Australian Discussion (Final Squad Announced Post #82)

[Julian87]

A bits and pieces player at 7 is perfect if you have a world class opening keeper-bat in Haddin. Being able to smash 30(15) at the death and take a wicket or two, not to mention his fielding, is exactly what you want.

I can't see Steve Smith scoring any thirties off 15 balls under pressure on the world stage imo. While he is unorthodox he is no hitter.

 

[Prince EWS]

Squad announced:

Wold Cup Squad: Ponting, M.Clarke, Bollinger, Haddin, Hastings, Hauritz, D.Hussey, M.Hussey, Johnson, Lee, Paine, Smith, Tait, Watson, White

 

[Julian87]

No way we're going anywhere near winning the WC with:

5 White
6 Dussey
7 Smith

That's disgraceful.

 

[Howe_zat]

Jesus. Five seamers + Watto in the subcontinent?

Smith and Hastings but no Christian?

Five specialist batsmen when one might be injured and three aren't scoring runs?

Serious issues here.

 

[Cevno]

Is Hussey expected to recover in time,from his inury?


And Hastings seems a strange selection.

 

[Spikey]

wtf is my first impression

 

[four_or_six]

Looks a bit odd, and a batsman short, especially given the injuries. Though I suppose Paine is the reserve batsman. And I don't understand why Hastings has only played two ODIs in his career if they were thinking of taking him to the world cup. And you'd expect to see two spinners. And I'm suprised they'd go for Tait as well as Lee. But other than that...

 

[howardj]

Hastings the only objectionable selection.

Hopes would have been better value, IMEO

Agree with just the one spinner - Dussey can do whatever Doherty can.

 

[robelinda]

Well its not too bad, I guess we'll see. Certainly got loads of talent.

 

[Julian87]

Nah. Reckon they've made the right call on Hopes. His bowling would be useless IMO. Smith will bat 7 to start with (if Hussey is injured) but I reckon come later in the tournament we'll be playing 7 genuine bats.

 

[Prince EWS]

It's better than what I was expecting. I wouldn't have picked Dave Hussey or Hastings but other than that it was spot on from my perspective and neither of them are terrible picks like Siddle or Warner would've been. I wanted Hodge there, but given his last seven ODIs were all in India and he averaged 9 in them with a highest score of 20, I don't think he can complain too much this time (although no doubt he will).

I think the main issue is going to be over when Mike Hussey regains fitness. It could well be in the middle of the World Cup which means Australia will start the tournament with 14; you'd think they'd have used up Hastings's place with another batsman given that but they haven't.

Overall, pretty happy.

 

[Athlai]

This is a good team. Can see Australia winning another one tbh. Having a good spinner is so overrated.

 

[centurymaker]

what has smith done to get picked?

 

[howardj]

what has smith done to get picked?

the goods mate, the goods

you been on Mars?

 

[Burgey]

Dougeh to be leading witcket taker for the tournament.

Dougeh!

Dougeh.

 

[centurymaker]

the goods mate, the goods

you been on Mars?

nah just Phobos.

 

[Sylvester]

what has smith done to get picked?

I think you meant to say what Dussey has done to get picked. Averaging 23 this season and 33 last season.

 

[robelinda]

D Hussey and Smith lucky. D Hussey for sure, maybe he'll get to the airport and sneak his ticket to his mate Hodge, lord knows he deserves to go.

 

[Sylvester]

Looks a bit odd, and a batsman short, especially given the injuries. Though I suppose Paine is the reserve batsman. And I don't understand why Hastings has only played two ODIs in his career if they were thinking of taking him to the world cup. And you'd expect to see two spinners. And I'm suprised they'd go for Tait as well as Lee. But other than that...

Injury stopped him playing more games. He was solid in his 2 matches, hes the closest thing we have to a line and length bowler atm. Siddle is a strange one, don't get why he was in the 1st ODI squad if he wasn't going to be picked.

 

[Spark]

Batsman short for mine.