Haha. Crazy talk. Hopes has proven himself domestically from opener to number 7 and creates pressure with his bowling, doesn't always get the wickets but dries up runs for the bowler at the other end. Would have him in my one day side everytime.
Nope i won't agree with you on that, Hopes is 100% man and he with every passing season he has improved as a player, he has come into the Australian side on the sheer weight age of runs he scored and wickets he took over the last 2 seasons, he is not a bowler who would set the world on fire but he is very reliable as your 5th bowling option and he is pretty good batsman too, he has been gunning them while opening the batting for the Bulls and he adds depth to the Aussie Odi side.
Haha. I do know what Hopes has done domestically and all that jazz. I would have a wicket taker ahead of some one like Hopes in my side really. If it was Sri Lanka who can't get wicket takers and go for an option like Maharoof, I understand it completely. This is Australia we are talking about here though. Also, batting wise, as I said, he is useful but I would not chose him because of it ahead of a bowler who can take wickets. Heh.
Australia has four pretty good genuine wicket-taking bowlers, so why would they pick another bowler ahead of Hopes and shorten their batting, Hopes has scored big runs and taken lots of wickets in Ford ranger cup in the last two seasons, that's why he is the side, he is not their just for the sake of having an all-rounder.
Point is, I would select a better primary skill player - batsman or bowler than Hopes. Hopes can contain runs but I would select a wicket taker ahead of him. If it is a batsman (who can bowl a bit) which is needed, as the case is given they are already playing four bowlers, I would select some one who can bat much better given the pedigree of Aussie domestic batsmen atm.
Its all about fixing a guy in your scheme of things and Hopes fits into teh Australian Odi unit very well and adds that extra depth that comes with an all-rounder, since he made his comeback on the Indian tour he has hardly put a foot wrong, so kudos to the guy for making most of his chances.
Given how strong the Australian batting line-up is usually, Hopes is the perfect player. He can score runs with the bat, and bowls 10 very, very handy overs.
Poor execution rather than being irresponsible. Should have been dispatched for 6, or at least 4.
Oops.
Yeah the whole IPL and Monkey business seems to have taken its toll on the team's focus i guess, but they are professionals and they need to overcome such stuff soon.
