An alternate Test line-up

[GVGjr]

With the power of hindsight, who would have you selected for the test squad for this series against India?

For me, players who should have been considered are:
Adam Voges, Marcus North, Luke Ronchi and Ashley Noffke along with at least one of the following spinners, Hauritz, Smith and Cullen. I would probably lean towards Cullen even though he hasn't been playing much.

Hodge and DHussey are unlucky.

Can anyone come up with some alternative names?

[hujsh]

Maybe Pommers.

Rogers though 4 openers may be too much.

Magoffin and Hilfy are in good form though if we brought the latter he may not have found that form.

[GVGjr]

Maybe Pommers.

Rogers though 4 openers may be too much.

Magoffin and Hilfy are in good form though if we brought the latter he may not have found that form.

Pomerbasch for who?

I don't think either Hillfenhaus or Magoffin would be effective on the Indian tracks we have seen.

If we had a decent wicket taking spinner then it would fix a few problems but I don't think Watson being used primarily as the 4 bowler will win us many test matches. It will be interesting to see if Symonds with his few misdemeanors and below average form can push Watson form the side.

I wonder if Voges could have been used as the 5th bowler?

[hujsh]

Pomerbasch for who?


I don't know. Same person Voges or North would replace.


I don't think either Hillfenhaus or Magoffin would be effective on the Indian tracks we have seen.


As opposed to Lee and Clark? (rough on Clark but them's the breaks)

Though you are right they probably wouldn't be much better. I think experience in India is the best asset a pace bowler can have when there.

[mjp]

I will show my bias!

Ronchi is a better bet in test cricket than Hadden (but Hadden has been OK).
I would play Pomersbach and play him NOW. Watson has been good, but I would drop him to make way. Pomersbach can change the course of a match in 60 mins in the way a young Gilchrist could. Whether he can get his 10cent head under control is the question!

Cullen is struggling GVGjr - Hauritz for me - ahead of White.
Noffke ahead of Siddle as Clark's backup. Again, Siddle was good, but Noffke is just more likely to bowl that unplayable one that jags a wicket.

It is funny though - going through those names I really haven't changed the guys who have been terrible. That said - as I posted last week - the first test was our best chance for a win and gutless batting/captaincy on the 4th day cost us. I really expect a 3-0 defeat now because I cannot see us getting 20 wickets at the remaining venues.

[Sockeye Salmon]

It's all shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic.

None of the players mentioned would make a significant difference to the team. The Indian bats have made mincemeat out of White and Krejza and they would of Hauritz, Cullen or any other pie throwing spinner in the country.

The players in the side are the best we have, they just have to play better - and I don't think that will even be close to being good enough.

The single biggest issue in the first two tests has been the complete inability of Brett Lee to bowl anything like his best. We know he's the best quick bowler we have, if he could have them 2-20 instead of 2-200 that would help a lot.

[Mantis]

Hauritz hardly plays for NSW in the longer version of the game so he can't be selected.

mjp you say that Pommersbach can change the course of the game in 60min, D.Hussey can do that in 20 min. By weight of runs he simply has to be the next batsman selected.

Hayden has had his time in the sun and must be replaced by Marsh.

As SS explained unless you get early wickets in India you are going to struggle. The best spin bowler in the history of the game struggled against set batsmen. The spinners we have are no where there that level and the results are there for us to see.

[Twodogs]

I'd like us to pick a 'kepper who can keep. You know catch it when the batsmen edges it, stop the ball going for byes and that sort of thing. The wicketkeeper sets the tone in the field. If he's on top of his game then the rest of the side field better. Gilchrist was a top of the line keeper whos talent behind the stumps was vastly underrated because of his sublime batting skills. Anyone who could stand up to the best spinner the world's seen and not make mistakes too often is a very, very good 'keeper. Haddin is not even in the same class. we need to pick keepers for their skill with the gloves first and foremost-I dont care if he bats at #11.


Katich must never play for Australia again. He is too poor a fieldsman. By the time you add up all the dropped catches, the balls that go between his legs and his lousy throwing arm then he is 50 runs a match behind the 8 ball. He needs to make at least 51 runs a match to put him back in positive territory-he doesnt so the dream is over for him. Marsh takes his spot


Siddle stays. Anyone who hits the opposing opening bat on the helmet with his first delivery in test cricket stays. He's got the **** in him that fast bowlers need.


Watson goes-his 72 in the 2nd innings was a NathanEagleton15touchesinthelastquartertokeepmypla cenextweekeventhoughwelostby10goalseffort. Doesnt have the mental capacity to play cricket well at park level let alone test level. Lee should have been developed as an all rounder form the year dot. He has a terrific batting technique and Australia really erred not setting him up as an all rounder.



I disagree that Hillfenhaus wouldnt do well in India. He swings the ball prodigiously and that's exactly the sort of bowler we need.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Watson should only play if we use two spinners and as we don't actually have any at all, I'd say he's in trouble.

I'd trust him to bowl 1st change and keep things tight until until the spinners get on or to take up some overs to give others a rest but I wouldn't expect him tpo take too many wickets.

The rest is spot on. I hate Katich.

[hujsh]

A guy here could be handy in India. Has all the right assets

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australiandomestic/engine/match/361284.html

5-27 is a great comeback and that ball was swinging.

[Sockeye Salmon]

A guy here could be handy in India. Has all the right assets

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australiandomestic/engine/match/361284.html

5-27 is a great comeback and that ball was swinging.

In India?

Pfft. It would get too hard for him and he'd have a cry.

[hujsh]

In India?

Pfft. It would get too hard for him and he'd have a cry.

And that's the question mark.

But potentially he could be the guy that makes the team one that takes 20 wickets.

[ledge]

I have a bigger question, what has the AIS been doing for the last 5 years knowing Warne was retiring and not teaching or preparing another spinner?
Havent even got an off spinner of any note coming through.
You need spinners in India, look at who got all the wickets for them.
You can have 3 Brett Lees in the side, fact is its a spinners country.
Other point is the aussies couldnt score a run the same day the Indians were massacreing them.
Hayden i think is 1 tour past it, Ponting who in my opinion is a great bat but his captaincy leaves me wondering at times, all those years of having so many match winners, now its more important than ever he sets his fields right.

[GVGjr]

Simply speaking they put all their eggs in the MacGill basket who then slipped out of form and fitness all too quickly. McGain would have been a decent prospect on that track as well. They tried to groom Casson but after his series in the WI they believed that his bowling wasn't suited to the Indian pitches.

[Happy Days]

I will show my bias!

Ronchi is a better bet in test cricket than Hadden (but Hadden has been OK).
I would play Pomersbach and play him NOW. Watson has been good, but I would drop him to make way. Pomersbach can change the course of a match in 60 mins in the way a young Gilchrist could. Whether he can get his 10cent head under control is the question!

Cullen is struggling GVGjr - Hauritz for me - ahead of White.


I'm firmly with you on Ronchi. Probably the better batsman but definitely the better keeper...20+ byes at international level is simply unacceptable.

As far as the spinners are concerned, they're all poo...at least White can bat a bit, even if he hasn't shown it this series thus far.

[GVGjr]

I will show my bias!

Ronchi is a better bet in test cricket than Hadden (but Hadden has been OK).
I would play Pomersbach and play him NOW. Watson has been good, but I would drop him to make way. Pomersbach can change the course of a match in 60 mins in the way a young Gilchrist could. Whether he can get his 10cent head under control is the question!



Agree with Ronchi but not with Pomers. I would have Marsh, North and Voges all ahead of Pomers as potential test batsman. Let him work his way into the OD team and ply his trade there like Gilly did.


Cullen is struggling GVGjr - Hauritz for me - ahead of White.
Noffke ahead of Siddle as Clark's backup. Again, Siddle was good, but Noffke is just more likely to bowl that unplayable one that jags a wicket. Noffke should have been in the squad.


I had a look at Hauritz tonight and he was well into the groove although got no wickets from his 10 overs. he should be in India.

By the way Marsh has been added to the squad to replace Jacques.

[Happy Days]

And that's the question mark.

But potentially he could be the guy that makes the team one that takes 20 wickets.

Potentially he could also reap figures of 0-200, half of the runs coming form wides and no balls. Leave him for the time being. Our pace stocks are fine.

[GVGjr]

Potentially he could also reap figures of 0-200, half of the runs coming form wides and no balls. Leave him for the time being. Our pace stocks are fine.

Exactly. He doesn't have the heart for the game then he should start from the back of the queue. It's the same as those soft dual passport cricketers wanting to keep their options open without actually having to commit to anything.

[hujsh]

Ronchi is not a better batsman IMO. Maybe more talented but based on domestic runs Haddin is better.

Haddin scores more runs consistently and deserves his spot. Ronchi is like Gilchrist at the end. More likely to make a duck but can also able to slaughter an attack.

I don't think Haddin's a worse keeper than Gilchrist who had bad days as well as good ones.

[Sockeye Salmon]

I have a bigger question, what has the AIS been doing for the last 5 years knowing Warne was retiring and not teaching or preparing another spinner?
Havent even got an off spinner of any note coming through.
You need spinners in India, look at who got all the wickets for them.
You can have 3 Brett Lees in the side, fact is its a spinners country.
Other point is the aussies couldnt score a run the same day the Indians were massacreing them.
Hayden i think is 1 tour past it, Ponting who in my opinion is a great bat but his captaincy leaves me wondering at times, all those years of having so many match winners, now its more important than ever he sets his fields right.

Except Sharma and Zaheer are taking wickets as well.

[mjp]

Hauritz hardly plays for NSW in the longer version of the game so he can't be selected.

mjp you say that Pommersbach can change the course of the game in 60min, D.Hussey can do that in 20 min. By weight of runs he simply has to be the next batsman selected.

Hayden has had his time in the sun and must be replaced by Marsh.


Pomersbach has more shots than David Hussey and it isn't even close. Sorry. I wouldn't argue that Hussey deserves the next go, but at some point are we going to stop with the 30 year old debutants and try and build a team for the next decade?

That Hauritz isn't playing in the longer games has more to do with Casson than Hauritz - he is still the best spinner we have, but Casson is difficult for Shield batsman to handle on bouncier Australian wickets.

Hayden replaced by Marsh? I know Marsh has travelled now, but everyone knows he doesn't open for WA right?

[Mantis]

Pomersbach has more shots than David Hussey and it isn't even close. Sorry. I wouldn't argue that Hussey deserves the next go, but at some point are we going to stop with the 30 year old debutants and try and build a team for the next decade?

This has never been something that the Australian selectors have done on a regular basis. They like to bring plays thru the OD team .ie. M.Hussey, Symonds and now maybe Marsh and rarely pick inexperienced players.

That Hauritz isn't playing in the longer games has more to do with Casson than Hauritz - he is still the best spinner we have, but Casson is difficult for Shield batsman to handle on bouncier Australian wickets.

Agree with that, but it's pretty hard to get selected for Australia when you aren't playing regular 1st class cricket. In hindsight perhaps it was a poor move (QLD to NSW)

Hayden replaced by Marsh? I know Marsh has travelled now, but everyone knows he doesn't open for WA right?

But neither does Katich, the only open spots in the team are as openers. So either you open the innings or you don't play. Ponting, Hussey & Clarke are set at 3, 4 & 5 and they tend to play all-rounders at 6.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Boon didn't open for Tassie, Langer didn't open for WA

[hujsh]

Boon didn't open for Tassie, Langer didn't open for WA

They did play at 3 which can often be the same spot.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Pomersbach has more shots than David Hussey and it isn't even close. Sorry. I wouldn't argue that Hussey deserves the next go, but at some point are we going to stop with the 30 year old debutants and try and build a team for the next decade?


Test cricket isn't the AFL with restricted lists and a draft.

Pick the best team you can and pick younger players when they are in your best team. Pomersbach will almost certainly one day be in the test team, but he's not good enough yet - pick him when he is.

[hujsh]

Today Philip Hughes has made 170 not out and is still only 19 years 330 days old backing up his impressive season last year. Hayden may have to retire or be dropped and Katich's claim to fame is a century against the West Indies (wow I'm impressed). So if there is two openings it may be possible this guy could get a spot (say against NZ).

Full story here (http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australiandomestic/content/player/272364.html)

[Sockeye Salmon]

Today Philip Hughes has made 170 not out and is still only 19 years 330 days old backing up his impressive season last year. Hayden may have to retire or be dropped and Katich's claim to fame is a century against the West Indies (wow I'm impressed). So if there is two openings it may be possible this guy could get a spot (say against NZ).

I'd like to see him get in on a few good knocks rather than one decent score against SA.

Is there still any love for Tait? Last I heard NSW were 3/300 and the first 2 wickets were runouts.

[hujsh]

I'd like to see him get in on a few good knocks rather than one decent score against SA.


Well there was the 100 he made against the Vics 2 matches ago (Pura Cup final). His average would be around 50 from 18 innings with this score.


Is there still any love for Tait? Last I heard NSW were 3/300 and the first 2 wickets were runouts.


I still think he has the tools to perform.

[mjp]

I'd like to see him get in on a few good knocks rather than one decent score against SA.


Well, he made '4' and '0' against WA two weeks back...do they count as scores?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Well, he made '4' and '0' against WA two weeks back...do they count as scores?

They do if you come from NSW

[Twodogs]

Boon didn't open for Tassie, Langer didn't open for WA



Sehwag and Gambhir bat at #4 and #5 for their first class team in India.

[dog town]

We dont need too many changes. Playing a very good emerging side on there own turf was always going to be tough and they have not won the series yet. Its really been both sides dominating a test each and the third one is going to be a boring draw. We bowled terribly on the last day of the 1st test and thats the only reason the series is not squared up. The fact that Harby and Kahn smashed us around the park cost us a session bowling at them as well.

I certainly dont think the batting needs to many changes.

Katich- Stays for now. Went back after the 2005 ashes series and changed his game slightly. Made a mountain of runs so deserves his spot. He really isnt doing much wrong. Please dont anyone say he is boring. He is not here to entertain.

Hayden- Had big money on him to top score in Australias first innings so he is not my favourite person right now after that terrible shot on 83. Knows his game so well.

Ponting-Been a bit lean over the last 12 months but he is an all time great.

Hussey- Most consistent player in the world.

Clarke- Getting out in some weird ways but you cant really mount a case to have him dropped.

Watson- I have faith in his ability. You could play an extra bat here but it puts alot of pressure on the fast bowlers who are already under performing.

Of the guys below

Marsh- Will step in when Hayden retires. Mark it down. The only way it wont happen is if he has a Rogers style horror run just before it. You need at least 1 guy who can take it to the bowling at the top of the order and Marsh will be able to do that. Will have his ups and downs.

Hodge- Technique worries me at the next level but he has shown he is capable. Churning out runs at will and lets face it he has a good record at test level even though he has looked shaky at times. Included in his last 3 tests are a double hundred and a 68. In a similar way that Katich was rewarded you just have to give him a chance if a position becomes available and coditions suit. Would struggle in India IMO.

Hussey- Slaying attacks for a few years now. Has shown he is up to international standard at ODI level but I will reserve my judgement regarding test standard. Deserves to be in the next handful of chances though.

Hughes- Do it for 3 or 4 years first. Good prospect though.

Voges- Just behind the first 3 at the moment IMO. Good, good player though.

North- Not up to the next level. Watched him carefully for a while now.

Pommers- Get him in the ODI side first and see how he copes. Amazing talent but you just need to see how he copes at the next level before you look at test cricket.

Keepers

Haddin- Was always going to struggle in India with the bat. Plays a very punchy style and a long way from his body. Sharma and Harby both bowl a style that is perfect to this kind of batsmen. His keeping has just been ok. I would start him in Australia but only because I have always been a big believer in giving new guys the chance to settle in and find themselves at that level.

Ronchi- Certainly next in line. Destructive batsmen and a capable glovemen. He is not Ian Healy or Darren Berry (no disgrace) with the gloves but he would be a good counter attacking number 7.

Bowlers

Our quicks have been the biggest disaster of the tour for mine.

Lee- He is a short man and skids the ball on so he really needs to move the ball in the air. Just hasn't fired in this series.

Clark- He was the man we needed to fire. Our plan was always going to be restricting boundaries and bowling straight. We were going to go for LBW and bowled type dismissals. This is alot easier if your 190cms +. Pidge, Dizzy and Kasper destroyed them the last time we were over in India because they had the height to create uneven bounce and a bit of uncertainty. Clarke is our only real tall bowler on tour who uses the pitch to his advantage and for a number of reasons he has not been a factor. Elbow is definetly restricting him.

Johnson- Been the best of them on this tour but he will be the one under the most scrutiny come this Australian summer. Relying more on batsmen errors than great bowling at the moment. He is fit and steams in all day but we need him to find a few more weapons.

Next Group

I think we will play 4 quicks in most places other than the sub continent.

Siddle- I said early last summer he would be playing Test cricket very soon. Bowls with intensity and keeps going all day. Didn't think he was really suited to Indian conditions to be honest but he did not disgrace himself. Will play alot of test cricket if his body holds up.

Bracken- I dont understand why this guy has been forgotten about. I used to hate him but he has continually developed and improved his craft and thats what you want from a bowler. Ponting would have loved to have him at his disposal. Can bowl genuine swing early (he and hilfy are our only 2 capable swing bowlers) but has developed 3 or 4 different types of cutters to bowl with the old ball. He always throws something different at you and with his height he would have been an idieal option in India. I have he and Siddle as next in line.

Hilfy- Paying the price for a bad year last year. Needs to continue his start to this season. Would love him to have a good year.

Noffke- Very unlucky not to go to India. I dont really see him as a huge threat at international level with the ball. His batting is a big plus and he has been huge with the ball for QLD but away from the Gabba against good batsmen I am not sure about him.

Tait- Needs to perform before he gets a gig for mine. Very expensive at test level on current evidence. Will get a go if he performs though.

No spinners worth mentioning at this stage.

I dont think its panic stations. We generally have a good production line of players they just need time to settle in.

Most of all I want us to stop being so nice. Our own media has killed us. Was a breath of fresh air seeing Katich and Watson dishing it out the other night.