***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[andruid]

Where's Briony?

 

[aussie]

Dodge is out injured at present.

For the Pro20 WC, yes, he should be selected.

For the Test team, however, no.

We don't need another player in their 30s.

34 at that.

What does his age have to do with anything?. It doesn't stop him from being obviously one of the best batsmen in Australia currently.

India where doing quite fine with an ageing batting line-up until Ganguly retired & Dravid was beggining to lose form.

If the selectors could recall Martyn @ 35 (although he shouldn't have been dropped ITFP) they can & should do so with Hodge.

Although injured he doesn't need to prove himself. Even though the squad is being picked on monday, the 1st test begins on the Feb 26th. Victoria have 4 domestic OD games (if Hodge returns from injury) while AUS play NZ. If he shows good, he must get picked.

 

[popepouri]

It is absurd to drop Duminy! What're some of you thinking?

It's also silly to drop Boucher - AB keeping in ODIs and tests is a whole different issue.

Harris is needed as the sole spinner.

I'd swap McKenzie for Prince, and leave the rest of the team unchanged.

Prince had a terrible tour in India yet he bounced back in England. There is no point throwing McKenzie to the wolves yet when he had an exceptional year last year. It asks too many questions if you push Amla to open.

AB keeping in the ODIs didn't affect his batting. In fact he score more runs. Tests will be different but again, I don't think he would fail at his keeping or at his batting. They'll probably have to push him down the order to 7.

 

[vic_orthdox]

at Brad Hodge getting selected. Will not happen.

 

[pasag]

at Brad Hodge getting selected. Will not happen.

Speaking for myself, it's who I would select not who is going to be selected.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Sick of aussie talking about it, tbh.

And for all the stats men out here, hasn't made a FC run this year, I'm pretty sure.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

And for all the stats men out here, hasn't made a FC run this year, I'm pretty sure.

He knocked up a ton in the first Shield match I think, at the Adelaide Oval, but hasn't scored a run since I don't think.

 

[Matt79]

Sick of aussie talking about it, tbh.

And for all the stats men out here, hasn't made a FC run this year, I'm pretty sure.

Oh come on, it provides welcome variety to his whining about Noffke.

 

[oldmancraigy]

So McDonald picked up 4 wickets today...

If he scores runs in the next game is it safe to say that he retains his position?

So far he seems the most likely option IF they want to persist with Hauritz.

 

[Johnners]

Oh come on, it provides welcome variety to his whining about Noffke.

Or Hussey moving up the order.

 

[TT Boy]

Jeff Thomson on Nathan Hauritz...

"They better not be taking that refugee from Queensland that plays in Sydney. Nathan Hauritz should be called Nathan Horror."



Mitchell Malinga

 

[aussie]

Haa, well excuse me for being a concerned supporter..

Sick of aussie talking about it, tbh.

And for all the stats men out here, hasn't made a FC run this year, I'm pretty sure.

You or others being sick of me bringing up the FACT that Hodge should be in the Australian test XI, doesn't mean anything to me. This is cricket chat isn't it.

Of course its highly likely he won't be picked, but why take the approach of "oh what the hell they wont pick him what the hell"?. Are you not concerned about the best squad going to SA??.

Or Hussey moving up the order.

I have already given valid reasoning on why it would be the best conservative choice for the SA tour. That is my ideology currently, until any reasons that disproves this arises.

Oh come on, it provides welcome variety to his whining about Noffke.

Ha, well if im whinning of the that crap of a player called Noffke. If he's not picked for the SA tour. I hope, with the high probability that SA will expose the bowling attack during the test series. You don't even mention during the series that "Noffke should have been picked"

 

[vic_orthdox]

Hodge's first class form hasn't demanded a recall. Additionally, he's basically been cast aside because he's too loose outside off in Test cricket, in the view of selectors. He basically bats the same as Haddin - and if Haddin didn't have glovework behind him, he would've never been picked for the same reason.

Basically, the two best options right now in terms of consistent scoring in SS cricket over the past two seasons are openers, in Rogers and Hughes. Add in a guy who averages high 40s in Test cricket opening; and you want to move a very good no. 4 to opening why?

Noffke is coming off an injury, hasn't got form behind him, and Siddle is arguably a better bowler already, and definitely has the potential to be a better bowler. And Noffke will never be good enough to play Test cricket at no. 7.

 

[social]

Hodge's first class form hasn't demanded a recall. Additionally, he's basically been cast aside because he's too loose outside off in Test cricket, in the view of selectors. He basically bats the same as Haddin - and if Haddin didn't have glovework behind him, he would've never been picked for the same reason.

Basically, the two best options right now in terms of consistent scoring in SS cricket over the past two seasons are openers, in Rogers and Hughes. Add in a guy who averages high 40s in Test cricket opening; and you want to move a very good no. 4 to opening why?

Noffke is coming off an injury, hasn't got form behind him, and Siddle is arguably a better bowler already, and definitely has the potential to be a better bowler. And Noffke will never be good enough to play Test cricket at no. 7.

Agreed

Hodge has basically been discarded after a string of failures in the last Indian ODI series and a consistent mode of dismissal in both forms of the game - the fact that he has been outspoken in his views was simply the straw that broke the camel's back in term of recall

Noffke should definitely be considered for ODIs but there are plenty of better options when talking about a specialist bowler in tests

 

[inbox24]

With their comments, both Hodge and Noffke will basically never see international cricket again. Their best bets would probably be trying to garner some cash in the IPL and end their careers as millionaires.

I'm wondering if Australia should go back to Andy Bichel for South Africa? He's got some experience, some genuine 'rip through teams' bowling ability and sure he's almost 40 but he's still quite fit (although might be injured atm).

 

[vic_orthdox]

Yeah, the whole "Hasn't played a FC game this season" thing might work against him...

Heard Bruce Reid is still playing some indoor cricket though.

 

[pasag]

 

[inbox24]

What's funny? Although if he has been out the whole season then he's no chance. But they could have at least considered him if he was playing this season and in form (as he always is).

 

[vic_orthdox]

Hasn't played a game this season, and took one SS wicket in 2007/08.

"Sorry Dougie, but Bich's got the runs on the board."

 

[Nate]

I'm wondering if Australia should go back to Andy Bichel for South Africa? He's got some experience, some genuine 'rip through teams' bowling ability and sure he's almost 40 but he's still quite fit (although might be injured atm).

Got nothing here.