*Official* Sri Lanka in Australia 2010

[Prince EWS]

Well tbh, I wouldn't even play a spinner in the first test in the Ashes. But my point was if the selectors are playing a spinner, they shouldn't let Hauritz's position in the team be set in concrete. IMO he just hasn't proved he is good enough to warrant such conservatism.

To be honest, given the Shield records of all the spinners in the country, it's frankly amazing we've managed to get one to play for a while and average under 60 in Test cricket. Particularly one that isn't McGain.

It's not like there's a lot of performing competition for Hauritz's Test spinner spot other than O'Keefe who is very inexperienced.

 

[Ruckus]

Who said it's in concrete? I don't get it, right now, why does it have to be either 'he's definitely in/out'? The patterns of games he's played and missed suggest all the selectors are doing now is giving him every opportunity to play and get some form behind him.

Exactly, which is as good as saying "your playing in the Ashes".

 

[Ruckus]

To be honest, given the Shield records of all the spinners in the country, it's frankly amazing we've managed to get one to play for a while and average under 60 in Test cricket. Particularly one that isn't McGain.

It's not like there's a lot of performing competition for Hauritz's Test spinner spot other than O'Keefe who is very inexperienced.

There is O'Keefe, and tbh, even though Doherty's FC record is pretty bad, I think he looks far more dangerous than Hauritz. If Hauritz is playing in the Ashes just to conserve runs etc. I don't think he is even needed - North etc. can manage that. If, however, he is being selected to take wickets, then his role is the team should be pretty shaky imo.

 

[Spark]

I don't think Doherty looked more dangerous that Hauritz... was gifted a few wickets by batsmen misreading straight ones.

 

[Ruckus]

I don't think Doherty looked more dangerous that Hauritz... was gifted a few wickets by batsmen misreading straight ones.

I disagree. Was getting good turn and drift, and was remarkably consistent for a debutant as well.

 

[Johnners]

"Hmm, this Australian line-up looks suspiciously like the test line up," says Pete. "Swap Smith for Katich (and Haddin in the order) and McKay for Hilfenhaus. Ashes warm up perhaps? How Xavier Doherty isn't rewarded from Wednesday's performance is beyond me!" You'd also have to include North and Bollinger, but I think that is one reason Hauritz is in. They want to get some overs into him.

It's suspiciously like the test team, despite the fact that almost half the test team isn't playing...

 

[Spark]

I swear, a lot of the guys who comment on cricinfo are youtube-standard morons.

 

[Jayzamann]

I bet whoever is in charge of trawling through the emails just puts that sort of stuff out there for kicks.

 

[Burgey]

I disagree. Was getting good turn and drift, and was remarkably consistent for a debutant as well.

Yeah but it's a bold man to say when a fella with a FC average in the 40s debuts well in an ODI that he will be the duck's nuts in a test match at a none-too-friendly spin venue.

Plenty of bowlers are gun at ODIs but mud at tests. Simon Davis, Chris Harris etc. Don't know how much you can take from Doherty's ODI debut for tests, if anything. I was excited about it, but from a ODI WC perspective, not a Test one.

 

[Spark]

Hmmm....

 

[Burgey]

Hmmm....

Didn't think it was that bad a post I made mate

 

[Spark]

Didn't think it was that bad a post I made mate

Almost as bad as Johnson's first over

 

[Prince EWS]

There is O'Keefe, and tbh, even though Doherty's FC record is pretty bad, I think he looks far more dangerous than Hauritz. If Hauritz is playing in the Ashes just to conserve runs etc. I don't think he is even needed - North etc. can manage that. If, however, he is being selected to take wickets, then his role is the team should be pretty shaky imo.

Picking a bowler who averages 50 in First Class cricket because you think having a guy averaging 35 or so isn't acceptable is just asking for it though, so please no Doherty in Tests. O'Keefe's a bit different but really, given the records of our spinners, to have a spinner that we play in almost every game average 35 or so has been a miracle.

Picking four quicks on most pitches is something I'm in favour of. I'd pick an all-pace attack in Australia and then take Krejza in on the subcontinent where he's a lot more suited. Dropping Hauritz for another spinner (barring perhaps O'Keefe) and playing them in Australia shows a lack of understanding for just how bad the rest are here though.

 

[Ruckus]

Yeah but it's a bold man to say when a fella with a FC average in the 40s debuts well in an ODI that he will be the duck's nuts in a test match at a none-too-friendly spin venue.

Plenty of bowlers are gun at ODIs but mud at tests. Simon Davis, Chris Harris etc. Don't know how much you can take from Doherty's ODI debut for tests, if anything. I was excited about it, but from a ODI WC perspective, not a Test one.

Yeh well obviously they would be pretty reckless to put Doherty into the Ashes after just this performance, but they still don't have the balls the give him another game/s over Hauritz to weigh up their choices a bit better.

It seems clear to me they are set on playing Hauritz, no matter what happens pre-Ashes.

 

[Athlai]

When was the last time Australia played 7 Test players in the ODI team, seems like they don't do it as often these days.

 

[Maximus0723]

Man, I so don't like Dilshan.

 

[Jayzamann]

No Dockhertee today?

**** were the selectors even watching the last game?

 

[Spark]

Nice drift from Hauritz.

 

[benchmark00]

Wish they'd shut those ****ing drums up.

 

[Ruckus]

Picking a bowler who averages 50 in First Class cricket because you think having a guy averaging 35 or so isn't acceptable is just asking for it though, so please no Doherty in Tests. O'Keefe's a bit different but really, given the records of our spinners, to have a spinner that we play in almost every game average 35 or so has been a miracle.

Picking four quicks on most pitches is something I'm in favour of. I'd pick an all-pace attack in Australia and then take Krejza in on the subcontinent where he's a lot more suited. Dropping Hauritz for another spinner (barring perhaps O'Keefe) and playing them in Australia shows a lack of understanding for just how bad the rest are here though.

I'd be keen to take a risk with the spinner for the first test tbh. Whatever happens, the Gabba shouldn't be dominated by spinners, so if they got a debutant in who starts getting bashed around, just take him off! On the other hand, if a spinner was chosen who looks more dangerous than Hauritz, they might end up getting a 5-for. Its not like Hauritz is going to be a necessity for the Gabba anyway, so why not just take a risk.