I agree that there is place for a good gloveman in test cricket. I disagree that it should be seen as an extra batsman. That said, De Kock I think has made a big enough statement as a batsman to be included as an ODI wicket keeper. Hell, we need a new opener anyways.
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***Official*** South Africa in Australia 2012
- Thread starter Spark
- Start date
MrPrez
International Debutant
Yeah well the debate about Tsolekile is around Tests 
No way I'd have him in the ODI team, I'd value a batting keeper over his glovework and a 21 average any day. Don't really mind ABDV keeping in ODIs, but in Tests I reckon we need a genuine gloveman at 7.
People say it'll take away from our batting but tbh we shouldn't need to rely on a specialist number 7 when history dictates a top 6 and a specialist keeper is fine, and when we have Amla, Kallis, de Villiers beefing up the middle order (fair to say the best top/middle order in the world atm?).
No way I'd have him in the ODI team, I'd value a batting keeper over his glovework and a 21 average any day. Don't really mind ABDV keeping in ODIs, but in Tests I reckon we need a genuine gloveman at 7.People say it'll take away from our batting but tbh we shouldn't need to rely on a specialist number 7 when history dictates a top 6 and a specialist keeper is fine, and when we have Amla, Kallis, de Villiers beefing up the middle order (fair to say the best top/middle order in the world atm?).
Noble One
International Vice-Captain
I'm not a fan of carrying an all-rounder for the sake of carrying one. Quiney, Hussey and Clarke are decent enough to bowl the 20-25 overs that may be required from a fifth bowler. If Australia have such a need; it's likely Kallis or Amla are scoring +100 and a bowler of modest ability like Henriques wouldn't make much difference.
Red
The normal awards that everyone else has
howardj
International Coach
I agree that you shouldn't pick one for the sake of it. However, in Adelaide particularly for the first three days, I think you need that extra bowling option. Hussey and Quiney are not genuine wicket taking options in the way that Watson and Henriques are.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Looking at it the other way though, how effective is someone who effectively a bits-and-pieces player going to be bowling brisk medium pace of a flat surface like Adelaide?
Adelaide's the type of ground where five bowlers would come into serious consideration if you had a genuine bowler capable of batting seven (like Tim Bresnan, say) but I don't think it's really the surface you want to pick a batting allrounder who bowls medium pace for ahead of a better batsman, in all honesty. A batsman who bowls some decent twirlers could be a different story though, just thinking about it.
Ruckus
International Captain
Ruckus
International Captain
But I wouldn't be playing 5 bowlers anyway. This batting up line-up, despite the strong showing in the last match, is still well and truly capable of collapsing badly. Would be far too risky I reckon to reduce the batting depth even further. It's a shame that Watson (probably?) won't be in contention to bowl, but really, aside from Hilf, the bowling last time wasn't too bad. Pattinson is on fire atm, and Siddle will probably only improve on his performance (was starting to show some better signs by the end of that test). There's no doubt Starc will provide some firepower too if he plays, but let's just hope he can avoid gifting too many runs in doing so.
Ruckus
International Captain
You sir win a hundred dollars!
Btw liking the avatar you've got going there. Looks like you need to lay of the schwag a bit though.
Pup Clarke
Cricketer Of The Year
Is Hazlewood still in the squad?
Played the domestic one dayer in North Sydney yesterday. Perhaps he'll link up with the squad late if there isn't any conflict with Shield games.
robelinda
International Vice-Captain
Its my "oh man, Kallis is batting" face.....
Yeah, due was definitely there for experience. Although if this whole fast bowler rotation thing happens, they do need a replacement for Cummins at the WACA. Hazlewood to play a Test by this time next year, IMO; the selectors love him.
Ruckus
International Captain
As much as I don't like him, I'd actually be really tempted to play Johnson at the WACA. And it does sound like he is still in the picture to some extent, going of various media reports. I just really hope if he does play in that test and does well, it won't mean he is around for future tests much. We just can't go back to the 'Johnson is the strike bowler' era.
Pup Clarke
Cricketer Of The Year
I'd say he has a decent shout to play in this series. Four tests ain't it?
Haze that is
Haze that is
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