Redbacks
International Captain
The a's just got rolled for 47 so we need the b's to step in.
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***Official*** Australia in South Africa
- Thread starter Spark
- Start date
SeamUp
International Coach
Robbie Quiney has been in good nick at the top of the order for the Vics. 
I would stick with Phil Hughes, it was a tough call on Kat but when you already had 3 players in their mid 30's plus and two players just turrned 30 all in the top 7...you need to balance out the generations. Now not saying Hughes is being picked because of his age because he has earned the right through good domestic performances to get a prolonged run at the top of the order which is the hardest job in test cricket.
South Africa have also had their problems with opening batsman at times but we found two solutions in Gibbs and McKenzie who did decent jobs for us from originally being middle order batsman.
Now we have 4 or so openers fighting for the two spots which is encouraging.
I would stick with Phil Hughes, it was a tough call on Kat but when you already had 3 players in their mid 30's plus and two players just turrned 30 all in the top 7...you need to balance out the generations. Now not saying Hughes is being picked because of his age because he has earned the right through good domestic performances to get a prolonged run at the top of the order which is the hardest job in test cricket.
South Africa have also had their problems with opening batsman at times but we found two solutions in Gibbs and McKenzie who did decent jobs for us from originally being middle order batsman.
Now we have 4 or so openers fighting for the two spots which is encouraging.
Ruckus
International Captain
What do people think will happen with the bowlers? Surely Siddle and/or Johnson will go? But if it's only one, who will it be and who will replace them?
Siddle definately bowled better than Johnson, but the almost complete lack of movement both were getting out of a seaming wicket was poor. Johnson also has the potential do more damage if he is on song, but Siddle less do. Copeland is surely way ahead of Cummins...
Siddle definately bowled better than Johnson, but the almost complete lack of movement both were getting out of a seaming wicket was poor. Johnson also has the potential do more damage if he is on song, but Siddle less do. Copeland is surely way ahead of Cummins...
GotSpin
Hall of Fame Member
I hate when people say this. Doesn't really count if he's on song once every couple years
I know it was only a two-test series and all, but does it strike anyone else as weird that coming into this series some known problems with the Australian side were :
- the openers; Hughes's form, Watson should maybe bat lower?
- the keeper;
- the seam bowling; in particular Johnson. I agree with other posters that he may have continued to be selected because someone thought he could bat at number 8. That tends to ignore the facts of his recent batting form.
So the old selection panel sat down, and came up with a squad with :
- no reserve opener
- no back-up keeper, and
- no other bowler who could realistically bat at no. 8.
(And yes, Siddle has batted well lately, but he's not a number 8...)
Those aren't all the problems of course, but as we consider who might be in the Australian side for the second test, this kind of struck me as odd. Pretty much sums up the Australian selection panel of the past few years.
- the openers; Hughes's form, Watson should maybe bat lower?
- the keeper;
- the seam bowling; in particular Johnson. I agree with other posters that he may have continued to be selected because someone thought he could bat at number 8. That tends to ignore the facts of his recent batting form.
So the old selection panel sat down, and came up with a squad with :
- no reserve opener
- no back-up keeper, and
- no other bowler who could realistically bat at no. 8.
(And yes, Siddle has batted well lately, but he's not a number 8...)
Those aren't all the problems of course, but as we consider who might be in the Australian side for the second test, this kind of struck me as odd. Pretty much sums up the Australian selection panel of the past few years.
Spikey
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If they drop Johnson it'd be for Cummins. Siddle = Copeland. That's my gut feel.....and my guy feel is they want MJ more than Cummins so Siddle out for Copeland.
I'd obviously drop both of them
Spark
Global Moderator
Nice first post. So glad we'll be shot of that lot once this Test is over.
EDIT: Having said that I don't think they could really have picked a significantly different squad in this case. Perhaps Cummins was fortunate, and they could have included Warner, but other than that...
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Redbacks
International Captain
Would have thought the criticism is due to 2 woeful shots in the match rather than his position being in jeopardy. They could fly in a keeper if needed.
Redbacks
International Captain
Other than Hussey I think he was probably the only player to leave the last ashes with his rep in tact. Did he keep woefully in Sri Lanka?
Redbacks
International Captain
His age + shot selection is probably what will be the issue. We needed a senior player to stop the rut. Had we made even 130, then the group wouldn't have been psyched out and we could have won the match I reckon. A cool head may have got us there.
adub
International Captain
I agree it's been swift, and maybe a bit OTT, and his actual glovework hasn't be a problem. BUT the almost total collapse of his batting ability since the world cup is a massive problem. We simply have to have our No.7 making a contribution, but frankly I'd bat Siddle, Lyon and Copes above him at the moment. At 34 and with a good in-form replacement ready to go I couldn't support hanging on to see if it's a permanent decline or just a temporary blip. We simply have too many players like that that we've got our fingers crossed on and it's way past time to make the tough calls. Might be harsh on Hads, but you start failing, you give the selectors the chance to make the call. Better to have our fingers crossed on young guys who if they come good will give us years of service than old men who if they come good will still be gone in a years time.
Spikey
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Well yeah Wade is now. But before this season - before the SA tour had kicked off - there wasn't any pressure being put on him by domestic keepers. Mainly because they had put all their eggs in Paine's basket and he wasn't doing the job. I'm not defending Haddin now, but people were calling for his spot before this tour started and no-one was demolishing the door, hence it being a bit absurd
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