I wouldn't be selecting Tait. Is he likely to play domestic cricket prior to the 15 man squad being selected? I believe he is due back for the Big Bash, but how does 3-4 Twenty20 games prove fitness for the ODI World Cup?I would personally have Hodge opening the batting and I would also have Christian in the 15 man squad,
Lee, Tait, Bollinger and Harris are all going to be in the squad aren't they?
Hodge opening strikes me as a good idea, simply because it's probably the only way he'll crack the XI since in that case 3-7 are set in stone. (3-6 are set in stone anyway)I would personally have Hodge opening the batting and I would also have Christian in the 15 man squad,
Lee, Tait, Bollinger and Harris are all going to be in the squad aren't they?
He might get lucky and play a few games. Injuries seem to pop up quite a lot theseHodge opening strikes me as a good idea, simply because it's probably the only way he'll crack the XI since in that case 3-7 are set in stone. (3-6 are set in stone anyway)
I think, though, that because that means Haddin will slot down at 7 and they'd prefer more a Hopes, Smith or Christian type there, it won't happen.
Pretty hard team to break into at the moment just quietlyBracken's been injured and wouldn't even crack the current NSW team tbh.
IMO assuming they keep opening with Watson/Haddin (which does work, so fair enough I guess) then Christian is probably in a straight shoot-out with Smith and to a lesser extent Hopes (who seems to have fallen out of favour) for that lower order blaster slash 5th/6th bowling option role. Assuming he keeps up his current form he's in with a real shout - Smith you'd have to say has the inside running thoughSurely Christian should get a look in in current form, might be more of a chance in the T20's though
Hopes was actually a decent performer for Australia tbh. He just isn't a player that fills you with confidence when you see his name in the side.I'd say they would fit a different niche, and would get selected based on conditions, with Smith the extra spin option, and Christian some seam up. Hopes probably won't get another look in. Christian and Smith are the future. Sadly for Hopes, he probably exceeded expectations. Those 2 could do well to see how he filled a role with the ball in One Dayers and bowled rather economically
Ironically.Hopes was actually a decent performer for Australia tbh. He just isn't a player that fills you with confidence when you see his name in the side.
"Hopes"Ironically.