Tait

[Griffen#16]

What are others thoughts on going in with a 4-pronged pace attack, with Shaun Tait included? His form against the Bulls in the recent 4-day game was outstanding, finishing with 10 wickets against a quality batting side. He is reporting no pain for the first time in years, and seems ready to go.

Where does he fit into Australia's plan for the summer?

[Twodogs]

I wouldnt ever have Tait out of the side. The guys a weapon and I'd love to see him learning to bowl against the best batsmen in the world.

[Sockeye Salmon]

What are others thoughts on going in with a 4-pronged pace attack, with Shaun Tait included? His form against the Bulls in the recent 4-day game was outstanding, finishing with 10 wickets against a quality batting side. He is reporting no pain for the first time in years, and seems ready to go.

Where does he fit into Australia's plan for the summer?

For mine, he doesn't.

He's certainly capable of bowling a fantastic spell and ripping through any batting line-up, but he's more likely to bowl wide- or short, full, anything - and get smashed.

Lee bowls fast
Clark bowls straight
Johnson bowls from the other side of the pitch
Hilfenhaus swings it

I'd rather play a spinner, and that would have to be Hogg by default, I suppose.

[GVGjr]

I don't mind Tait as a 4th paceman however Noffke's form warrants consideration and I would have him ahead of Tait. Having said that I think the selectors will look more towards Tait.

[Griffen#16]

Noffke does offer a bit with the bat which works in his favour, however I'm hopeful that Tait will return. He has the potential to really tear sides apart, and for mine, is a long term prospect that could lead our attack.

I think your a bit harsh on Tait there SS. He's still not as consistent as he wants/needs to be, but he is a lot better than Lee was at the same stage imo.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Noffke does offer a bit with the bat which works in his favour, however I'm hopeful that Tait will return. He has the potential to really tear sides apart, and for mine, is a long term prospect that could lead our attack.

I think your a bit harsh on Tait there SS. He's still not as consistent as he wants/needs to be, but he is a lot better than Lee was at the same stage imo.

It's not about comparing him to Lee, the question was 'should he be in the test team?' The answer's no.

I have no doubt that he will continue to get better and play a lot of tests for Australia, but unless one or two break down it won't (shouldn't?) be this year.

[Mantis]

I have no doubt that he will continue to get better and play a lot of tests for Australia, but unless one or two break down it won't (shouldn't?) be this year.


But his pace and maybe his waywardness are his greatest asset's. Shouldn't we strike while the iron is hot and play him now when his pace is at it's optimum? No use playing him in 2 years when he is bowling line and length at 140 when he could be playing now and knocking blokes stumps out, knocking there heads off or bowling off the pitch at 155.

[hujsh]

Tait deserves to be in the test team (what he did in the world cup compared to what Johnson did in India was much better) but we need a spinner and none of the pace bowlers deserve to lose their spots. So he'll have to keep it up for a bit and wait like Lee did (hopefuly not for as long)

[Billy Blogger]

Tait deserves to be in the test team (what he did in the world cup compared to what Johnson did in India was much better) but we need a spinner and none of the pace bowlers deserve to lose their spots. So he'll have to keep it up for a bit and wait like Lee did (hopefuly not for as long)

I can see the reasoning behind this but I don't think we will use four pacemen unless the wicket is being prepared that way. I also cannot see why we would be considering using McGain.

[Sunshine]

I can see the reasoning behind this but I don't think we will use four pacemen unless the wicket is being prepared that way. I also cannot see why we would be considering using McGain.

Playing McGain would be a backward step.

[Mantis]

Playing McGain would be a backward step.

Compared to playing Hogg??

[GVGjr]

Compared to playing Hogg??

I suppose the only difference is that Hogg has been in good form and with his one day performances the selectors would know pretty much what they will get.
I tend to think the selection of McGain would be a backward step as well.

[Sockeye Salmon]

I suppose the only difference is that Hogg has been in good form and with his one day performances the selectors would know pretty much what they will get.
I tend to think the selection of McGain would be a backward step as well.

How would it be?

Hogg is actually older than McGain, perhaps if Hogg was 29 you might have a point but he's going on 37!

Surely the question should be do we continue with a 35yo spinner or do we blood a younger guy?

If the younger guys aren't up to it and we go for an older spinner then the only issue is who's the more likely to get the job done?

[bulldogsman]

No young spinner has proven themself yet (Michael Clarke is our best young spinner at the moment which is not good).

Colin Miller came into the side when he was about 36, so maybe selectors will do the same picking Hogg.

[Billy Blogger]

No young spinner has proven themself yet (Michael Clarke is our best young spinner at the moment which is not good).

Colin Miller came into the side when he was about 36, so maybe selectors will do the same picking Hogg.

Thats a fair point and I think the thing that will give Hogg an edge in the selection. The big question mark is over his ability to bowl long spells of decent spin.

Tait has been impressive and might just put enough pressure on the selectors but there is something about playing 4 quicks that I don't think sits well with them.

[Griffen#16]

I was there last night, and got to see Tait in action. His last over was great fun, against Vettori. The crowd was really into it, and eventually Tait got his man. Vettori has a pretty good eye.

[Griffen#16]

So he's in the squad, and has been given the green light from Ponting. Let's hope the selectors are following the same train of thought.

[GVGjr]

So he's in the squad, and has been given the green light from Ponting. Let's hope the selectors are following the same train of thought.


Playing 4 paceman hasn't normally been a strong point for the team.
I still can't decide if we should play Hogg or not.

[The Underdog]

Playing 4 paceman hasn't normally been a strong point for the team.
I still can't decide if we should play Hogg or not.

Makes you realise how important Warne actually was.
We haven't had to really think about this for 10 years. If Warne was out then MacGill was the automatic selection. Unfortunately while Warne was busy being one of the best ever, we missed MacGill's best years. Now we've got bupkis.

I don't know what the answer to this question is. Tait has been spasmodic and injury prone and I don't think the selectors really fancy 4 pacemen. Hogg I don't believe scares any of the Indian batsmen, but can hopefully hold down one end and keep it tight, taking the occasional wicket which is what he does in the 50 over game.
I think Hogg is probably the better call but it's not a promising result either way.
Hopefully someone steps up in the next year or two from the youngsters.

[Billy Blogger]

The Herald Sun this morning was hinting that Hogg was in the 11 and that there was a showdown between Clark, Johnson and Tait for the other pace spots.
Could we really be considering dropping Clark? Also the way the paper was reading Johnson was a chance to be dropped as well.
Does this indicate that we are struggling with the selections or is it just normal healthy competition?

[Griffen#16]

I'd suggest it's just healthy competition. All players have fairly strong cases to be included in the side, and I think whoever they select will do the job. Sadly one of them will be disappointed though.