @ 46.40 SR 74.59
MJ Clarke 490 @ 30.62 SR 62 (DJ Hussey 263 @ 37.57 SR 97)
A Symonds 335 @ 30.45 SR 85
BJ Haddin 132 @ 14.66 SR 65 (AC Gilchrist 322 @ 32.20 SR 98)
JR Hopes 302 @ 18.87 SR 79}
SR Watson 262 @ 37.42 SR 90
CL White 112 @ 28 SR 84

Odd to see guys like Ponting, Clarke and Symonds to have had such a poor time.