Australia's fast bowling problem

[stephen]

What on earth does Australia do when our players come back from injury?

Siddle
Hilf
Bird
Cummins
Pattinson
Harris
Johnson
Starc
Hazelwood

These are the guys in and around the squad. Now obviously with a fully fit bowling attack, Hazelwood should be dropping to the back of the queue. But what of the rest. Does anyone have any idea what our best lineup is?

In an ideal world I wouldn't be playing Johnson. I think if everyone was fit I also wouldn't pick Harris (given he's the one most likely to break down in the middle of a game). That leaves:

Siddle
Hilf
Bird
Cummins
Pattinson
Starc

Siddle is probably an automatic pick (right or wrong), as is Pattinson. But what on earth do we do with the third quick? Starc would provide the best variety. Bird is probably the best of the rest. Cummins has the most potential. Hilf has the most experience.

Now this is hypothetical given the nature of fast bowling and the glasslike fragility of most of our attack, but what is our strongest bowling attack*?

*Assuming that Lyon plays as our specialist spinner

 

[Ruckus]

Don't wanna jump too far ahead with Bird yet, but taking an educated guess I reckon Harris, Pattinson, Bird would be our strongest attack. I wouldn't be in a rush to play Harris anymore though, as much as I love the guy, simply because we have such good depth. Would play Siddle, Pattinson, Bird. Would def still like to sub in Harris for the occasional match though, cause when he is fit he is absolute quality.

 

[hendrix]

Harris, Pattinson and Bird (based on limited evidence).

Playing Johnson as a 5th bowler is mighty tempting.

 

[robelinda]

Harris is gone, he'll never play tests again. Siddle, Pattinson, and then whoever is fit, out of Starc, Bird, Cummins. All of them will NEVER be fit at the same time, ever.

 

[Ruckus]

What actually happened with Harris? still injured?

 

[Spikey]

coming back after the BigBash

 

[Son Of Coco]

Siddle, Pattinson and Bird would be my first 3 picked.

Hilf needs to get back to what he was doing last series in Australia. Starc and Cummins are exciting for the future. Wouldn't waste too much time on Mitch Johnson, but if he was needed due to injury then fair enough (depending on the makeup of the rest of the squad - wouldn't have him and Mitchell Starc in the same team.)

 

[Crazy Sam]

Has Cummins actually bowled much since his test debut? Always seems injured.

I think Hilfenhaus has, or should, drop down the pecking order after what we've seen in this summer of tests.

 

[morgieb]

Has Cummins actually bowled much since his test debut? Always seems injured.

I think Hilfenhaus has, or should, drop down the pecking order after what we've seen in this summer of tests.

IIRC, Cummins hasn't played first-class cricket since his debut. He shouldn't really be considered in the near future, given our depth.

 

[Ruckus]

Our standard, first choice attack should be Pattinson, Siddle and Bird. Harris, Hilf, Starc, Cummins and Johnson (if really need be) should just be used as rotation bowlers at this stage imo, as none are either good enough/proven fit enough to justify a position in the first choice attack. Some really good depth in the bowling atm though. As long as we don't play Johnson, pretty confident we'll have the better bowling attack come the Ashes.

 

[uvelocity]

I agree reckon I've seen enough of hilf now. Even though he's largely pretty crap in the format, play him in odi's because it will ease the load and who cares a out Odis

 

[Spikey]

so basically we never should have wasted our time picking Hilf? #tastin'

 

[uvelocity]

You couldn't not based on last year but I think we can safely move on now

Your hilf taste is ATG stuff though #LastingTaste

 

[Spikey]

In hindsight, the only thing I'd change is Bird's name for Lalor when I jokingly saying we should pick Lalor instead of Hilf #nswbiascostingme

 

[Arachnodouche]

Has there been such awesome depth in pace bowling since the West Indies attacks? Obviously not a patch on them in quality but holy cow, they're churning out some quality bowlers. 90s Pak and SA perhaps but this is ridiculous. Bird looks the natural heir to McGrath; height, the lengths he was hitting and his general MO for getting people out.

 

[Red]

Johnson's probably just bought himself another 12 months of test cricket.

Look, I really don't mind (as much as some others) Johnson being in the team provided we have the following-

- Two other quicks who don't leak runs like idiots.
- Watson is able to bowl a decent amount.

I know having "conditions" on someones inclusion in a team is a bit dicey, but MJ is a flat out matchwinner when things go right.

But please, FFS, DO NOT SEND HIM TO ENGLAND.

 

[Spark]

Having to only take 17 wickets in a match a useful ability, I will admit.

 

[centurymaker]

given everyone's picking BIRD ahead of so many other bowlers, is he really better than Siddle, Starc and co ?

 

[Ruckus]

Well it's very hard to say from such little exposure, but I'd hazard a guess he will be (and is already) better than those two. I mean he bowled in tandem with Siddle and clearly looked the better of the two.

Was really impressed with his increase in pace too. Cause he sure wasn't bowling consistent mid-high 130's a year or so ago.

It was a pretty ****ing obvious selection given he is the shields leading wicket taker, plus his stellar record over the previous season, but good job nonetheless from the selectors in giving him a game. Looks like he could be a really valuable member of the side for a good time to come.

 

[Spark]

Little exposure, but he seems a very complete bowler already. Good pace, up there with most quality test bowlers, excellent line/length, moves it both ways, can swing it, seam it, gets fair bounce because of his height smart enough to know how and when to change his lengths. Obvs one match is one match but I thought he was fairly stiff not to pick up a few more poles. I'd persist him with a while yet if possible if only to get a more concrete view.