***Official*** New Zealand in Australia 2011

[Cevno]

Don't think Australian fans should go into this series fearing the worst from a bowling point of view. I know that some Indian batsman definitely raise their game when it comes to this series, but look at the opening partnership, and untested duo who know there is going to be some serious chin music coming their way. Think their batting hasn't reached 300 for a while as well itbt.

And i think you missed the current India - West Indies series?

 

[howardj]

Oh ****!... That's really balls. Really disappointing from two perspectives; it looks like he will be pretty much out for the majority of the India series, and also it indicates he is probably going to career full of injuries ahead of him. They are surely going to have to bite the bullet and play Harris then. Will die a little inside if Starc is up against Tendulkar and co.

Harris is back in training and had a private session at AB Field yesterday, and said in the paper today that he'll be right for Boxing day. He averages 21 with the ball, and is thus an automatic selection if declared fit. An attack of Harris, Pattinson, Siddle, Watson and Lyon is still comfortably better than many we've fielded over the past two years.

 

[Ruckus]

How?

He has bone stress injury on his left heel, which, as was talked about earlier in this thread, is where some of the concern over his action lies - there is so much impact going into that leg in his release. He can always get stronger and tweak his action though, so I'd hope things will settle over time.

 

[Spikey]

was interesting to read Young Queensland quick Ben Cutting cops 6 week injury after hectic travel schedule | Herald Sun . Made me thought of Dougeh tbh

 

[Pup Clarke]

Meant the partnership was untested in Australian conditions, I know Sehwag has toured before and I obviously know that they have batted together in Tests.

Expect Gambhir to do well actually.

(Sorry Burgey)

 

[Ruckus]

Harris is back in training and had a private session at AB Field yesterday, and said in the paper today that he'll be right for Boxing day. He averages 21 with the ball, and is thus an automatic selection if declared fit. An attack of Harris, Pattinson, Siddle, Watson and Lyon is still comfortably better than many we've fielded over the past two years.

I thought it was more to do with them not wanting to really play Harris even if on the surface he looks like he could play. Had the impression from this article (Australia news: Australia look long-term for Ryan Harris | Australia Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo) that they are wanting to hold him back for a while until they are absolutely confident he will last 5 days. He might have to be fast-tracked a bit though.

 

[howardj]

To my mind, if he can bowl now - if he's not picked in 3 week's time for Boxing Day, is waiting another 3 weeks going to help? And waiting another 3 weeks after Boxing Day is pretty pointless. After the Indian series, we don't play Tests again until April in the Windies. Harris will always be a gamble, but with an average of 21, I'd err on the side of playing him.

 

[Pothas]

Given other injuries I would have thought they would have no option but to play him if fit. Probably not the right way to look at things but he is not a long term option so use him when you can I would have thought.

 

[Ruckus]

Yeah I agree...don't get the point of trying to make him a more long term option. Other bowlers are coming through, he is getting too old, and he has chronic injury problems.

 

[stephen]

He's probably the best bowler in the world at the moment when fit. You can't not play a guy like that when he's available. CA just have to be very careful managing his injuries.

 

[Jono]

Not wouldn't go that far

 

[Prince EWS]

There's no way I'd take Harris over Anderson either, even if he was made of steel.

 

[Pothas]

Steyn is obviously better but would take Jimmy ahead of him as well.

It really is very hard to take the 'if fit' thing out of any judgement though.

 

[Ruckus]

Anyone else think there is a massive similarity between Steyn and Bear Grylls:

 

[howardj]

Given other injuries I would have thought they would have no option but to play him if fit. Probably not the right way to look at things but he is not a long term option so use him when you can I would have thought.

Very good point. It's not like holding him back means you're going to get another four years out of him. He's good for two more at the most. It's like preserving a clapped out Datsun 160B - she'll probably pack it in even if you leave her in the garage, so whenever she is not up on blocks, you may as well just drive her.

 

[stephen]

Harris and Steyn have almost identical figures over the period of Harris' test career. Both are slightly ahead of Anderson in this time.

You can slice and dice the stats any way you like, but it's clear that these 3 bowlers are all ahead of the pack at the moment.

 

[Top_Cat]

Comparing Harris to a Datsun 160B indeed! More like a Ferrari, beautiful but but spends more time in the shop than on the road.

 

[Burgey]

Anyone else think there is a massive similarity between Steyn and Bear Grylls:

No, no I don't.

Their accents are similar tbf.

 

[howardj]

While we're on lookalikes, what about new Demons coach Mark Neeld, and Scotty Styris.

 

[douglas fir]

maybe if neeld decided to **** an owl