Cricket australia contracts

[Spark]

but this is what they do. Decide on a team 12 to 18 months out from the Ashes and then stick with it no matter how well they are going. Worked well last time...

To be honest this is the mentality of most of the public too...

 

[Spikey]

That's what, in part, got us into a pickle - planning for the next Ashes (e.g. North etc).

Don't think North was just for the Ashes. North was just getting another guy that age in the batting line-up and making him VC. But that didn't work out. That said, it seems absurd he got kept around for so long when he didn't deserve to and now it seems his papers have been stamped. I mean for the upcoming Aus A tour out of Paine or North for captain I know who I'd prefer..........

 

[GotSpin]

My team would be

Hughes
Watto
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Khawaja
Haddin
Hauritz
Bollinger
Harris
Siddle

Johnson to come back in for South Africa though

 

[hang on]

Translation, "India, do you use spit or KY? Nothing? Oh okay that's cool. HIT MEH."

spot on. this ashes fixation (or so explicit a version of it) is so english! the funny thing is that england seem to be moving away from it at the moment.

 

[Spark]

My team would be

Hughes
Watto
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Khawaja
Haddin
Hauritz
Bollinger
Harris
Siddle

Johnson to come back in for South Africa though

Johnson seems to have randomly high amounts of success in the subcontinent though... Pick him over Siddle IMO.

 

[howardj]

Wrapped for Rhino

Vice-president of his fan club

(mounting a coup to depose Top Cat as president).

 

[benchmark00]

spot on. this ashes fixation (or so explicit a version of it) is so english! the funny thing is that england seem to be moving away from it at the moment.

Yeah, agree. Pick your best team and the Ashes will look after itself.

 

[Spikey]

thing is even with the ashes they don't pick the best team..........

 

[hang on]

also, can someone tell my why phil hughes is being picked? on the basis of tremendous potential only? amazed as i was with his exploits in saf 2 years ago, his performances after that have made me believe that they were the proverbial flash in the pan.

u cannot have a good team without a solid opening combination. a very simple fact that chappell and co refuse to acknowledge.

 

[Spark]

His FC record is excellent. He looked bad this summer because our panel in their infinite wisdom picked him when he was badly out of nick. He regained it - or seemed to have - by the end of the summer.

 

[Spikey]

he was like that the summer before. Started out in poor nick but got better as the summer went on. unfortunately he hasn't really been able to string games in a row for one team. He'll play 2-3 games for NSW and then be called up for Australia to play or be on reserve and go back to NSW and then get called back up etc.

 

[hang on]

i see, spark. i guess that must count for something.

still, somehow i feel that international bowlers - as opposed to first class ones in first class matches where they may not be playing at their full potential - would sort him out more often than not. sort of like in the 09 ashes.

 

[Nate]

Still has a good record in Tests tbf.

Not doubting TC's status in the Rhino fan club, but I'm up near the top somewhere dammit.

 

[Prince EWS]

His FC record is excellent. He looked bad this summer because our panel in their infinite wisdom picked him when he was badly out of nick. He regained it - or seemed to have - by the end of the summer.

It was hilariously bad timing. It wasn't even just that he was out of nick. Apparently he was working on a new technique with NSW - trying to get in line a bit more and play a bit straighter - and obviously something like that takes some time. It wasn't working yet, and then all of a sudden he was in the Test team. I don't think he really knew whether he was expected to continue the technical development at Test level or just go back to what had given him inconsistent success before.

That said, there were precious little other specialist opening options once Katich went down. The real shocker is continuing with Hughes now even after Katich has returned and he still hasn't sorted out what he really wants to do from a technical perspective. Perhaps Khawaja will open instead and Smith will stay at six? Not sure I like that option much more, tbh.

 

[Nate]

That said, there were precious little other specialist opening options once Katich went down.

Pretty sure Stan Darsh was off back-to-back hundreds.

 

[Spikey]

Pretty sure Stan Darsh will have to make the move to opener for WA if he wants to open for Australia tbh

 

[benchmark00]

Pretty sure Stan Darsh was off back-to-back hundreds.

...he's not a specialist opener.

 

[Nate]

True dat Bench. Was expanding on PEWbS point.

 

[benchmark00]

I wouldn't be against moving Usman to opener itbt, but if it is going to happen it has to happen now.

Would definitely feel more comfortable with him opening than the Prince aws.

 

[Spark]

Who'd go in at #6, then? Marsh?