*Official* Australian Domestic Season Thread

[Great Birtannia]

Really hotting up between him and Johnson for that third spot at Brisbane.

Johnson has a pura cup game against WA at the WACA, who have they brided to get the first three games at home, while Clark has the three day game against the poms to push his claims. The way the WACA is playing you would back in Clark to edge Johnson out.

 

[Johnners]

Haha, Clark. 8 wickets and a match-winning 50.

Really hotting up between him and Johnson for that third spot at Brisbane.

Agreed, Johnson does have the added edge in that he is performing on an International level atm, whereas Clark is back in Domestic stuff. It was brought about by injury, but even so, imo that does give Johnno an edge.

A strong performance on the Road at the WACA would seal it for Mitch.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Johnson has a pura cup game against WA at the WACA, who have they brided to get the first three games at home, while Clark has the three day game against the poms to push his claims. The way the WACA is playing you would back in Clark to edge Johnson out.

I'm sure that'll be taken into account though. It's not like the selectors are going to pick whoever has the best figures and take nothing else into account.

Johnson has had the inside running because he's been playing and doing so well for the Australian ODI team, so Clark will need another big game against England to stake a claim, while Johnson would probably have to bowl badly enough tonight and against WA to make the selectors think twice about him. If both bowlers bowl fairly well, Johnson will get the job.

edit: like Clapo said.

 

[Great Birtannia]

While that is true you have to factor in the ultra conservative nature of the selectors. If both bowlers only bowl fairly well in their respective games I think they will side with Clark personally. We shall see.

 

[Alysum]

The blues are back on track!

Strange Jaques didn't get manu runs...

 

[Josh]

Have we all discounted the chances of Nathan Bracken making the ashes squad??

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Have we all discounted the chances of Nathan Bracken making the ashes squad??

Yeah. He's down as an ODI specialist now and he won't make it unless there's a whole bunch of injuries. I'd say among seamers the order is McGrath, Lee, Johnson, Clark, Gillespie, Bracken, Tait.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I really think Bracken would be over Gillespie. Well, I think he should be, whether he actually is, is another story.

 

[Josh]

Pitty. Seems to be in hot form at the moment.

 

[Mister Wright]

3 wickets tonight (when everyone else was getting plasted) which pretty much won Australia the game (presuming they win). I think Bracken is a big chance of being selected. Not that I agree with it, but still shouldn't be discounted as a selection chance.

 

[Josh]

Indeed. Been consistent throughout the tournament aswell. I never used to like him, but have grown more confidence in him in the last few years. A better option than Clark or Johnson, I'd say.

Of course, there's always the chance they'll play McGrath, Lee, Watson, Warne, Mac(Nuggets with coke and fries)Gill

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Bracken's a good bowler, extemely good in ODIs, but there's legitimate concerns about how dangerous he will be with the ball at test level. Certainly I can't see why anyone who was worried that Clark would be toothless would want Bracken, as he's even more toothless when the ball isn't swinging.

Johnson has youth and potential on his side, while I think Clark would be more reliable. At the least he'd keep it tight, even if he didn't bowl particularly well.

 

[Great Birtannia]

120km/h cutters don't cut it in Test cricket. If you were going to pick Bracken in Australia it would be at the Gabba but really it should now be down to MacGill, Johnson and Clark competing for the 4th ashes bowling spot.

 

[aussie]

well he doesn't have to bowl cutters, he can bowl it between 130-135 MPH consistently but as we all know, questions are still on how effectively he will be at test level since ODI form doesn't always result in test success.

But its going to be a fair headache for the selectors to chose between Johnson, Clark & Bracken for the 1st test. ATM i leading towards Clark..

 

[Alysum]

Bracken always plays well at the Gabba and he did too at the last test there so I'd pick him for the 3rd seamer at the Gabba and Waca. For the other tests MacGill.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Haha why the WACA? It's a freaking road, pick a second spinner.

 

[howardj]

Ponting v Warne next week, in the Pura Cup.

Would be great to watch.

 

[Alysum]

Haha why the WACA? It's a freaking road, pick a second spinner.

are you kidding me? didn't you see how Warnie struggled there at the last test and not long ago for VIC?

 

[Nate]

If you`ve been keeping up with the state matches, it`s been a great ground for the spinners. WA have Heal and North bowling half the damn overs.

 

[Great Birtannia]

If you`ve been keeping up with the state matches, it`s been a great ground for the spinners. WA have Heal and North bowling half the damn overs.

I think the point was that Warne was smacked around, 1/100 or so, when he played for Victoria at the WACA in the first round of the pura cup. Heal bowled well against Tasmania but I think he benefited a fair bit from Tassie chasing quick runs towards the end of the first innings and the whole of the second innings. The pitch is just dormant, I think the decision on the two spinners comes down to shouldering the workload on an absolute road.