Andrew Symonds

[LostDoggy]

Re: Andrew Symonds

Well who are yours then?

I'd have

Haydos
Katich
Ponting
M Huss
Clarke
Symonds

As the top 6.

(abiltiy=run scoring not natural talent)

Don't forget how good he was after that Boxing Day Test. Best batsman against India in the series.

You mean the Boxing Day Test the year after Hodgey got a double century?

Better batsmen (by far):

Jacques
Hodge
D. Huss
Klinger
Marsh
Rogers

At least as good, if not better:

Pomersbach
Quiney
Jewell
Bailey
Hughes
Broad
Voges

[LostDoggy]

Re: Andrew Symonds

You mean the Boxing Day Test the year after Hodgey got a double century?

Better batsmen (by far):

Jacques
Hodge
D. Huss
Klinger
Marsh
Rogers

At least as good, if not better:

Pomersbach
Quiney
Jewell
Bailey
Hughes
Broad
Voges

None of your "better by far" get close and your "as good if not better" list is laughble by comparison to a man whose last 11 Tests (since the Boxing Day Test) and 17 innings with 5 Not Outs averaged 81.1

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Andrew Symonds

None of your "better by far" get close and your "as good if not better" list is laughble by comparison to a man whose last 11 Tests (since the Boxing Day Test) and 17 innings with 5 Not Outs averaged 81.1

You mean the bloke with a first class average this season of 13?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Andrew Symonds

Exactly.

Boonie's last 11 Test innings were pretty good too. Why don't we recall him?

You can't go past form players to pick 'protected species' types. It's inconsistent and sends a lousy message to the rest of the playing stock.

If we're talking form players in local cricket, any one of the six players from my 'better by far' list would do well in the Test arena if they were given as many chances as Symo.

I'm not saying he is not a brilliant cricketer, but he does not get in the team as a batsman. He fights out the all-rounder spot with Watson.

[hujsh]

Re: Andrew Symonds

You mean the Boxing Day Test the year after Hodgey got a double century?

No. The one against England that sparked his good form.

I can perhaps consider Hussey on you list as comparable.

The idea though was run scoring ability and Symonds has one thing none of the above batsmen (even Hodge) doesn't have. That's proof that he can dominate at test level.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Andrew Symonds

Symonds will never dominate at test level. His technique is too flawed. Like a lot of the Aussie bats, he is ok when the going is easy. We have seen what happens when they face good quick swing bowling or quality spin.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Andrew Symonds

No. The one against England that sparked his good form.

I can perhaps consider Hussey on you list as comparable.

The idea though was run scoring ability and Symonds has one thing none of the above batsmen (even Hodge) doesn't have. That's proof that he can dominate at test level.

If that was the dominate factor in selecting the test team how could a new player ever get selected?

Neil Harvey would still be in the side (and if you ask him he thinks he still should be).

[hujsh]

Re: Andrew Symonds

If that was the dominate factor in selecting the test team how could a new player ever get selected?

Neil Harvey would still be in the side (and if you ask him he thinks he still should be).

I didn't say it was the dominant factor just that it is his advantage. And going by your policy of picking the best team for each match i would say it's a major advantage to him.

[hujsh]

Re: Andrew Symonds

Symonds will never dominate at test level. His technique is too flawed. Like a lot of the Aussie bats, he is ok when the going is easy. We have seen what happens when they face good quick swing bowling or quality spin.

He already has dominated tests. That average of 80 after Boxing Day, which included India, is hard to beat.

Find a team that that won't struggle against quality swing and spin.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Andrew Symonds

I didn't say it was the dominant factor just that it is his advantage. And going by your policy of picking the best team for each match i would say it's a major advantage to him.

I would say that if a bloke hasn't played a test in 6 months then he should have to make at least a few before he gets back in.

[hujsh]

Re: Andrew Symonds

I would say that if a bloke hasn't played a test in 6 months then he should have to make at least a few before he gets back in.

I agree.

[hujsh]

Re: Andrew Symonds

Well he's in anyway. Watson or Krezja

[LostDoggy]

Re: Andrew Symonds

You mean the bloke with a first class average this season of 13?

Whether he should be picked in this Test is another argument. I am reponding to Lantern's outrageous assertion that those on his list are superior batsmen.

With respect to his selection for this Test, no mention has been made of the fact he is probably the world's formost out-fielder. He brings to the table the ability to bowl mediums and spin and to fill a gap.

When batting he has a presence few of his peers can match. Like Gilchrist he can change a game in a session which is enormously important now that the going rate for a day in a Test match appears to have reverted to 260 - 280.

Yes he has been out of form in various domestic matches but they have been versions of the short game in the main. His position in the side was without question before he got on the piss. How long does he pay the price? Given our performances in India, we are not overburdened with batsmen who are making a lot of runs.

He has shown an ability in the past to rise to the occasion when selected at international level. Like one SK Warne his Test performances are likely to remain superior to those in the domestic arena.

[Bornadog]

Re: Andrew Symonds

Whether he should be picked in this Test is another argument. I am reponding to Lantern's outrageous assertion that those on his list are superior batsmen.

With respect to his selection for this Test, no mention has been made of the fact he is probably the world's formost out-fielder. He brings to the table the ability to bowl mediums and spin and to fill a gap.

When batting he has a presence few of his peers can match. Like Gilchrist he can change a game in a session which is enormously important now that the going rate for a day in a Test match appears to have reverted to 260 - 280.

Yes he has been out of form in various domestic matches but they have been versions of the short game in the main. His position in the side was without question before he got on the piss. How long does he pay the price? Given our performances in India, we are not overburdened with batsmen who are making a lot of runs.

He has shown an ability in the past to rise to the occasion when selected at international level. Like one SK Warne his Test performances are likely to remain superior to those in the domestic arena.

Completely agree, its all well and good for some batsman to make runs in the shield competition, but at test level its a different ball game. As Hujsh has indicated, Symonds at test level has proven he is a match winner and his average since the boxing day test against England proves it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Andrew Symonds

News reports say he has been in some scuffle in a Brisbane pub.