Brett Lee is Rubish!

[Richard]

If Gillespie is back for the Fourth Test, him and MacGill are the only guranteed starters.
Williams, Bracken and Bichel all have some case, and Lee always has a case because the selectors like him.
It really amazes me that people have taken this long to see what was blatantly clear in 2001\02. Lee is not a Test-class bowler. He had a good start to his career, but since England 2001 he simply hasn't looked any threat. He couldn't even average under 30 against Ban and Zim.

 

[Bazza]

While we have a rare opportunity to give the Aussies some stick, is thee any pressure on Justin Langer? Maybe it's just me but I can't remember him making any big scores recently.

I just checked and it seems he got a hundred in the first test against India, but still he averages just 41 this year after three consecutive years averaging over 50. Really 41 is poor by Australian standards. I'm sure he's not about to be dropped (too much of a gamble with Waugh leaving and the bowling vulnerable), but I reckon he needs to have a good year in 2004 to keep his place much longer.

 

[krkode]

He doesn't need to be a Glenn McGrath, but if he can get Indian batsmen out, then he deserves a place, alright.

You don't have to be *great* to make an injury-ridden side that just lost a test match to the so-called under dogs.

And Bazza, Langer made a century in the first match.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I dont think Lee chuck's.

If he does then so do most fast bowlers. That is one area I think he is unfairly critersized.

This is true. Dave Richardson said that new ICC research revealed that 99% of all fast bowlers chuck very slightly. But Lee, in my opinion, chucks bigtime!

 

[Rik]

And Bazza, Langer made a century in the first match.

He just said that and didn't even edit the post! :P

 

[Craig]

What about Martyn? He hasnt made a Test century for 19-21 months. He even successfully managed to get injured and miss out on the boast-your-career-average-series against West Indies and Bangladesh.

Well Ricky Ponting certainly boasted his.

 

[Richard]

Langer's last 5 Tests have produced 1 century and virtually nothing besides.
If he has another set of failures at The SCG the pressure will be on him in Sri Lanka, and he didn't do very well there last time. Nor in India.

 

[Bazza]

You're right - 23rd Feb 2002 in fact! Nearly two years!

To be fair he has only played 15 tests in that time but he has only scored 746 runs at 33 in that time. I hadn't picked up on that but looking at it he made 13 runs in 4 innings after that ton but has been consistent since then averaging 40 with 6x50s in 8 innings.

He hasn't needed to make big scores because by the time Hayden and Ponting are finished he's coming in with 300 runs on the board! No seriously Martyn probably needs to watch his back a bit and again he is 32 so this is why Australia are looking more vulnerable at the moment. They need to discover some test quality players in the next year or two otherwise they could be in trouble.

Lehmann didn't work and Katich hasn't done much yet, Langer and Martyn are struggling a bit and Waugh is about to play his last match. McGrath and Warne could return soon but at the age they are, they might not be as effective, especially after long lay-offs. Gillespie and Lee are struggling for form as well and Williams, Bracken, etc don't look the same standard.

Imagine if Hayden and Ponting hadn't been in record breaking form - they might have struggled a bit and may well do soon - those two can't keep their form up forever.

Incidentally, Australia are about to go to Sri Lanka and that is the only series they haven't won except India away, and I think it will be a real test with the Aussies as weak as any time in the last 4-5 years and Murali with his new delivery...

 

[Richard]

Lehmann didn't work and Katich hasn't done much yet

Well, Lehmann averages 50 and Katich over 37!
I don't rate Katich as a Test-class batsman at all, and his bowling average is ridiculously deflated, but Lehmann has been most unfortunate to miss this India series, as he was in the form of his life in his last 5 or 6 games.

 

[krkode]

Langer's last 5 Tests have produced 1 century and virtually nothing besides.
If he has another set of failures at The SCG the pressure will be on him in Sri Lanka, and he didn't do very well there last time. Nor in India.

True. Agarkar has been royally "bunnying" him so far...

 

[Tom Halsey]

Well, Lehmann averages 50 and Katich over 37!
I don't rate Katich as a Test-class batsman at all, and his bowling average is ridiculously deflated, but Lehmann has been most unfortunate to miss this India series, as he was in the form of his life in his last 5 or 6 games.

I rate Katich. He looks a good batsman to me. And while I agree that his bowling average is deflated, he is a handy part timer.

 

[krkode]

Lehman can bowl a good bowl too.

The only reason for which I'd pick Katich over Lehman is if I wanted a young team...

 

[Richard]

I'd second that.
Lehmann is a brilliant, brilliant player and it's a real shame he's in all likelihood going to have such a short Test-career.

 

[bennyr]

Lehmann has always had a tough time with the Australian selectors. It was cruel to see him pick up consecutive "Best Domestic Player" awards at the Allan Border Medal presentation two years running. He was only brought in when it became that ludicrous to leave him out that the selectors had no option. I reckon given his age we are unlikely to see his return, but we might: I don't think Clarke is ready for the step up, and with Waugh's retirement there are few truly young alternative batsmen. Here's hoping we will see him play more tests - does anyone know his projected return timeframe?

It seems to me that picking Katich for his youth is a bit rich - the guy is 28.

 

[Eclipse]

I'd second that.
Lehmann is a brilliant, brilliant player and it's a real shame he's in all likelihood going to have such a short Test-career.

I agree.

 

[age_master]

haha what a load of crap this therad is, Australia draw and lose against india without him, win with him and people are calling for his head - he takes 4 wickets (only macgill took more, williams close but mostly tail enders...) and those 4 wickets are Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Shewag....

and thats his comeback game.... he will get better...

 

[Salamuddin]

Lee is a lot of hype and little substance -- he did a lot of talking before the game about how he was going to scare the hell out of the Indian batsmen with his short pitched bowling. For most of the test, he looked largely unimpressive.
I don't think the specialist Indian batsmen were overly fazed by him.

Lee's got 2 tours to the subcontinents next year -- I feel he will be absolutely smashed particularly on the crunch tour to India.

 

[marc71178]

It seems to me that picking Katich for his youth is a bit rich - the guy is 28.

Which compared to the rest of the batsmen is young.

At 28 he feasibly has 5 years or more at the top of his game - how long do the rest of the team have?

 

[marc71178]

and thats his comeback game.... he will get better...

You mean like he has done since his long lay-off - averaging around the 40 mark since then isn't he?

Still I guess 40 is better than 50 so yes, you are right!

 

[Tom Halsey]

Lol, yeah, I guess so!