***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Spikey]

South Africa aren't Asian so the chances of Watson taking wickets are pretty close to zero you'd imagine.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

When are the Aussies going to announce their squad?

Fingers crossed Harris is fit and Copeland isn't bombed. As for the rest they will probably be the same as SL with Bollinger in for Beer maybe as they won't need 2 spinners on a tour to SA when the pacemen will do the damage and the strength the Aussies have is pace over spin.

Looking forward to this series, not so much the one dayers but they will pass the odd day as they are on at a good time over here.

 

[Howe_zat]

Australia will go ahead of South Africa in the rankings if they beat them 2-0, ftr.

 

[Jacknife]

Do we actually really need a spinner? Maybe probably for Cape Town, but maybe not for Jo-burg?

When England were there in 2009/10 Swann was MOTS, I know that's more to do with Swann himself but still the pitches did take spin.

 

[Jayzamann]

Australia will go ahead of South Africa in the rankings if they beat them 2-0, ftr.

I tried to use the predictor but even though the ratings updated three days ago, there's still the SL series there to fill out the fields for.

 

[BlazeDragon]

Haddin retires from Twenty20 internationals

Probably a right move.

 

[howardj]

My Aussies Squad of 14

It's the first Aussie squad in a long long time that picks itself.

Clarke
Watson
Hughes
Marsh
Hussey
Ponting
Usman
Haddin
Hauritz
Lyon
Johnson
Siddle
Copeland
Harris

 

[DriveClub]

I'd be very tempted to have Bollinger in the squad ahead of a spinner to tour SA.

 

[uvelocity]

I'd be very tempted to have Bollinger in the squad ahead of a spinner to tour SA.

They need to come out and admit fault though to do that, as he hasn't had any chance to prove his fitness by playing FC cricket.

 

[BlazeDragon]

Siddle also does a different job to Copeland. For all the talk of enlarged blood pumpers he is not the guy to bowl long spells at 2.5rpo. He is the short quick spells guy - unfortunately for Sidds Harris is better at it than him. Plus of course there's the Siddle and Johnson must not play in the same side rule. Occasionally breaking it might be ok, but we won't be going higher than 4th if we don't adhere to it.

Some are saying Siddle has the edge over Copeland because of third test. I think its completely BS. Copeland did all the hard work on that test. All Siddle did was get in there and clean up the tail after all the hard work was done by Copeland.

They need to come out and admit fault though to do that, as he hasn't had any chance to prove his fitness by playing FC cricket.

He was the most successful bowler for Australia in the ODI series. So they might pick him just for that. They should because he looks in pretty good touch.

 

[robelinda]

Hah, there is no-one left to admit fault about Dougies non selection!

 

[howardj]

Time to move on from Doug, for mine.

Unless injuries, I never want to see two of him, Johnson, Siddle, Hilfenhaus in the same attack.

 

[Spikey]

Ok but all of that list Dougeh has by far the best record

well perhaps not far, but he's clearly got the wood on Hilf and Siddle

 

[benchmark00]

Gimme some Starcy action.

 

[Spikey]

i'll send you some videos

 

[benchmark00]

gaggin.

 

[Spikey]

oh no wait i misread Starcy. sorry.

 

[Arachnodouche]

SA are so so heavily dependent on the two quickies. an injury to either rules out any chance of them bowling out a decent opposition for an acceptable score. Australia have a more balanced attack in terms of pace at least + Lyon/Hauritz are bit more of a proven quantity than Tahir though his subcontinental skills could play a role.

 

[Quaggas]

SA are so so heavily dependent on the two quickies. an injury to either rules out any chance of them bowling out a decent opposition for an acceptable score. Australia have a more balanced attack in terms of pace at least + Lyon/Hauritz are bit more of a proven quantity than Tahir though his subcontinental skills could play a role.

Buahwahahah!

 

[stephen]

Beer must not tour ahead of Hauritz. To do so would be clinging to the mistakes of the past and not learning from them.

Bollinger is a better bowler than Siddle and should be higher in the pecking order than he is. In fact the only quick who should get a guaranteed spot is Harris at the moment.