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They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them. -
Re: An alternate Test line-up
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.Comment
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