Ricky Ponting should be sacked

[vic_orthdox]

Hmm, tough one indeed, which is why I think that North will remain. Maybe if Haddin were fit you'd bat him at 6, Smith at 7, Hauritz at 8 and Johnson at 9.

 

[honestbharani]

Hmm, tough one indeed, which is why I think that North will remain. Maybe if Haddin were fit you'd bat him at 6, Smith at 7, Hauritz at 8 and Johnson at 9.

I guess you could have Paine bat 6, tbh.. He looked the goods.

 

[Spark]

I guess you could have Paine bat 6, tbh.. He looked the goods.

He did. Player who came out with the most credit for the series for us IMO.

 

[vic_orthdox]

I guess you could have Paine bat 6, tbh.. He looked the goods.

Spent most of his career doing so, only to average just a tick over 30. And I think generally Australians coming in down the order for their first tour of the sub-continent will often be exposed.

 

[Prince EWS]

I guess you could have Paine bat 6, tbh.. He looked the goods.

Paine's got a good technique but he's nowhere near good enough to play as a specialist batsman at this point, especially not in India as he's weak against spin. He's scored on First Class ton in 39 games and averages 30 odd. Even while looking so well-equipped in his two Tests he got really bogged down at times and didn't actually manage a fifty.

 

[honestbharani]

Spent most of his career doing so, only to average just a tick over 30. And I think generally Australians coming in down the order for their first tour of the sub-continent will often be exposed.

Sure but feel you have to bite the bullet a bit if you want to win series in India and this would be a good gamble, esp. given that blokes like North don't seem likely to produce as much runs as Paine or Haddin anyways...


5 bowlers and 2 spinners will give you good depth and variety for the Indian conditions.

 

[Furball]

Hmm, tough one indeed, which is why I think that North will remain. Maybe if Haddin were fit you'd bat him at 6, Smith at 7, Hauritz at 8 and Johnson at 9.

I'm not a fan of that move, weakens an already weak batting lineup unnecessarily and doesn't improve the bowling enough to win you games.

Spinners won't win you Tests and series in India: it's your pace bowlers who have to do the damage.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm not a fan of that move, weakens an already weak batting lineup unnecessarily and doesn't improve the bowling enough to win you games.

Spinners won't win you Tests and series in India: it's your pace bowlers who have to do the damage.

Smith's arguably the next best middle order bat regardless of his bowling though; that's the thing. It's not an argument I necessarily agree with but it could be made.

 

[Shri]

Would love to see Hughes play in India. I would go with something like this:

P Hughes
S Katich
R Poontang
M Clarke
M Hussey
S Watson
T Paine
M Johnson
N Hauritz
D Bollinger
P Siddle / Hilfy / R Harris

Steve Smith and Khawaja on stand by as back up in case of injury.

 

[Prince EWS]

Watson should not be any lower than four. It's just suicide.

 

[Shri]

Watson should not be any lower than four. It's just suicide.

Katich to 6(he started out in tests in that position) and Watson to open then?

 

[Furball]

Watson should not be any lower than four. It's just suicide.

Hughes
Katich
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
Hussey

White and Smith as yer backups.

 

[Spark]

Katich to 6(he started out in tests in that position) and Watson to open then?

No, leave Katich where he is.

Don't think Paine has done enough to oust Haddin tbh. Impressive but 2 tests is 2 tests. Needs to go to FC cricket and turn his obvious talent into runs.

 

[Prince EWS]

Hughes
Katich
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
Hussey

White and Smith as yer backups.

Well I'd agree with that completely if the series coming up wasn't in India. As Jack said though, Watson taking advantage of the new ball and Ponting coming in early before it's turning too much is definitely the best way to go there. We need to just find another number six for now; I guess it has to be Khawaja or Smith as it stands.

 

[social]

Reckon Hughes could score really big in India with the lowish bounce and pace of their wickets

Obviously, this means he'll be injured or not selected

 

[Spark]

Unfortunate truth there, social...

If North scores big against the kind of pedestrian bowling that could be served up (no offence to any Indians reading this but I can't think of any kinder-whilst-accurate term to describe what's been on show today and recently) then I really will smash my head on my desk multiple times.

 

[Matt79]

Usually, its better to change captains after the end of a cricketing season. So there is atleast a month or more gap.
I think Australia have that break after the World Cup.. I would like Ponting to stay till then and then retire gracefully after the World Cup.

I think he has never talked about retirement because he honestly believed he had a realistic chance of going past Tendulkar's batting record in Tests. I dont see that happening now. So he should kind of hint that he plans to call it a day after the WC.

I have no doubt whatsoever that the idea of taking the record of Tendulkar has had NO impact at all in his decision to date to continue. Players are pretty consistent, and I believe them, that individual records mean little to them in the scheme of things. They play because they are competitive beasts who love the game and love the team environment - and because once you're retired, you're retired a long time. He has two young kids and a family here, I really doubt the idea of overtaking Tendulkar would be enough of a draw to be a major influence on his decision - especially given that it always seemed a chancy prospect at best and that it won't affect the regard with which he's held in Australia.

 

[Spark]

I have no doubt whatsoever that the idea of taking the record of Tendulkar has had NO impact at all in his decision to date to continue. Players are pretty consistent, and I believe them, that individual records mean little to them in the scheme of things. They play because they are competitive beasts who love the game and love the team environment - and because once you're retired, you're retired a long time. He has two young kids and a family here, I really doubt the idea of overtaking Tendulkar would be enough of a draw to be a major influence on his decision - especially given that it always seemed a chancy prospect at best and that it won't affect the regard with which he's held in Australia.

Indeed, regardless of what happens, he will be remembered for his godlike batting in his pomp (for me it will be 3rd Test 2005 hundred and the Gabba 06 almost-double-hundred that stick out in my mind for different reasons, but both were superlative knocks) and winning 5-0. But he'll also be remembered as the man who lost the Ashes twice, and presuming he does give up the captaincy soon, the man who failed to lead a side to victory in England in three attempts.

 

[Matt79]

I'd like North out of the team in favour of Hughes for India. I'd go:
Hughes
Katich
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
Hussey

I take Jack's point about Ponting being at three to avoid facing spinners when he first comes in, but based on what we've seen in their duels over the years, can there be any doubt that Harby will be brought on IMMEDIATELY when Ponting comes out to bat, no matter when that is - even if he opened?

Would love for Ponting to finally address his poor record in India in this series, but somehow doubt it will happen.

 

[Spark]

I'd like North out of the team in favour of Hughes for India. I'd go:
Hughes
Katich
Watson
Clarke
Ponting
Hussey

I take Jack's point about Ponting being at three to avoid facing spinners when he first comes in, but based on what we've seen in their duels over the years, can there be any doubt that Harby will be brought on IMMEDIATELY when Ponting comes out to bat, no matter when that is - even if he opened?

Would love for Ponting to finally address his poor record in India in this series, but somehow doubt it will happen.

No doubt but geez the psychological banter that will go on about moving Ponting to 5.