*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[Jarquis]

47

??

 

[howardj]

I agree it's going to be a gamble if they choose a spinner. Four seamers looks a safer option. Surely they're not selecting a left-arm offie on the premise that KP will struggle against him ??

Think we'll need a spinner to be honest. I think these two team are fairly evenly matched, and am of the view that these Tests this series could go deep into Day 4 and into Day 5. Also, despite predictions, it's looking like it will not be wet up here in Brisbane next week and it has been relatively dry this past week too. Plus, the Test pitch is generally a belter.

 

[howardj]

??

His average in FC cricket.

 

[Woodster]

Actually thought Waylon was going to be Monty's bit**

 

[Ruckus]

Using Smith as an 8, you're effectively losing a bowler in the side if he's to be used sparingly, so you're relying on your bits and pieces - Watson, North, Clarke, etc, to fill in, when you can go in with four specialist bowlers that will share the workload. I appreciate my evaluation of Watson may be somewhat flippant, but he is essentially a batsman that bowls a few overs, perhaps slightly better than that.

Na I can't agree with that at all. Watson is one of our best bowlers. As you said, the whole idea would be to use Smith and North etc. as variation. Clearly Mark Taylor agrees with me haha.

 

[Jarquis]

His average in FC cricket.

Yeah, what is it now?

 

[howardj]

yeah, what is it now?

46?

 

[Woodster]

Think we'll need a spinner to be honest. I think these two team are fairly evenly matched, and am of the view that these Tests this series could go deep into Day 4 and into Day 5. Also, despite predictions, it's looking like it will not be wet up here in Brisbane next week and it has been relatively dry this past week too. Plus, the Test pitch is generally a belter.

I agree in that they'll generally go into the last day, and if that is the case then it's handy to have a specialist spinner on board. If it is going to be a dry pitch, and not the seamer's paradise they're perhaps predicting in some parts, then it makes absolute sense to have a spinner. Is Xavier Doherty that much better than Hauritz to upset the continuity of the side ?

 

[Jarquis]

Is Smith actually a better spinner than North?

 

[Jarquis]

46?

Try 43

 

[Woodster]

Na I can't agree with that at all. Watson is one of our best bowlers. As you said, the whole idea would be to use Smith and North etc. as variation. Clearly Mark Taylor agrees with me haha.

Perhaps that's a reflection on your current bowling stocks rather than anything too crash hot with Watson. Certainly don't expect him to cause us too many worries. He's a useful option for a few overs if the specialists are not managing the job.

 

[howardj]

I agree in that they'll generally go into the last day, and if that is the case then it's handy to have a specialist spinner on board. If it is going to be a dry pitch, and not the seamer's paradise they're perhaps predicting in some parts, then it makes absolute sense to have a spinner. Is Xavier Doherty that much better than Hauritz to upset the continuity of the side ?

WIth Doherty v Hauritz they made the change because:
- Doherty takes the ball away from the bat
- While neither are big wicket takers, Doherty they feel is likely to leak less runs
- Boonie threatened to glass them with his stubby

 

[howardj]

Try 43

Still better than North

 

[Woodster]

As you said, the whole idea would be to use Smith and North etc. as variation. Clearly Mark Taylor agrees with me haha.

Would be negative that really, extending the batting line-up at the risk of losing a real bowling option, but then again you guys do seem worried.

 

[Ruckus]

Here's how I'd rate the 'likely' teams:


Batting:

Openers: Watson and Katich (slightly) > Strauss and Cook
Ponting>Trott
Clarke=Pietersen
Hussey=Collingwood
Bell>North
Prior (slightly)>Haddin

Bowling:

Johnson>Broad
Swann (much) > Doherty
Hilfenhaus>Anderson
Bollinger>Finn

 

[Ruckus]

Would be negative that really, extending the batting line-up at the risk of losing a real bowling option, but then again you guys do seem worried.

It's not really losing a bowler though, because spin shouldn't play a major role anyway. So it's essentially just gaining a batsman, given that Watson can make up the 4th seamer. I think you are massively underestimating Watson as well. He bowls very well in conditions which are good for swing and seam movement (i.e. the Gabba at the moment). I'd go as far as to say he is probably the best bowler out of those 4 quicks in those conditions.

 

[GotSpin]

Worst Squad ever. Thanks a ****inglot chappelli

 

[howardj]

Worst Squad ever. Thanks a ****inglot chappelli

Yeah, they may as well not have replaced Mervyn.

 

[Spikey]

Also looks to me as though they haven't played Doherty in the A game to keep the English batsmen from facing him.

To me they didn't pick Doherty for Hobart cause they presumed Sydney would be a spinning pitch, but....

About the squad, well there's only 4 people I would drop from it...........

 

[Spikey]

pretty sure I'll kill myself when they announce Siddle is playing over Dougeh