**Official** Tour Matches

[pasag]

McDonald sounds in ridiculously good form with the bat in the commentators are to be believed.

Played very pleasantly, itbt.

 

[pup11]

Great to see Prince score some runs, hope this lifts his confidence a bit.

Like others have already mentioned its petty baffling to see Ronny McDonald open, it kind of indicates that Australia are pretty likely to play either Watto or Macca at Edgbaston.

Thought the Australian bowling was really disappointing, both Watto and Clark who are vying for test spots were the pick of the bowlers, the rest of the bowlers were below par (or so it seems), Siddle might have taken the most wickets among the Aussie bowlers, but his economy rate suggest he wasn't bowling all that well either, so the bowling is without doubt a big worry leading into the all important 3rd test.

 

[sparkey]

Siddle will make way for Stuart Clark, Hughes is making timely runs at the moment but would like to press on tonight

 

[Top_Cat]

Nah, but that it was McDonald and not say, Watson or North, is the surprise. Not many people really thought McDonald was a chance for the third Test but they seem intent on giving him another bat which is some indication that he might be in the mix.

Yeah, certainly is a pointer that they're thinking of dropping North for an all-rounder. If they were serious about giving Norf some middle time, would have opened with him I'd say. Guessing Watto's bowling just isn't quite there yet.

 

[Demolition Man]

Such a strange Tour Match. Watson and Clark begging to be chosen. If Clark doesn't play the Third, it will be absolutely baffling.

As baffling as hussey not playing in the 2005 series.

 

[Demolition Man]

Nah, but that it was McDonald and not say, Watson or North, is the surprise. Not many people really thought McDonald was a chance for the third Test but they seem intent on giving him another bat which is some indication that he might be in the mix.

God knows why, he bats like a bunny at test level, would have him batting below johnson surely.

 

[Demolition Man]

Yeah, certainly is a pointer that they're thinking of dropping North for an all-rounder. If they were serious about giving Norf some middle time, would have opened with him I'd say. Guessing Watto's bowling just isn't quite there yet.

North the guy who scored an unbeaten centruy in the first test and first tour game and who admirably held up an end at lords in the absence of hauritz, indeed he stemmed the flow of alot of runs on that first day. Would be crazy to drop him in my opinion.
McDonald would get in the team for his bowling and going on his performance in the tour match I do not see it happening.

I think Watson is a chance to come in if mitch plays, but they could just replace johnson with clark but I don't see it happening.

 

[Richard]

Prince (Y)

Mitch (N)

Yeah, very good job for Hughes that he managed that score.

 

[Richard]

As baffling as hussey not playing in the 2005 series.

Way more so. There was no serious suggestion from anyone that anyone other than the six specialist bats who played in 2005 were going to play beforehand, the idea of Hussey playing is one based purely on hindsight; everyone was expecting Clark to start this series and from what I still know now, he should have done.

 

[Top_Cat]

Way more so. There was no serious suggestion from anyone that anyone other than the six specialist bats who played in 2005 were going to play beforehand, the idea of Hussey playing is one based purely on hindsight; everyone was expecting Clark to start this series and from what I still know now, he should have done.

Define 'everyone'. Because from what was being reported, Clark was never a certain starter for the first Test. The only people I saw saying it were on here. I'd be shocked if there's a single article which quotes a selector or anyone around the team saying that. Selecting Clark for the first two Tests, pure hindsight.

 

[Richard]

Everyone on here was expecting him to play; no-one anywhere was expecting Hilfenhaus to play. Join the dots. No-one confirmed "Clark is in our minds" because it seemed so obvious.

Whereas in 2005 there was one reference to the idea of Hussey coming in anywhere that I've seen, by Jesse AKA Slow LoveTM on here. The middle-order was a closed shop and everyone but everyone was expecting it to do decently enough in the five Tests.

 

[pup11]

Manou batting ahead of North, despite North not scoring many in the 1st innings, its seems like a pretty obvious indication that North might not be picked for the next test.

 

[Top_Cat]

Everyone on here was expecting him to play; no-one anywhere was expecting Hilfenhaus to play. Join the dots. No-one confirmed "Clark is in our minds" because it seemed so obvious.

Like I said, I heard nothing of that nature through the press.

Anyway, it was far from obvious. He hadn't played any FC cricket for months so was far from a certainty.

And if you trawl through my posts you'll see I was one of those backing Hilf to retain his spot from SA so that 'no-one' saw him playing isn't true. I wasn't the only one either; was far from a genius conclusion.

 

[social]

Manou batting ahead of North, despite North not scoring many in the 1st innings, its seems like a pretty obvious indication that North might not be picked for the next test.

Never assume anything with the Oz selectors

Ponting has already intimated that the team will be unchanged and this might be nothing more sinister than giving guys a bat

 

[pasag]

A bit OT, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that Shane Watson's the best limited overs batsman in Australia, IMO.

 

[Richard]

Manou batting ahead of North, despite North not scoring many in the 1st innings, its seems like a pretty obvious indication that North might not be picked for the next test.

Certainly seems to suggest they've made-up their minds - whether he's absolutely certain to play or absolutely certain not to.

Must say I would laugh so much if the plan was for Watson to replace him and Watson got injured in the next few days.

 

[Richard]

Like I said, I heard nothing of that nature through the press.

Anyway, it was far from obvious. He hadn't played any FC cricket for months so was far from a certainty.

And if you trawl through my posts you'll see I was one of those backing Hilf to retain his spot from SA so that 'no-one' saw him playing isn't true. I wasn't the only one either; was far from a genius conclusion.

Most people denounced it as "****ing ridiculous" or similar when it was announced. All the Sky team seemed relatively taken by surprise, doubly so as Clark had played and bowled pretty decently in the game against England A.

I heard nothing in the press suggesting Hilfenhaus was going to play. If you can show me something, please do.

Anyway I don't know why we're having this discussion actually, because the original comment my reply was to pertained to this next Test - and Clark's selection or non-selection for this next Test hasn't happened yet.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

A bit OT, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that Shane Watson's the best limited overs batsman in Australia, IMO.

Bit of a stretch at the moment, he's certainly the best T20 batsman in the side but I think Ponting is still our best 50 over player despite his recent poor form, Hussey and Haddin right up there as well.

 

[Top_Cat]

Anyway I don't know why we're having this discussion actually, because the original comment my reply was to pertained to this next Test - and Clark's selection or non-selection for this next Test hasn't happened yet.

Good point.

 

[pasag]

Bit of a stretch at the moment, he's certainly the best T20 batsman in the side but I think Ponting is still our best 50 over player despite his recent poor form, Hussey and Haddin right up there as well.

Well, if you disagree then must be way off

Some very glowing praise of the Huss on BBC radio.