An alternate Test line-up

[GVGjr]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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

[hujsh]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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]

Re: An alternate Test line-up

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

They do if you come from NSW