What Australian Team would you select to tour South Africa

[john18]

In your opinion what team would select? This would be mine

Tests: Simon Katich, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting (c), Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke (vc), All Rounder ?, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Peter Siddle, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus.

I did not add Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson because of the indifinite length of their injuries.

Selections by positions

Openers
I have selected Phil Jaques to partner his NSW teamate Simon Katich in place of the out of form Matthew Hayden. If he recovers from his back injury he should be the first opener to be considered. Jaques has played 11 tests scored 902 runs at an adverage of 47.47 and has 3 centuries and 6 half centuries. Selectors have also tossed up names like Phillip Hughes and Chris Rogers.

Top/Middle Order Batsman
Pretty much the same of Ponting, Hussey and M. Clarke. Though Hussey's adverage has dropped very much because of his poor form. Ponting looked good at the MCG scoring 101and 99. Michael Clarke has been one of the form batsman along with Katich. Could add some back ups.

All Rounder
Have a Question mark who should be the all rounder with first choices Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson out with injury. Andrew McDonald is allright but there is a question mark if he can be a test all rounder.

Wicket Keeper
Well it's Brad Haddin. Haddin has been doing a great job with the bat and the gloves since Adam Gilchrist retirement. An intresting fact he is yet to make a duck with the bat in 21 innings.

Bowlers (Fast Bowlers)
Fast Bowlers I have gone with Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark and Peter Siddle. Also added Ben Hilfenhaus as a back up. Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle were Australias Best in the beaten series against South Africa, while Australia also need Stuart Clark back soon. Last time he played against South Africa he destroyed them. That's what I will go with. Brett Lee is certain to miss this series.

Bowlers (Spinners)
This has caused plenty of debate between selectors since Shane Warne retired. They have been tried and failed. Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg were first choices but both are now retired. Beau Casson was tried against the West Indies but selectors dropped or over looked him for the India tour. Bryce McGain and Jason Krejza would be the first ones to be given the chance but Bryce McGain injured his shoulder and was sent home. He was then replaced by his Victorian team mate Cameron White. In a warm up match against a Preisdent XI I think, Krejza was given the first chance but his figures were 0-199. This meant that Cameron White was selected to be Australias spinner. but through out the series he failed. After been Overlooked for the three tests Jason Krejza was selected to make his debut (despite the fact that Cameron White was still in the side). He took 8-215 in the first innings and 4-143 in the second innings giving him match figures 12-358. He was then dropped in favour of two all rounders for the first test against New Zealand. He would then be re called to the team for the second test but he rolled his ankle at training and then was rulled out. His replacement would be Nathan Hauritz. Hauritz took 4 wickets in that match. Krejza would finally get a recall once he prove he was fit to play in the first test in South Africa. but Krejza failed with match figures 1-204. he was then dropped then Nathan Hauritz earned a recall. Nathan Hauritz took 5 wickets in the two test matches he played. So will the debate continue or will it end? Only time will tell.

 

[pup11]

1.Simon Katich
2.Matty Hayden (yeah, i would give him a last chance)
3.Ricky Ponting (c)
4.Mike Hussey
5.Michael Clarke (vc)
6.Andrew Symonds
7.Brad Haddin (wk)
8.Mitchell Johnson
9.Stuart Clark (subject to fitness)/ Nathan Bracken/ Ashley Noffke
10.Pete Siddle
11.Benjamin Hilfenhaus
12.Dougie Bollinger
13.Phil Jaques (subject to fitness and form)/ Philip Hughes
14.Nathan Hauritz
15.Steve Magoffin

 

[Hoggy31]

Test squad of say, 15:

Jaques - Straight back in for Hayden
Katich
Ponting
M. Hussey
Clarke
D.Hussey - Give him a go
Haddin
Johnson
Clark
Siddle
Hilfenhaus - Give him a go
- - -
Hughes - exp. pts etc.
North - see Nathan Hauritz, but a top class batsman also
McGain - if fit, just in case
Magoffin - get him some international exposure before the Ashes

 

[Matt79]

Steve Waugh's team from 2001.


But seriously
Jaques (if fit, otherwise Hughes, with Rogers as cover)
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Hodge
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

Squad: Hughes/Rogers depending on Jaques fitness, North, McGain (if fit, otherwise Krejza), Bollinger, McDonald. If Clark or Lee were fit (obv. Clark more likely to be fit), then Bollinger is out in their favour. Pecking order at the moment, for me, assuming everyone is fully fit is: Johnson, Lee, Clark, Siddle, Hilfy, Bollinger.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Katich
Jaques/Hayden
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Clark
Siddle
-----------
Hughes
McDonald
Bollinger
Krejza

 

[pup11]

Steve Waugh's team from 2001.


But seriously
Jaques (if fit, otherwise Hughes, with Rogers as cover)
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Hodge
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

Squad: Hughes/Rogers depending on Jaques fitness, North, McGain (if fit, otherwise Krejza), Bollinger, McDonald. If Clark or Lee were fit (obv. Clark more likely to be fit), then Bollinger is out in their favour. Pecking order at the moment, for me, assuming everyone is fully fit is: Johnson, Lee, Clark, Siddle, Hilfy, Bollinger.

I really don't see the need of taking a second spinner to South Africa, a seamer like Magoffin or even Ryan Harris would a be much better choice then Krezja or even McGain, i think even if McGain is fit he would need to play a few games for the Vics and do well there before he is considered for international duty.

Hilfenhaus has to play in South Africa imo, especially if Clark doesn't play, which is very likely atm, i think he and Siddle could really do well in those conditions, Bollinger was not upto the mark, for me, in the SCG test, though i would have him in the squad but i would prefer Hilfy over him.

 

[Prince EWS]

I just don't get the Hilfenhaus>Bollinger thing at all. Bollinger is the incumbant, completely unbowled Hilfenhaus last season in the Shield (and this season when he's actually been allowed to play, too) and bowled a lot better in Sydney than his figures suggested. He wasn't awesome but he certainly did okay for a debutant, particularly in the second innings when he was less nervous. Dropping him after one game would be nothing short of ridiculous - obviously things are different if Clark is fit.

Terrible treatment is something he should be used to by now though, I guess.

As for the thread in general, a lot depends on what happens between now and then, IMO. The fitness of both Jaques and McGain - and indeed their form if they make it back in time - are crucial to the makeup of my squad, as is Hayden's form for Queensland between now and then.

Assuming everyone is fit and finds some form, though:

Katich
Hayden
Ponting
M Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Clark
Bollinger
-------------------------
Jaques
McGain
McDonald
Hilfenhaus

 

[howardj]

My squad of 14:

Katich
Jaques
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Klinger
Haddin
Johnson
McGain
Clark
Siddle
______

Hughes
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus

 

[vic_orthdox]

My squad of 14:

Katich
Jaques
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Klinger
Haddin
Johnson
McGain
Clark
Siddle
______

Hughes
Hauritz
Hilfenhaus

I really don't see Klinger going, to be perfectly honest. Probably depends on how the season finishes up, but for all his run getting, he's moved to the flattest deck in the country and has only one solid season of runs behind him.

 

[tim#7]

1.Simon Katich

2.Phil Jacques

3.Ricky Ponting ( c )

4.Michael Hussey

5.Michael Clarke

6.David Hussey

7.Brad Haddin ( + )

8.Mitchell Johnson

9.Jason Krezja

10.Peter Siddle

11.Stuart Clark

_____________________

Phil Hughes
Ben Hilfenhaus
Marcus North
Brad Hodge

Cannot understand why the selectors seem to think we need an all rounder in the side. Steve Waugh's 2001 team did not have an all rounder, and they're the best side ever. Furthermore, Jason Krezja and Mitchell Johnson are both reasonable batsmen. If Cameron White can pass as an All Rounder, then i have no doubt that Johnson should be placed in the same category.

 

[howardj]

^ I don't think we'll take nine specialist batsmen on the trip. Plus the thing they're looking for with an allrounder is extra bowling firepower. By having Johnson as your allrounder but still batting him at 8, that's not a structure that accommodates their above aim. If you wanted Johnson as your allrounder, then to achieve the above aim, you would need to bat him at 7 and move Haddin to 6.

 

[Corbin]

I just don't get the Hilfenhaus>Bollinger thing at all. Bollinger is the incumbant, completely unbowled Hilfenhaus last season in the Shield (and this season when he's actually been allowed to play, too) and bowled a lot better in Sydney than his figures suggested. He wasn't awesome but he certainly did okay for a debutant, particularly in the second innings when he was less nervous. Dropping him after one game would be nothing short of ridiculous - obviously things are different if Clark is fit.

Terrible treatment is something he should be used to by now though, I guess.

As for the thread in general, a lot depends on what happens between now and then, IMO. The fitness of both Jaques and McGain - and indeed their form if they make it back in time - are crucial to the makeup of my squad, as is Hayden's form for Queensland between now and then.

Assuming everyone is fit and finds some form, though:

Katich
Hayden
Ponting
M Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Clark
Bollinger
-------------------------
Jaques
McGain
McDonald
Hilfenhaus

I find it astounding that you defend Bollinger's on the sole basis that he is the 'incumbent' yet you drop Hauritz for McGain. Shoulder reconstructions can take almost a year to get over and the fact he will only have possibly one to two games IIRC in Sheffield Shield cricket is no where enough time to warrant selection in the Australian side. Now before you blow up, no I am not saying Hauritz is the better spinner but there is no way McGain will be ready to bowl in South Africa after such a lengthy lay off. Really the same could be said regarding Jaques as much as I don't particularly want to say it.

I highly doubt that the selectors will be confident enough to play 4 pace bowlers in South Africa whilst relying on the untried spin on North at test level. I do believe it is essential for the Australian selectors to pick Hilfenhaus because IMO he has the best out swinger in Australia at the current present time. I do agree that perhaps Bollingers figures didn't accurately illustrate the way in which he bowled which can be the case quite often in Test cricket due to the roles each player respectively has within the side.

Absolutely love the inclusion of North in that side also, I think he is essential to the squad's balance with the upcoming Ashes and should make the tour squad regardless of the fitness of a misfiring Symonds. How McDonald found himself in test reckoning out of completely nowhere is beyond my belief. He hasn't exactly been picked in previous Australia A tours/games in recent times whilst North, Voges and David Hussey all found themselves in the Australia A squad on their tour in India.

As you said the there is a still a lot of time in between the time in which the side will be selected and going on the amount of injuries hitting Australia at the moment the luck of the previous years looks like it could of run out and could hit during the ODI series. A lot of water to go under the bridge still till the side is named but I would probably go with something like this:

1 Katich
2 Hayden (He'll be safe I think)
3 Ponting
4 M Hussey
5 Clarke
6 North
7 Haddin
8 Johnson
9 Hauritz
10 Siddle
11 Clark

12 Hughes
13 McDonald/D Hussey
14 Hilfenhaus
15 Bollinger

Found it quite painful in writing Stuart Clark's name in that side just then... I've been thoroughly enjoying him out of the Test side in recent times! I think it would be poor treatment to not include McDonald in the squad but I don't believe he's selection in Sydney was warranted over that over D Hussey or Marcus North. I feel for Marcus North I think he is the answer to the selectors confusing obsession with having a Flintoff type player in the side but after him being overlooked for the ODI and 20/20 squads I find it hard to believe that they will turn around and pick him in the Test side as much as I would like them to. My confidence in the Australian selectors is withering quite fast after recent times. The seemingly apparent compulsory selection of an all rounder doesn't not justify the balance of the Australian side if quite simply there isn't one that is of needed standard available to achieve success in a time of rebuilding and phasing of players looking to retirement or already retired.

 

[Prince EWS]

I find it astounding that you defend Bollinger's on the sole basis that he is the 'incumbent' yet you drop Hauritz for McGain.

That wasn't the sole basis; I also mentioned the fact that he's outperformed Hilfenhaus in Shield cricket and did well on debut. Furthermore, Hilfenhaus wasn't injured when Bollinger was picked originally. I don't see what's changed to put Hilfenhaus ahead of Bollinger - something has to actually change for someone to get dropped. In the Hauritz/McGain case, McGain being fit (before you reply saying he isn't, actually read the rest of my post) is the change. I'll argue the Hauritz case with you if you like but if you've going to compare it to the Bollinger case throughout the whole debate, I'll just ignore you completely because it's completely different.

Shoulder reconstructions can take almost a year to get over and the fact he will only have possibly one to two games IIRC in Sheffield Shield cricket is no where enough time to warrant selection in the Australian side.

Yeah, read my post properly.

As for the thread in general, a lot depends on what happens between now and then, IMO. The fitness of both Jaques and McGain - and indeed their form if they make it back in time - are crucial to the makeup of my squad, as is Hayden's form for Queensland between now and then.

Assuming everyone is fit and finds some form, though:

If he comes back, gets a few games under his belt and takes a few wickets, I'd take him on tour. If he doesn't, then I wouldn't.

I certainly wouldn't be taking Hauritz though, regardless. For mine there's basically no point in picking a spinner at all if he's not going to take advantage on the rare occasion the pitch suits him. I almost see the selection of Hauritz as the Australian selectors cheating themselves - they insist on having a spinner all the time yet they know they don't have one capable of performing well at home so they pick someone who's a spinner in name only, who isn't actually going to be a threat at any stage of the match at all but won't cost much when he's in the attack. Hauritz offers nothing that 40 seam bowlers in the country couldn't offer to the team other than maintenance of over-rates and that's no way to select your Test team.

The seemingly apparent compulsory selection of an all rounder doesn't not justify the balance of the Australian side if quite simply there isn't one that is of needed standard available to achieve success in a time of rebuilding and phasing of players looking to retirement or already retired.

I'd say the same about the apparent compulsory selection of a spinner. And I'm hardly going to be biased against spinners, am I?

 

[Spikey]

Found it quite painful in writing Stuart Clark's name in that side just then... I've been thoroughly enjoying him out of the Test side in recent times!

You've been enjoying having our best bowler out of the team?

 

[howardj]

It ****s me to tears that people have still got Hayden in their squad. He:

- is 37 years old
- averaged 20 on the tour of India (where we lost)
- averaged 16 in five Tests in Australia this Summer (where we lost a Series).

That is nine Test matches! He has been given his extended run which should be afforded to a champion. He has had that run.

Anyway, RE the contentious number 6 spot, got a feeling they are likely to go with either Symonds or DHussey.

 

[mikeW]

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Hussey/Mcdonald
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
Clark
Bollinger/Hilfenhaus

Reserves
Hussey/Mcdonald
Bollinger/Hilfenhaus
Hauritz (Dont rate him but will be selected, likewise Bollinger)


Last spot i'd give to a young up and comer, Krejza, Ferguson, Quiney, Mckay etc.

 

[howardj]

I just don't get the Hilfenhaus>Bollinger thing at all. Bollinger is the incumbant, completely unbowled Hilfenhaus last season in the Shield (and this season when he's actually been allowed to play, too) and bowled a lot better in Sydney than his figures suggested. He wasn't awesome but he certainly did okay for a debutant, particularly in the second innings when he was less nervous. Dropping him after one game would be nothing short of ridiculous - obviously things are different if Clark is fit.

Not true, Hilfenhaus has outbowled Bollinger this season, had back problems last year, and outbowled everyone in 2006/2007. To me, Bollinger was not overly impressive in Sydney.

Moreover, Hilfenhaus offers something unique to the team - he has a genuine outswinger.

 

[Corbin]

You've been enjoying having our best bowler out of the team?

Absolutely hate him, doesn't mean he isn't good though.

 

[Prince EWS]

It ****s me to tears that people have still got Hayden in their squad. He:

- is 37 years old
- averaged 20 on the tour of India (where we lost)
- averaged 16 in five Tests in Australia this Summer (where we lost a Series).

That is nine Test matches! He has been given his extended run which should be afforded to a champion. He has had that run.

Anyway, RE the contentious number 6 spot, got a feeling they are likely to go with either Symonds or DHussey.

Will Symonds actually be fit? I was under the impression he'd be out.

 

[greggyb]

not to mention Hayden has only averaged 38 since Langer retired