Andrew Symonds in contention for Test squad

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

His bowling in the first class arena is much different. He bowls a very consistent line and lenth and surprises the batsman with pace .......... has an immediate impact, whether it is keeping the runs down or getting an early breakthrough.

Perhaps, but his FC record of 154 wickets at 37.31 with a SR of 73 and econ. of 3.06 isn't outstanding.

 

[Mister Wright]

Perhaps, but his FC record of 154 wickets at 37.31 with a SR of 73 and econ. of 3.06 isn't outstanding.

Yes, but he is improving.

 

[Craig]

Need we repeat that Martyn will not be getting dropped :rolleyes:

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Did you read my post?

If Symonds were to come in, Martyn would be the one left out. And I dont think Katich is going anywhere in a hurrey.

 

[Craig]

I'm going to ask you this Mr Maddocks: If Symonds is to get picked (in the Test XI), who will be left out?

You know all.....

 

[Don Ricardo]

If symonds comes in he can fill the void left by the retiring Steve Waugh (lehmann should probably get this spot, but if he doesnt for some reason, i rekon symonds would be a good choice)

 

[Don Ricardo]

Perhaps, but his FC record of 154 wickets at 37.31 with a SR of 73 and econ. of 3.06 isn't outstanding.

You have to realise, however, but for a proportion of that time (ie earlier on) he only bowled off spin and hardly took any wickets, which would make his overall average look worse. In the last few years he has become a far superior first class bowler since he began bowling his medium pace stuff. I would regard him as a batting allrounder in first class cricket now- he is in the side mainly for his batting (ave. of 40+), but bowls much more often and more successfully than a 'part timer'. IMO if Aus went into a test with two specialist spinners, he would be good value as a first change bowler.

 

[Mister Wright]

I'm going to ask you this Mr Maddocks: If Symonds is to get picked (in the Test XI), who will be left out?

You know all.....

There is a vacant spot left by the retirement of Steve Waugh. Lehmann would have been a 'shoe-in' if he had of scored some decent runs on his return, and with the last day of the Pura Cup match being washed out today, he misses out on another chance.

The other candidates are Love who has been consistent yet again this season, and is hitting form at the right end of the summer.

Clarke who has been less than impressive in his first full season as a ODI player. A few good performances but crucial mistakes at the wrong time.

Symonds who has been inspirational since the World Cup and his only first class innings this summer resulted in a century and bowled a very good spell in the same game against South Australia.

It will be interesting who the selectors choose - Lehmann with his experience and good play against spin. Love who is in good form; Clarke who is the wonder boy, especially of the N.S.W. media or Symonds who offers great potential and an all-round game.

 

[Eclipse]

They wont select Love and if they do I will be annoyed.

 

[Mister Wright]

They wont select Love and if they do I will be annoyed.

Why? He's been the most consistent batsman in Australian domestic cricket over the last 3-4 years.

 

[Mr. P]

I don't think Lehmann will be picked for Sri Lanka unless he makes a big score. I think that they will experiment with Symonds in Sri Lanka. If he comes off, it will continue if not Lehmann slides back in for the home series.

I see the No. 6 spot being open for quite some time with players like Symonds, Love, Lehmann being in and out depending on the conditions. The selectors are waiting for Watson to come back as a bowler and he will slot in at 6. Clarke will take over Martyn's spot if gets dropped. This way we have 2 younger cricketers getting experiance and there won't be such a radical changing of the guard.

The test team for the 2005/2006 season

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn /Clarke
Katich
Symonds/Watson
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Gillespie
Tait/Rofe/some other young quick

So you're saying the selectors won't put Bichel, MacGill, Williams in the side?:rolleyes: They will, trust me.

 

[Ferd]

I would like to see a Australia A vs Bangladesh series testing some young ones at Test level eg. Clarke, Love, Watson, Tait, North and the Husseys.

Although this is never likely to happen I'd still pay my $12 a month to watch such as series on Foxtel.

 

[marc71178]

Why? He's been the most consistent batsman in Australian domestic cricket over the last 3-4 years.

Not to mention the fact he's never led the Test team down - remind me what his last knock was again?

 

[marc71178]

as for his performance this VB series, averages dont tell the whole story, look at where he has been batting, numbers - 6, 7, 7, 6, 7, 5, 4, 4, DNB (listed at 6) and 6.

Yet when he had a much higher average after batting that low, it went to show how "great" he is?

as for Watsons AR abilities he is averaging well over 50 witrh that bat this season (career average with the bat of 45.73), and his previous efforts with that ball have been reasonable - an average of 26 (SR of 43)

However, he is currently not fit enough to bowl enough to warrant a place as an all rounder...

 

[Andre]

I'm going to ask you this Mr Maddocks: If Symonds is to get picked (in the Test XI), who will be left out?

You know all.....

Maybe you should have thought before asking that question.

In Australia's last Test match, Steve Waugh was a member of the top 6. He is no longer - creating an open place. Obviously, Symonds would tkae this spot if selected.

Woops - good try though Craig :rolleyes:

And please, call me Andre.

 

[age_master]

Yet when he had a much higher average after batting that low, it went to show how "great" he is?

well he did score more runs in the series than

martyn, tendulkar, bevan and Ganguly so i suppose that puts him in pretty good company.... especially when he was batting down the order below where 3 of those bat every game (Martyn and Ganguly both batted at least as many times as him at a lower average....) - Dravid also averaged slightly lower than him...

 

[Prince EWS]

Reall there is no space vacated. Technically, the way the Australian selectors seem to work, Katich will take Waughs spot. They always seem to put batsmen back in team after injury. Martyn has copped both ends of the stick. Katich is not really in the side, as he is just an injury replacement for Lehmann.

I dont really agree with any of this, but I believe the selectors do.,

And as I said before, Symonds would be rubbish at test level. Ive always though eh should be in the one day side. When he was figfhting for the spot with Garvey, and even just before thw world cup, when everybody thought6 he shouldnt have gone, I suppoted him.

But in the test side, I dont think so!

 

[Gaijin-san]

When he was figfhting for the spot with Garvey

Garvey the phantom contender.

 

[Prince EWS]

Garvey the phantom contender.

Yes, there was much speculation that Garvey that would the team ahead of Symonds. Media outcry, captains defending him. Much like the Martyn issue. But after Symonds was retained, Garvey went off the scene. Surely you must remember. 8D

But seriosuly though, I had originally written harvey (without a capital), but then changed it. I should have left it at "harvey":!(

 

[Gaijin-san]

Lol Prince EWS, nice cover. 8D

I can see an argument for Symo at the moment. Like Ponting, he looks every bit a man at peace with his world. It's great to see (and I've no doubt it causes weak bladders in the opposition). When a man is walking around and confidence is not even a part of his game, it's not a factor, it allows him to run on talent alone, of which is abundant in Mr Symonds.

 

[SquidAU]

Symonds wouldn't be a good replacement for Waugh....sure give him a try later on but I think the Aussie selectors will be thinking that winning the test tour to Sri Lanka would be far more important than blooding Symonds in the Test team.....Love will get his spot back IMO