howardj
International Coach
Picked up a four-for in the Shield game that's going on.
Haven't heard that he's pulled up badly.
I like the fact that he and Bollinger are always at the batsman.
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*Official* First Test at the Gabba
- Thread starter James
- Start date
Haven't heard that he's pulled up badly.
I like the fact that he and Bollinger are always at the batsman.
NUFAN
Y no Afghanistan flag
O'Keefe > Doherty
Khawaja > Clarke injured
Bollinger > Johnson
Harris > Hilfenhaus
Smith > North
Watson Katich Ponting Khawaja Hussey Haddin Smith OKeefe Harris Siddle Bollinger.
I'm only quarter serious but I think the selectors will e considering these 5 options but obviously will not change all 5.
howardj
International Coach
Good work there.
I think the selectors will **** themselves, ala with the Hughes dumping in 2009, if they think the Ashes are slipping.
That said, they are changes they should seriiously entertain.
superkingdave
Hall of Fame Member
Last edited:
BoyBrumby
Englishman
I'm inclined to agree that cutting Doherty after one test would be very harsh, but I think it's already obvious he isn't a spinner for the ages (an accusation one could level at any of his rival crim twirlers too, in all fairness) and some of the other options (O'Keefe, Hauritz and even Smith were he to play as the nominal specialist) have more ability with the willow.
If Johnson is cut for Bollinger it'd lengthen the tail so the spinner's runs could be a factor in the selectors' thought processes.
If Johnson is cut for Bollinger it'd lengthen the tail so the spinner's runs could be a factor in the selectors' thought processes.
Howe_zat
Audio File
If Johnson gets dropped - and it's a big if - there won't be a straight swap for Bollinger, they can't risk a tail like that. Dropping him would also push Smith further out as they'd have more reason to play experienced batsmen down to 7.
(Personally I think of Smith as a batting all-rounder if not just a batsman, but the selectors see it differently)
(Personally I think of Smith as a batting all-rounder if not just a batsman, but the selectors see it differently)
Woodster
International Captain
Reasonable options to be mulling over. Would think Khawaja's going to have to score big in the 2nd innings for NSW to be in with a shout, although if as you predict, Clarke will be injured then maybe not so. The bowling options if Australia don't penetrate today will have to be looked at, with Bollinger and Harris the obvious candidates. Shame that Cameron can't even get in the NSW to stake his claim.
Smith for North ? Would expect them to go with a specialist batsman like Khawaja to replace North if that's to happen, I'm not a fan of Smith yet so think that would weaken the Aussies.
Pup Clarke
Cricketer Of The Year
McDonald's case for a place in the squad for the Adelaide test grows larger you'd have to think.
Pup Clarke
Cricketer Of The Year
Would Harris be good enough to bat at 8? Six half centuries probably suggests no but he's not played masses of FC games.
zaremba
Cricketer Of The Year
It's so hard for them to drop X Do now though. Recalling Hauritz is out of the Q, as is switching to a better bet (and better bat) in O'Keefe or Smith. Just one of the reasons why Xperimenting in the first test was an Xecrable decision
Howe_zat
Audio File
McDonald seems to be way off the selectors' radar if he wasn't in the initial 17. As much as I love him, I'll be very surprised if he makes the side.
outbreak
First Class Debutant
Not really a spot for him to fill still (he's one of my favourite players though), plus he's injured.
Pup Clarke
Cricketer Of The Year
Totally disagree. Giving the fragility of the Australian middle order, the more guys that can bat at 8 and 9 and get useful runs can be the real difference in getting a team out of trouble. First and foremost they must be good bowlers, but you have to factor in their batting imo.
Pup Clarke
Cricketer Of The Year
Johnson?
howardj
International Coach
It's a consideration at the margins - if there's a dead heat between two bowlers.
LongHopCassidy
International Captain
Frankly, the way Johnson's confidence is right now I wouldn't back him to bat any more astutely than a tailender who can bowl better anyway.
It's a catch-22, except there's an obvious answer.
It's a catch-22, except there's an obvious answer.
BoyBrumby
Englishman
Not the worst with the bat either, tbf. When he was called up I assumed his batting was a factor, actually but as it turned out he'd added a couple of yards of pace.