Australia - where to from here

[Furball]

Ponting's had enough chances to go out on his own terms, including this particular tests where he can say with deserved pride that he helped win the test and save the series. If he misses the boat then that's his own fault. Player's only deserve to go out on their own terms when their performances are still acceptable. Once you drop below that threshold you are owed nothing. I'd argue pretty strongly that Ponting passed that threshold in the last Ashes and last gasp 50 before the axe drops shouldn't be anywhere near enough to save him. Sentimentality doesn't win Test matches.

I think the only thing which might save Ponting in the immediate short term is the injuries to Marsh and Watson. Assuming neither of them are fit, I'd be going with

Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey

for New Zealand, and if Warner goes well I'd be tapping Ponting on the shoulder and saying "by the way, we've still got Watson and Marsh to fit into this top 6, if you know what we're saying." I agree that once your performance drops to a point where it isn't acceptable, a level which Ponting has been at for a year, then you're owed nothing but at the same time I think it would be more convenient for all concerned if publically it looks like Ponting is going on his own terms. He's coming up for 37, there is a top 6 which is taking shape which doesn't include him, and every Test he stubbornly clings on is a Test that he's denying a younger batsman experience in. I subscribe to Cribb's school of thought about picking your best players and age not being a factor, but Ponting's batting in the last year has only barely been better than Peter Siddle's. Mitchell Johnson has more of a case to be batting 4 than Ponting does.

 

[Spikey]

so lyon out and cummins out for beer and dorey

 

[adub]

so lyon out and cummins out for beer and dorey

North to be groomed as back up for Marsh when he's next injured.

 

[adub]

I think the only thing which might save Ponting in the immediate short term is the injuries to Marsh and Watson. Assuming neither of them are fit, I'd be going with

Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey

for New Zealand, and if Warner goes well I'd be tapping Ponting on the shoulder and saying "by the way, we've still got Watson and Marsh to fit into this top 6, if you know what we're saying." I agree that once your performance drops to a point where it isn't acceptable, a level which Ponting has been at for a year, then you're owed nothing but at the same time I think it would be more convenient for all concerned if publically it looks like Ponting is going on his own terms. He's coming up for 37, there is a top 6 which is taking shape which doesn't include him, and every Test he stubbornly clings on is a Test that he's denying a younger batsman experience in. I subscribe to Cribb's school of thought about picking your best players and age not being a factor, but Ponting's batting in the last year has only barely been better than Peter Siddle's. Mitchell Johnson has more of a case to be batting 4 than Ponting does.

Look I could go with that, but only if Watson isn't even able to bat only.

If Ponting wants a send off then sign for a BBL team.

 

[robelinda]

Liam Davis to replace Watson. Ronchi to replace Haddin.

Oh, and Johnson RETAINED.

Arthur fail.

 

[howardj]

Mickey ****ing Arthur

 

[adub]

Mickey ****ing Arthur

It's not the first time he's been called that, and I dare say it won't be the last.

 

[howardj]

The only people happy with this appointment are the WACA and the WACA players

 

[howardj]

Considering the cattle with which he had to work, Rixon's record with NZ was better than Arthur's with South Africa. Plus, Rixon has been involved in the last two successful Test tours (to SL and SA) and has a great relationship with Michael Clarke who, given his magnificent start in his new role, deserves to have a big say in this appointment.

 

[Top_Cat]

tbh, it looks like no-one with any credibility wanted the job anyway so were always going to get one of a pretty abject bunch.

 

[howardj]

plus arthur is not aussie

 

[adub]

confirmed

Mickey ****ing Arthur.

 

[Jacknife]

Man I wouldn't want to inflict that guy on my worst enemy.

 

[uvelocity]

**** me

 

[Redbacks]

Our last coach was born in England

 

[Nate]

Just when you think you'd be hard-pressed to find a worse Arthur than Russell Brand.

Spare me.

 

[Ruckus]

What I would like to know is how much influence/weight each of the selectors has over the decisions. Does Inverarity (does this guy have a nickname!?) have the power to reject suggestions proposed by e.g. Clarke and Arthur? And, if he does, is he likely to actually do that? Or is more likely that the selectors closest to the workings of the team, like the captain and coach, will in effect be deciding what players are selected with a kind of token stamp of approval from Inverarity and co.?

 

[Top_Cat]

Dunno but he's the invers of Arthur in terms of coaching ability.

 

[morgieb]

What's with the Arthur hate?

I think Rixon is a better option, but he's not that bad.

 

[howardj]

what's with the Arthur hate, you ask...i give you the following as to why I am opposed:

- Cricket is our national sport. We're a proud cricketing nation who has just won on the subcontinent, and drawn with the 2nd best team in the world in their own backyard. we hardly need a foreigner to come in and save us from ourselves. And these things do matter in sport. It's like with the Big Bash - you want Queenslanders playing for the Heat, not guys moving around into the team who have no connection with Queensland. Following sport is about emotion, and identifying with the personnel in and around the team

- From all reports, he's a ****

- Rixon has a better international record, and was part of just completed victories in SL and SA (well, a draw in SA). How's Arthur going in WA by the way?

- Clarke prefers Rixon