*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[Ruckus]

Hoping for the same eleven now tbh. Because I just know that if I hope for changes, I'll get Doherty, Siddle and Ferguson.. and I don't want that.

I don't get this infatuation with Ferguson. When there is someone like Khawaja in the squad whose record is so far superior, how could they justify the inclusion of Ferguson?

 

[GotSpin]

What's actually the point of putting these squads up. Surely if a player destroys in upcoming shield or tour matches they'll be in contention.

 

[Prince EWS]

I don't get this infatuation with Ferguson. When there is someone like Khawaja in the squad whose record is so far superior, how could they justify the inclusion of Ferguson?

It's a shame for me personally because Ferguson used to be one of my favourite state cricketers. Absolutely gorgeous strokeplayer whose flaws made him frustrating but endearing, and so satisfying to follow on the rare occasion he did something. His rise to fame as the poster boy the knee-jerking, ageist faction of the Australian cricketing public despite not really doing anywhere near enough in First Class to justify being in the Test frame has quickly made him a cricketer I actually don't like seeing succeed though, which saddens me on a personal level.

I've actually always said that his technique and attitude meant he'd be likely to translate First Class success to Test level should he ever have any, and that selectors shouldn't hesitate too much in picking him if he put a couple of really good seasons together (or even one amazing one) but he hasn't done that. What he's done is had one decent but not outstanding First Class season with the bat, scored some ODI runs and captured the attention of the youth brigade - not for his performances, but for his aesthetics and his age. He's had a lot of undeserved promotions in his career based on potential and I think it'd be great for his development as a cricketer to actually have to earn his Australian Test spot in the way someone like Mike Hussey did, but alas he's probably going to get a place based on little evidence again and continue along in his career doing what he's done for everyone else he's played for, looking awesome but averaging 35. Something needs to be done to teach the guy that he should be doing better - promoting him is probably not it.

 

[four_or_six]

Just saw the squad. I'm slightly worried for the Aussies, do they realise the series is at home? Looks like they've got a touring squad.

 

[Oscillatingmind]

No point picking Hughes has averaged about 15 in his last 5 matches

 

[GotSpin]

No point picking Hughes has averaged about 15 in his last 5 matches

Agree. If Katich can't open I'd bring Usman potentially in there. Unfortunately, Hughes and Jacques are both hopeless atm.

 

[Prince EWS]

Taking Hughes all over the world, not playing and making him miss Shield games was a particularly stupid idea after dropping him.

 

[Athlai]

If Katto is injured they'd pick outside the squad.

 

[Prince EWS]

If Katto is injured they'd pick outside the squad.

Honestly don't know if they would - Khawaja's a natural opener; he just doesn't open in First Class cricket because NSW have 273847234734 openers. It definitely strikes me as odd that they'd pick a squad of 17 without naming a cover for their most in doubt player.

If Hughes or Marsh did something extraordinary for Australia A they'd probably call them up, but if they didn't I think we'd just see Usman opening.

 

[GotSpin]

Ideally, if Katman can't play, Khawaja could open and then Ronny could replace North in the middle.

 

[Ruckus]

No point picking Hughes has averaged about 15 in his last 5 matches

I don't agree with that. Hughes has proved he is a quality batsman, especially in Australian conditions given his excellent FC record. He has also proved he is capable of performing in test cricket as well (e.g. SA). As Prince EWS said, he hasn't exactly had ideal practice conditions for the few months or so. IMO he is still easily the best candidate to open should Katich withdraw.

 

[Jayzamann]

Kind of depressing to wonder where Hughes would be right now if he was persisted with the same way Hussey and North have been.

 

[GotSpin]

I don't agree with that. Hughes has proved he is a quality batsman, especially in Australian conditions given his excellent FC record. He has also proved he is capable of performing in test cricket as well (e.g. SA). As Prince EWS said, he hasn't exactly had ideal practice conditions for the few months or so. IMO he is still easily the best candidate to open should Katich withdraw.

No point picking a batsmen, whatever their future potential is, if they can barely scrape together any runs in the now.

 

[Johnners]

Honestly don't know if they would - Khawaja's a natural opener; he just doesn't open in First Class cricket because NSW have 273847234734 openers. It definitely strikes me as odd that they'd pick a squad of 17 without naming a cover for their most in doubt player.

If Hughes or Marsh did something extraordinary for Australia A they'd probably call them up, but if they didn't I think we'd just see Usman opening.

Marsh isn't playing (injured), Cowan in for him.

 

[Prince EWS]

Marsh isn't playing (injured), Cowan in for him.

Well they won't pick Cowan to open the batting for Australia, as gun at that would be.

 

[GotSpin]

Would be awesome if they did

 

[Ruckus]

No point picking a batsmen, whatever their future potential is, if they can barely scrape together any runs in the now.

Its not future potential though. It is what he is actually capable of now. Sure he failed in England a few times, but he still averages over 50 in tests with a FC record to back it up. The problem with picking players on FC form alone is often that form disappears when making the switch to test cricket. Hughes has already been in and out of the team multiple times now, and has some invaluable test experience. That for me far outweighs any sporadic flashes of brilliance a certain player might make in recent FC matches.

 

[Sylvester]

Yeah there's no way you'll convince me that McDonald isn't one of the best seventeen cricketers in the country. I'd definitely be tempted to include him at the Gabba - I'd bat him at eight, leave Hauritz out and utilise him as a fourth seamer. He'd prop up the middle order which has had its woes recently, and he can provide a holding role with the ball. If the wicket has a bit in it he can get some movement and be a real handful, and he's also very good at exploiting an up and down surface should the bounce become inconsistent on the last day. I know I've said in the past that Watson's existence makes him surplus to requirements, but he's a gun option if you're leaving out a spinner because he doesn't even need to bowl much to add to the team.

Still don't like the idea of McDonald at 8, I'd prefer 4 specialist bowlers and if we wanted the 4 seamers then someone like McKay or George could do the same role with that extra pace. However I wouldn't say no to McDonald at 6 where we can then use his bowling if required and hes the in form batsmen atm.

 

[iamdavid]

It's a shame for me personally because Ferguson used to be one of my favourite state cricketers. Absolutely gorgeous strokeplayer whose flaws made him frustrating but endearing, and so satisfying to follow on the rare occasion he did something. His rise to fame as the poster boy the knee-jerking, ageist faction of the Australian cricketing public despite not really doing anywhere near enough in First Class to justify being in the Test frame has quickly made him a cricketer I actually don't like seeing succeed though, which saddens me on a personal level.

I've actually always said that his technique and attitude meant he'd be likely to translate First Class success to Test level should he ever have any, and that selectors shouldn't hesitate too much in picking him if he put a couple of really good seasons together (or even one amazing one) but he hasn't done that. What he's done is had one decent but not outstanding First Class season with the bat, scored some ODI runs and captured the attention of the youth brigade - not for his performances, but for his aesthetics and his age. He's had a lot of undeserved promotions in his career based on potential and I think it'd be great for his development as a cricketer to actually have to earn his Australian Test spot in the way someone like Mike Hussey did, but alas he's probably going to get a place based on little evidence again and continue along in his career doing what he's done for everyone else he's played for, looking awesome but averaging 35. Something needs to be done to teach the guy that he should be doing better - promoting him is probably not it.

I agree with every word of that.

He has shown some character in his brief ODI career, and he's always looked like a player who might have what it takes to eventually step up to test cricket. But at the end of the day he's played five seasons of shield cricket on the flattest track in the country and averaged 35, plus he's two games back from a 15 month injury break.

I find it amazing some of the more informed cricket pundits in the press haven't put more scrutiny on the fact he suddenly appears to be in the test frame. I reckon selecting Mark Cosgrove to bat in the middle order would have more merit at the moment (serious), at least he has shown glimpses of consistency at first class level.

 

[Prince EWS]

I reckon selecting Mark Cosgrove to bat in the middle order would have more merit at the moment (serious), at least he has shown glimpses of consistency at first class level.

Definitely.