***Official Australia in South Africa***

[honestbharani]

what a win for RSA.. Well done Smith. Sets up for a really exciting series now. (At least, hopefully)

 

[Demolition Man]

How can people constantly leave Katich out of the side?? If anyone of the batsmen have been underperforming, it's Martyn, not Katich.

ATM Katich has to be in the side, yes I agree, as
I said " in the not to distant future", Katich IMO is not a long-term option. Martyn is not in good form but while he is at the crease he looks alot more comfortable than katich ( the problem is he is far too comfortable) .

I very much doubt Katich will be in our first XI for the WC, barring injuries.

 

[andyc]

Thank god

Jaques called up to South Africa for cover.

 

[Perm]

While I am not a big fan of Simon Katich and do beleive that his scoring rate is too low, he plays the anchor of the Australian top order generally very well. If Gilchrist is blazing away at one end then you need somebody to be able to keep his wicket in tact as Katich has done on a number of occasions. When two or three quick wickets fall from Australia's top order you can generally guarantee that Simon Katich is not one of them.

His scores of 60(78 balls), 0(7),19(29),52(89),82(110),25(43),11(17),56(81),1(5),107(142) in the recent VB Series has shown that he has been in good form, getting above 50 five times and registering his maiden ODI century.

I'm not sure how long Phil Jaques has been piling o the runs for NSW but it usually takes three or four very solid years before a batsmen is really considered for higher honours by the Australian selectors.

 

[Demolition Man]

While I am not a big fan of Simon Katich and do beleive that his scoring rate is too low, he plays the anchor of the Australian top order generally very well. If Gilchrist is blazing away at one end then you need somebody to be able to keep his wicket in tact as Katich has done on a number of occasions. When two or three quick wickets fall from Australia's top order you can generally guarantee that Simon Katich is not one of them.

His scores of 60(78 balls), 0(7),19(29),52(89),82(110),25(43),11(17),56(81),1(5),107(142) in the recent VB Series has shown that he has been in good form, getting above 50 five times and registering his maiden ODI century.

I'm not sure how long Phil Jaques has been piling o the runs for NSW but it usually takes three or four very solid years before a batsmen is really considered for higher honours by the Australian selectors.

There is the problem , Katich only works if gilly is going.

 

[Perm]

Katich is a conventional opener, not a blaster of the cricket ball like Gilchrist, Jayasuriya or Vincent. He does not look to go out all guns blazing from the first ball, he sets his sights on scoring a 50 which anchors his team and that is his role in the Australian squad. They do not need another big hitter, what they need is exactly what he provides, steadiness.

 

[andyc]

There is the problem , Katich only works if gilly is going.

http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/...ORECARDS/AUS_SL_VBS_ODI-FINAL1_10FEB2006.html

http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005-06/OD_TOURNEYS/VBS/SCORECARDS/AUS_SL_VBS_ODI1_13JAN2006.html

http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005-06/OD_TOURNEYS/VBS/SCORECARDS/AUS_SL_VBS_ODI7_26JAN2006.html

In all those three games of the VB series, Katich made 50s when Gilly or the top order as a whole failed to do much else. In this 05/06 season, Katich has averaged 40.80 from 16 matches, with his recent century and 6 fifties. You simply do not drop someone with that kind of recent form.

 

[Nate]

No more rash statements pleeease. Well done to South Africa, out-played Australia with a little luck, but they made it their own. Australia really missed Ponting and Symonds, and our bowling with the exception of Bracks was very poor.

I don`t see Johnson being ready by the World Cup, and I don`t think Tait or Gillespie are the answers at all. Just looking at the domestic sides, there are many up-and-coming bowlers, perhaps they need to be looked at. Bird is a promising youngster and there are numerous others. O`Brien is a legend, his bowling has improved out of sight and his batting is technically sound. And I definately wouldn`t write off Dorey after a few poor games.

There are many talented young Aussies and the selectors just need to take their time and get it right.

 

[andyc]

There are many talented young Aussies and the selectors just need to take their time and get it right.

Well, that's the problem

 

[marc71178]

2. Jaques ( its not how many runs katich can scrape togeather but the way he does it, it effects the balance of the innings If gilly is not overcompensating for katichs lack of attacking intent , katich is shown for the shocker he is)

The man scores a ton and still they want him dropped

12. Tait ( if he can continue to increase his accuracy and consistency, especially away from adelaide oval)

14 wides in 1 game = accuracy?

 

[Nate]

Well, that's the problem

"Look at me, I`m Andy and I have 100 more posts than Nnanden. Blah, blah, blah."

Out of interest, who do you think should be in and out?


Personally, I believe Jaques to be better than Katich, although Katich isn`t doing heaps wrong. Martyn needs to get his act together. And Watson certainly is looking a little rusty.

There are quite a few young players I`d have in the mix, especially bowling and all-round wise.

 

[andyc]

"Look at me, I`m Andy and I have 100 more posts than Nnanden. Blah, blah, blah."

Out of interest, who do you think should be in and out?


Personally, I believe Jaques to be better than Katich, although Katich isn`t doing heaps wrong. Martyn needs to get his act together. And Watson certainly is looking a little rusty.

There are quite a few young players I`d have in the mix, especially bowling and all-round wise.

I think Katich doesn't deserved to be dropped, but the first time an opportunity opens up (ie. with batsmen injured), Jaques should be called up, as has happened. Martyn's run of low scores have been worrying, but I reckon the selectors will keep him in for a while, not least because there's no one else in South Africa to take his spot. I didn't actually watch the match (no Foxtel), but I agree that from the scorecard, Watson definetely did look a little rusty; hopefully he'll sort it out. If he doesn't, then I've no idea who could take his spot, because while Hopes didn't really go horribly, he hardly lit the world on fire. I guess White could have a go, but his bowling seems to be a bit easy to go after. In terms of the bowling, I don't really think Johnson should be in the team, while Bracken should be a definete regular. As you pointed out, there are plenty of youngsters on the scene, but you'd think the selectors could actually pick one of the young guys who are doing well.

 

[social]

Watson actually batted pretty well - people dismiss the fact that he was bowled having a slog with a couple of overs left after playing responsibly for quite a time.

Unfortunately, he looked decidedly unfit whilst fielding and bowling.

 

[alternative]

i have to agree there andy..

Martyn is quite rusty, i think he needs to polish his batting.. there are very good middle order batsmen to take his duties.. he has been quite rusty since the 20/20 in australia..
I also would say Katich to stay, he has been playing quite well.. but with Jaques coming into the equation, i think katich would be lowered in the batting order as he had some experience in the middle order..

On the bowling side of things, don't like the point of having Johnson in there.. if Clark is fit, he is the best man for the job, i am also considering the fact that he has experience with a great man McGrath..

and would like to see James Hopes comming back into the equation, as i didn't see him doing much wrong in the VB series, he just showed a little touch of class..

 

[Jono]

Watson actually batted pretty well - people dismiss the fact that he was bowled having a slog with a couple of overs left after playing responsibly for quite a time.

Unfortunately, he looked decidedly unfit whilst fielding and bowling.

Yes but he always looks woeful when going for the slog. Compare him to other lower order batsman in ODI cricketaround the world. Razzaq, Afridi, Dhoni (when he bats there), Kemp, Pollock, McCullum etc., they can all change gears when necessary late in the innings. Watson cannot do that when he bats 7 or 8, and he's either better off up the order or you're basically playing him as a bowler.

 

[Nate]

Alternative, Clark was not fit.

 

[alternative]

Alternative, Clark was not fit.

i know "i stated that if Clark is fit"

 

[howardj]

Been much conjecture about Australia's ODI bowlers, and how the attack is shaping up for the World Cup. Here are my groupings:

Up To The Task:
McGrath
Bracken
Tait
Clark
Lee
Hogg
Warne
Symonds

Not Up To The Task
Lewis
Johnson
Hopes
Gillespie

Jury Still Out
Watson
Dorey

 

[Ikki]

I'd put Watson ahead of Clark.

 

[Nate]

i know "i stated that if Clark is fit"

My bad, must`ve read it wrong.

And howardj, looks like a pretty decent list, though I guess things can change in the next year. Though I don`t really see how Tait can be up to the task when he hasn`t played an ODI yet.