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***Official Australia in India***

pup11

International Coach
And the assumption is that the winning side will bat first.

In any case, overseas spinners and their woes in India. Since 1990 only two times have overseas spinners taken ten wicket hauls in India and both were by Saqlain Mushtaq.

No one else.


Why are they going with a spinner again?
I don't think the spinner is being brought into the side with any real wicket taking expectations, i don't think they were even expecting McGain to pick too many wickets either, the spinners would be required to bowl tight overs from one end so that the work load can be eased on the fast-bowlers, and if the Aussies quicks are made to bowl all the overs among themselves, then i can see a few of them breaking down or getting tired rather quickly.

White or Krejza are very unlikely do a decent job, but its something Ponting is trying more in hope rather than out of any real expectations.
 

silentstriker

The Wheel is Forever
I don't think the spinner is being brought into the side with any real wicket taking expectations, i don't think they were even expecting McGain to pick too many wickets either, the spinners would be required to bowl tight overs from one end so that the work load can be eased on the fast-bowlers, and if the Aussies quicks are made to bowl all the overs among themselves, then i can see a few of them breaking down or getting tired rather quickly.

White or Krejza are very unlikely do a decent job, but its something Ponting is trying more in hope rather than out of any real expectations.
That's a real crappy reason for a world beating team to choose a player, not to mention a very defensive move that will likely backfire. Why can't a fourth fast bowler do it with help from some part timers? A spinner is going to have a hard time keeping it tight in India against that lineup anyway, since if the fast bowlers are keeping it tight, they'll go after the spinner to loosen the pressure and if they are doing badly, then spinner likely won't make it better.
 

pup11

International Coach
That's a real crappy reason for a world beating team to choose a player, not to mention a very defensive move that will likely backfire. Why can't a fourth fast bowler do it with help from some part timers? A spinner is going to have a hard time keeping it tight in India against that lineup anyway, since if the fast bowlers are keeping it tight, they'll go after the spinner to loosen the pressure and if they are doing badly, then spinner likely won't make it better.
Where are the part-timers mate, they haven't looked keen on bowling Katich and as for Clarke one should use him cautiously, as he has a history of back problems and last thing Australia want is to lose their best player of spin by loading him with a considerable bowling workload and wearing him out, White is **** with the ball but even if he fails with the ball, which he most likely would, then still atleast one can expect a few runs from him.

On Indian tracks apart from maybe Mohali, playing four seamers is just not on, we saw Australia use four seamers in the practice game and they were virtually stuffed bowling all those overs.
 
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social

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Where are the part-timers mate, they haven't looked keen on bowling Katich and as for Clarke one should use him cautiously, as he has a history of back problems and last thing Australia want is to lose their best player of spin by loading him with a considerable bowling workload and wearing him out, White is **** with ball but even if he fails with the ball, which he most likely would, then still atleast one can expect a few runs from him.

On Indian tracks apart from maybe Mohali, playing four seamers is just not on, we saw Australia use four seamers in the practice game and they were virtually stuffed bowling all those overs.
It seems inevitable that Watson will play, so also pick 3 specialist seamers and White

The 3 seamers will probably need to bowl at least 50 overs per day between them, so that leaves up to 40 from Watson, Clarke White and Katich

Assuming Watson is fit, he needs to bowl up to 15 of those (or else he's a part-timer whose spot cant be guaranteed on batting alone)

That leaves 25 between Clarke, White and Katich or less than 3 overs per session each

Timed right, they might get away with it even in the worst conditions
 

howardj

International Coach
I'm backing Ponting for a blockbuster Test.

He's like a bubbling volcano at the moment.

Watch the larver go gangbusters from Thursday.
 

pup11

International Coach
Anyways what's up Haddin, he came off the field yesterday due to some soreness in his fingers, it really is a concern if he has injured the same finger he fractured in West Indies, because it would make both batting and keeping really tough for him with such a injury or possibility of it always lurking over him.
 

howardj

International Coach
It was the perfect hit out for Punter - a nice, crisp half hundred.

Not too few to erode confidence, but not too many so as to use up all his runs.

He will be Ashes 2006 hungry.
 

biased indian

International Coach
Anyways what's up Haddin, he came off the field yesterday due to some soreness in his fingers, it really is a concern if he has injured the same finger he fractured in West Indies, because it would make both batting and keeping really tough for him with such a injury or possibility of it always lurking over him.
is there any back up keeper in the squad ???

other than hussey :)
 

pup11

International Coach
It seems inevitable that Watson will play, so also pick 3 specialist seamers and White

The 3 seamers will probably need to bowl at least 50 overs per day between them, so that leaves up to 40 from Watson, Clarke White and Katich

Assuming Watson is fit, he needs to bowl up to 15 of those (or else he's a part-timer whose spot cant be guaranteed on batting alone)

That leaves 25 between Clarke, White and Katich or less than 3 overs per session each

Timed right, they might get away with it even in the worst conditions
Yeah you are right, one more thing i would like to add is that its about time Watson stands up and delivers, he has been backed for ages by both selectors and his team-mates, so its about time he does justice to his potential.

Watson needs to step-up as bowler and flush out all the injury concerns out of his mind, good tight overs from Watson would be crucial for Australia' cause and if he has been picked as an all-rounder he would also need to contribute like one.
 

social

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Anyways what's up Haddin, he came off the field yesterday due to some soreness in his fingers, it really is a concern if he has injured the same finger he fractured in West Indies, because it would make both batting and keeping really tough for him with such a injury or possibility of it always lurking over him.
Took a nasty blow flush on that finger
 

howardj

International Coach
Although, in Symonds' absence, Watson deserves to be in the team, I have reservations about him starting against spin. It will an absolute pressure cooker when he comes in with vultures around the bat.
 

Jakester1288

International Regular
However, the complete mismanagement of:
1. Symonds;
The Andrew Symonds issue was handled quite well, and he has not been setting the world on fire in a recent Bulls tour either.

2. McGain; and
McGain was the obvious choice for this tour. There are no spinners in Australia that are even decent, let alone test class. What would be interesting is if they were aware of his injury.

3. Jaques
Jaques has suffered an injury, but will probably be available for the first test. He actually ruled himself out of the tour match, and thought he was the obvious opener to partner Hayden after his terrific summer last time round. He has also been in top form in India, as shown below.

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/184/184844.html
http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/127/127192.html
http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/127/127191.html

He has been batting well, no surprise there, and that is what got him into the Australian side in the first place. Note that Katich is not very good in Indian conditions. Whilst these are not the same pitches that the teams will compete on, they are very similar, and after only the first match, he was dropped for Jaques. He failed in that inning, with 22 in the only match he played. Jaques well and truly outperformed him by getting a chance in the second and third matches, and scoring 82, 136 and 152.

Also, Bollinger performed particualarly well, taking 13 wickets across 5 innings, including a spectacular 5/15 off 14.5. He deserves a spot in the side, as the fourth seamer.

In short, they're clueless.
I disagree. They do a good job, and with the spinners, we are short of options, and are trying to be creative. What would you do then?
 

pup11

International Coach
Although, in Symonds' absence, Watson deserves to be in the team, I have reservations about him starting against spin. It will an absolute pressure cooker when he comes in with vultures around the bat.
I am sure Watto would sweep his way out of trouble against spin.
 

social

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I also think Ponting needs to be creative with his bowling changes i.e. dont just resort to the "part-timers" because everyone else has had long spells and needs a rest

This can cause problems where the batsmen smash the part-timers around and then the only people left to fall back on are the tired quicks - this is what happened in the last 2 series and it allowed the opp lower order to play comfortably after being in trouble early

As an example, use up a few overs from Clarke, etc when guys like Dravid and Laxman come to the crease - they're unlikely to start hitting over the top right from the start
 

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