**Official**VB Series 2005 Australia,Pakistan,West Indies.

[Mister Wright]

The news says Katich is definitely out and Clarke is opening the batting.

Yaaaaay!!

We remember what happened last time he opened don't we? 2 ducks!

 

[parttimer]

Shall we get a betting pool running on how many games it takes for him to be called up?

I don't see how he could have proved himself to any greater degree than he did in the test series.

 

[Mr Casson]

We remember what happened last time he opened don't we? 2 ducks!

I only remember him opening twice, and once he got a hundred!! And even if it was against Zimbabwe, 100 is always a good effort.

Whatever his record, it's a good chance for him to show his versatility in the order. Admittedly, though, his record opening for NSW was pretty poor.

 

[PaX]

Whats the expected Aussie team for the match against the Windies?

 

[Mr Casson]

Whats the expected Aussie team for the match against the Windies?

Gilchrist
Clarke
Ponting
Martyn
Lehmann
Symonds
Hogg
Lee
Some fast bowlers

 

[Pratters]

Hogg

Best indicator of lack of depth in Aussie spin department and why Ponting would have Warne out of retirement in ODIs

 

[Mr Casson]

Best indicator of lack of depth in Aussie spin department and why Ponting would have Warne out of retirement in ODIs

It's not a lack of depth, it's a lack of commonsense.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Gilchrist
Clarke
Ponting
Martyn
Lehmann
Symonds
Hogg
Lee
Some fast bowlers

With Hayden out and no batsman in to repalce him, Watson would have to play and bat up the order.

 

[Mr Casson]

With Hayden out and no batsman in to repalce him, Watson would have to play and bat up the order.

Oops, forgot about Watson..

 

[Pratters]

It's not a lack of depth, it's a lack of commonsense.

Yes even that. Amazes me how Hogg always manages to manage a place in the side.

 

[PaX]

I think he'll go in with:

Clarke
Gilly
Ponting
Martyn
Lehman
Symonds
Watson
Hogg
Lee
Gillespie
McGrath

 

[Mr Casson]

By Hodge, you mean Hogg.

 

[bryce]

IMO Collins has to be there. He's our best allround bowler.

yeah he looked good when i saw him but the selectors seem to want to get reon king out there and get him back into international fairly quickly - and merv dillon bowled pretty well aswell, good to see the west indies management have some in-form pace options to select from

 

[garage flower]

yeah he looked good when i saw him but the selectors seem to want to get reon king out there and get him back into international fairly quickly - and merv dillon bowled pretty well aswell, good to see the west indies management have some in-form pace options to select from

Yep, Collins was the in-form bowler last season - averaged about 25 in tests -and is getting consistent swing back into the right-handers.

I think it's a question of whether the selectors are concerned enough about the shaky batting to include Powell or - less likely - Marshall at the expense of a third specialist seamer. If they go for the extra batsman I'd be surprised if either Collins or Bradshaw missed out.

My preference would be for the extra bowler. I'd feel a lot happier only needing 20 overs from Bravo, Gayle, Samuels and W Hinds, despite the fact that they've all proved to be very reliable lately.

 

[twctopcat]

"fielder throws to bowler who breaks
the stumps inzamam hobbling well out"

Poor old inzy.........

 

[Josh]

Looks about right to me. I'll be at the game. Can't wait.

 

[Arrow]

Inzy might still be injured but to me he looks like a shot player. He couldnt get the ball off the block tonight. Looked horrible.

 

[imranrabb]

I heard the commentators saying his back is still hurting alot

 

[Mister Wright]

I think he'll go in with:

Clarke
Gilly
Ponting
Martyn
Lehman
Symonds
Watson
Hogg
Lee
Gillespie
McGrath

I wouldn't be surprised if Kasprowicz plays, he hasn't played since the Boxing Day test. Perhaps they will rest either Gillespie or McGrath. As long as Kaspa plays at the 'Gabba don't really mind.

 

[Mister Wright]

I only remember him opening twice, and once he got a hundred!! And even if it was against Zimbabwe, 100 is always a good effort.

Whatever his record, it's a good chance for him to show his versatility in the order. Admittedly, though, his record opening for NSW was pretty poor.

You're right he has only opened twice, but the first time he opened he got a duck following a duck in his previous match - that is where I got mixed up.

He opened once against Sri Lanka for a duck and the other time he opened he scored 102* his two times at three he has scored 16, one against Sri Lanka, the other against Zimbabwe.