*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[Stapel]

Ok, time to get this positive...

Team actually looks much better than the first 2 Tests...

1. Watson
2. Hughes
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. Haddin
7. Smith
8. Johnson
9. Harris
10. Hilfenhaus
11. Siddle

That gives 6 bowlers to get the 20 wkts and the batting is not weakened (just needs Ponting to fire)

Apart from the mystery around Beer probably being picked before Hauritz, and Beer within the twelve being picked before Hilfenhaus, there is really not too much wrong with the selection......

Let's be real, there is no way the selectors can do a proper job. Whomever they pick, they will pick either unexperiencied, either unproven or out-of-form bowlers. There is no other way. As much as criticims towards Aussie selectors is spot on, I wouldn't like to be one these days.

 

[Andre]

Even if he comes out and bags a 19 wicket haul, he still would have been the wrong pick

Reckon if he gets 19 wickets it's the right pick tbh

Understand the calls for O'Keeffe with his numbers, but just reckon he doesn't quite have enough for the next level - despite his record, his bowling is pretty modest. Doesn't have a lot on the ball and his front arm lets him down at times, but as an all-round package he's attractive for the shorter forms of the game.

 

[Stapel]

I think everybody is forgetting the best thing to happen here. North is finally gone!

TBH, I had already forgotten about him. In my mind he was dropped ages ago.....

 

[GotSpin]

Still feel Khawaja is hard done by. It's only a matter of time I guess though. The rest has been said already. No need to rehash how ******** the selectors are

 

[GotSpin]

TBH, I had already forgotten about him. In my mind he was dropped ages ago.....

So true.

It seems to be overlooked, but am I the only one deeply concerned with our lower middle order. Although its easily strengthened by the absence of North - Haddin, Steve and Johnson doesn't inspire me either.

 

[aussie tragic]

To be fair, Peter Taylor was my first true cricketing bowler hero (with AB being the first batting hero). Absolutely loved watching him bowl.

I also enjoyed Peter Taylor and he really stepped up....but this seems like total desperation and there is no explanation on why he is picked....Hauritz or O'Keefe should have been ahead, or D. Hussey/Khawaja and Smith would have been a more logical selection.

 

[stephen]

So true.

It seems to be overlooked, but am I the only one deeply concerned with our lower middle order. Although its easily strengthened by the absence of North - Haddin, Steve and Johnson doesn't inspire me either.

Team balance would have been much better served by picking Hauritz. A mid-lower order of:

Haddin (6)
Smith
Johnson
Hauritz
Harris
bunny

is so much stronger than

Haddin (6)
Smith
Johnson
Harris
bunny
Beer

 

[GotSpin]

I don't really like Haddin batting above 7 to be honest and that's my main concern.

Overall, its obviously an improvement on North, so I'm kind of picking bones when the overriding concern is of Beer's inclusion

 

[Jayzamann]

I think everybody is forgetting the best thing to happen here. North is finally gone!

 

[Jono]

Beer?

Lol Australian cricket. Lol indeed.

 

[vcs]

I've asked my mum to buy me "The Encyclopedia of Australian Test Spinners 2007-" for Xmas.

If I start reading it Xmas night, I'll be just about ready for a new book for Xmas 2011.

 

[Evermind]

I've asked my mum to buy me "The Encyclopedia of Australian Test Spinners 2007-" for Xmas.

If I start reading it Xmas night, I'll be just about ready for a new book for Xmas 2011.

Good thing you got the 2007 edition - the 2010 edition has 17 volumes.

 

[simmy]

I really hope Smith is forced to bowl some overs.

I have no respect for this bowling after seeing the Aus A game.

Have said it before, and will say it again... of all the Aussie spinners I have seen this tour, O'Keefe is your best shout and then North!

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Clearly different to the original point I disputed, picking bowlers on batting ability

Not really, all Aussie spinners are 3rd rate so you may as well pick one who can bat.

 

[andyc]

Says here that Beer is definitely playing

Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris retained their spots from the second Test humiliation, and will fight it out with Johnson and Hilfenhaus for the three pace spots after chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch confirmed spinner Michael Beer would make his Test debut at the WACA Ground.

SMH also has an interesting article from Stuart Clark where he has this to say about Beer

I think Michael Beer has the potential to be an international player of the future. Whether he is a player for next week is another matter. I played against him last week and I think his height, drift and bounce could be effective against the English batsmen in Perth. Mickey Arthur even told me before the game that, were he South African, he would already be playing Test cricket ahead of Paul Harris. That's quite a compliment.

Still, the reality is that Beer is two months removed from making his first-class debut and has played only five games for Western Australia. I'm not quite sure what Nathan Hauritz has done wrong in the past couple of weeks - he has taken a five-for on the very ground where the third Test will be played, and scored his maiden first-class century - but selectors have instead opted for potential over form. Ten spinners in the post-Warne era does not make for encouraging reading.

 

[Furball]

The idea has upset senior players and comes at a time when the once world-class domestic four-day competition is struggling to produce Test-standard cricketers.

Or, the selectors don't seem to recognise who the potentially Test-standard cricketers in the system are.

 

[social]

Just had a long and boozy lunch and basically the only thing I can say is "WTF"

The good news is that Beer is rated by some

They're in, he's out, I'm baffled: more chops and changes not the fix

The bad news is that his selection has made a total mockery of the fc system in Oz and has, in my mind, cheapened the baggy green

However, assuming that Beer will play and can at least hold up an end, why pick Smith?

If Smith isnt going to be called upon to do huge amounts of bowling, then why not pick the best batting candidate for 6

If that was the case, somebody else {insert any of about 5 suspects here} would be playing

As it stands, a combination of Hauritz or O'Keefe and Khawaja/Ferguson/Dussey/Marsh etc looks so much stronger on paper that it borders on the ridiculous

 

[Jono]

awta

 

[Bun]

Australia

 

[Son Of Coco]

To be fair to Beer though, he's already done his job. He's gotten the majority of Australian cricket fans pissed.