Out of the people in the squad....
Smith's not in the squad anymore.
Smith as sole spinner would make a terrible selection. As poor a record Doherty has, I would back him over Smith in doing a good job with the ball. Smith if not taking wickets will concede too many runs and leave us a bowler short.
Na I think the idea with that squad is that Smith, North etc. provide the spin options, whilst Watson and the other fast bowlers form the core of the attack. Smith would be there mainly to boost the batting. Personally I think that squad would be way better than the one we are going to have, because if anything will fail it will be our batting. But Smith is no longer in the equation so... yeah.
Just goes to show, the selectors see him as a specialist spinner for some reason. Cam White all over again...
Don't see it that way, tbh. At least Smith is bowling for NSW, Cam White was captain for Vic and part-timers got more of the ball.
Sid then. Either way, it should be him rather than Bollinger for the 4th seamer.
Can't see why you would. Khawaja may have failed in one tour match, but he has otherwise been very successful in every other match. Unless you think that the same competition that North averages 43 in and Khawaja 50+ is somehow differentI would put more trust in North than Khawaja
Aggers sais this morning it's just some grass that's been rolled into it, and it's definitely a bat first pitch.
Doesnt really matter tbh - after Edgbaston '05 and Oval '09, Oz are guaranteed to pick a spinner and bat first (if they win the toss) even if the pitch is the equivalent of Old MacDonald Farm's back paddock
From what i am hearing about the Gabba pitch, batting first could be suicide for Aussies.Doesnt really matter tbh - after Edgbaston '05 and Oval '09, Oz are guaranteed to pick a spinner and bat first (if they win the toss) even if the pitch is the equivalent of Old MacDonald Farm's back paddock
Personally believe that the first day could set the tone for the whole series and Oz run the risk of losing it because of hangups over past mistakes
Eng dont have the same "issues" IMO and will simply judge a book by its cover
On the last 2 tours, Australia have ended day 1 364/2 after being inserted in 2002, and 343/3 in 2006.Doesnt really matter tbh - after Edgbaston '05 and Oval '09, Oz are guaranteed to pick a spinner and bat first (if they win the toss) even if the pitch is the equivalent of Old MacDonald Farm's back paddock
Personally believe that the first day could set the tone for the whole series and Oz run the risk of losing it because of hangups over past mistakes
Eng dont have the same "issues" IMO and will simply judge a book by its cover
The question is, are the 2002 and 2006 scores more to do with the pitch, or simply a case of questionable bowling against possibly the world's best ever batting lineup?
Without doubt the second one, but IMO it's still going to weigh on Strauss' mind should he win the toss. Particularly given that 2002 happened after Nasser won the toss.
