Australia vs the West Indies

[GVGjr]

I always dreamed of going on this tour but unfortunately I can't get too excited because the Windies are no longer a real power in cricket.

Anyone had the pleasure in going there for a tour? I think it would be a great experience.

Will anyone be that interested in the results of this tour?

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

I will be hoping that Katich makes a pair. If he does well and somehow earns a spot i will cry.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

I will be hoping that Katich makes a pair. If he does well and somehow earns a spot i will cry.

Better start breaking out the Kleenex

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23715084-11088,00.html

SIMON Katich was all but given the green light to resume his Test career after Australia opted not to play Queensland allrounder Ashley Noffke in its opening West Indies tour match.

Australia reached 0-89 in reply to Jamaica XI's 297 when bad light stopped play on day one of the three-day match.

Katich was unbeaten on 35 and took 2-51 bowling his left-arm legspinners.

Australia fielded an almost full-strength Test team in the match, with Katich and Brad Hodge included, but Noffke left out.

Katich was always the frontrunner to replace Michael Clarke, who remained in Australia on compassionate leave, ending a 2 1/2-year absence from the Test team.

But Noffke was tipped to come into consideration, with his bowling adding a fifth option to Australia's attack.

He still may come into the frame, depending on the wicket at Sabina Park.

But given yesterday's events, it seems unlikely.

Katich was given a 13-over spell with the ball before filling in for the rested Matthew Hayden at the top of the order alongside Phil Jaques (45 not out).

Veteran legspinner Stuart MacGill (4-79) was the pick of the bowlers as Carlton Baugh's unbeaten 111 guided Jamaica to a credible 297 on a slow wicket described as "rolled mud" by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

MacGill, who missed most of the summer with wrist and knee injuries, was particularly impressive in his opening spell, turning the ball prodigiously in claiming 3-23 from 12 overs.

Haddin had a hand in five dismissals, including a pair of stumpings, ahead of his Test debut.

The only black spot on a day that otherwise had plenty of positives was MacGill's regular overstepping - he was no-balled nine times in 21 overs.

Meanwhile, the West Indies' hopes of an upset in the first Test suffered a critical blow with skipper and opening batsman Chris Gayle ruled out of the match with a groin injury.

Gayle suffered the injury a month ago in the final game of the West Indies' one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Fellow opener Sewnarine Chattergoon has also been ruled out with a shoulder problem.

[1eyedog]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Better start breaking out the Kleenex

Now that's Gold!

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Better start breaking out the Kleenex

Not yet. If he performs well in the test and earns a spot for more games is when i will cry.

For now I'll just weep.

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Katich made 97

Other performances of note were Symonds with 86, Haddin with 64, and Jaques with 48.

Ponting, Hussey & Hodge made 16-19 each

[1eyedog]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Katich made 97

Other performances of note were Symonds with 86, Haddin with 64, and Jaques with 48.

Ponting, Hussey & Hodge made 16-19 each

Katich is crap, why doesn't he ever do anything at home?

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Katich is crap, why doesn't he ever do anything at home?

Why does he get picked at 33, when we're playing the West Indies and there isn't a permanent spot to be won, when someone younger, or at least someone who hasn't screwed up his chance yet, could be picked...is the question.

(if you can't tell i'm not happy about his selection)

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Why does he get picked at 33, when we're playing the West Indies and there isn't a permanent spot to be won, when someone younger, or at least someone who hasn't screwed up his chance yet, could be picked...is the question.

(if you can't tell i'm not happy about his selection)

Who would you nominate instead of him though? His terrific season must account for something.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

If David Hussey was a NSW player he'd already have 50 caps.

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Who would you nominate instead of him though? His terrific season must account for something.

Well one suggestion is D.Hussey but in terms of age he would be 30 now so he's not that younger.

I would like Pommers or White as they have both had good domestic seasons and are mid to early 20's. Katich may make a few more runs in the 1 or 2 tests he plays (and that's a definate may) but the value of either of those 2 playing a test would surpass whatever contribution Katich would make as we need to have some sort of plan for the 3 middle order batsmen who are about 33 (Hussey Ponting Symonds) and when they may retire.


Also remember that they're not the greatest test team ever and should be beaten either way.

(I also don't trust Katich at test level any more, wasn't that long ago he failed against the Windies at home)

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Well one suggestion is D.Hussey but in terms of age he would be 30 now so he's not that younger.

I would like Pommers or White as they have both had good domestic seasons and are mid to early 20's. Katich may make a few more runs in the 1 or 2 tests he plays (and that's a definate may) but the value of either of those 2 playing a test would surpass whatever contribution Katich would make as we need to have some sort of plan for the 3 middle order batsmen who are about 33 (Hussey Ponting Symonds) and when they may retire.


Also remember that they're not the greatest test team ever and should be beaten either way.

(I also don't trust Katich at test level any more, wasn't that long ago he failed against the Windies at home)

On form you couldn't pick White and Pommerbasch is to temperamental at the moment. David Hussey makes the most sense but given that Katich has played 23 tests he is more likely to settle in quicker. As you say, there is bugger all age difference between them.
I'm not that happy about the Katich selection but it isn't out of whack. He simply had a better season than both Hodge and D Hussey. There is some speculation that we might move Noffke into the side and play the extra bowler as well.

It's really up to the likes of Voges and Watson to get the runs on the board to put pressure on the batsman like Katich.

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

On form you couldn't pick White and Pommerbasch is to temperamental at the moment. David Hussey makes the most sense but given that Katich has played 23 tests he is more likely to settle in quicker. As you say, there is bugger all age difference between them.
I'm not that happy about the Katich selection but it isn't out of whack. He simply had a better season than both Hodge and D Hussey. There is some speculation that we might move Noffke into the side and play the extra bowler as well.

It's really up to the likes of Voges and Watson to get the runs on the board to put pressure on the batsman like Katich.

Based on what form? He had a pretty good Pura Cup season statistically and that included him recovering touch after his foot injury.

I'm just disappointed that a 33yr old who looked finished had so little competition for that spot.

I'm hoping that Watson's late form continues through the IPL into this next season.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Based on what form? He had a pretty good Pura Cup season statistically and that included him recovering touch after his foot injury.

I'm just disappointed that a 33yr old who looked finished had so little competition for that spot.

I'm hoping that Watson's late form continues through the IPL into this next season.

His form was nowhere near test quality or even anywhere near as good as Hussey and Hodge and yes the injury did slow him down a lot. But to pick him would have been speculative at best.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Australia vs the West Indies

Katich will make a mountain of runs when it doesn't matter and fail just when he's needed or when he faces some decent bowling - just like he's done his entire career.